So I picked up my new black Tenere just in time for me to use it while touring Norway for a couple of weeks. I loaded it with my 11 yo kid, some soft side panniers and a bag on the back of it. Pretty heavy laden for a 660. We're looking at some 4000 km's in 14 days. We're now half way through at 2.200 km's.

So what do I think?

Apart from it being a bit on the short side when it comes to room for my passenger: I'm mighty impressed. Nothing less. Yes, it's a 660 thumper meaning you need to plan your take-overs. And the R1, GSX-R1000 and Fireblade guys rides in circles around you. Until the bends appear, that is. But for the rest of the time - meaning some 97 percent of my riding - it's the perfect tool. It runs impressively smooth for a thumper (not noticeably more vibey than my Guzzi twins), it delivers enough power for most situations, it handles good as well as bad roads in a terrific manner, it delivers high mileage pr litre, it even manage to carry a load - In short: I will not hesitate on taking it for a real "round-the-world" tour. Actually I'll bring it to Iceland for 3 weeks next year for some heavy duty testing. I believe it will perform flawlessly.

I am very, very satisfied with my new Tenere. I can only recommend it to those of us more inclined to these kinds of bikes rather than your average sportsbike. It allows you to have a pool of horsepower that you can actually use in real life and day-to-day situations rather than 170 hp+ that you'll never be able to use. Or 105 hps for that sake. 48 hp, I have discovered, is really all the power I need to have a ball.

I'll report back when all the 4000 km's are done. So far I'm a big grin :-)

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HansP

Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict
Learn how to travel in Norway the inexpensive way!

Do that! =) I passed 4600 km today and still grins a lot. It's not a bike for everyone maybe, but for me it's perfect. Well, there is room for some modifications off course..

Spread the gospel!! I agree with the both of you: it's a mighty fine piece of machinery and fun to ride! Keep the reports comin'. Greetz, Hans.

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XT rules! Make the world beautiful, get a tattoo. Nick Curran R.I.P. '77-'12

XT660Z Tenere '08 http://dallastx.smugmug.com

visit: www.hank3.com

SRV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0MF8pwktg

Hi, I've just read your post and pricked up the old lugs when you mentioned a trip to iceland. Well Iceland is on my tick list have had a trip to Norway a couple of years ago.

I would be interested in knowing about your plans as it would be of great assistance to any trip I would go on.

I am currently waiting for delivery of my Tenere which must be lost somewhere between the production plant and my local dealer.

Any tit bits would be appreciated,

XT660z (not Currently) Rider

Sure - only our plans are not nailed yet. We are looking into two options: 1 or 2 weeks on the island, plus boat transfer adding a week. Depending on the lenght of stay we'll try to cover more than just the asphalt route, obviously. We're also considering to go inland, but we're not sure yet.

I'll keep you posted. Otherwise try to read more on the topic at www.horizonsunlimited.com, which is a site created by and for motorcycle adventureres.

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HansP

Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict
Learn how to travel in Norway the inexpensive way!

Hans the report on your Ten has given me a good insight into how the bike will perform. I am still waiting for my bike to arrive in from Yamaha which with some luck will be today.

Like you I have been inspired to ride around iceland, I have a video which follows a group of adventure motorcyclists around iceland on both tarmac and unsealed roads, GLOBE RIDERS ICELAND EXPEDITION.

This video follows four riders around iceland and gives both amazing internal and around iceland routes.

If I find a link to the video I will send it but I know short clips can be found on youtube.

Look forwards to your posts,

Well gentlemen. Time to wrap up my initial 4.544 kms on my Tenere. As I have already mentioned, I broke in my Ten during our vacation. I loaded it with my daughter (11), soft panniers and a roll-up bag and set out together with my wife on her Guzzi Breva 750.

The short summary is: The bike is freakin' great! It's a keeper, by far!

These are the upsides:
- Enough grunt for me
- Very nimble, even when loaded up
- Very stable at the occasional highway speed stretches
- Easy to stand on the pegs when your bottom starts to complain
- Have bad roads, gravel roads and sandy stretches for breakfast - even two-up!
- Long range: I did some 420-450 km's between fill-ups. But then I was in the process of breaking it in taking it very easy on the throttle.
- Surprisingly good wind protection for someone of my height (178 cm)
- Not too sharp knee angle - I like that
- I leave most sportbikes in my wakedust when the roads are somewhat bad, narrow and bendy. Which they tend to be where I live :-)
- Instrument panel is top notch!
- All controls (brakes, clutch) are light, easy and predictable. Enough stopping power even when fully loaded.
- Springs and dampers are better than I expected

Not soo good:
- I have to do something with that seat, even though I can manage long miles by standing up once in a while
- Fuel gauge is somewhat misleading, but I got used to it.
- The speedo is off by at least 10 percent.
- Not roomy enough for my pillion passenger. May be better when I have the proper alu panniers and top box mounted though.
- Not comfy enough for my pillion passenger. May be better when new/reupholstered seat is introduced
- Why on earth doesn't this kind of bike come with center stand as standard?? My dealer didn't get it to his shop before I left for my holiday so I had to leave without it. Awkward when it was time to grease the chain etc.
- The standard tyres are ok for asphalt but not to my taste for gravel stuff. Need to change them to something more knobbly I think.

Mods that will be done:
- New/modified seat
- Centre stand (done)
- Hand protectors and wind deflectors (done)
- Proper alu panniers and top box
- Proper bash plate
- Handlebar risers for better standing position

I'm not in the market for more power, so I'll leave those mods for later.

All in all: My objections to the bike are few and minor. I'm very pleased with the bike and I'm looking forward to years and years of fun with it. Although for two-up serious touring, my trusty Guzzi Quota will be called into actoin.

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HansP

Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict
Learn how to travel in Norway the inexpensive way!

Top tale and great info, keep up the good work.

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Colin
09 XTZ in Blue and its nearly Stanard.
My Mods - Peatbog rear rack