Budget restricted me getting a T7 so I bought a used Xt660z. It’s my first touring adventure bike and I love it. Simple to work on and so far reliable. Great video 👍
You've echoed some of my thoughts exactly. I came directly from a fantastic xt660z and feel some of the same doubts that you mentioned. Kind of, I got what I wanted but lost what I had. Good video.
Thanks. There is no doubt that the T7 is a better motorcycle in almost all aspect compared to the 660, but is the T7 also better for the purpose I use a motorcycle? I think this is the question people in general should ask themselves. For my "slow" off road exploration sometimes at remote places, I think the 660 was a better choice for me (and a lot cheaper today)...so?
Very nice, detailed and honest review. I own I heavy modified XT660Z Tenere myself. Took it out on numerous adventures and it never let me down. I've ridden the 700 and in many aspects it simply is a much better bike if you compare it to the stock 660. The reasons I stuck with the 660 aligns with your conclusion: for my riding style and my type of (TET) adventures, the 660 is a great reliable machine. And because I bought mine with 48mm WP suspension front forks and ohlin rear shock, the most important upgrades have allready been done for me.
Great video & enjoyed your thoughts on both bikes. I bought my XT660z new in 2010 & have been debating for past 2years Whether to change it for a T700 Rally. Think I’ll keep the 660 for another year 😊
Thanks for an honest assessment of the two bikes. I have the 660 and had already decided that the 700 wasn't for me. I am in the process of making limited modifications to the 660 that should make it a superior adventure/tourer than the 700 for a lot less money. Newer isn't always better...
Great comparison. For me, I've enjoyed the softness of 660 suspension and 700 felt like it was way too harsh and tiring over a long ride. In the city, I prefer 660 with a loud arrow exhaust (no db killer) over 700 with akropovic - 660 just makes me smile more:) I'd also take 660 for offroad. For travelling, despite the not so soft ride, I'd still take 700 - more power for overtakes and lower mileage, hence lower risk of breakdown
Very good and almost completely true. In my opinion! I used to have an XT660 Ten and loved it. Always underrated. Very reliable and good off road and on. Turning much better than the 700. Although a heavy bike the 660 was far less top heavy despite a much bigger tank. And that is about all I can find better on it. The seat was carved from solid oak, the fueling was atrocious, the lights non existent, vibrations through the entire rev range, the paint super thin, suspension too soft, wind protection patchy at best. Still it never let me down, so I loved it to bits. Now I got the new 700. Much stiffer chassis, more power, better power delivery although still snatchy, better seat especially two up, better off road standing position, better long distance travel on fast roads. I could go on. But there is the top heaviness, the short range and still the softness in suspension. Had I still got the 660 I would have thought twice about swapping. Probably still would have. I take them off road quite a bit and can't help but be amazed how easily the 700 makes you go faster than you should because it is just so sure footed. I also got a 600 Tenere! So I could compare the 660 to the 600. Now there were light years between those two. Although similar in power the 600 was from a different age. The difference between the 660 and 700 is just subtle compared. Here is something interesting, at least for me: On an old off road track on the moor here I have ridden all three bikes and my wife timed the laps. The old Lady from 1986 was much faster around than both the newer bikes. Didn't feel it but the watch doesn't lie. Might be the even softer but much longer suspension and gentle delivery that made the difference on this technical course. 660 came last, I'm afraid. And there is no issue whatsoever with the 700 spark plugs getting wet. No idea why that was in here as a problem. Still awake? Thanks for your interest. Rob
Thank you for your input! Appreciated. Just to clarify, if one gets water into the engine via the air intake, in principle by getting the whole bike under water while the engine is still running, typically one would take the spark plugs out, turn the engine around a few times by the starter to assure that there is no water in the cylinder to "block" the pistons as water cannot be compressed. Also for me, how fast one can drive off road is not what matters to me as many other travel "off road" riders. I do not need a fast bike, personally I just regard robust off road options and reliability higher. I fully understand your point, it is just a difference in preferences one have. Thank you again for a great input.
@@mcbluestreak5607 Hi, I wasn't promoting going fast off road. Just saying that the 700 makes you go faster than you should because its so good. 3 broken ribs and dislocated wrist last year vouch for that. I slowed down now. I get about water in the intake. Its just not a regular thing to happen. If it is its self inflicted and the rider should think about his sins and stop doing it. Cheers.
Thank you, this is good advice. I have a fully functioning 660z and has never given me a single day of troubles. Sometimes I wonder about the T7 and ifthe money is worth it but I agree, the old single is a reliable beauty!
Thank you. And yes, it all comes down to ones preferences, as the T7 is a great and faster both on and off road bike with the few potential reliability issues, which gives me an uncertainty I do not need going remote places, hence the slower XT660Z.
If you haven't already, try adjusting the throttle cable. Yamaha delivers the bikes with a huge gap of like 5 mm on the throttle tube, I adjust it down to 1 mm and it makes a difference.
Thank you for this post. Such important information should obviously not be expected from the sponsored "specialist press". For me, the T700 issue is finally settled. The new XTZ 700 reminds me too much of my already sold CRF 1000, which had already demoted me to a marketing victim. Spark plugs - access? Exactly the same problem. In addition, the spare parts prices: 50 € / spark plug... 4 pieces in number. Do-it-yourself inspections? Can you forget, that's how built the part is. The dealer is happy. I am very happy with my indestructible XT 660 Z.
People arn't really saying this bike is excellent for single track enduro racing, I think what people are saying is that it is quite capable of doing single track depending on skill level. Hell even a gs1200 CAN do single track, i knbow which bike id prefer to attempt it.
Thanks, and yes I still find the 16 liter tank annoyingly small on long trips. And yes, a lot of aftermarket product is out there to compensate for what is missing for my purpose.
Yup, I still haven't heard enough argument to sell my 660Z.
With PowerCommander, custom seat, bar risers and heated grips, this bike is simply top.
Budget restricted me getting a T7 so I bought a used Xt660z. It’s my first touring adventure bike and I love it. Simple to work on and so far reliable. Great video 👍
Thank you!
Great video.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Excellent review! Thank you, I appreciate your honest and well rounded review! Well done!
Thanks
You've echoed some of my thoughts exactly. I came directly from a fantastic xt660z and feel some of the same doubts that you mentioned. Kind of, I got what I wanted but lost what I had.
Good video.
Thanks, and a brilliant way to phrase it: "I got what I wanted but lost what I had". That is exactly how I feel.
Bedankt voor je eerlijke advis
Thank you!
Thank you, you just saved me thousands!!
Interesting video. I have a 660 and have been considering a T7 👍
Thanks. There is no doubt that the T7 is a better motorcycle in almost all aspect compared to the 660, but is the T7 also better for the purpose I use a motorcycle? I think this is the question people in general should ask themselves. For my "slow" off road exploration sometimes at remote places, I think the 660 was a better choice for me (and a lot cheaper today)...so?
Thanks for review, I will keep my XT660z, at least for some time :)
Yep very good review from a wealth of experience and from the perspective of an average rider. Well done.
Thank you! Appreciated.
Very nice, detailed and honest review. I own I heavy modified XT660Z Tenere myself. Took it out on numerous adventures and it never let me down. I've ridden the 700 and in many aspects it simply is a much better bike if you compare it to the stock 660. The reasons I stuck with the 660 aligns with your conclusion: for my riding style and my type of (TET) adventures, the 660 is a great reliable machine. And because I bought mine with 48mm WP suspension front forks and ohlin rear shock, the most important upgrades have allready been done for me.
Thank you for sharing. The XT660Z never let me down either, no matter how bad I treated it. I am not no sure about the T700.
@@mcbluestreak5607 BTW nice Turkana bags! Hope they help you carry less luggage than during the Swedish TET :D
@@motocamel YES!!! I have learned the hard way to limit my luggage.
Great video & enjoyed your thoughts on both bikes. I bought my XT660z new in 2010 & have been debating for past 2years Whether to change it for a T700 Rally. Think I’ll keep the 660 for another year 😊
Thank you.
Thanks for an honest assessment of the two bikes. I have the 660 and had already decided that the 700 wasn't for me. I am in the process of making limited modifications to the 660 that should make it a superior adventure/tourer than the 700 for a lot less money. Newer isn't always better...
Thanks for your comments.
Great comparison. For me, I've enjoyed the softness of 660 suspension and 700 felt like it was way too harsh and tiring over a long ride. In the city, I prefer 660 with a loud arrow exhaust (no db killer) over 700 with akropovic - 660 just makes me smile more:) I'd also take 660 for offroad. For travelling, despite the not so soft ride, I'd still take 700 - more power for overtakes and lower mileage, hence lower risk of breakdown
Thank you for the comments!
Thank you for interesting video. As I'm happy owner of XT660Z, it's important for me to know experienced opinion about most possible upgrade option :)
nice video =) 8:05 love it
T7 is a great bike but not enough for me to part with my Xt660z. Love my 23ltr tank
Very good and almost completely true. In my opinion!
I used to have an XT660 Ten and loved it. Always underrated. Very reliable and good off road and on. Turning much better than the 700. Although a heavy bike the 660 was far less top heavy despite a much bigger tank. And that is about all I can find better on it. The seat was carved from solid oak, the fueling was atrocious, the lights non existent, vibrations through the entire rev range, the paint super thin, suspension too soft, wind protection patchy at best. Still it never let me down, so I loved it to bits.
Now I got the new 700. Much stiffer chassis, more power, better power delivery although still snatchy, better seat especially two up, better off road standing position, better long distance travel on fast roads. I could go on. But there is the top heaviness, the short range and still the softness in suspension.
Had I still got the 660 I would have thought twice about swapping. Probably still would have. I take them off road quite a bit and can't help but be amazed how easily the 700 makes you go faster than you should because it is just so sure footed.
I also got a 600 Tenere! So I could compare the 660 to the 600. Now there were light years between those two. Although similar in power the 600 was from a different age. The difference between the 660 and 700 is just subtle compared.
Here is something interesting, at least for me: On an old off road track on the moor here I have ridden all three bikes and my wife timed the laps. The old Lady from 1986 was much faster around than both the newer bikes. Didn't feel it but the watch doesn't lie. Might be the even softer but much longer suspension and gentle delivery that made the difference on this technical course. 660 came last, I'm afraid.
And there is no issue whatsoever with the 700 spark plugs getting wet. No idea why that was in here as a problem.
Still awake?
Thanks for your interest.
Rob
Thank you for your input! Appreciated. Just to clarify, if one gets water into the engine via the air intake, in principle by getting the whole bike under water while the engine is still running, typically one would take the spark plugs out, turn the engine around a few times by the starter to assure that there is no water in the cylinder to "block" the pistons as water cannot be compressed. Also for me, how fast one can drive off road is not what matters to me as many other travel "off road" riders. I do not need a fast bike, personally I just regard robust off road options and reliability higher. I fully understand your point, it is just a difference in preferences one have. Thank you again for a great input.
@@mcbluestreak5607
Hi,
I wasn't promoting going fast off road. Just saying that the 700 makes you go faster than you should because its so good. 3 broken ribs and dislocated wrist last year vouch for that. I slowed down now.
I get about water in the intake. Its just not a regular thing to happen. If it is its self inflicted and the rider should think about his sins and stop doing it.
Cheers.
Thank you, this is good advice. I have a fully functioning 660z and has never given me a single day of troubles. Sometimes I wonder about the T7 and ifthe money is worth it but I agree, the old single is a reliable beauty!
Thank you. And yes, it all comes down to ones preferences, as the T7 is a great and faster both on and off road bike with the few potential reliability issues, which gives me an uncertainty I do not need going remote places, hence the slower XT660Z.
If you haven't already, try adjusting the throttle cable. Yamaha delivers the bikes with a huge gap of like 5 mm on the throttle tube, I adjust it down to 1 mm and it makes a difference.
Thank you, appreciated.
Exhaust at 9:00 : HP Corse makes the SP-1. Mounted high as an enduro bike. The problem is the soft luggage here.
Thanks. I think mivv also make a high exhaust similar to the HP course. I might get one in the future.
Thank you for this post. Such important information should obviously not be expected from the sponsored "specialist press". For me, the T700 issue is finally settled. The new XTZ 700 reminds me too much of my already sold CRF 1000, which had already demoted me to a marketing victim. Spark plugs - access? Exactly the same problem. In addition, the spare parts prices: 50 € / spark plug... 4 pieces in number. Do-it-yourself inspections? Can you forget, that's how built the part is. The dealer is happy.
I am very happy with my indestructible XT 660 Z.
Thank you for your comment.
Do you think it worths buying a 2008 XT600Z nowadays as a first adventure bike?
I am sorry, but my knowledge is too limited to answer your question.
This video might help. ua-cam.com/video/YcRLbYRstIo/v-deo.html
@@mcbluestreak5607 Thank you sir!
Hey Can you make a video of the Turkana HippoHips
Maybe at some point. It is not something I normally do.
After that , I’m going to buy a 2015 tenere , I can’t afford a new one in Australia it cost too much.
People arn't really saying this bike is excellent for single track enduro racing, I think what people are saying is that it is quite capable of doing single track depending on skill level. Hell even a gs1200 CAN do single track, i knbow which bike id prefer to attempt it.
Thanks, in the end it all comes down to one's own preferences.
Need a piece off tube that fits the top of plug mate about 200 mm long in tool bag ,makes it easier 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍thank me later
I am interested! Can you describe the tool a little more and how you use it? I guess the tool is for the spark plugs?
totally agree. I am keeping my xt660z! Too many f ing £££££££££££'s
New: Acerbis/ 0024743 / FUEL TANK / 23 L / in black, natural, red
Thanks, and yes I still find the 16 liter tank annoyingly small on long trips. And yes, a lot of aftermarket product is out there to compensate for what is missing for my purpose.