I have put up another post about the Honda Africa Twin, but the other bike I'm looking at is the much more new Yamaha XT660Z Tenere. Altough I prefer the looks of the Honda, it is far more important to me that the bike is functional and lasts. So despite the odd looks (to me anyway) the Tenere is an interesting option.
One thing I do wonder about and I have read about elsewhere is whether the Tenere is strong enough to carry all the extra weight on an overland trip. I'm not a speed demon, so not worried about speed, but is it strong enough to be a packmule on difficult terrain?

What are you experiences and general views on this bike?

Thanks!

I am right now on a 3 months trip to Mongolia through Kazakhstan and ride on 2009 small Tenere. My luggage consists of two 50 L aluminium panniers and 49 L rollpack on top. Additionally, through Poland, Ukraine, Russia and part of Kazakhstan (including very bad or non existing roads between in Atyrau and Aktobe) I was carrying a set of Heidenau's. My each, fully loaded pannier, was weighing at the beginning around 25 kg, rollpack around 10 kg. Bike is equipped with Leo pipes, DNA stage one filter with removed snorkel and Kev fuel mod. Suspension unmodified. At the beginning of the trip i was weighing around 92 kg, now probably 5 kg less. Bike had around 15 tkm, now it has 23 tkm. My cruising speed on the highways/expressways is about 110 km/h (GPS), 120 km/h (speedo), just below 4000 rpm. Plenty of power left for overtaking (especially on the fourth gear). Dirt roads, after the Heidenau's were fitted, was riding with speeds ranging from 50 up to 100 km/h. No problemo, but the rear suspension could be better. Before leaving make sure that you tighten all the screws and where possible use locktite. ;-) I have lost some already. For more control while crawling off-road in the first gear it would be advisable to make Kev throttle grip mod (check xt660.com forum). Otherwise, very happy with the bike so far. No issues, but it is still quite new and does not have much kms. For REALLY more serious fun off-road it is maybe slightly to heavy, but for normal touring in difficult terrain imho it's great. However, I have no experience with lighter bikes, my previous one was wee-Strom, so difficult to compare. Cheers, Greg

Sent from my GT-I9100G

next day after writing the post above, my rear suspension gave up. Something to consider when buying Tenere... :banghead:

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Hi Voelser,

Bought 2009 tenere with 9000 km , and now have 36000km including norway to UB in Mongolia, and Bangkok to Jakarta. Bike functioned perfectly in every respect including the northern route through mongolia. It didnt miss a beat even if fuel was not the best.

On suspension, I had fitted ohlins before my trip due to a previous failure on a Kawasaki. This was not cheap but worked great.

Greg - I am travelling for work at moment but back in Norway 8th July. I still have the original shock that was replaced before my trip. If it is any use, and you can wait, send me an address and I will send it to you when I am home. Shock is free gratis, but you need to cover costs of postage etc. Let me know

Chris

Only done relatively short, but self sufficient, trips on mine ie a few thousand k's over 3 or 4 days but have been on some pretty average roads in Central Australia. Loaded panniers and a top bag with all my gear and the bike performed really well. Suspension wise I strongly recommend heavier springs back and front and if not replacing the shock getting it re-valved and re-gassed. The suspension guy who did mine said the stock shock was valved way to lightly and would struggle with high speed dampening. With mine set up now it soaks up the big bumps and tracks much better in the corners.
With regards to the bike itself have you thrown a leg over one as they are pretty tall. I love mine for the fit but I’m 6’4’’ (192cm).



With the high front guard fitted prior to a possibly muddy trip.

__________________
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.

Chris, thanks for your offer. I'm now in UB. Also took the northern route. I think that the gas somehow got out from my shock. I pumped out up with a small compressor up to 11 bar, out so, and I think that it is slightly better. Shipping a shock to Mongolia costs around 500 Euro. I will try to find somebody here that can have a look at the shock. Thanks again for the offer. Cheers, Greg

Sent from my GT-I9100G