Hi Chaps,

Finally bought the Tenere yesterday! (was going to get a new one but strangely Yamaha would not give me a test ride even though BMW and Triumph did with no fuss.) So sod em I got a 2013 used one. I have had loads of bikes before mainly old British but the last two being Tiger XCs.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
-Could not get over the way, that despite on paper being similar weights, the Yamaha seems lighter.Either riding or pushing about the yard.

-Did not really buy to do lots of off road stuff but on the way home from buying it I ventured down a sandy gravelly track and was so impressed how the bike copped, I was flying along. Previously on the Tiger after riding down a gravel track l did not feel comfortable at all and also kept thinking how much it would cost to repair if I dropped it.(I know some people do amazing stuff off road on the tiger,fair enough).

-Although there is vibration it is not nasty vibration through the grips or footrests.

-It pops through the exhaust all the time?

-I know its new but It made me smile to myself riding along some country lanes.

-Bit surprised that the bike is quite gear specific ie.doesnt seem to have the torque or abilty to pull higher gears at lower revs and then vibrates if you rev too high, so I found my self really searching out the sweet spot of correct gear and revs.

DISLIKES
-The riding position, I could not get comfortable and felt I kept sliding forward down the saddle.When I got home my dodgy hip was hurting (I am over 50)
and that has not happened in all the time on my tiger.What is happening is the position is forcing my hips too far forward of the footpegs, which is a bit concerning as I have no car and ride 350 days a year so I have to resolve this by either moving the rests forward and extending the brake and gear lever or be able to sit more rearward.

-No others really.

CONCLUSIONS
-To keep the bike I have to sort the riding position

-I would like to make it not more powerful as such, but to be more tractable/forgiving and pull cleaner.

Any thoughts?

Cheers Spyke

Hello Spyke and welcome to

Maybe a idea to have your original seat reprofiled would sort your comfort issue.
I'm on my 3rd Tenere and do find the seat and ride position very good.
Touratech do 3 different seats not cheap though.
http://shop.touratech.co.uk/vehicle-...t_biketype=908

Have a search on the site there are some good mods you can do to make the Ten ride lots better.

The best ones for the Tenere are Kev's 02 Controller and fuel mod along with Stages 1,2 and 3 Dna filters

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2011 XT660Z

2008 TDM 900

Welcome aboard.

I think you'll find answers to all those questions here. My bet is that re shaping the seat to reduce the hump up to the pillion perch might help and a couple of gizmos called the Kev mods will sort the engine issues for you.

Popping exhaust is totally normal, but blocking the AIS pipe will reduce this. I've only had my tenere 10 days and have found answers to all my questions on the forum. Just use the search function and I'm sure you will too.

Happy riding!

and to

Welcome on board.

O2 controller is a must. Will transform tractability and broaden the range of usable power. Kev's fuelling mod will also contribute to widening the spread of power even further, particularly at the upper end of the scale (or a Power Commander if you're feeling flush!)

Blame the EU bureaucrats for that narrow power band on the XT motor - emissions regs mean it runs way too lean out the box. Get the air/fuel ratio down to the 13.6:1 and the bike will behave totally differently. (It's an asthmatic 14.7:1 in stock trim when the ECU is running in closed loop mode!)

Read this for more information.

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could someone explain two things please?
1-what is closed and open loop
2-what are the stage 1 stage 2 and stage 3 filters composed of

i would like to use this thread to thank kev again
like Pleiades said it will sort out your problems like a magic wand
look up these links, they have enough info about your questions
1. http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=20381
2. http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=9636

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monkey see monkey do

Hello spyke

Here you're at the right spot worldwide for the 660ties . I'm riding also a XT660Z from 2008.

I've let remake my seat at a local upholsterer - i had the possibility to get the seat back with a temporary cover to try it out. Then he took everything away that was too much and so i'm able to ride a day long.
Then i was getting the handlebar 2.5 cm higher and that's all.

DNA Stages are all around the air filter (xt660.com or google helps )- O2 controller is a must and if you like to get more torque and possibilities to set-up: get aftermarket exhausts and Kev's fuel mode from this forum.
I have still a biggrin on my face after half a year - riding makes much more fun - everytime.

Thanks to Kev and Captain Moto and all the others behind the scenes.

Have soon a lot of fun with your Z.

sunny regards from Switzerland

Andy

Stage 1
http://www.motorcycle-exhausts.co.uk...l#.U7v3i5RdW8A

Stage 2
http://www.motorcycle-exhausts.co.uk...l#.U7v3tpRdW8A

Stage 3
http://www.motorcycle-exhausts.co.uk...l#.U7v30ZRdW8A

If you want to use Stage 1 + 2 without fuel mod you will need a stage 1 Restrictor insert.
http://www.motorcycle-exhausts.co.uk...l#.U7v4ApRdW8A

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2011 XT660Z

2008 TDM 900

cheers very clear