well it is... I used to own a Yamaha MT-03 and a XT660Z Tenere and now own a KTM 690 Enduro.







A XT660Z Tenere vs KTM 690 Enduro does make sense...

...or a MT-03 vs KTM 690 Duke does make sense.

Before buying the MT-03 I also test drove a 690 Duke.

The KTM LC4 690 is quite a bit different then the Yamaha 660 engine. In short: the KTM aims at 'sport' while the Yamaha aims for 'comfort and endurance'.

That is why the KTM is viby (less balancing weight), rev's up quickly (lighter flywheel), a 'two stage' power curve (felt the power kick at 5000rpm?) and a bit twitchy on the thottle (unless you put the mapping on 'soft') and needs to be ridden with some dedication: keep the revs up.

That is why the Yamaha feels so smooth (for a big single), revs up without to much hurry, has lots of bottom power and is easier to ride: it will toddle along and pull you through any time. An aftermarket slip on muffler, K&N filter and Kev-mod will make it more ... uhm... lively!


So if you want a sporty ride: go KTM. If you want long distance touring: go Yamaha.

Sure you can try to make a tourer out of a KTM, or an athlete out of the Yamaha but it will always show its true nature...

HJ

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Riding the Mad Mule !! ... no more... went orange...

Even on older bikers I thought it was same tank just with a two different outputs. One part way up the tank the other at the bottom and that's why you risked getting gunk in your engine if you used reserve.

Have I missed the bit where you bought a Tiger?

The only comment I would add on this apparent concern over fuel range is that we live in the UK, there really are quite a lot of petrol stations, and if you are really concerned about not being able to find one within 200 miles then carry a fuel bottle.

Oh and I bought my Tenere without a test ride having ridden big singles before (DR600 x 2) and went from a Hayabusa to it. First ride I thought what the f uck have I done?! It's not at all like the DR's, it's 50kg heavier with the same power output. The seat is uncomfy, the shock is dire, the ergonomics for wind deflection are a joke, the bars are too low if you want to stand up and it isn't very quick at all.
that was 30,000 miles ago.

Yes Tom, i now have a Tenere and a Tiger.

Keep up......

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>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Crikey. I best fasten my seatbelt.

Given up trying to find a dealer with a demo XT so I figured why not tryout the XT in it's true home.

Just booked to go on a days offroading in Wales with the Yamaha Tenere Experience where I'm apparently guaranteed of getting to ride the XT660Z.

Should be fun and hopefully get to see how it rides both on and off road

That's right - with a carbed bike (and fuel tap), typically the 'on' position draws from the top of a tube, and the 'reserve' position from nearer the bottom - any 'gunk' is nothing to do with the level of fuel or 'old' fuel, only debris that might be sitting at the bottom of the tank itself (due to gravity), such as rust from a traditional metal tank... To be fair, all fuel taps [should] have a gauze filter as part of the tube, so its unlikely anything would pass into the fuel line - but its worth fitting an inline fuel filter on an older bike, just incase there is residue rust in there for example.

On an EFi bike, there is an electric fuel pump typically sited at the base/lowest point of the tank, which has it's own filter in... the 'reserve' light comes on when a float (typically at the top of the pump) is activated, once the fuel level drops below that point.

However, to answer Steve's original question - fundamentally the fuel is all in the same tank on any bike (unless you have an auxiliary tank on a rally bike for example), so every time you fill up, the new fuel mixes with the older fuel still left in the tank...

Jx

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

JennyDakar.com

Good plan! If that doesn't convince you to buy one, nothing will!

Jx

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

JennyDakar.com

I was only joking

I still recon that the Ten has one of the biggest 'standard' tank ranges out of all of the current bikes available.
Even hard riding I can get at least 250miles before having to fill up.

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If I'm not working, I'll be

Hee hee - I'd sort of hoped you were - thank goodness! Jx

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

JennyDakar.com