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 :thumbup1:

In one word: Yamaha

• Yamaha is the way to go.

But I always like to travel more back to basic.

Good luck!

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.

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.

folks, unless its a typo he's not getting a Tenere, so stop getting excited for him about his new Ten. :)

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.


Pete

Hey - if it comes smelling of pizza thats a bonus for me

regards

Shaun

Picked her up today - been playing - despite the British weather.
Soo glad i went for the XT, i pulled up along side a F650 GS and to see the two togther there looked to be no comparison.

thanks for the advice everybody

regards

Shaun

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

YAMAHA:scooter:

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.

I'd certainly agree that is a good point when considering any machine for a big trip...

What did you consider wrong with the old bike exactly?

Surely that is a contradiction? - I'd have thought by using tried and tested mechanicals/cycle parts etc, they are minimising the chance of any radical 'new' parts going wrong?

I'd suggest they took the best elements of the current XT range, added a few thoughtful touches regarding luggage capacity and access for regular maintenance, and topped it off with a big tank, screen and funky styling - I'd say they did an excellent job in that regard... (particularly having essentially addressed all the issues that most people preparing a 'naked' XTR for a big trip say they would like).

I'd agree - the new Tenere is essentially a big dirt bike that can tour (not a tourer than can go off road) - and therefore is certainly very good on dirt roads/trails... However, it is more than comfortable on the highway too - it will sit at 75-80mph all day if required - but as others have said, it's forte is to take the more scenic route than simply to munch the miles...

xxx

tenere......
 

Hey, if you go the tenere be sure not to put the yamaha engine bars and ali bash plate on or you will have troubles with it cracking (and the mount possibly cracking). Knowing what I know now I would buy touratech or metal mule for accessories. Have ridden the 08 Tenere from london to cameroon so far and the only bike troubles have been those accessories and not being able to find good quality oil until now. So far so good........

We went through 3 or 4 rear caliper brackets because the exhaust can hit the calliper when you bottom out. At first we though that couldn't have been the case, but it happened on the other bike as well. Fabulous bike still though. When we took it to Fraser Island it showed it's dirt pedigree too us.

Off course this is no contradiction. You can implement tried and tested innovative concepts from your competitors range as well as you own. With the WRR they could have used some of the electronic features to make this bike the flagship of their range which is should be IMHO. Things like the diagnostics equipment in the dash, and the automatic engine kill switch. Simple stuff like this. And the tank should have been under the seat. Especially when it's a large tank. So much easier to work on the bike like that. Batteryless FI with a kickstarter would have been nice. And upside down forks.

Keeping in mind that the bike is not for sale in Aussie yet, I have to ask. Is the tank a plastic one, what's the charging capacity of the stator, are the vibes less or equal to the F and the DR and is the fuel delivery a round circuit or a one-way type? Did a quick google but couldn't find it so I thought I'd ask.

They broke the rules with the WRR with great results but are underestimating the effect of this bike and let the results just waste away in the corner of their R&D department. Bit cautious. Like they're the other side of the pendulum of BMW which justs implements any idea they can come up with without really testing it.

I've spend a lot of money on my Dakar but would have sold it for the Tenere if they wouldn't have gone a more innovative route with it. Even though I think it looks shocking. :Beach: