Yamaha has launched a fresh attack on the adventure bike market with their all-new XT660R. Where all of their previous on/off roaders, starting with the 1976 XT 500, have been air cooled, Yamaha has finally moved on to liquid cooling and fuel injection for the latest 660cc single-cylinder mill. Claimed output is 48 horsepower ( 35,3 kW) at 6 000 rpm, with torque of 58,4 Nm being available from 5 250 revs. Disc brakes front and rear scrub off speed when needed, and a five speed gearbox makes sure the bike’s always ready to respond in a flash to throttle input. Dry weight is 175 kg.
The new bike is a stylish offering, with a zoot-looking mini fairing and twin exhausts. A 15 litre fuel tank gives the machine a decent range, and the Yamaha should still be where you parked it when you come out of the shops – an electronic immobiliser cuts in when the key is withdrawn from the ignition.
Yamaha has priced the new XT 660R very competitively at R61 141 inclusive of VAT.