The stock tyres are Michelin Sirac which are OK for gravel trails but no use whatsoever in sand or mud. A better tyre is the Continental TKC80.

Tim

As Tim suggests, I'd say the TKC80 is the definitive tyre for the Tenere if you are planning some on-road/off-road touring, and would be perfect for the terrain you'll find in Morocco - in fact I'd be surprised if you couldn't ride all the way there and back on the same set...

Other than a set of hand guards, that really is the only preparation you need to consider - soft luggage is very easy to secure on the rear seat/grab handles too:

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...8/DSCF0026.jpg

xxx

Lower Seat?
 

Metal Mules site doesn't yet mention a lower seat?

Anyone tried lowering the bike or know of a lower seat currently available?

Is the two level standard seat like that because of whats underneath? i.e. would a lower seat and a flatter seat be mutually exclusive? One or the other?

Not sure any does a lower seat (there are a few options for taller, flatter seats), but as you surmise, you couldn't really chop much out of the stock seat due to wants underneath, and it would make it very thin and uncomfortable...

On my rally bike, I took the step in the seat out and recovered it, but the seat is still the same height in the rider position...

If you want to lower a Tenere, both Metal Mule and OTR (Off-the-road.de) make lowering links, and you can drop the forks though the yokes to even things up...

In fact, Off The Road do a complete lowering kit, including front and rear springs/shock and linkage - check out their website for more info:

XT-660 Z Tenere

xxx

Hi, i fitted a lowering kit from Metal mule, i dropped the forks 10mm and increased rear preload by 2 clicks to compensate. i also had to shorten the side stand by 22mm. Travelled over 12K with no problems. Andy B