XT660 Ground Clearance

[-Ralph-]

I know round the side 2 into 1 exhausts are a recommended mod for the XT660 to get better ground clearance, but its £400!

I bet more people have the original underslung pipes than the round the side ones.

So how many people with an XT660 have actually had a problem with the ground clearance using a standard bash plate and standard underslung exhausts?

I'm only ever using the bike off road for green lanes in Northamptonshire, Northern France and the occasional trip to Portugal. 99.9% of the time that means trails and tracks that you could probably get a road bike down if you really had to. It's very rare I do stuff with big rocks or steps, I might go to Wales or the Peak district once or twice a year, and if I do come across something where ground clearance is an issue, I'll just go slowly.

I very rarely ever hit my bash plate on my XT600E with the type of trails I do and my relatively steady style of riding.

So do I really need the round the side modification? Does anyone who hasn't got it really wish they did because ground clearance is being an issue? Or is it just a nice to have?

[herman]

I bought a second hand one so the price was not so wallet flinching but I did build it to do fairly hard off road stuff. What I would say is the Yamaha bash plate is crap so replace it with a decent one.

[chrisinflight]

Hi Ralph,
Hopefully Nethen will see this and comment. He has recently done the Gatesgarth pass in the Lake District. (rocky). He rides a XT660R and has the stock exhaust with bashplate.
My opinion is if you avoid the big rocks and ledges, you will be fine with stock.
cheers,
chris

[Gary117]

I would fit a decent one if your leaving the standard pipes on,i did catch my Touratech one on easy rocky trails.As herman seid the yamaha one is crap.
Touratech do 2.

http://shop.touratech.co.uk/yamaha-xt66 ... large.html

http://shop.touratech.co.uk/engine-guar ... t660r.html

[Dazzer]

A short clip of my Standard XT660R off roading. No problem with the stock pipes and the large Touratech engine guard .


http://thebrightstuff.com/pyreneesoverview.htm

[nethen1]

If you don't mind the ricochet noises you'll be fine.
Get the big one tho, as Gary117 shown.









Good front suspension as helped loads with handling and confidence

[-Ralph-]

Thanks guys, you've given me the reassurance I needed to go ahead and get a bash plate ordered!