Has anybody used the new tenere on long trips. info required on reliability, fuel consumption or anything that may be useful as I am considering getting one. Anything would be useful. Thanks

I've had mine for 2 1/2 years now and it's covered 23,000 miles, the majority of which has been in Europe.

A couple of months after I picked it up I covered 9000 miles in a single trip lasting 21 days (don't ask, charity thing and I regret doing this in auch a short time to this day). I carried out it's first oil service on the side of a Greek road, it's that easy to work on.

I've done countless weekend trips, up and down the UK.

Earlier this year a few of us (mostly on Tenere's) took a long off-road trip down Portugal.

During all of these hard miles the bike has let me down twice, once was a DIN plug I fitted for 12v power (irronically this was a BMW part!), the second was some chafing on the wiring loom under the tank. This left the bike dead for a morning while the mechanic fixed it.

There are people that always complain about quality, or 'my bike got wet in the rain, and that shouldn't happen' but I like to think I'm more of a 'glass is half full, but can take more wine' kinda bloke, so as long as the problem doesn't stop me riding them I'm happy - everything else can wait to be fixed!

Two other things to consider, last year JMo & Piglet took a modified Tenere to the Heroes Legend Rally, she won her catagory. Another forum member has just completed the this years Heroes Legend on a modified Tenere (these were mainly suspension modifications). Both bikes rode the entire distance of the rally.


The bike goes on forever, or so it seams, you can with frugle riding squeeze 300miles out of the tank. It's much smoother than most singles (but there is always someone complaining about vibrations) IMHO, and certainly smoother than my TTR.

I love my Tenere, and usually for me after 2 years I get a little bored and like a change but I have none of these feeleings with this bike, it's always the bike I choose (and I have three in the garage) unless the missis want to come, where the Tenere is a little to high for here pillion needs.

I could go on all day, but the best thing to do is get over to . : XT660.com The #1 xt660 resource : . | The #1 xt660X, xt660R and xt660Z Tenere resource and ask the owners over there. Or come along to our meet in May2011 and have a good look at the bikes and all the modifications people have done to make these bikes their own.

Thanks for the info, i think you have answered all my queries, Enjoyed reading your blog of your journey seems like the Tenere is a good choice.
Thanks

Hi, my 2010 version is 380km old. Fuel economy seems good, 270km for $AU10 for premium unleaded at $1.60/lt. I bought it without even a test ride - just sat on in dealers, so still learning about it. OEM tyres could be better for loose gravel and sand, but not complaining. Next set will try Mefo Super Explorer, as have to ride some bitumen to get to dirt/gravel roads and is used as daily commuter (when not raining like today!).

I've added aluminium sump guard, engine crass bars and Yamaha panniers. I still want to add power socket and Garmim Zumo GPS to aid in getting lost and back again. With all the rain, might have to consider a high front mud guard, but will wait and see.

has anyone ridden the new 1200 tenere? i saw the new 660 here in darwin oz and the salesman showed me a pic of the 1200 looks nice

Thanks for all your comments. Test ride booked. Will need to lower bike if OK as i am vertically challenged (shortarse)
Ta