XT660, Suitable?

[DMNTD:Me]

I'm having a serious reconsider of my riding of late and have been thinking of going the adventure way so I can get to see "the real" NZ(imo).
With working where I do obviously I can get a deal on a Yamaha(Triumph or Duc) so have been thinking about a XT660.
Your opinions please....but do bare in mind that I'm a complete 100% n00b at this side of things.

Cheers

[insane1]

you getting one stock or one thats had some money spent on it .pm yellowdog he"s just got a trumpy .

[FJRider]

Are your legs long enough to ride it. And we are ALL noobs, thats why/how we need to get experience. If you like the bike, can afford it, who are we to argue ???

[DMNTD:Me]

Are your legs long enough to ride it. And we are ALL noobs, thats why/how we need to get experience. If you like the bike, can afford it, who are we to argue ???

I'm 6ft and down to a stealth 95kgs atm so I don't think it would be an issue. Have ridden our XTX660 demo with no issues but obviously on the road.
Re the n00b part...I've never done any motor cross/dirt riding of any description on a 2 wheeler.
Just after opinions

[limbimtimwim]

I'm going to sell my DR-Z400SM in the near future (Like put it on Trademe on Monday or Tuesday). It'll be so cheap you won't have to sell anything...

[marks]

just my 2c

The XT is some 30kg heavier than a dr650 and 3-4k dearer (less for you).

The XT is a better bike on road (very comfortable) and a worse bike off road. I brought an xt660x (since sold) and in hindsight I would have been better off from an adventure riding point of view with something like a dr650.

It all comes down to if you are happy just riding gravel and tar seal or if you end up always wondering "I wonder if I can just get up/down there what is around the corner...".

[tri boy]

Go for it D You won't regret it.
The Xt660R might be a bit more suited to gravel than the X model, but Marks didn't have any drama's leaving me behind on last years Motu ride.
Hell, almost any bike will do light adv rides, (kanny's Volty, Rosies Sherpa, Xer's Cb250RS etc), but a more dedicated bike like a XT, TTR, KTM640/690, will have bubbling.
As for hardcore adv dudes..........
We get upset if our stuffed Quail n Chateau d plonk is a bit poorly presented.

[sinfull]

I'm having a serious reconsider of my riding of late and have been thinking of going the adventure way so I can get to see "the real" NZ(imo).
With working where I do obviously I can get a deal on a Yamaha(Triumph or Duc) so have been thinking about a XT660.
Your opinions please....but do bare in mind that I'm a complete 100% n00b at this side of things.

Cheers

Ditto to the real NZ , been looking at the off road side myself !

And only limited exp. with trail riding !

Sooooo many routes through NZ that the road bikes cant look at !

[DMNTD:Me]

Cheers for your opinions thus far. Apart from that fact that I can get a deal on a XT it's also that I'd be keen on doing some kms on it therefore the smaller cc's may not suit.
Keep the opinions flowing

[jrandom]

I'm sorry, is there an echo in here?

[NordieBoy]

As for hardcore adv dudes..........
We get upset if our stuffed Quail n Chateau d plonk is a bit poorly presented.

It's gateau and the wine in (expensive) paper cups

[fridayflash]

I'm having a serious reconsider of my riding of late and have been thinking of going the adventure way so I can get to see "the real" NZ(imo).
With working where I do obviously I can get a deal on a Yamaha(Triumph or Duc) so have been thinking about a XT660.
Your opinions please....but do bare in mind that I'm a complete 100% n00b at this side of things.

Cheers

go for it!!! i divide my motorcycling time equaly between road
and dirt and get a lot of kicks out of both, if your unsure buy a 250cc trailbike road legal,such as ttr,xt or wr 250 and do a few trailrides and backroad exploring,and organised adventure rides to gain confidence
and youl be able to make a more informed decision about what sort
of bigger trailie you might want

[DMNTD:Me]

go for it!!! i divide my motorcycling time equaly between road...

Oh don't get me wrong,I'll still have my ZX14 and would buy a track bike too

[Quasievil]

Well mate, I cant get into the road scene anymore, just to hard, fast and dangerous and cop pressure everywhere, whats the point, the track yes the road NOPE

For me ideal day is having a quick squizz at a map, ie middle of nowhere and seeing how to get somewhere without hitting tarseal, its not always possible but what a hoot I find myself in some real out of the way places I didnt even know existed...great fun
And I take the billy the primus and some lunch and save it for a sweet spot, and yes its very heart warming and is a great day adventure, every time.
If you want come to Hamilton and take the KLR out for the day.

Oh and KLR is a better pic (I reckon) 430 kms in a tank and lots of wind rain protection and $9k DONE !!

[Quasievil]

Flag the Ducati to, you want a 21 inch front wheel, higher centrifugal forces for keeping it upright in the gravel, 19 inch minimum dude