Hello Tenere owners. I currently have an XTR but would love a XT660Z Tenere. I test rode one yesterday and think that for me it needs more poke. I am also looking at the Tiger 800xc and 800GS. I much prefer the Tenere, and it's less expensive than the others. Ideally I would like to get a Tenere and increase the bhp with some reliable mods as I am planning some lengthy trips to Iceland and beyond.

Does anyone have any experience and data on what mods add what bhp?

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XT660R 2008 - Yamaha Screen - Touratech Bash Plate - Touratech Exhaust Guards - Wezmoto Braided Brake Hoses - EBC HH Pads - Continental TKC 80 Tyres - Pro Taper Pillowtop Grips - Polisport Handguards - NGK Iridium Spark Plug - K&N Air Filter

I am no expert and only going on what other folks have said to me and what I plan to do on my own ten, but

Single MTC can, DNA stage 1/2/3 filters, Kev fuel mod.

All very simple to do and fairly inexpensive. I am told that this smooths out the power delivery and gives a wee bit more oomph.

By how much I couldn't tell ya, but there is no end of info in the tenere tech section. Also in Kev's sig bar there is a link to the full list of mods.

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live Free, Ride Free!
No maps no plans, just get on your bike and go!



XT660z......What a machine!!

Current mods:- Yamaha top box, Yamaha hanguards, Heated grips, High front fender, Aux lighting front/rear.

Actual numbers [particularly max bhp figures] only tell part of the story, it's also how the power is delivered and where...

Certainly opening up the airbox a bit (I used the DNA filter and stage 2 airbox lid) and a freer flowing exhaust will help, but to get the best out of those mods you really need to create a new map with a PCV, plus remove the OS sensor and get it set up on a dyno... with any luck you'll see around 10% more power, but also typically a corresponding drop in fuel consumption - you have to ask yourself if the expense of all that is really worth the benefit?

There is an old adage that says "big bikes are for people who can't ride small bikes quickly..." I reckon that works for horsepower too?

Jx

ps. If you are going to spend a lot of time on the road, then whatever you do to a Tenere, it will not feel the same as an 80bhp twin... it would thrash either of those in an off-road environment though...

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

I'm trying to get my ideal bike, and the Tenere is definitely the blue-print for one. I love the off road ability. I used to race sports bike a lot on track and found that end cans even with a power commander don't give a huge amount (5bhp max), you need a full system, but i can't find anywhere that does racing downpipes along with cans.

I have been looking at the engine work off the road.de do. It looks like �1000 there would get 15-20bhp on the bike. My theoretical aim is to reduce the vibes at 80mph through gearing (3 off rear maybe 1 on front too) then compensate for the gearing with power mods. That should make the Tenere great in the mud and great for 8hr stints on the motorway to far flung places (i'm planning Iceland in June 2013 via orkney, shetland and faroe islands).

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XT660R 2008 - Yamaha Screen - Touratech Bash Plate - Touratech Exhaust Guards - Wezmoto Braided Brake Hoses - EBC HH Pads - Continental TKC 80 Tyres - Pro Taper Pillowtop Grips - Polisport Handguards - NGK Iridium Spark Plug - K&N Air Filter

By all means go for it! but I don't think you'll really get what you are after... to get an extra 15-20 bhp, you'd be looking at major valve work, and quite possibly a big bore too (the US guys can get 75bhp out of the 700cc Raptor engine, or so they say), and chasing max bhp is not the way to go on a bike like this... a consistant 5bhp across the mid range would be far more useful in the real world.

Personally I don't believe you need to change the header either [unless you do it along with the valve and piston work] - the stock Tenere header is already a pretty big bore, and a nice straight/short run compared the underslung pipes on the 600R of course...

Also, rising the gearing as much as you suggest is going to make it appalling off-road! - no amount of power is going to readdress that - in fact all you're likely to end up with a burnt-out clutch...

The bottom line is a long-stroke single cylinder engine running at 6000+ rpm (to get 80mph) is going to be vibey compared to a twin or multi-cylinder engine... I feel you're either going to have to get used to it (no bad thing, I think they call it 'character' in the brochures don't they?!), buy a KTM 690 (which by all accounts is very smooth at high revs), or a twin of some sort?

Value for money wise, the DNA stage 2 / PCV and some sort of single pipe is going to give you the best improvement for the least outlay - anything more and you'll either by spending huge ���s for a minimal increase, and ultimately be compromising the reliability and economy of the bike for travel...

Jx

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

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I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

And some padded shorts of course x

Jx

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"Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

JennyDakar.com

I think your missing the point of the adventure. I understand that motorways are good to cover massive distances in lower time but they are really boring and you will end up trying to do similar things like you are at the moment.

Why not either increase you time to complete your route allowing you to either cut the amount of motorways you use and include a good 50% of non motorway roads, or completely dont us motorways.

Other option is just suck it up that no bike is never going to be great at motorways and off roading at the same time. There are always compromises.

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Plough on