YAMAHA XTZ660 (1991 - 1999) Review

Item: YAMAHA XTZ660
Rating: 2
Author: MCN Staff

Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Riding

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	3.3 out of 5 (3.3/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£130
Power:	47 bhp
Seat height:	Tall (33.9 in / 860 mm)
Weight:	Medium (443 lbs / 201 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

2 out of 5 (2/5)

The Yamaha XTZ660 (or Teneré) comes from a time when Continental cool meant enormous trail-style bikes and a far-away look in the eyes. Actually that might just have been piles, since the Yamaha XTZ660 boasts one of the most uncomfortable seats ever created outside of the Inquisitions of 15th-Century Spain. The exhaust and spokes rot and the electrics are poor.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

2 out of 5 (2/5)

The Yamaha XTZ660's lofty perch and wide bars make for easy, confident bend swinging and superior vision of the road ahead. You’ll need it too, since the brakes are lamentable – the lack of bite exacerbated by some colossal fork dive. And by God, the Yamaha XTZ660's seat’s uncomfortable, too.

Engine

Next up: Reliability

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Yamaha XTZ660's SOHC single thumps away with its five-valve head, but the motor never feels like it’s comfortable much past 75mph. It doesn’t respond well to low rpm, either, but there’s decent power in the mid-range that makes blatting around town a breeze. Careful riding will easily see 55mpg from the Yamaha XTZ660 and push the range to almost 200 miles.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

2 out of 5 (2/5)

Presumably because it’s so unstressed the Yamaha XTZ660's motor is very reliable, which is more than can be said for the electrics, the head bearings (the oil-in-the-frame design heats up the grease, leaving the bearings to fend for themselves). The Yamaha XTZ660's downpipe rots and the finish goes off over a winter.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

2 out of 5 (2/5)

The Yamaha XTZ660 is miles cheaper than a BMW and its bigger Yamaha brother the 750cc Super Teneré, but nowhere near as good. Buy a Honda Dominator and be happy. Find a Yamaha XTZ660 for sale

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Yamaha XTZ660 definitely looks the part – a big tank, chunky protection and big dual headlights. The lights, though, are truly feeble. Even with aftermarket high-power bulbs the Yamaha XTZ660's lights offer little more than raw carrots in terms of added night vision.

Specs
Engine size	659cc
Engine type	5v single, 5 gears
Frame type	Tubular steel cradle
Fuel capacity	20 litres
Seat height	860mm
Bike weight	201kg
Front suspension	None
Rear suspension	Preload
Front brake	Single 282mm disc
Rear brake	220mm disc
Front tyre size	90/90 x 21
Rear tyre size	120/90 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	45 mpg
Annual road tax	£93
Annual service cost	£130
New price	-
Used price	-
Insurance group	9 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	-

Top speed & performance
Max power	47 bhp
Max torque	42 ft-lb
Top speed	93 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	17.2 secs
Tank range	185 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

1991: Yamaha XTZ660 introduced – early models have a square, single headlight.
1994: Twin headlights introduced on Yamaha XTZ660.
1999: Yamaha XTZ660 deleted.

Other versions

None

Owners' reviews for the YAMAHA XTZ660 (1991 - 1999)

3 owners have reviewed their YAMAHA XTZ660 (1991 - 1999) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your YAMAHA XTZ660 (1991 - 1999)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	3.7 out of 5 (3.7/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	3 out of 5 (3/5)
Engine:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Reliability & build quality:	3.3 out of 5 (3.3/5)
Value vs rivals:	4 out of 5 (4/5)
Equipment:	2.7 out of 5 (2.7/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£130

3 out of 5 Want to sell really but can't be bothered.

25 June 2020 by DreamingThumperInAtlantis

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £250

It's the least used bike in the garage, other two are much more versatile.

Ride quality & brakes 2 out of 5

The bike is wonderful on our current pothole-ridden roads, but it doesn't want to go over 70 easily due to its gearing, nor it wants to go very slow due to big thumper engine. The breaks work and stop the bike. The seat is as uncomfortable as they come, and literally painful after two hours.

Engine 5 out of 5

It works, no complaints, no issues, no problems. Every day chugs along unstressed as long as you're doing 55-60. It can go around the world in dirt roads at this speed just fine.

Reliability & build quality 2 out of 5

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Every time I think of selling it, something goes wrong with it. It's had a dangerous MOT fault every single year - I get it fixed, something else breaks. Not that I ride it a lot, but for a 21y old bike it shows its age. Engine is solid though, one part that doesn't fail. Extremely frugal when it comes to fuelling costs, does 65+mpg easily at all times and this is a carburated bike.

Equipment 2 out of 5

There ain't any to talk about. It's got mirrors, does that count?!

4 out of 5 Awesome bike

13 May 2019 by Joe

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £100

I love this bike, I put on a sheep skin cover on the seat and it is comfortable now. I also put in led lights and they are bright as day. It can go anywhere on or off road. It has a lot of torque to climb hills. I will never sell it.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 4 out of 5