Hi all, I just thought I would share my first impressions of the Tenere, as I picked up mine on Monday.

Feeling a bit saddle sore after the Afghan Heroes Wootton Bassett bike run on Sunday, I headed up to Barnstaple on my Kawasaki Versys, my second one, having done roughly 15 thousand miles on each one over a two and a half year period. I had originally intended to buy the 2010 Versys, but did not "gel" with it when I test rode one, so I threw caution to the winds and splashed out on a new Tenere in black, added hand guards and deflectors, tank protector, headlight guard,bash plate,engine bars and most important a centre stand. I did not test ride the Tenere, I just decided that the quirky looks and the big single engine would make a change from the Versys with the added option of an element of "off road-ability" which the Versys sadly lacked.

Therefore I leapt aboard the new Tenere, somewhat "Nureyev like", as she is a tad higher than the Versys. That said, my 19 stone of relaxed muscle compressed the suspension and I didn't feel too unstable, we pulled out into the traffic and I was surprised at the superb low down grunt of the Yamaha engine, I headed back from North Devon, via the old Crediton Road, which is nice and twisty, the fitted Tourances giving the sure fitted grip that made them my favorite choice of rubber on my old GS850 BMW, keeping the revs smooth and circa 4k I happily cruised home at about 50 to 60 mph, ensuring a nice smooth and snag free ride. The lightness of the Tenere and the sure footedness astonished me, cornering felt very stable and although the seat is narrow, I actually felt comfy. The riding position was just right, maybe the bars could have been an inch or two wider, but I found nothing to fault. I have done only 96 miles since yesterday, but the fuel useage seems miserly, we shall see what it is like when run in? I would be interested in what sort of cruising speed you guys consider "Normal" on the Tenere? My Versys was happy as larry at 6000RPM which equated to 80mph loaded. (I did Arromanche to Ypres at this speed without a hiccup)
Overall first impression, very good, the gearchange is silky smooth, build quality seems good, although I plastered the voltage regulator connector in Vaseline, as it seems exposed and will make a "boot". Has anyone fitted any form of fender extender, as my Versys used to throw crap back into the rad, is this an issue with the Tenere? I am hoping to get running in out of the way and enjoy the Summer exploring Dartmoor and Exmoor a little more, so we shall see how the Tenere stands up!

Congrat's on the purchase.

I'm still sort of running mine in, but with ~600 miles on the clock a steady 80 is easy. You're right about the handling, it's surprising and I've stiffened front and rear up quite a bit which helps.

I agree it needs a fenda extenda, but they're rather steep... Might prolong the downpipes though and I've sorted the regulator/rectifier connector with a party balloon sleeve.

1st service any minute so with new oil I'll be troubling the rev limiter, but should be good for just North of the ton I reckon..

Just up the road from you so to speak, I went to Wotton Bassett aswell.
If you think the ten is torquey then you need to have a go on mine

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:tenere:

Mods, Oxford heated grips, Givi Rack and top box, Stage 2 DNA filter and top, 02 sensor eliminator, Metal Mule taller screen, Seat hump trimmed off, .KEVS FUEL MOD (THE 1ST ONE FOR THE TENERE) , Extra fuse box, 12volt plug in socket, Zumo550 sat nav, , Barkbusters


What Bill Clinton REALLY said to Monica Lewinsky was: "Sack my cook"

Sadly Bike now sold 11/6/11

I have had a go and WooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooW!

What a bike-makes the standard version ride like a Royal Enfield on diesel!

Sounds really good too!

Thought about a fender extender but apart from price (�25) I do like getting the bike dirty on green lanes and yes the mud can gather. To help keep the radiator clear I made a simple piece of plastic which catches nearly all the crap. Since fitting it I have had no muddy lumps blocking the radiator.



Even with yesterday road muck you can see that it works. Its not long enough to catch the front mud guard even under heavy braking.

Just a thought.

Enjoy.

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DickyC

Gun Metal Grey 2014 XT660Z
'Advice is sought by someone who knows the answer but doesn't like it'

'The adsence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously'

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!

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

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.

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former Red owner !

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

Thanks

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