Bright and cold was the forecast . Just as well the Tenere has heated grips
Took a ride out Tintern way. The Ten is impressing me on a Motorway, windblast is less than the Transalp and a lot less noise, maybe just a touch of air coming over the top of the standard screen but not so bad as to think it needs attention, the seating position is good, bar for a weird shape to the seat which may annoy on a long distance day. The engine is as smooth as any single Ive had and much like my XT660R I had, 4500rev and its showing 75mph.... so even with an optimistic speedo its near GPS 70 mph. To put it in perspective the TA used to show 75 on a speedo at 6000 rpm and sounded like it was working and the older Ten660 was 5000 rpm for 70mph on the speedo. So the new Ten is best of the bunch there.
Heading out on some nice sweeping A roads past Tintern it pulls really well, but does have a flat spot now and again, Im guessing this will be cured with the famous Kevmod and a DNA filter. The exhaust sounds good with some nice popping on the overun. The Sirac tyres are good although the roads are greasy with plenty of fallen leaves so it isnt getting pushed too hard through bends
Onto a B road and it really makes me smile here... doing exactly what a big single does best... punch out of bends... fantastic

I happen to stop here and look at my map, theres a BOAT marked just to the right. I promised myself I wasnt going off road on this yet, but 1 little lane cant hurt

It was very pretty, very greasy and leafy with some nice loose mud. the Siracs are holding their own but not inspiring and the standard gearing is ok, and Im guessing the fuel mod and filter will help here also. tyres will definately help



Out toward Abergavenny and the roads have a lot of tractor depsits on them and it all gets squirrely very easily, but its a fab road


Into the bus stop for a brew in Abergavenny and theres the usual array of sports bike, but the Ten attracted plenty of attention
Headed home over the back of the Beacons




Found a little forestry road looking useable so had a quick loop just to see what it was like on this stuff. Siracs were better here than greasy roads, so not all bad



All in all.................... right choice