Hi everyone,
Owner of a brand new xtz which i've only managed to put a 150miles on the clock so far! traded in my transalp for it a couple of weeks ago (I thought that was a tall bike) and getting used to the big single.

A question I have is i'm having trouble shifting down from 3rd gear to first, it will go in to second no problem, but on my transalp i could easy skip second gear while slowing down or coming to a complete stop, but this bike refuses to do it.

Is this the same for all Tenere's or a problem with my bike? I can stop, let the clutch out all the way and then select first gear, but thats a bit of a pain as i have to shuffle around on the seat in order to get the right feet on the floor!

Regards to all.

These gearboxes have quite a step from first to second. The top four ratios are fairly evenly spaced, but you have to slow down a bit more than you feel is right to get a clean downshift to first.
Either that or give it an extra-huge rev on the downshift...
It can be annoying until you get used to it. Yamaha have done this first-second jump on various big singles over the years rather than design a six-speed box, which would have been far better. If KTM and Husky can do it, still using big, strong gears, then so should the Big Four.
Stock standard big singles of today have a relatively narrow effective rev range, which you would have already discovered. But they have their own charm, and are still a useful engine. All imo, of course. I am a victim of my past

Haha the XT right foot shuffle!!!! Well this just takes getting used to and imo you should avoid having your bike lowered as the handling really suffers. I had a previous XTX lowered to help me but with the current (standard) one I now realise how much better the handling of the standard bike is so I would never do it again. Good luck!!!

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(Now sold on, sob) 2011 Blue XT660X with gold wheels, was 26,500 km.
Engine mods: K&N Stage 1 filter, DNA Stage 2 filter, snorkel removed, Kev fuel mod fitted.
Plus: smoked Puig screen, Yam aluminium sump guard, Yamaha / Acerbis handguards, Givi Trekker aluminium side cases, Leo Vince X3 cans plus Kev front fork mod and Fender Xtender. Just fitted Michelin Road Pilot 3 tyres.

SOLD the XTX for a Super Ten 1200. And just bought a Raptor 700 so staying on here for some tips....

Thanks for the advise and clearing up what the problem was 66T. guess i was just used to the transalps gear ratio. I tried the revving before changing down and it does indeed make it possible to change from 3rd to 1st easier.

The first time I rode home from the showroom I sat on the bike outside the shop and couldnt get over the size of the bike, i'm 5'10 and was on tip toes.... in fact theres a moment when climbing on and getting it off the side stand that im in no mans land as far as ground contact goes!!

Great bike though, looks good, rides well and the over run and farts from the exhaust does put a big smile on my face.

Regards,
Pondlife

Haha I'm 6 foot and dropped off a TTR 250 to ride off on the Tenere! Still remember sitting the thinking wow, this is a big bike!
As far as gear change goes, i have found it does not like a tentative change. Mine like to be shifted firm and decisive.
Personally don't mind the ratios, with my limited experience it seems obvious and predictable.
Matt

I am the same hight, and follow the mantra right foot down right foot down when I get to a junction and have to stop. Also I gear to to second and can get away with pulling off if I do not need to come to a full stop. Keep riding it at 1000 miles you would have become one with the beast..

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I'd reserve judgement until you've put a few more miles on it! Things will free up quite a bit over the first couple of thousand miles...

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+1. What he said, as well.