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XT660Z Reviews The "Z" - Good or Bad

 
 
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Old 30-03-09, 13:18
OldGitJohnboy OldGitJohnboy is offline
SemiPro XT-Moto
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Aberdare
Posts: 33
OldGitJohnboy is on a distinguished road
Thoughts on the new Tenere

Thoughts on the new Tenere

  • Small screen is far more effective than I would have thought and the riding position is good for extended mileage.
  • Road manners are excellent - great for a dual sport bike.
  • Saddle seems pretty comfortable but would help if it was flatter � the cat (converter) is under the seat so I don�t think it would be easy to cut it down.
  • Michelin Sirac tyres which came as standard on my bike are really good on the road � no problem crossing white lines or manhole covers on bends � even in the wet. I haven�t tried them on anything more than fire roads at the moment. I don�t think they would compare to something like Conti TKC�s but seem OK. I may fit TKC�s when the originals are worn as they work well on and off road but do feel a little strange after road tyres � they seem to fall into corners but nothing too scary once you get used to it. The TKC 140/80 � 17 on the rear would not only look good but would improve off road ability of the Tenere with a 90/90 front. It wouldn�t do much to help correct the already optimistic speedometer though.
  • Gearing is great for road use (4000rpm is about 64MPH) but too high for any serious off-road play. First gear gives you 7-8 MPH on tick over � much too quick for the more gnarly bits without lots of clutch slip.
  • MPG is good even from new � over 60MPG keeping to the 4500-RPM limit while running in. I�ll keep monitoring it as the miles clock up but I�m sure it won�t change too much.
  • Feels lighter than the dry weight quoted (183kgs) and is OK to manhandle about. Not sure how I would cope when I had covered 200 miles or so of trails but first impression is good � all the weight is fairly low down and not intimidating.
  • Good immobiliser fitted as standard (Cat 2 � Thatcham I was told)
  • Suzuki DR400 hand protectors fit with less modifying than the Yamaha ones and �30 cheaper. Come on Yamaha � keep up!
  • I think vibration is minimal for a big single and the fuelling problems that plagued the XT660R/X have been cured. None of the low speed lumpiness now. The motor pulls like a train without feeling too hairy like some orange dual sport bikes, which are OK for ex-enduro riders but not for normal mortals.
  • I like the digital dashboard � very clear to read and not too busy with info I would hardly ever need.
  • If you are a sports bike rider you may find the Tenere a little on the slow side but don�t let that stop you � book a test ride. It is a really tall bike but can be adjusted to be more usable for shorter riders. You may come to love the Tenere as I do myself.
 

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