THE two letters XT are still synonymous for big single on-off. And many enthusiastas have been waiting for a new XT for some time. Here it is, in two versions with an updated single thumper and stronger than ever before.

"When we asked our customers opinion about future of XT two years ago on this website", remembers a European product planner, "we were amazed how much response the two letters XT created. In the web questionnaire many respondents told us to continue with big single cylinder and two third of the replies favoured a supermotard version." Here is Yamaha's first production supermotard, with a new 660 cc high performance single.

What product planners indicated in our Designcafe story two years ago "Will the niche become established?") has now become reality. The niche of supermotard has established itself as an important category in Europe and the big single still creates lots of emotion. In the questionnaire two years ago, 96 % of you told us, that you would expect supermotard to become popular in the future. The reasons for its popularity you quoted at that time where in following order:

*Fun to ride *Excitement at low speeds *Good for town use *Sporty bike for a good price

Those are exactly the goals that the XT 660 X should achieve today. Crossover with street sport character, experts Stefan Everts and Stphane Blot enjoying themselves on the Paul Ricard circuit at the Press introduction.

Over 50% of respondents classified supermotard in the street sport category rather than on-off (11,5 % only). And indeed the XT 660 X (X stands for crossover) is the first supermotard which is more than just a modified on-off. The wide 17 inch tyres and the big 320 mm floating disc brake with a Brembo 4 pot calliper are ingredients from racing, as well as the modified stiffer suspension. And the XT 660 X is the first big supermotard by a major manufacturer, which is fully fit for road use without restrictions.

This proven engine is reliable enough to ride it in all the various conditions of daily life on the highway, in city traffic or on alpine roads. Its 15 litre fuel tank provides enough range even for longer journeys and it handles a passenger. The XT 660 R on the other hand is a true dual purpose machine to its best. The concept has matured over the years and whether used for touring, city riding, light off-road or adventure trips, the XT 660 R will do the job.

Totally new hardware: The heart of the XT 660, the new frame and engine in spite of both concepts, supermotard and dual purpose being well defined and known for years, the bike's "hardware" is totally new. Only the displacement of 660 cc was carried over from the former engine used in the XTZ 660 Tner.

The new single features a new 4 valve cylinder head with larger diameter valves and is feed by a fuel injection system. To make this high performance single benefit from the latest technology developments, a new aluminium cylinder runs a forged piston in a ceramic composite plated bore.