The story of Tenzing the Super Tenere

[clint640]

Good stuff!

How'd those MX 486's go? Any moments on wet tarmac?

Cheers
Clint

[NordieBoy]

I'm 6'2" and 110 and El is not much smaller so we sneak though on the big side of things - were still working on the skills

At least El isn't jumping in at the deep end and worked his way up to a 750cc dirt bike

[NordieBoy]

I prefer snow to refrozen 4x4 slush as i'm sure do we all.

Good to see you were keeping your tank warm too

[phoenixgtr]

Awesomeness

[deanohit]

nice, those are some great photos guys!

[Transalper]

Good to TA forking out for fuel instead of more expensive toy,seek::

If your referring to the cost of the XTZ750 vs the DR650 here's the great supprise.....

Possibly more likely refers back to this post of mine from my pulling out of the Lake Coloridge run a couple of weeks ago.
Yep, I admit it, it was good to be out in the sun this time.

Here's one last action shot.

[Padmei]

Bikes look great - pushing in snow - now that's adventure biking

[El scooto]

At least El isn't jumping in at the deep end and worked his way up to a 750cc dirt bike

I've gone from an under 2kw 50cc scooter to a 75hp beast in the space of about 12 months!! Yeah I'd say I've built up to it pretty gradually! Loved the ride though, felt more stable on "Ed" (if ryan's is Tenzing then mine must be "Ed", The pretty white boy) than what I felt on the 250.

Cheer

[Frodo]

There's no way I'd put K&N cotton filters on a dirt bike. I reckon I'm pushing things having one on my Triumph Trophy, given how many dirt roads it gets taken on.

Why's that? I thought they would stop as much dust as a paper filter, or have I been misled by advertising? I fitted a K&N to my Pegaso. Not a dirt bike as such, but I like to get into gravel occasionally.

[cooneyr]

Good stuff!

How'd those MX 486's go? Any moments on wet tarmac?

Cheers
Clint

The 486 felt like rubbish for the run out to Little River (where the gravel started) being it's first 60kms. The XTZ's rail corners so this was a little strange - vague but not scary feeling. On the way home though they felt fine, guessing it was the breaking in period on the way out. I'm still getting use to the XTZ but I appear to be riding at speeds similar to what I use to do on the DR.

At least El isn't jumping in at the deep end and worked his way up to a 750cc dirt bike

you cant tell some people. He's doing well though needs to keep his wits about him less he does a "rainbow dive".

Awesomeness

Ya should sell that pretty green thing and get yourself a real bike

Cheers R

[warewolf]

Why's that? I thought they would stop as much dust as a paper filter, or have I been misled by advertising? I fitted a K&N to my Pegaso. Not a dirt bike as such, but I like to get into gravel occasionally.

Sounds like my Triumph Trophy.

K&N flow more air by flowing more everything. Even their packaging says they flow 50% more 'dust' than a normal filter, but they phrase it as "trapping only 97% vs. 98%"... you do the maths. Something along those lines anyway.

Generally if you ride in dust on something that can't take a washable foam filter, get one custom made or stick to paper replaced regularly. That's the wisdom I've read on various adventure sites, plus there are some fairly good tests published online.

[cooneyr]

As mentioned above the speedo died on the run on Sunday. I pulled it apart yesterday and found that the tabbed washer that takes drive from the wheel to the gears was a little worse for wear. It seems that one the three tabs has been broken of for some time and the jolting must have worked it into the gears. The washer is pressed mild steel so the "flats" where it keys with the largest gear were rounded off hence the lack of drive to the speedo.

During my "lunchtime" today I got to have a play with a new toy and made a new washer. Pics tell the story

1. Old washer missing the 3rd tab and looking well rounded in the middle
2. Washer shape scribed onto a piece of old computer case steel (same thickness)
3. New toy
4. Outside roughly to shape (old scala penetrometer weight makes a good anvil - broke the handles of few of these during my "intership")
5. Finished - notice the flat sections on the inside at 4 and 11 O clock, these at the rounded bits on the original washer
6. Washer in place (minus circlip)

Don't know how long this will last for and the worm get is getting a little notchy but its worth a shot.

Cheers R

P.S. Took the bike for a run around town the next day and the washer works fine

[NordieBoy]

Shed bodges are fun

Is part of the "comfort" of Tenzing that it's got a good platform for standing compared to the DR?

[cooneyr]

Shed bodges are fun

Yes and there was no choice on this one. Only way to get the washer is as part of the complete speedo drive/wheel spacer assembly - $100s for want of a $2 part.

Is part of the "comfort" of Tenzing that it's got a good platform for standing compared to the DR?

The standing dimensions are not bad i.e. bar to peg relationship. The bars could be slightly further forward but then the bars could get a little far away when sitting (I could handle 15/20mm further forward with my long arms). The beast is wide though. Trying to lean forward when going up hill requires your legs to be rather well spread to get around the enormous tank. Easier to lean on the tank with my knees so far. I can see why they went for pannier style tanks for the KTM 9x0 adventures (apart from the lower COG reasons).

Cheers R

[cooneyr]

Another XTZ750 for sale on Tardeme if anybody is interested.

1991, 83,500km, Asking price: $4,250, Pommy import so different colour to El's and mine.



Cheers R