Menus
- City rat who knows how to transform into a field rat
- In the saddle
- Contact
- Highway
- National and departmental
- The city
- Countryside
- Cycle part
- Convenient
- Consumption
- Conclusion
City rat who knows how to transform into a field rat
From the first letters, the XT informs that its history is loaded with lasting memories. Today XT 660, replacing the XT600, itself replacing the legendary XT 500…. it takes almost no part of it except the philosophy… since its engagement by Yamaha France to compete in the Paris-Dakar in the 1983s. In 2003, the Yamaha “gromono” was in fact redesigned to pass the new antipollution standards and two versions resulted from it: the R-type trail version and the X version supermotard typed. This is R that is here…
The XT is one of those motorcycles with a simple and robust design with its air-cooled four-stroke single cylinder. However, the anti-pollution standard meant that injection and water cooling made their appearance. The final transmission always remains with chain while the cycle part is a tubular steel diamond frame. The braking part is entrusted for the front to a disc of 298 mm and for the rear a disc of 245 mm in diameter. Nothing exceptional but proven. In the end, it seduces for its minimum purchase price, its reliability and its reduced maintenance cost..
High seat, all terrain tires and 21 inch front wheel … this is a change from the standard road bike. In addition, at Yamaha France, they knew how to put me in confidence "-yeah, the tires are new!". I did not dare to admit that I was apprehensive. But not shrinking from any sacrifice, I still took the keys.
In the saddle
The time to put on my helmet, I take the opportunity to take a little tour of inspection, just to see the details that jump to the eyes. The finish is good and even interesting, because the taillights and indicators are mounted flexible. There is just no gap adjustment for the clutch and brake levers.
I understand better why David sent me to do this test … With a saddle at 875 mm, the minus 1.70 cm do not touch the ground! On the other hand, me, with my 1.88 m, I feel rather comfortable. The driving position is straight and natural. The legs are not too bent and the seat is comfortable.
The only digital counter is "complete" – with a totalizer, two trips and the time – and easy to read. There is no tachometer … but there is no need … spirit "R" is not in the red zone.
Contact
Nice the sound of the two pots! one on each side of the beautiful. The big mono vibrates to the rhythm of its piston. To vibrate, it vibrates! I adjust the mirrors and presto, I switch on the first one.
From the first turns of the wheel, I am reassured by the ease of handling. The wide and straight handlebars allow the motorcycle to be positioned where the eye is. The 48 horses express themselves immediately, without being violent both at medium and low revs. The engine, rather linear in high revs, remains full of goodwill.
I don’t want to play my proud but, perched at this height, we dominate his subject.
Highway
In view of the architecture of the berzingue, it seems obvious to me to say that the tires have nothing to do with it. Evil tongues will say "- given the lungs that it is, the strategy requires small roads.". Nay! It defends itself very well with excellent road holding in curves and it remains stable even at high speed up to its maximum speed (ie 50 bounds above the limits … so in Germany). At this speed, the only fault is the vibrations that are felt in the handles and feet and mirrors. The vision of the mirrors remains permanently blurred.
I made 140 motorway terminals … under the fleet !. I will not say that I appreciated but she knows how to do it if necessary…. even if it is better to do it without a passenger! You don’t have to be crazy either. That said, the saddle comfort remained respectable. Beyond that, a stop becomes beneficial.
National and departmental
A treat you say? So there I bow to your honor. It’s simple, I’m still under the spell. On departmental, with lots of virolos, the engine starts again well. You can even put the handle on the cleat since the little cavalry does not rush things. The good vibrations and the sound of the pots complete the picture.
Attacking on quick streaks is endless fun. You pull the handlebars on the side where it leans and you’re done. It swings easily without apprehension and when exiting a curve, the bike, even when roughed up, remains unperturbed. Even placed high, the almost featherweight 181 kilos fully loaded is forgotten in this kind of exercise. Agility and stability make it a tool.
The rear suspension and the front fork erase all the defects of the asphalt. Even potholes are swallowed without the slightest concern. It remains stable under all circumstances.
I will tell you that a few horses are missing to relaunch the beautiful at the end of the turn but hey … you don’t even have to enter a gear if you stay in the right rhythm.
The city
I had to go back to Paris. 6pm, bad Karma man! I’m going to suffer I tell myself !
Well no ! Perched like the eagle observing its prey before swooping down on it, I embark on the agglomeration without restraint. Here again, the agility of the XT is surprising. With an excellent turning radius, it is possible to turn around on a postage stamp. Handy like a moped, it emerges from a difficult situation thanks to its large handlebars and its lively mono. The clutch is flexible, the box does not suffer from any criticism, despite its only 5 reports .
There had to be a black point…. well it is the engine flexibility at low speed. You really have to be on the right gear in town, otherwise it hits you hard. It even becomes painful, because then you have to play the box.
Countryside
The habit does not make the monk and this adage is often confirmed. Here again the truth comes to show you your overconfidence. Let me explain: it is not Stephane Peterhansel who wants !!
It is not enough to have an XT to suddenly find it easy to put gas on dirt roads. I tried the experiment … I reassure you: not long…. just enough time to scare me, a trapper through with yet not a big braking from the rear but on a wet and muddy surface.
In the end, on roads with bumps and small holes, the XT does a remarkable job. Standing on the footrests, looking far away, you can feel the rear moving but the front remains in line. So you put the gas on and suddenly everything goes too fast for the neophyte that I am. The configuration of the ground changes, come the big tractor ruts and the sweats in the lower back and there curtains! I deflate like a balloon. Yeah that’s it, be smart … it’s like a joke but I can say "-an XT660R is not ridiculous on roads or tracks!" the only ridiculous thing was me because we had to come back from this damn rotten road !!! Be careful in the event of a fall, the water pump is too exposed (well yeah, that’s why I didn’t drive fast on the roads pfffffff!)
If it is difficult for me to pass judgment on its off-road behavior, it will also satisfy your desires on this side if you are an occasional lover of the trail..
Here is a string that is added to his bow. She is thus the worthy heir to the XT500.
Cycle part
Equipped with a single disc for its front brake, the latter is efficient and biting. It is assisted by a rear brake which sits the motorcycle and reinforces its braking.
This kind of bike has a configuration to have a large and very flexible front fork. Despite this, during heavy braking, the latter plunges without exaggeration and the whole remains stable..
On two wheels, sight is life and if the mirrors are well positioned and wide, their vision is only slightly disturbed at low speed..
In town again she knows how to impose a rhythm and remains with exemplary ease.
Convenient
A detail that is important: you can fit a large U under the saddle. You can attach your mount by taking the front fork to a post.
The oil level is easily checked and accessible via a small dipstick located on the right side of the front fork.
Consumption
I traveled more than 400 kilometers during this test and all roads combined with an average consumption of less than 6 liters / 100. The reserve light came on on the instrument panel at 250 km and I refueled immediately. I could see that it had ignited when there was about 4 liters left in the tank. This allows you to travel with full tank at least 270 km, the tank containing 15 liters.
The only detail that annoys a little is that to refuel, as on many trails or supermot, the fuel cap is not mounted on a hinge, so your cap remains in your hands..
Conclusion
If the XT 660 R is a motorcycle made for large riders, it will undoubtedly surprise its rider with its city / road / highway / highway versatility with an engine that is always voluntary despite its only 48 horsepower. Agile and healthy in all circumstances, it will also reassure the beginner, with a zest of fun. Unaccustomed to trail running on a daily basis, this model really appealed to me for these reasons. It may be its price that will eventually be decided, because at only 5,499 euros (or 600 euros less than at its beginnings), it becomes a real versatile and inexpensive motorcycle … without almost competition….
Strong points
- versatility
- stability
- consumption
Weak points
- engine at low speed
- seat height (though!)
- comfort
Competitors:
The XT 660 R technical sheet
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Good evening
At all levels: the Z400 is lighter and the weight better placed, the clutch is a pure pleasure, the engine has torque for a 400. The er6 was more brutal in terms of gear change and the weight placed more high I think because I dropped it several times. Not at all that feeling with the Z400