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1 Sep 2010
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If your wife is new to riding then I would suggest the F650 route. The Tenere is a great bike (I have one) but I would imagine it would be an absolute nightmare for a new rider at 5'5 as it's quite a tall bike.
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1 Sep 2010
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Hi Steve,
thanks for the reply.
I had a sit on the Tenere yesterday, and the guy in the shop said that it is possible to make it suitable by:
- taking some foam out of the seat and having it recovered
- dropping the forks through the triple clamps
- 'making' some kind of dog leg adaptor to drop the rear suspension (it's this bit that worries me - or does anyone make this?)
what are your thoughts on this?
(edit: just seen another HUBB thread talking about lowering kits - so maybe this is doable)
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1 Sep 2010
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You can lower it, but:
Taking foam out of the seat makes it less comfortable as it reduces padding.
Lowering the suspension (points 2 and 3) will work to an extent, but it's always a compromise and realistically you are not going to lower it far enough for your wife to be comfortable on. If I remember correctly the lowering kit only lowers the bike about 2 inch, which I still think would leave it too tall, I'm 5'10" and couldn't get both feet flat, not on opposite sides of the bike anyway
One other option would be to look at the Yamaha XR660R for your wife, and the Tenere for yourself. The two bikes are very similar, but the 660R is a bit lower in the seat and doesn't feel as top heavy as the Tenere
That said I still think your wife would be happier on the F650GS
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1 Sep 2010
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Had a sit on the 660R in the same store and wasn't that sure it would be right for her. Also the guy in the store said that only a very few parts are shared between the Tenere and 'R'. Is this right, or is he just trying to get me to spend more?
Again, thanks for this.
Have seen that Off The Road do a £500 kit that reduces the seat height by 85mm - I'm assuming that is unloaded. Kit includes new rear shock, and new fork springs and oil. the cost of this could be factored in to how much we want to spend on the bike. Next step is to get her on the BMW and see how that works. Anyone gots any views on the (old) 650GS?
Ta
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1 Sep 2010
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Not the greatest comparison shot, but this should give you a reasonable idea about the size difference of the XT660Z and the XT660R, the 660R is certainly a lot easier to manage than the Tenere
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1 Sep 2010
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Nice shot, and thanks.
Out of interest, how do you find the two bikes handle off-road / trails, and is there much difference between them?
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1 Sep 2010
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Regarding sharing parts, the two bikes share the same engine, which I would suggest is the main thing, unless you were planning on carrying lots of other spares.
Just been looking on the XT660.com website and there is a longish thread on there regarding lowering the Tenere:
.: XT660.com - The #1 XT660 Resource :.
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1 Sep 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steved1969
Regarding sharing parts, the two bikes share the same engine, which I would suggest is the main thing, unless you were planning on carrying lots of other spares.
Just been looking on the XT660.com website and there is a longish thread on there regarding lowering the Tenere:
.: XT660.com - The #1 XT660 Resource :.
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followed link, but it's saying I don't have permission to view it.
Just registered with the forum, but waiting for authorisation.
Will view soon (I hope)
ta
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1 Sep 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by riti
followed link, but it's saying I don't have permission to view it.
Just registered with the forum, but waiting for authorisation.
Will view soon (I hope)
ta
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Arse, I should have checked to see what thread it was in before I posted the link !!! Sorry about that.
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