2009 XT TENERE, with pics

[twisty]

I think these look way cool but apart from that I just couldn't imagine why you would pay $16k? In this class I would buy a KLR for more road use or the DR or even some Euro bike for more dirt use.

[Woodman]

I think these look way cool but apart from that I just couldn't imagine why you would pay $16k? In this class I would buy a KLR for more road use or the DR or even some Euro bike for more dirt use.

so would you rather have a klr or a dr???? Wonder if this has been asked before?

[twisty]

Probably the DR just because of the weight. I reckon you could go on almost all adventure rides in NZ on the DR but some you likely would enjoy more on the KLR.

[Box'a'bits]

Probably the DR just because of the weight. I reckon you could go on almost all adventure rides in NZ on the DR but some you likely would enjoy more on the KLR.

Until 3rd gear shits itself, or they decide they need to surgically remove the seat from your arse...

[ducatijim]

The mags don't set out to bag bikes but to tell you what a bikes strong points are & what they are good at.

Well said sir, and a point that does not escape me also.

It would be nice, in my opinion anyways, to have reviewers who have the gonads to sum up the 10ra( and other deserving examples too) along these lines;

In conclusion, Yamaha have done a nice job in revisiting their iconic Tenere with this new incarnation, note nice not wonderful. For the most part, those who will favor sealed and easy gravel roads will not find the weight or limited suspension adjustment a hinderance, but for the serious adventure rider, who may well be loaded with his(her) home and food on an extended trip, and those who wish to take a passanger to share their adventures with, it will be another story.
There can be no denying that this new bike should shed 30-40kgs, it is simply heavier than need be and that cannot be any advantage. The suspension, without any adjustment bar preload, will severly hinder the loading capacity and speeds with which differant terrains can be negotiated, come-on Yamaha, this is the 21st century, that sort of suspension was barely acceptable 35 years ago, it simply has no place in this age, especially when this bike does not come at a 'fire sale' price.
I give it 5.5 from 10.

This is from 'between the lines' of RD's review, artistic licence accepted.

[marks]

its interesting that weight is always regarded as bad

in my limited experience - when riding on the seal and smooth dirt/gravel etc - a heavier bike can be less tiring (less 'jiggly' and 'flighty') than a light bike.

The only time the weight of my klr becomes a problem is when I drop it or get it stuck - then its a major bitch and quickly tires me out - but for normal middle of the road adventure riding (which normally includes lots of road miles) I'm not sure that a 140kg klr would be better than a 180kg klr

that said - I'd be a happy camper if I could lower its center of gravity - as to me thats more of a problem than its out and out weight

[Pampera]

..... and even slam it to the ground for us. i want to know how they stand up to muppets like me dropping them in wheel tracks etc..

I don't think Racing Dave does this! However I think he should add it to his test plans (under controlled conditions of course), so as to take into account the wider interests of us less consistent riders. He owes it to his readers...............
Michael

[Eddieb]

its interesting that weight is always regarded as bad

in my limited experience - when riding on the seal and smooth dirt/gravel etc - a heavier bike can be less tiring (less 'jiggly' and 'flighty') than a light bike.

The only time the weight of my klr becomes a problem is when I drop it or get it stuck - then its a major bitch and quickly tires me out - but for normal middle of the road adventure riding (which normally includes lots of road miles) I'm not sure that a 140kg klr would be better than a 180kg klr

that said - I'd be a happy camper if I could lower its center of gravity - as to me thats more of a problem than its out and out weight

+1 The PD is so stable over most gravel it's great.

You need a GS Mark, heavier, so more stable , fantastic low CoG and reall easy to pick up.

Next time we are out somewhere you should jump on it for a play.

[warewolf]

its interesting that weight is always regarded as bad

in my limited experience - when riding on the seal and smooth dirt/gravel etc - a heavier bike can be less tiring (less 'jiggly' and 'flighty') than a light bike.

Excessive weight is bad.

I understand your point - and you are right on the money - for steady-state conditions. As soon as you want to stop/go/turn, the weight works against you. To some extent, 'jiggly and flighty' is a function of chassis/suspension settings - lighter bikes tend to be performance-oriented, and thus likely to have firmer suspension.

I tend to avoid steady-state riding like the plague!! My bike choices are sub-optimal for such carry-on.

[twisty]

I don't think weight is always bad. Riding a DR400 in the wind is no pretty picture, that's why I'm happy I have the Africa. If I could only have one 1 bike a DR 650 seems a good compromise with the KLR following very close behind. For a similar bike I find it hard to understand the Tenere's price tag. For a few more bucks I would be tempted into a BMW GS800

[Padmei]

Browsing thru a kiwi bike rider mag & the journo very kindly spilled of the ten for the cameras. It's a good sequence but I'd like to see what damage it did.

Have to agree with the points about having the low COG. Eddies bike was soooo much easier to turn around than the KLR.

[Woodman]

at the end of the day you are not gonna get an "adventure" bike that is light, yes some are lighter than others but all still pretty heavy really.

[pete376403]

I wonder what benefit spending $6K (the diff between KLR and Tenere) on suspension and lightweight stuff would bring to the KLR? Eg replacing the standard muffler with a nice spendy titanium one removes around 8 -9Kgs.
Aluminium subframe? Plastic tank? etc You could do a lot without touching the motor.

[Taz]

at the end of the day you are not gonna get an "adventure" bike that is light, yes some are lighter than others but all still pretty heavy really.

I don't believe that for a moment. Here are several.

[marks]

I don't think weight is always bad. Riding a DR400 in the wind is no pretty picture, that's why I'm happy I have the Africa. If I could only have one 1 bike a DR 650 seems a good compromise with the KLR following very close behind. For a similar bike I find it hard to understand the Tenere's price tag. For a few more bucks I would be tempted into a BMW GS800

Agreed
there seems to be some 'commonly accepted' dividing line there somewhere

on one side are enduro and trail bikes like your drz400's etc

right on the crossover line are your LC4's and blandmobiles(DR650's), husky 610's ,xchallenges etc

on the other side are your KLR's and Dakars and GS's etc etc.

I don't believe that for a moment. Here are several.

where?

I only see trail/enduro bikes being used as short distance adventure bikes.

To me - on road comfort/enjoyment in a wide range of weather conditions is an essential part of a true adventure bike.

Last weekend I did a typical adventure ride - 450km over 12 hours of which maybe 100-150 was unsealed. I enjoyed 90% of the road miles and it was an important part of the ride.

I wouldn't enjoy riding a trail/enduro bike that sort of distance (although I know plenty who do - they're all masochists) .

maybe I'm just a softy