Yes it's true. Sold her yesterday. Since owning the bike I have only used it to cover 2,000 miles or so. Sat two winters in the garage.

I know when I bought it I complained an awful lot about the bike and to be frank I never got used to riding it. The negatives outweighed the positives by far (for me).
Drivers in this country are THE worst in Europe, official figures, with no respect at all for fellow motorists so bikes have no chance.
The conditions of the roads here are hell and this is one of the great positives of the big high Tenere, it took all these roads could throw at it and didnt even blink. Its a tank of a bike like a Humbee.
To give you some idea in the past 5 years I have written off three tyres and one mag alloy going down pot holes here!

Problems for me, as an older biker, where the height and weight of the bike. There was no room when mounting and dismounting for even the smallest error, once it got past the smallest -out of line- degree it simply went over. I dropped it around 5 times getting on and off it! The cost of parts is silly. Thank God I had crash bars fitted so it was 'only' mirrors and leavers, no body damage.
High winds where hell on it due to its high COG and the vibration over any distance made it uncomfortable. I always had a numb bumb after a drive longer that 50 kliks.

My main concern was having to make an emergency stop. I just KNOW I was not safe enough to handle the height and weight. Not fair to me, my passengers or other road users to remain on a bike I was never realy in control of. I guess age also takes its toll plus seeing so many accident victims.

The other major concern was the awful quality of the bike. It had corrosion problems all over the place. Had I not sold it this year I fear in another 24 months it would have been worthless. Cant get my head around that. I washed and cleaned it, kept it dry in a garage well ventilated. Its simply not made to the standard of Yamaha Japan. Nor is the 125. Both made in Italy. Enough on that though I have already made so many posts regarding this point. The bike never missed a beat and was totaly reliable. It is a very strong bike. I can't see them ever becoming clasics though due to their build quality?

The real odd thing is I am so sorry she has gone! I miss her something fearfull! Work that one out!

I think my days on two wheels are over. I enjoy the -feel- of metal around me, with seat belts and various air bags. I know, I know, woozie.

Still have the 125 to potter around on IF I get constipated! lolol

You are a great bunch of people, please keep safe and do look after yourselves.

Very best wishes,

Ryland

You obviously haven't been to Turkey, well at least the part that's in Europe

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Sounds like you need a XTR. You never to old to ride a bike, you just need to find one that suits your needs.

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Mods that I have done to my XTX's

My 04 XTX
Stage 1 & 2 DNA filters / Kev fuel mod / snorkel mod / Drilled air box mod / Engine breather mod / Fork Spacer mod / 15w fork oil /
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My 07 XTX
Raptor 700 cylinder 102mm / Modified Crank Case to take a 105mm Raptor Cylinder / 11:1 102mm JE Raptor piston / Stage 1 Raptor Hot Cam / Ported head / Colder Spark Plug / +2mm Throttle body / DNA stage 1 & 2 filters / Modified Air Box / Snorkel removed / Worry Brothers stage 2 filter cover / 6mm & 8mm Bolts Replaced with Titanium Bolts / Recovered seat in Black / O2 Eliminator /

My 09 XTX
59HP at the rear wheel / Stage 2 Raptor Hot Cam / DNA stage 3 Air Box / Carbon Can Exhausts / Modified Exhaust Link Pipes / PCIII With Custom Fuel Map / Wideband Commander O2 Data logger / LCD100 Dyno Jet display & fuel adjuster / 2500 OHM HT lead instead of a 10K OHM XT lead / Extra Coolant Cooler / Protaper Fat Bars / Tail Tidy With LED Tail Light / OKE Protection Knobs / LED indicators / AIS blocked / Modified rear sprocket rubbers / Rear Foot Pegs removed / 09 ECU With 02 Sensor Changed To A 06 ECU / Complete wiring harnes Changed from 09 to 04 / Home made LED resistor flasher / Hole drilled in the fuel tank filler neck to allow quicker filling / Modified Bar End Weights / Progressive front fork springs, 15W fork oil, forks lowered 25mm, used XTR rear links lowering the rear 20mm, rear spring one click stiffer / Changed front & rear guards from blue to black / 47T rear sprocket / Speedo Healer V4.0 / Kev throttle cam mod / Throttle grip mod / The new 2010 O2 sensor mod is out, works a treat, The new 2012 O2 Controller is out, PM me for details

Now ride a 2018 MT09SP ABS + TCS

My KTM 990 SMR Mod book. http://www.ktmsmt.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4946

Best of luck, I took a year out recently and came back as it's just in your blood. Yes there are dangers but you have to accept it and move on. At some point like you say it's time to hang up the helmet, no shame in it at all.

I try to use all three of my modes of transport to suit my situation, some days I drive to work, some times I ride my XTX, other times I cycle. I like the variation. In reality the car is the ideal transport as I have no clobber to wear, if it rains I turn the wipers on! But it's just not as thrilling even if it's a fiat Panda! LOL!

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Sorry to hear you have sold your Tenere Ryland , its a shame you had so many negative experiences of it . Its true what you say reguarding the vibes and the weight etc ( mine went over the first day i had it ) but i think its a bike that the more you use it the more you forgive it . I found the vibes got alot better as the miles built up and once over 3000 it smoothes out more . It does get windy up there but i always found it stable . As for the levers , i always loosen mine off as much as i can so if i do drop it they will turn on the bars and not break. Glad to hear you still have one bike though and hope you enjoy it for a long time to come .

Forgot to mention, I had a tenere as well and sold it after only a short period, mainly it was too heavy, to tall, to uncomfortable and gave me backache, guess what, I wish I still had it! I could have sorted out 2 of the three easily!

Don't tell anyone, I think I am going to swap my xtx for an r later on in the year... After the lakes meet... Just wanna see how the r goes on the off road day.

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hi Ryland, like so many other folk the bike just did not suit, why keep it? i really enjoy mine despite it's minor faults.

keep biking, it's a great hobby/lifestyle, so all the very best