There was a memorial ride for a popular adventure riding advocate and all-round hero in the Flinders Ranges this week. Tony Kirby died from motor neurone disease, which is a real mongrel. He will be remembered by this generation of riders for his energy, enthusiasm, SideTrack Magazine and great bravery.
There were around 60 bikes at the venue, I think. Almost everyone there, except me, was a rider of some note. All types of bikes were present, the most popular being DR650s.
This was, at last, the first real test of my Tenere. I had about 45kg of panniers, tools, spare tubes and oil and camping gear on board. I did about 600km to the destination on the first day, and basically I agree with almost everyone else's findings about the bike.
1. The rear shock is a disgrace on a mid-priced bike. Underdamped,
undersprung and just plain horrid.
2. Forks are good enough unless pushed hard.
3. Very good brakes, except the rear is too prone to locking coming down
loose hills.
4. About 20km/l overall for 1700km, mainly dirt roads and bitumen, with some
tight stuff.
5. Very happy with the 'aftermarket' rear chain guide...
6. Plenty of power for me - will cruise any speed I like up to about 1**km/h
gps.
7. Even with the shock constantly bottoming out, the standard Yamaha
luggage did very well. Happy, except dust jams the mechanisms
occasionally.
8. Std Tourances fine, enen very good, on dry terrain of any kind. Absolute
rubbish, as you'd expect, on wet dirt.
9. Nothing broke, came loose or fell off except the number plate.
10. The standard headlight high beam is an outright disaster, even with a
Philips high-intensity bulb fitted.
11. Touratech need to research their carrier plate and headlight protector
better. Carrier plate bent at the slots, and the protector has rubbed the
headlight lens.

And that's about it. Great bike, all issues fixable. Great people, even more important.