Hi everyone - just paid my deposit on an new 660Z and pick it up next week...

Having been a long time Honda fan, I must say, when I saw the new Tenere in the flesh I was totally sold - it seems to offer everything I've been looking for in a do-it-all dual sport touring bike... and for once, there is not much I want to change...

However, there are a couple of mods I'd like to do, and I have had a trawl around the forum without finding any definitive answers so far...

1) There is a thread saying WR footpegs will fit the XTZ - Has anyone done this yet? Do they mean from the previous (steel frame) WRF's or are they the same as the current aluminium frame WRF's?

2) Side stand cut-out switch bypass. I'm presuming this bike has a tedious side-stand cut out switch? Is this likely to cause problems (as it can with a DRZ for example). I'd rather disconnect it anyway - does anyone know the right way to do this, or is there a bypass kit that avoids cutting any wires?

3) Found a thread regarding wiring up a GPS - goodo!

4) Rear lights - has anyone considered fitting orange LEDs inside the rear light lens to act as indicators? I don't suppose there is a kit available (yet?) You could then removed the rear mudguard extension piece and tidy up the rear end - making it less vulnerable to damage off road?

Other than that, it seems pretty damn perfect out of the crate - I can't wait!

All advise/pointers gratefully received!

JennyMo xxx

Hello, good choice of bike! =)

1. Haven't heard anyone who have tried it, but I'm intrigued.

2. It has a cut-out switch but I haven't had any problems with it.

3. GPS rox.

4. That would be illegal here in Sweden so no, but removing the whole plastic blob back there with something lighter and tougher is a good idea. But as you say you want to make it your bike experiment a little.

Ah, fortunatley they are not so precious with legislation here in the UK... (not yet anyway!)

I have a combined rear light/brake light and indicator unit on my Ducati Monster (red and orange LEDs behind a clear lens), and thought it would be great if someone produced something like that for the back of the new Ten' - especially as it has twin side by side rear lights already? The company (clear-alternatives.com) who make the one for my Ducati also do loads for sportsbikes, but as they are a US company, I don't see them doing one for the 660 as it is not a US model, at the moment at least...

I'm sure I could get something together myself, although it would work better with clear rear lenses - I just hope someone reads this and produces it commercially and with OE quality?

Thanks for the other info too...

JennyMo xx

Try send a note to Thorsten at www.off-the-road.de, he is the only person I know of may be able to do something about what you are looking for. He speaks very good english. Good luck and congrats !! What color are you getting?

Ok, thank you - I'll get in touch with him (had a look at their website last night infact) - I know that if you put a pannier frame on then the rear mudguard doesn't look to bad, but I think it looks a bit weird and vulnerable when the bike is naked - I reckon a tail chop (and built in rear indicators) would find a lot of favour with other owners?

As for my bike, I managed to find a black one in the UK still for sale (they were pretty much sold out here as we only had an allocation of 150 for the year!) I've found a couple of other dealers have one left, but they are all the desert khaki colour - the white/speedblock colourway was most popular here I think, but personally I prefer the black, it looks more subtile and at the same time expensive? The sort of bike BMW should have made?

I plan to do a lot of traveling on it this next year (retiring my XR650R from that duty and keeping that for rallye riding) - I'm going to take the Tenere to the USA (just to make them jealous!) for six months, then, well, who knows...

xxx

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

JennyDakar.com

hi jmo was it you that went across america on a xr650r that was in tbm magazine if it was iam very jealous good luck with the tenere

Me too but not for 2 years when I retire. Unless a Super Tenere comes along.....

Which reminds me...has anyone heard anything in that direction lately ???

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We are now retired....so....... lots of this and this and no more of this or this

Yes, that was me... I chose the red pill, and now I've chosen the blue pill!

The XR is an awesome bike, but not great over long road mileages (I've just got back from 6000 miles round Europe & Morocco this summer), and tends to use oil at high (constant) speeds... it is fantastic once on the dirt though, and an excellent rallye bike the way I've set it up.

But since I want to cover a lot more ground on my next trip, I reckoned the Tenere was the way to go - better security, EFi, more comfortable over long road distances, and ought to be just as reliable (if not more so) and not use so much oil!

Although it is quite a bit heavier than the XR650R, I reckon for the sort of trails I was riding in the US, it will be more than capable. Sure I might think twice if faced with a really nadgery section, but then I guess it's best to be cautious when traveling solo anyway? I think the overall refinement over long distance will more than make up for missing the odd trials section... x

I spent a lot of time and money getting that XR the way I wanted it - but ultimately it is too hardcore for distance touring, so if I keep it, it will be as a (rallye) race bike now.

Glad you enjoyed the TBM series!

xxx

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

JennyDakar.com

I must say, a Tenere with the TDM 900 engine might be very nice!? - but to be honest, any more weight and the bike will leave the realm of 'managable' behind and be well and truely in GS uber-tourer territory?

Personally, I think the 660 is the best compromise if you genuinely need a machine that is good both on and off road?

Of course I just hope my presumption is correct... 7 days to go!

xxx

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

JennyDakar.com

I agree totally as you can see from my sig I have just bought one too but nearly all my riding is 2 up so a similar bike with a bit more grunt would be most appreciated.

I/we love the XTZ and Yamahas in general. I do not think you will be disappointed provided your legs are not too short.

So how did you shift your bike stateside ??

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We are now retired....so....... lots of this and this and no more of this or this