Originally Posted by Chris Scott

Looks like a lip-smacking year coming up for the AM-look with the 800GS, 690 KTM, the Tenere and dare I say it, even the 700cc Trannie which at 200kg for a lovely smooth V-twin engine is not so shabby over the new Tenere's 183kg. [actually I read Tran is now 214kg. that's more like it] TBM just rated the Tran, suspension wise, over the XT660, tho it was only a quick ride and Ride like it too. The BMW 800 twin claims 178kg dry...

The new Ten looks the part which initially makes me suspicious: striking looks, relatively heavy with the cat set up and probably cheap suspension. But 22 litres set low down with EFI ought to be good for 450kms. This and the screen are great features. I dont think that low mudguard will be any more of a knobbly problem than it is on KTM Advs.

I dont believe that these days excess weight adds up to a more durable bike as someone mentioned earlier - just a not very sophisticated or a penny-pinching design. What was the original k/s Tenere - 138kg? It didnt need 2 front discs. And as AMers we know that above all, weight is the thing that cramps our style out in the world when the roads get rough. It's the one thing trip reports come back to again and again with heavier bikes.

The Japs in particular have never built bikes for the likes of us - they build them for people who want to look like overlanders because there are a whole lot more of them, right now probably watching BBC on a Sunday night with their mouths agape in admiration!

Anyway, cant wait to find out how they all shape up.

Ch