XT660, Suitable?

**Taz** · 7th June 2008, 13:25

Get the XT. Hit the back roads and you'll love it. I put 40,000kms on my XT alot of those in the middle of nowhere and went places I never knew existed. The Waikaremoana road in the snow is one of my fondest memories. Don't worry about the weight, it's not like your going to ride motocross on the thing and the extra comfort and handling on the road will make up for it.

Here's a pic taken by clint on the day.

**marks** · 7th June 2008, 13:49

XT's can enjoy the dirt....

http://webcoda.com/images/bike/PICT0480.jpg

**Taz** · 7th June 2008, 13:50

Cool pic marks!

**Frodo** · 7th June 2008, 14:51

I have a Pegaso trail with essentially the same motor. As said earlier, more weight and more power than a DR650 means it is more road oriented, but fine in the gravel. There are some fuelling issues thanks to Euro emissions requirements. I had significant issues with my Pegaso, but these were well sorted with a Power Commander and my bike now runs sweet. I know with the very latest Pegasos fitted with a lambda probe there are some issues with getting the Power Commander sorted. You should check with www.XT660.com.

Cheers

**Goblin** · 7th June 2008, 15:18

Whatever you do get, make sure you get some HotGrips!! Having warm hands on those beautiful crisp, frosty mornings is not being a soft cock.

**tri boy** · 7th June 2008, 16:37

I sense the makings of another Newbies overnighter at "The Bach".
The weekend is worth it for Kanny's cooking alone.

**Coyote** · 7th June 2008, 16:47

Originally Posted by 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...

Why are you selling it?

**Quasievil** · 7th June 2008, 16:51

Originally Posted by Goblin

Whatever you do get, make sure you get some HotGrips!! Having warm hands on those beautiful crisp, frosty mornings is not being a soft cock.

Mmmmm I think I will call him a soft cock anyway

**DMNTD:Me** · 7th June 2008, 17:36

Originally Posted by Goblin

Whatever you do get, make sure you get some HotGrips!! Having warm hands on those beautiful crisp, frosty mornings is not being a soft cock.

LOL! Have had them on my last 4 bikes and strangely enough have a new spare pair in the garage now

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Mmmmm I think I will call him a soft cock anyway

Mate...you're sadly ill-equipped to make me hard...sorry

**Bass** · 7th June 2008, 19:19

Chris, just do it.
The best motorcycling decision I ever made was to buy an adventure bike. I never realised how much of NZ I had missed until I did. Anything that is moderately capable in the gravel will do. I bought a DR 650 and it has proved to be very much the right decision for me, considering that I am posting this from Darwin, having done about 7500 km of Oz so far with about another 14,000 to go. However we spent a lot of money upgrading the bikes for this trip. It will not be wasted when we get home, but the mods are not necessary to still have huge fun in NZ.
The adventure crowd are a breed apart as well - helpful and hospitable to huge degree. When something goes wrong, they all pitch in to sort it out.

**deanohit** · 7th June 2008, 21:14

Originally Posted by Bass

The adventure crowd are a breed apart as well - helpful and hospitable to huge degree. When something goes wrong, they all pitch in to sort it out.

I've found them to be more relaxed as well. Nothing is a problem.

Puncture? Fixed and on the road again.
Needing a breather? They'll stop for 5 mins and have a chat instead of blasting off.
Interesting looking gravel turn off? They're off leading the way!

Also most of the adventure riders I've ridden with so far are happy at 90-110 on seal and 40-80 on the gravel.
Makes for a nice pace for me instead of playing catch up all day.

**doc** · 7th June 2008, 21:42

Originally Posted by DMNTD

I'm 6ft and down to a stealth 95kgs

If you are fat enough to crush the rear hub of a MV

. Maybe some gym work first or maybe mountain biking until you can get in shape.

**pampa** · 7th June 2008, 21:48

I was on the same arena as u are, with a few months difference ... last year bought a f650 gs dakar my experience off road was minimal never on a real off road bike, so even when some may say the bike is heavy an underpowered (50hp doesn't look all that underpowered for me tho ...) it did it's job and make me realise how much fun it is. Learn a lot about how to handle the bike when mere force cannot do the job and manage to go to quite a few places around the Wellington area.

Have fun

Pampa

**pete376403** · 7th June 2008, 21:57

Originally Posted by Quasievil

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

+1 on the KLR. Did the Brass last week, in fast company - R1, GSXR750, Bandit 1200, KTM950, BMW1200. So what if they all pissed off down the straights at 180? I don't think I was more than 5 minutes behind at stops. Plus I got to go quite a few places the others apart from the KTM couldn't go (There was also an 1100 Yamaha cruiser with a Watsonian sidecar that did the dirt tracks with us)
Couple of pics of Thompsons Road.

**Kornholio** · 7th June 2008, 22:02

Originally Posted by DMNTD

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

Opinions.... stay home and play Xbox au

Originally Posted by DMNTD

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

Who's ZX14?

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Mmmmm I think I will call him a soft cock anyway

that is his middle name you know........