Yamaha XT 660 X 2016 — Specifications

Just like the 660 R, the XT will soon be relegated to the corner with the motorcycles that excited and thrilled fans of its type of engine. Remember the XT of Paulo les gaz (Joe BAR Team); a diabolical tool for the city. Yamaha took advantage of the latest version of the XT, the R, to develop a supermotard variant. Enough to have fun in the city and perhaps even get started on the races that made the reputation of Thierry Van den Bosch. To move from Ren X, the XT adopts 17" wheels equipped with road tires. The front brake disc measures 320 mm in diameter and features a 4-piston Brembo caliper. Serious and powerful. In the spirit of a more muscular XT usage, the fork springs have been stiffened without modifying the travel. Yamaha should do a very good business because the manufacturer offers an affordable supermotard in a market that is often elitist. Will the future be the stronghold of Supermots? No one can be categorical but let's applaud Yamaha's initiative to bring the concept to the street. Yamaha is introducing Supermotard for everyone. Why so well then, yet cheaper? With the competition, you find more watts, higher-end damping, competitive braking... but don't be fooled: it's pure sport and quickly exhausting. The XT X is less extreme and almost as enjoyable. Not to mention that you can count on the Yam network. Fans of Vertematin don’t have as many dealerships available.

Test - By Olivier Quinten - photos manufacturer:

I am not who you think

“10 days head-to-head, she turns me on in photos, but will she still please me when I’m on her?”

That's a thought an internet user might have the night before meeting his beautiful unknown, but no, you're reading Moto xxxxx and the beautiful in question is the Yamaha XT 660 X. It’s been in the catalog for 2 years now, and I admit that after an initial visual contact at the last Brussels show, I’m always wanted to get on her and do some miles. On tires, in her black and gray livery she attracts me even more (another blue and gray version, which I like less, is also in the catalog). Beautiful, tall, wide in the shoulders and hips, flattering thanks to her 320 mm front disc pinched by a four-piston caliper, sporty with her black Excell rims and her two raised cans, she commands respect. The urge to slide my soles around roundabouts and other intersections is gnawing at me. So I pull out my cross helmet and get on her saddle. The dashboard I have in front of me is complete (except for the absence of a tachometer): meters, 2 daily totalizers, clock and the usual battery of warning lights: headlights, turn signals, neutral, reserve and of Jehovah (no, I'm kidding!). Contact, the little hiss reminds me that the 660 (4 valves and double ACT) is now equipped with injection, which unfortunately erases a bit of the legendary kick in the pants of the big mono (like the famous XT 500!). Engine! The engine's pom pom, water-cooled, remains very, or perhaps too discreet; a good pair of adaptables would allow you to regain a sound worthy of the bike and lighten the rear. In the saddle, despite the adoption of 17-inch spoke rims, the seat height reaches 875 mm (if you are less than 1.70 m, don't forget your wedge heels). After searching for the footrests placed ideally low, I engage first gear and pull away on a big surge of throttle to avoid stalling (ah, that cursed injection!). The 5 ratios shift easily and the engine proves torquey at medium revs but runs out of breath fairly quickly. This allows, on the gras, to easily chain small slides from the rear, since the bike repositions itself naturally when the engine reaches the maximum speed (6,000 rpm). On the dry, however, don't expect this kind of figure, the engine only develops 48 hp/din for 173 kg dry weight, which is a guarantee of safety but, from the second gear, makes any wheelies and other travers on corner exits difficult. The Pirelli Dragon tires of large dimension (120/70 on 17 at the front and 160/60 on 17 at the rear) are not just there to impress the crowds, they also have incredible grip that allows you to take impressive angles. But they need to be at the right temperature and have uniform wear (especially at the front) because as soon as the tire wears square, the bike becomes unstable at any speed (for the XT, that's more than 140 km/h!). Quickly then, the pace accelerates. In the city, the turning radius and the engine's torque allow you to weave between cars. The suspension travel (200 mm front and 190 mm rear) swallows the holes and bumps in our roads with suppleness; and on small roads, as soon as you follow the instructions, that is, without hesitating to twist the throttle, you quickly start to feel like Fiorentino: to us the braking of overseas, helped by the good-quality suspension (but unfortunately non-adjustable) and by the fork stiffener. Reverse of the medal, consumption is around 6 l, which gives a range of 180 km (15 l tank including 3.5 l of reserve) before the reserve lamp comes on. Small practical detail: at this moment, one of the two totalizers resets, which allows you to see after how many miles you run out of gas!

So, what to think of this XT after 10 days?

We could regret the absence of a tachometer, the lack of handguards and we could also express some concerns about the exhaust pipe tubing that passes under the bike and despite the 205 mm ground clearance. And the power, you'd say? Yes and no. I admit that a certain lack is sometimes felt during overtaking and touring in pairs. But when you stick to the original idea of this bike, that is, the muscular touring, the power is more than enough to have fun and if you really find it too short (the power!), a Dutch preparer seems to graft a Raptor 80 hp engine onto it… This test was particularly rich in emotion: excitement first, a little disappointment during the first 10 kilometers and then, after a few days, the discovery of a doubly endearing bike: sold about 1,500 € less than most other super motard and which will transform your daily commutes into a daily superbiker…

M.B and Olivier Quinten (photos manufacturer)