basic cheap mods for my 'Z' help this NEW GUY!! - .: XT660.com

obee · # 1 02-04-16, 18:38

Hi, My name is Owen, I'm new to this forum!

I'm a Yamaha outboard boat engineer, based in the UK (portsmouth) & the BVI. I have a 2011 tenere, owned it for two years but work over seas so rarely get the chance to use it!

Planning on doing a trip from the UK to Italy and back this summer, really want to try to improve the performance 'cheaply' as i'll be riding with my mates who have 1000cc fared cbrs etc. Last time I rode my bike was from London to Lands End for 5 days camping, we all had totally different bikes, the tenere was the best in the windy cornish lanes but pretty terrible on the motorway to be honest, slow and viby.

I have just picked up some used twin Leo vince cans on ebay cheaply, I hope that will at least improve the crappy sound if nothing else!

Questions:

1-Should I fit an Oxygen lambda o2 sensor eliminator?
2-fit a Fuel mod? if so where to get one and how much are they?
3-what are the best value for money tires, currently on the originals (crap)
4-any one fitted a drop link/lowering link? they are cheap enouth on ebay.
5-is it worth changing the front cog for better motorway use? if so what's the best place to get one from and what ratio would you recommend.
Can you guys please

Any help would be great! thanks a lot.

keithy2 · # 2 02-04-16, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by obee

Hi, My name is Owen, I'm new to this forum!

I'm a Yamaha outboard boat engineer, based in the UK (portsmouth) & the BVI. I have a 2011 tenere, owned it for two years but work over seas so rarely get the chance to use it!

Planning on doing a trip from the UK to Italy and back this summer, really want to try to improve the performance 'cheaply' as i'll be riding with my mates who have 1000cc fared cbrs etc. Last time I rode my bike was from London to Lands End for 5 days camping, we all had totally different bikes, the tenere was the best in the windy cornish lanes but pretty terrible on the motorway to be honest, slow and viby.

I have just picked up some used twin Leo vince cans on ebay cheaply, I hope that will at least improve the crappy sound if nothing else!

Questions:

1-Should I fit an Oxygen lambda o2 sensor eliminator?
2-fit a Fuel mod? if so where to get one and how much are they?
3-what are the best value for money tires, currently on the originals (crap)
4-any one fitted a drop link/lowering link? they are cheap enouth on ebay.
5-is it worth changing the front cog for better motorway use? if so what's the best place to get one from and what ratio would you recommend.
Can you guys please

Any help would be great! thanks a lot.

Best improvement for the money is fit the 02 kev mod and the fuel mod �50 each if you want even more performance fit the. Leo Vince pipes. For more power get the DNA air filter and the adapter to ensure a proper seal around the filter, these are called stage one and stage two. The filter and adapter are a bit expense about �130 if I remember right. The standard gearing is perfect for the motorway 5000 rpm in top should show 83 mph on the speedo the bike will hold this speed easily.

obee · # 3 02-04-16, 20:30

Thanks for that.

Can the kev mod set up be purchased through this site? I have seen them on ebay but seem to be located in Oz.

Is this the DNA filter you are talking about?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XT-...0AAOSwjVVVxJ8w

last thing... do these mods make a real difference? I'm not really in love with the bike to be honest, it's not that fun to ride as it stands! Maybe this will give it a new life?!

Cheers

Pleiades · # 4 02-04-16, 22:24

to the forum Owen.

Sound advice there from Keithy2!

Quote:

Originally Posted by obee

Can the kev mod set up be purchased through this site? I have seen them on ebay but seem to be located in Oz.

Kev is based in Australia. They can be bought from ebay, or if you send him a PM (private message) you can buy directly from him at a slightly reduced rate as ebay fees don't have to be paid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by obee

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-XT-...0AAOSwjVVVxJ8w

This is the DNA Stage 1 filter and Stage 2 airbox top. Together they are referred to as a "Stage 2" setup. It is indeed what you need!

They can be bought more cheaply than ebay from here:

http://www.motorcycle-exhausts.co.uk/DNA_AIR_FILTER_YAMAHA_XT660Z_Tenere_200814--product--7964.html

http://www.motorcycle-exhausts.co.uk/DNA_St_2_AIR_BOX_COVER_YAMAHA_XT660Z_Tenere_200814--product--7977.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by obee

last thing... do these mods make a real difference? I'm not really in love with the bike to be honest, it's not that fun to ride as it stands! Maybe this will give it a new life?!

An O2 controller, Kev mod and Stage 2 setup will make a huge difference to the bike. It will pull cleanly from 2000 rpm (not the 3500 rpm of the stock bike) and rev more freely between 6 and 7000 rpm. Essentially you will broaden the usable rev range and increase the spread of power/torque. Together these mods make the XT motor much nicer to use - well worth the �175 investment.

Read this for more information.

jibber · # 5 03-04-16, 17:01

There is a guy selling the whole lot here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-xt6...oAAOSwiylXAQOG

obee · # 6 03-04-16, 17:03

Thanks guys,

Purchased all the above, lets see what happens!!

one more thing... best value for money all rounder tires? also the sizes, I would look but currently working over seas and not able to look at the bike!

Or anyone here got any part worns for sale?

Thanks

Owen

Pleiades · # 7 03-04-16, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by obee

one more thing... best value for money all rounder tires? also the sizes, I would look but currently working over seas and not able to look at the bike!

You probably haven’t had much response to the tyre question because it’s a very subjective topic. Everyone has their favourites for very different reasons/applications - one man’s meat is another man’s poison! "Value for money" is a broad term and everybody's pockets are a different depth! However, there is a general consensus the stock Tourance are rubbish, but even then there are a few folk who sing their praises! Just to give you an idea of what a minefield tyre choice is, I used to find TKC80s were the best tyre for my use/needs, but when I modified/improved my suspension my opinion changed – they became horrible (on the road anyway)! So you can see, even individual bike setup affects tyre selection.

For what it’s worth, you need to be honest with yourself and work out in your own mind what kind of riding you’re going to do and what your priorities are. Think about :

Bias toward off road/on road riding
Grip – dry/wet/on/off road
Braking - dry/wet/on/off road
Handling characteristics
Feedback
Comfort
Noise
Looks/appearance
Ease of DIY tyre changing (bead breaking)
Puncture resistance
Wear rate
Cost to buy
Running costs per mile

There is no such thing as a do-it-all or "all-rounder" tyre. The perfect tyre for you will be a big compromise of all of the above, so rank them in order of importance. Once you’ve done that I think we’ll be able to guide you a little better through the options. However, it will only be a guide, a point in the right direction. At the end of the day, the only way to know what works for you is to try tyres out yourself, on your bike, riding your roads/trails. If you like them, buy them again. If you don’t, add them to your banned list!

maxwell123455 · # 8 07-04-16, 23:43

My two pence

I've a tenere with stage 2 air filter, kev mod, Mtc single can and I run a 16tooth front sprocket.

On standard gearing the tenere is way out on real speed at an indicated 70mph it is actually only doing 63mph, and 80mph was only 72mph. With the extra mods and a 16 tooth sprocket at 70mph indicated actual is 68mph and 80mph indicated is actual 77mph. This is a massive change for longer journeys as you can comfortably sit at this all day. The extra mods help give the extra power to Overcome the higher gearing

But main thing is motorways are boring at sitting at 70mph compared to 80mph really isn't gonna make you journey massively better, be comfortable in your ride, if others want to race off tell them fine, arrange a meet up point and wave while you ride by more comfortable and with fuel!!

DirkZ · # 9 28-04-16, 18:51

You won't regret fitting the DNA stage2 filter setup with the Kev mods along with the Leo Vince pipes. It makes a big difference in the response of the bike.
If you're going to do mostly tar surfaces on your trip, the standard Tourance tyres are not too bad. One gets used to them, even though they handle a bit crappy.
If you decide to fit more aggressive tyres, just note that they wear much faster on the back wheel due to acceleration than on the front. I like the TKC80 on the front but have a Dunlop D606 on the front now. It gives me much more confidence off road and I've never had a problem on tar.
On the back I use a Pirelli Scorpion MT90 at the moment which is a very good compromise for tar and dirt roads. Just my 2 cents to confuse you more

redbikejohn · # 10 02-05-16, 08:44

To do the mods cheap..... (see my review on my website www.redbikejohn.com )

Decat exhaust and drill. .....free.
Buy kev's mods , fuel and co2. Co2 mod helped stalling on mine.
Filter ? Buy cheap.
Snorkel, remove. Make your own gasket from soil pipe gasket. Fiver.
Tyres, for road work I buy "full bore usa" tyres from my tyres in Germany. 60 for a rear but sometimes cheaper than that. Fine for commuting and road trips.

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