Good idea
 

I might try that, the Versys used to collect mucho crappo in the rad and I had a fan replaced under warranty, luckily the Tenere fan and rad seems higher up, but I think a small guard such as you have made might just stop the extra gunge building up. I was very lucky with the tyre, as I have a good mate who supplies tyres at good prices and I took the wheel to him anticipating needing a replacement, but he fitted a new tube and plugged the tyre, which was luckily only pierced with the tip of the flint and had not made a big hole, so that was a big result. I got the wheel home, refitted it and went out and got the bike a bit dirtier. Think I might pop down to Plymouth tomorrow for a Captain Jaspers and a coffee via the South Hams as I need to get her run in. Hope you all have a dirty Sunday!

Sunday ride, first long one and a few thoughts
 

Maybe not considered a "long one", but went out today for a "bimble" on the XT660Z and ended up doing about 150 miles, as this was my first decent spin on the bike, I was more than surprised at its tractability and "fun factor". My opinion improves every time I ride it. My riding buddy was on his fazer thousand and as I was running in, he kept to my speed, which averaged 60 to 70 mph or around 4000rpm. He was very impressed with the bikes agility as was I and also with the good fuel economy. The engine ran smooth and pulled clean through the gears, with a gearchange to die for. Whilst I loved my previous Versys, the Yamaha gearchange is like silk in comparison, which makes for a much smoother ride. Even the seat, which looks like some medieval "torture" was actually very comfy, combined with being able to stand up on the pegs with ease and flex the old joints, I returned home not feeling like I had just ridden a horse! Hoping for first service next weekend and some more happy miles...

That's a nice feeling isn't it !

I did a 315km spin today with Missus as a pillion.

We went to see a friend manning a Poker Run checkpoint and ended up doing the whole route :p

I had a solo run with friends for St patrick's day on wednesday and the "flickability" of the tenere is appreciable in the twisties.

Very happy with the Michelin Sirac grip so far.

Cant fault it!
 

Just done 600 miles and up for my first service at Irelands in Barnstaple on Wednesday. Got to say, that I love my Tenere! I thought my Versys was good, but the Yam knocks spots of it in so many ways. I even did a little light green laning on the way home from work yesterday and it was just fun with a capital F! Nothing severe, just a few miles of "Un metalled" roads local to me, but the bike just has oodles of power and is really controllable. Very impressed.

Any chance of the dimentions as it looks like a really good idea.

Thanks

2400 Miles and going strong
 

Just an update. Currently done 2400 miles and probably will whack on another 200 today. Have yet to find anything I would consider to be a criticism of the bike, apart from it keeps saying "ride me, ride me"! Fuel consumption has been good, probs around the 60 to 65 to the gallon. Which is a distinct improvement on my Versys. Saying that the Tenere evokes a totally different riding style and speed to the Versys.
Seen a couple of "Tens" around over the last few weeks and a couple of standard XT660's give me a wave if you are in Devon, look out for a large guy in black on a black ten, with an "Ice White" led light on his skid lid....you wont miss me.....


Ian