Ah, that would be, as they say, a bad thing...

Yes it's interesting that the XTR has the diagnostics and adjustments in the dash, but for some reason the Tenere has to use a separate unit... noone has been able to answer that one!

Regarding the other elements you mention - it does have an automatic kill switch (if by that you mean if you drop the bike, the fuel injection/engine cuts out), and as for the underseat tank - Im not sure that is such a good idea? The Tenere tank is 23 litres (about the same size and weight of a Acerbis aftermarket tank for example) - easiy enough to remove for access (although other than to adjust the valves, I don't see why you'd need to remove the tank? - everything is accessible without removal) - One of the complaints regarding the KTM 690E and to a lesser extend the BMW 650GS is the ability to add extra fuel (easily and cheaply) should that be required - should anyone wish to develop an even larger tank for the Tenere, it would be a simple swap, rather than an addition and extra fuel pumps etc? That said, it will easily cover 250+ miles (closer to 300 if you are gentle) on a tankful, so I don't imagine many people would need much more capacity.

Kickstart might be nice as a back up, but I wonder if you would ever use it?! - and of course no BMW (or the KTM 690) has one these days either... there is a decent battery on the Tenere, you would be very unlucky not to be able to start that bike on the button. Smaller bikes (400s) that have smaller batteries and run a lot of electrical accessories (lights/heated grips etc) might need one as a back up, but I really don't think it's necessary on this bike.

USD forks are a mixed blessing - most people who complain of leaking fork seals on dirt-bikes are the one with USD forks? They would also cost significantly more, and this bike was pitched at the 'affordable' end of the price range? The stock suspension is actually very good for the kind of riding this bike was designed for (ie. all-terrain riding at 'modest' trail speeds) - if you want to go racing, you'll need to make a few improvements x


• Yes the tank is plastic - a double lined one (like a number of streetbikes these days) so that the surface can be painted (which it is) without bubbling.

• Stator output is just under 300w I believe.

• The BMW single is renowned as smooth, however, I wouldn't say the XT is significantly harsher although I have not had the opportunity to test them back to back. I was surprised how 'fluid' the Yamaha engine felt for a big single (I have an XR650R also) - although admittedly this is my first XT engine.

• Fuel delivery is a one-way type (if by that you mean there is no return circuit on the fuel pump/tank.)


I agree - I'd like to see a WR450R version of the new 250 Trailie as an everyday play bike, but perhaps this market (the overlanders) doesn't actually require such radical innovation and engineering?

Hee hee - it looks better in the flesh - depends on if you grew up with Lego, or Transformers...

xxx