XT Alan

I've been reading about your frequent oil changes Pete. I also change my oil every 2000 miles. Your bike is polished to perfection. Mine are always the same. Could we be, in some way, related? :wink:

I remember the time well. We were just coming to terms with the Honda 750 Four being the ultimate, when this came along and blew it away and started the whole Superbike thing. Alan

To be honest, I don't think that I've actually seen any bikers on the road since I got this bike (6 days ago). I've only been riding on back roads. So far I've done about 250 miles and reckon that A Road riding wouldn't be the best thing for slow varied speed running in. The places I've been - Cwm Rheidol, Nantymoch etc have been deserted. Help! This bike is making me a recluse! :wink: Alan

I'll recognise you now. It looks good in black. The Elan Valley is a great biking place, Wales' answer to the Lake District: lovely wild scenery, quiet mountain roads, visitor centre (for coffee and cakes). From memory (I park next to it whenever I go there) the Green Thing is an old water pump. The valley has four dams and the water from the lakes keeps Birmingham afloat. The dams were built by the Birmingham Corporation. Alan

I enjoyed reading that. I have never had any real brand loyalty with bikes. I had a few Hondas in the 60s and early 70s - my favourite was the much maligned CB500T. The worst bike I ever owned was a Suzuki GS500 which was simply horrible. My other Suzukis have been great. I've had a Cotton (Villiers engine) which went like stink (both senses), a Triumph Tiger (Bonnie with single carb) with rubber mounted handlebars etc etc. Apart from the GS they have all had their good points and down points. This is my first Yamaha and it definitely has something quirky about it. It has character- very unusual in a modern bike. I have read that unlike other Japanese companies, Yamaha have a less corporate (individuals developing concepts from start to finish as opposed to group decision making) philosophy and maybe this is behind what the writer says and feels.................? Alan

Hi, I've just quit the Arms' Race and traded in a CB1300 for an XT660R. Although no firebreathing monster at 113bhp, the CB was a torque fiend at 86 ft lbs. Why did I change to the XT. Well, the Honda wasn't actually that great with a few minor but very irritating niggles. Lovely engine, decent gearbox and handling but too much of a Gentleman's Express and a total lack of character. I fell in love with the looks, but owning a Posemobile has a limited appeal after a while. All this got me thinking about the state of motorcycling today. I love all things bike and the latest generation of sports bikes are truly awesome and in the R1's case very beautiful as well. The Big Four, each with a 170 mph rocket ship in their range! This is like an Arms Race. Where will it all end? The Fazer 1000 is seen as a middle of the road machine. My old Bandit 12 (tested at 154mph and a 0-60 in 3.4 secs) is seen as a tired old has been. My move to the XT is a decision to go "Back to Basics". Some basics! Fuel Injection, Digital everythin, liquid cooling - even this apparently rudimentary machine is ligh years on from my early years where Bonnies, Tridents, Commandos, CB750s, RD 350s, Teapots and Kawa triples ruled the world. Those were the days! 100 mph, skinny tyres, bendy frames and oil leaks. My question - Are we having more fun today at 150 mph than we were yesterday at 90mph? Phew! I'll go and lie down now....................... :?

Hi, I'm not around this weekend, but I am next weekend. It would be great to meet up. Yes, it's a shame that biking has now become such a fashion show. There are still some real enthusiasts around though who still behave with the old spirit of friendship and support.

I agree with you. I have spent the last few years looking for a bike that can do pretty much anything. Ideally it could: Potter around exploring the countryside and getting off the beaten track. Take on a reasonably long journey at a decent speed. Be all day comfortable. Be cheap to run, robust and reliable. The XT seems to fit the bill. I was tempted a couple of years back by a Suzuki DRZ400, but at my height (and age :roll: ) getting on was a struggle. In recent times the best bike I have owned in a Bandit 12. But it was heading for new suspension, tyres, major service, new pads etc, so I traded it in for a Honda CB1300. Big Mistake - too much of a limo. Lovely looking and fast but no good away from A roads and it had several "issues" re: various components. The XT came along just at the right time...... Alan

You're right, they are very easy to ride and the handling is a revelation. I have had road bikes for the last 40 years (I've been riding a long time) and this XT is excellent. I often go around the Elan Valley, so we could meet up sometime. Alan

Yes they are pricey, but they are pretty straight. I buy from them because their service is good and their mechainic is really helpful and knows what he is doing. I also always get over book when I trade in. This, for me, is worth the small extra I pay when buying a bike. I don't think that I would have got a better deal anywhere when I traded in my CB1300 for the XT660. The CB was a year old and had done 8000 miles, they gave me the XT as a straight swap and threw in a bash plate and carrier.

Thanks for replying. I will take it back to David Jones and have a little moan and see if they can polish the worst of the scratches out. Apart from this the XT seems to be a superb machine (although I've only done 120 miles - so early days yet of course) and a complete hoot to ride.

Hi, I've just got a new XT660R. What a brilliant bike, I've necer had so much fun on a bike and I've had 27 in my 40 years of riding. The only dissapointment is the scruffy plastics: lots of little scratches and poor paint finish. Is this normal on trail/adventure bikes? I've only had road bikes up until now. I don't know whether to complain or not. The other one in the shop - the supermoto version - was also marked up. Any advice/info appreciated. XT Alan

Hi, I've just had a year of legendary Honda build quality with a CB1300. I've just swapped it for a new XT660R. The Honda had so many little niggles - oil pressure switch, stones wedging between rad and fan making the fan not work, weeping rear suspension, misting up instrument dials, rough clutch cable action, wiring loom recall - it did my head in. Premium brand? don't make me laugh :shock: Alan