I cannot believe I’ve owned ‘Tango'd’ for 6 weeks. Where has the time gone? I’ve even managed to add 550 miles in that time which is not bad considering I was in Spain for a week and a half of that time.
So with just 9348 miles on the clock why did I decide to get a professional service done at Keith Dixon Motorcycles. Well after flushing so much muck out of the brake lines it got me thinking, ‘what if the engine oil is in the same state?’
A quick look in the service book confirmed my worst fears, the last service was done at 7856 miles just 1500 miles back but exactly 2 years ago on 10th August 2011.
Riding over to Keith’s Tango'd felt smooth, responsive and the sound from the new Akrapovic SP Exhaust System is superb. The brakes are steady but still not as sharp and solid as I would like them. This is something I will have to address at a later date. Don’t get me wrong they work and work well but I’d like more of an instant bite same as Mr T’s.
As the service was just a check over I opted to have a brew and wait, immersing myself in ‘Yamaha Bike Heaven’ at the same time. After what felt like a very quick hours browsing (but not spending) Tango'd was ready. I nipped back upstairs to settle the bill.
The service bill reads
Oil Filter........................................ £7.49
Washer........................................... £1.15
Spark Plug..................................... £7.48
Semi Synthetic Oil......................... £20.33
Labour - 1 Hour............................. £55.00
Grand Total.................................... £91.45
I was delighted reading the bill, £91 was just brilliant news, I just love this XT660X. The mechanic had to clear two error codes from the ECU, annoyingly I forgot to ask what they were. He also set up the CO Emissions followed by a thorough check over. Tangoed was then given a clear bill of health much to my relief, well you never know whats going on inside the engine when you buy a bike second hand.
Riding home the motor ran silky smooth and with a noticeable change in tone to a really low hum, accentuated by the exhausts. Tangoed was even more responsive on the throttle than on the ride in.
The piece of mind that comes with having a professionals input is priceless making the £91 a worth while investment as far as I am concerned.
Later on in the day I had a ride out over the tops towards Halifax. Doubling back I just happened to pass Adventure Spec in Mytholmroyd so did a quick U -turn and popped in to see if they had any Pivot Pegz for the XT660X. As luck would have it they did and so with what I saved on the service compared to Mr T’s service costs I treat Tangoed to a set as I love them on Mr T.
I do like my Pivot Pegz
Fitting took all of 15 minutes and I have to say they look superb.
The only other things I plan doing to finish the project off is to find and fit a good quality tail tidy and finally fit a set of LED indicators all round.
The tail tidy is turning into some what of a challenge as the chap on the XT660.Com Forum no longer makes the tail tidy and the only other ones listed is an R&G Tail Tidy made for the XT660 Tenere.
On the other hand, the choice of LED Indicators is overwhelming. My first choice was the Oxford Nano Indicators but at £55 a pair I’m having second thoughts. Especially as I can buy original Yamaha LED Indicators the same as on Mr T for £47 from Keith’s.
And that folk’s as they say is that, for now anyway! Till the next time “Ride well and stay safe”.
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