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