Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Mega Miles Yamaha XT660x Mega Miles Yamaha XT660x
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 May 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 14
Hi Martin, 180,000 miles is very good.
I agree with what you say about expectations. Many motorcycles are leisure vehicles, used on sunny days, so only do a few thousand miles a year. So after a few years with 10 or 20 thousand miles on the clock they are traded in for the latest model. Cars are expected to do 100,000 to 200,000 miles, so why not motorcycles.
Oil changes, filters, occasional fixes. I also think the way you ride a motorcycle. I have seen and heard a few similar bikes to mine, with far lower milage, but they sounded so rough, rattling, worn out. Seems their mates often had sports bikes, so were thrashed to keep up with the faster sports bikes. Single cylinder bikes don't like to be thrashed, don't like silly high speed.
I have a few single cylinder motorcycles (1976 Yamaha TT500, 1988 XT600 Tenere) and have owned many in the past, XR350, DR350, KLR 600 and 650. So I know their limitations, keep the speed down, don't thrash them or the engine.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 May 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 490
Nice one.
I didn’t realise there was a market for motorcycle couriers these days with all the different types of digital communication.

I’m not a mechanic but my theory for bike longevity is to use it on a regular basis. My wife and I are all year round riders, with one car between us. I average around 12K and she 6K miles on our bikes. My last bike did 180K and my current one’s got 60K on the clock and just about run in I recon - definitely riding better than ever.
My wife sold her last bike with 50K on the clock and now has 40K on this one.
We don’t fettle with them or even wash them that much just service them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and ride them, they don’t sit in the garage for more than a week - I realise this is not possible in all parts of the world.

They are twins, however, so congratulations on reaching those figures on a single.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 25 May 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,121
I know someone with well over 200k miles on a single - an MZ 250 ! Even his spare one is pushing 100k (and both are probably well over that by now as I haven’t seen him for a few years). No magic to it, just regular use and a willingness to stick with the same bike.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 May 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 14
I remember seeing a high milage MZ250 ( a blue one with top box) at the Popham bike show/ jumble a few years ago. It looked well used, a bit scruffy, but in a good way. I looked like it was a touring bike. I can't remember what the milage is, but it was high, perhaps the odometer had clicked back to 0 once it has reached 99,999 miles.
So yeah, even a humble MZ can do the miles.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 May 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 14
As to motorcycle courier work. I packed that in in October last year. The fun had gone, the money was dreadful.
The XT660x is now retired. I've put it under cover in my garage. Not too sure what to do with it, I do have a few other motorcycles.
A trader offered me £500 for it, high mileage does reduce the value. But to me it is worth more than that.
I'll keep it for now. Keep the battery charged ( it is still the original battery) and start it up every now and then.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 May 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,121
Quote:
Originally Posted by rust and dust View Post
The XT660x is now retired. I've put it under cover in my garage. Not too sure what to do with it, I do have a few other motorcycles.
A trader offered me £500 for it, high mileage does reduce the value. But to me it is worth more than that.
I'll keep it for now. Keep the battery charged ( it is still the original battery) and start it up every now and then.
I have an old Land Rover like that - well over 200k miles but runs well and is reliable. We buy any Car offered £750 by email, which will become £250 when you bring it along (‘it’s the condition mate, we didn’t know it was this bad’ and all the rest of the sales spiel). So we’re keeping it for the time being. In fact we’re away for a few days in it at the moment as we could chuck a couple of muddy bikes in the back and not worry. If it fails the MOT in Nov (which it won’t) we’ll have got our 250 quid’s worth in the meantime.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 May 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 14
Hi, even a failed MOT Land Rover will be worth far more than £250-£750, even as parts. So yes hang onto it.
200,000 miles is nothing for a Landy, a few dents and scuffs (and mud) is what they do best.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Hybrid Mode Hybrid Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Yamaha Service Repair Manuals PDF martinanderson Yamaha Tech 0 30 May 2016 23:25
FS: Yamaha XT660X headlight UK version animalin TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 25 Sep 2012 14:46
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 16:51

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 22:30.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top