Yamaha Tenere
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009Just finished the Yamaha Tenere Launch ride. I’ve done about 2000kms with panniers in the last week. It is an awesome bike. Handles much better than I suspected. Took it on a mix of single track, telegraph tracks and old firetrails from Zig Zag Railway to Hill End. Handles like a dream and swallows anything you put in front of it.
Also rode it through sand yesterday down near Braidwood with the panniers and standard Tourance wheels. Still handled fine even at low speeds.
Stock, amazingly comfortable when standing even though I’m almost 6′3.
You definately want to harden the suspension up a little when you get it. Front and rear. Ride stock first and adjust to your preference. I think there are 8 settings on the rear. All adjustment tools come stock under the seat.
Stock air filter is Unifilter. A mate rode it through the massive sandstorm that past over Sydney recently and there was barely a few grains of sand on the filter when we checked it.
Already managed to headbutt the screen off and catapult into the bushes once or twice. The screen snaps off nicely thanks to the plastic screws. Good for safety if you have a big off.
I have every single Yamaha accessory on the bike. Highly recommend everything. Would like to put on different pipes, handguards and a few other bits and bobs. See how it flies. Would love to turn it into a Paris Dakar stylin’ machine given the chance.
One other thing. The reserve is 6.7 litres which equates to about 130 kms. This only kicks in once you have run out of all bars on the digital control panel. The bike’ll go between 400-450 without refuelling. Enjoy!
If you have any questions, ideas or advice about how to improve the bike feel free to post them here… I will build a log of recommendations over the next few months here
A few interesting things to note:
- lots of good grab points
- Truss Diamond frame (high tensile tubing)
- front brakes are f*&king amazing
- oil capacity 2500-2600mls
- This bike is extremely hard to break. I’ve had a few goes already and failed.
Accessories available
- side cases
- top case
- headlight protector
- tank pad
- engine guard
- slip on mufflers
- side case stay
- main stand
- skid plate
- hand guard
June 13th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Steve, How is the Yamaha Tenere shaping up? Have you done any mods to it or have you been on any long rides? What is your opinion of the bike compared to other bikes you have owned as an adventure tourer? I am waiting for the Tenere to hit the bike shops so I can judge it for myself as I am looking to buy one.
P.S Great show by the way, keep it up.
Rob
October 1st, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Hey Rob… check updates above… haven’t done any mod’s except stock Yamaha ones yet… So far so good! My opinion is that it kicks over any other single cyclinder four stroke I have ever owned. Glad you like the show. Cheers Rob!
October 17th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Gday,
Just thought i would share my views on the new tenere! I changed from the xtr660 to the tenere two weeks ago and have found it to be a fantastic ride straight out of the box.
I am 5′8″ and 120kg,s and so far all is going great. I will up grade the suspension both front and rear in the near future but nothing to complain about there. The ergo’s of the bike are great, plenty of visability over the dash, very comfy seat for long periods in the saddle. Plenty of power for in the bush where the steering handles really well, unlike my previous ride were you had to drive the bike into corners the tenere just leans into the corner, tracks nicely and handles the off road with ease!
So far i have only done around 700km’s and i am hopeing to clock up many thousands with this tenere. Look forward to hearing about any mods anybody does and learning more about the bike! All in all i feel Yamaha have got a great machine here and i hope to meet others with the same bike in my area, so far not to many around but time will change this i hope…
October 30th, 2009 at 1:43 am
How does it compare to a BMW F650GS?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Hey Barry… its a very different ride to the BMW… better weight distribution, stand up riding, more power, better economy, more reliable, harder to break… and its cheaper!
November 13th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Love the bike, any ideas on best way to get the seat height down to 850mm? Unfortunately, my legs are a little short!
November 13th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Just found a link showing official lowering kit to 865mm. Will this be available from Australian Yamaha dealers?
http://www.bikerzbay.com/index.php/motorcycle-information/2-yamaha/397-2009-yamaha-xt-660z-tenere-qeasy-rideq.html
November 16th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Hey Paul… I will check with the factory and get back to you.
November 16th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
hey Paul… The factories answer is: That’s not available as genuine Yamaha accessory yet, probably something Yamaha Italy came up with independently.
Pls go to Off the Road website at http://www.off-the-road.de they have lowering kits and lower seat plus site is in English if you want this accessory. Hope this helps!