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BMW or Yamaha? BMW or Yamaha?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 2 Jun 2009
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hey Nick

same here I pick up my 2008 model xt660 z (unregistered) on Saturday also. I manged to get one in white - what about yours

regards

Shaun
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  #2  
Old 3 Jun 2009
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SATURDAY PROMISES TO BE A GOOD DAY FOR YOU GUYS.
I've had my Tenere 660Z 1 month now (from new) and like JMo can't bear to get off the thing. It's great fun, reliable and will cover all kinds of terrain.
I'm sure you'll enjoy the bikes
Happy days!!!
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  #3  
Old 2 Jun 2009
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Thank you all for your advice, a fantastic offer of an XT600 came up which i couldn't let go and after last week feeling a bmw and the sheer weight of it, i had to go with the yam. It's coming saturday so finger's crossed!
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  #4  
Old 5 Jun 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick849 View Post
a fantastic offer of an XT600 came up
folks, unless its a typo he's not getting a Tenere, so stop getting excited for him about his new Ten.
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08' Xt660Z Ténéré. Where shall i go?
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  #5  
Old 3 Jun 2009
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BMW650GS will fail on you RTW..... Happens too often to ignore.

XT600E will chug on forever and ever with very little maintenance but it's not as comfortable or fast.

I really think the new 660Z Tenere would be absolutely perfect for the job
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  #6  
Old 3 Jun 2009
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In one word: Yamaha
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  #7  
Old 4 Jun 2009
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  • Yamaha is the way to go.
But I always like to travel more back to basic.

Good luck!
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Old 4 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by tedmagnum View Post
BMW650GS will fail on you RTW..... Happens too often to ignore.
Really? I've taken two a long way without failing. But off course I did my homework and do ALL my own work.

Do we know what the weak points are on the Tenere? Rule number one (as adopted by probably most). NEVER buy an new release bike on a RTW trip. It's like gambling. Can't wait to see some on the road here and see what they're capable off.
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  #9  
Old 4 Jun 2009
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With the new 660Z Tenere one must realize that it is not a Japanese bike but basically Italian. On good side is that it has Japanese Denso electrics, though.
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  #10  
Old 5 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by Rebaseonu View Post
With the new 660Z Tenere one must realize that it is not a Japanese bike but basically Italian.
Sorry, dont mean to be rude but thats cr*p. thousands of Nissans(one of the most reliable cars you can buy) are produced every year just south of me in Sunderland, UK. this does not mean they are British cars, they are Jap, otherwise no-one would buy them.

The Ten is a Yamaha, Jap.


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08' Xt660Z Ténéré. Where shall i go?
Last edited by PeteXTR; 5 Jun 2009 at 09:00.
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  #11  
Old 6 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by tmotten View Post
Do we know what the weak points are on the Tenere? Rule number one (as adopted by probably most). NEVER buy an new release bike on a RTW trip. It's like gambling. Can't wait to see some on the road here and see what they're capable off.
Then I broke the rule... I bought a new Tenere last September, took it to the USA, and rode it 23,000 miles over everything imaginable (and I mean some serious sh!t x), brought it back, got it serviced... not a problem - the bike is excellent in every respect regarding a solo travel machine...

If you want a weak point, then the cush-drive rubbers seem to wear quite rapidly... mine were very soft after 10,000 miles - but the bike carried on right across the States and back again (another 12,000+ miles with the same rubbers in... ok, should have thought to take some spares with me x)

But that's it. It really is an awesome bike.

xxx
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  #12  
Old 30 Jul 2009
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YAMAHA
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  #13  
Old 30 Jul 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet) View Post
Then I broke the rule... I bought a new Tenere last September, took it to the USA, and rode it 23,000 miles over everything imaginable (and I mean some serious sh!t x), brought it back, got it serviced... not a problem - the bike is excellent in every respect regarding a solo travel machine...

If you want a weak point, then the cush-drive rubbers seem to wear quite rapidly... mine were very soft after 10,000 miles - but the bike carried on right across the States and back again (another 12,000+ miles with the same rubbers in... ok, should have thought to take some spares with me x)

But that's it. It really is an awesome bike.

xxx
That's what rules are for I guess. I wasn't trying to point of that it would brake down, but rather that if it does brake down you're on your own (bit like beta-testing). Where as with a bike which is known to have common issues you don't and you can prepare for it.

Yamaha is usually good at crossing their T's and dotting their I's. I had an old Tenere and loved it. Did have design flaws though. One with no excuse.

Disappointed that Yamaha didn't push any boundaries with the re-release though.

I like the look of the XT with a large tank. Saw a lot of those as it's the Brazilian bike of choise. Doesn't look to comfortable on long stretches though. More suited to dirt roads.
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