I agree...450cc bikes have the advantage of lightness but 650cc gives you the legs on the road. Mind you I have an XR650R that I used to think was a 'hefty ' old bike .....but compared to my Tenere it's a lightweight! The XR650R is a keeper...I love that bike and my biggest compliment to the Tenere is that I feel the same way about it! And the XT engine is good for many miles with regular oil changes. I head back to the West of Ireland every summer and Tenere is just perfect...from the fully loaded trip from West Sussex to Pembroke docks to exploring the endless lanes and peninsulas of West Cork and Kerry. Cheers, Steve

Great honest review. It’s also one of my favourite bikes, so I recently purchased my second one in 10 years with lots of bikes in between. 👍🏻

@RustSports

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Timothy, much appreciated. Enjoy!

Great review. Thank you for sharing. Your advice persuaded me to buy the Tenere, which was up against a CB500X, RE Himalayan, Versys 650 and Benelli TRK. I absolutely love the bike, even though, like you said, its heavy, weighs a bloody ton when you drop it. That’s the thing though…I’ve ended up on 25% incline green lanes in Wales, motorway riding and everything inbetween and it seems happy to keep chugging along.

starting 2012 progressive suspension pretty good (non abs version) even for heavy rider like myself. This bike is virtually indestructible. Love mine.

Great review 12 model onwards was slightly refined. The Tenere T7 is due out in a few months at the same price as these were new. The T7 is lighter, USD suspension but sadly the only a 16ltr fuel capacity.

Superb video & honest evaluation - thank you.

@RustSports

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Exactly the review I was looking for, very many thanks. Two years on and they are creeping up in price now even with the launch of the 700 model. I shall have to investigate it further.

@RustSports

4 жыл бұрын

Don't you just hate it when you missed the bottom of the market?! £4000 looks to be the new bottom of the market. Hey ho.

Have it, love it 👍🏻

I love it. And i wont exchange it in the near future. Got kevmod , hyperpro, dna filter. Great bike.

Much underrated machine.

Great review. I've owned mine for 10 years this year, and agree with everything you've said. When anyone asks me what I think of it, I always say it's terrible off road, terrible on road but leaves me smiling whereever I go! (Obviously exaggerated a bit, but it's a an good compromise between a road bike and an endure!)

@RustSports

Жыл бұрын

Well said!, thanks for sharing.

Excellent review....it's a brilliant all round bike. As you say, a little heavy but actually on long journeys when you have to munch up some road miles the weight makes it very stable. And when you do drop it off road it's pretty tough!. Putting some Ohlins springs and race tek valves in the forks transformed the front end. Endless possibilities, but to be honest it's a great bike in standard form! Cheers, Steve

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback Steve, much appreciated. When I think of my experiences in riding the Tenere, the Husky Terra 650, Honda XR650 and BMW XChallenge, I think there's something special about the 650cc single for travel-trail... Best JB

After a string of bikes over many years and now a humble little DRz400E the XT660Z will be my next one and only, do it all bike. It ticks all the boxes for me and my intended use. The Dizzer is good for tight single track and limited highway to and from but tiresome any longer than a cpl hours on the open road, gearing is always a compromise, highway to revvy, off road first is too tall if geared for open road. Otherwise a bullet proof and capable platform....and like the Tenere, exceptional value. The late Tenere are now well under ten grand AUD here in Oz now as the T7 has long since hit the market.

3:30 The old 600 tenere had bigger tank, comfier seat (subjectively) and also fairing, yet was 20kg (3aj) - 30kg (1vj) lighter, so I don't agree that it needs to be so heavy. I really like the new T700, however I hope they will someday make one

@stephenjames2920

2 жыл бұрын

D C

I still want one, can't afford the T7 will have one by the end of year hopefully

Greetings from Portugal! Great useful and practical review. I like that. Thanks. Everything you said about pros and cons its true. I've one from 2010, to save weight changed to a single titanyum exhaust pipe. Also put a harder forks springs with high viscosity forks oil (in winter) wich i change to low viscosity in the summer. Added a power commander and thats a "better" bike if i can say so. Could you consider making a review about the "AJP PR7 2020 Adventure"? I really apreciate that. Thanks.

@RustSports

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Manuel, glad you agree with the review. You can imagine these reviews are made after a comparatively short amount of time on the bikes (compared to ownership) so I'm relying on over 20 years as a moto-journo to make these assessments as much as time on the specific bike. Will try and get onto the AJP some time. Depends on availability of test models. Best, JB.

Saved 5.5 kg just by changing the exhaust:)

@noephoto85

Жыл бұрын

#done :)

I'm not sure why you are saying you can't ride in that snow- It looked perfect for riding!

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

The issue at the rally was the safety cover, they couldn't get either ambulances or helicopter rescue up to the venue. Riding around locally (at lower altitudes was as you can see, fine - as long as you didn't encounter ice). Best JB

@michaelcaton9358

5 жыл бұрын

@@RustSports Ahh, I see JB. I didn't realise you were talking about the rally!

hi there, thank you for the video and the review..I've been going through quite a few review videos of this bike as I am presently shopping around for a RTW bike - the Tenere and CB500x being somewhat at the top of the shortlist that I have, in a market with limited options in the middle weight adv category. Interested in your thoughts in comparing the 660 against the 500x as an Overland machine for a solo rider (both would need a number of mods and upgrades from stock to be all-terrain capable for the long haul). I am 57+, 174+cm, and 61kgs. Is the rather (top) heavy Tenere with rather cumbersome oil change process and short service intervals (5-6000 kms for long term overlanding) worth the benefits, as opposed to something like the CBX - bit lighter/easier to manage, longer service intervals, longevity of the twin vs the older thumper... Appreciate your thoughts...many thanks

@RustSports

2 жыл бұрын

Hi TRP, the one (two!) thing(s) about the Tenere 660, that count against it, is height and weight. At 174cm and 61kg you might find it a challenge. If you don't, then it's an excellent bike. The CB500X is very much smaller, but less off-roady and a little less engaging character-wise. If you apply say the Rally Raid Products modifications (wheels, suspension etc) it does become very effective though. Much also depends on the kind of rider you are. The Tenere is, despite its weight, pretty good in the dirt, it has decent off-road biased geometry. The Honda has road oriented geometry, so while it's capable it's a little more work off-road and you'll probably need to ride a touch slower. You might also consider the BMW G310GS - sounds too small on paper but the engine is plucky and strong and again if modded to RRP-spec with wheels and suspension it becomes RTW capable. Comfortable, frugal, reliable and decent off-road. Read more about the 310 here: rustsports.com/rrp-bmw-g-310-gs/ and more about the BC500X here: rustsports.com/honda-cb500x-adventure-by-rally-raid-products/ Hope this helps, best JB

@therollingpebble2138

2 жыл бұрын

@@RustSports thank you for the reply and valuable input....well noted. Any thoughts on the servicing and service intervals for the Tenere....?

@RustSports

2 жыл бұрын

@@therollingpebble2138 The Tenere should be relatively cheap and easy to service being a single. Oil changes are every 6000 miles (10,000km) as I understand. Valve clearance check every 12,000 miles (20,000km) - Yamaha valves are good and generally stay within tolerance for long periods (I've known Yamaha's with 30,000 miles on and no need to adjust - still within tolerance). I think it's a fair to safe choice on the reliability and maintenance front.

Thanx for the review ! I'm actually riding a vstrom 650 and I'm looking for a more off-road bike. Do you think for long trip with two people and luggage on it it would be ok ?

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

Hi there Cracotator, I'm riding a V-Strom 650XT right now too. And for sure the Tenere is a more off-road bike. Depending on the kind of roads and trails you're intending, each has their strengths. For more road work and light trails, take the Suzook. For more committed trail work the Tenere. And two-up - why not? For inspiration check out the travels of Jon Florea and Anna-Maria Hogas in their 'Into the World' styled travels... anything is possible! Happy adventuring... JB

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

the point there being Jon and Anna-Maria are riding a Tenere...!

@cracotator

5 жыл бұрын

@@RustSports we just tried the ténéré, I think it would have been ok if there were not so many vibrations ! But I loved the style of the bike, it think for just one (tall) person it's would be the perfect bike for travelling...but as you said, everything is possible ;)

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

@@cracotator If money is no object - I'm a journo, it's always an object - I can see the new Tenere 700 being the answer, with that 700cc twin engine it'll be about right, can't see it being vibey. Only we're probably talking around £8000 in the UK (which will be a good price for this segment for a new machine) and of course we have to wait until later in the year...

Great bike, if I didn’t have my GS.......... 🤔

I'm considering dipping my toe into the world of adventure bikes and I think the Yammy might be the one for me. I already own a VFR 750 which I've ridden the wheels off on European road trips but I've never ridden off road other than mountain biking. Would this be a good starter model? Or should I look for something a bit lighter/smaller?

@robertiddon

2 жыл бұрын

Answer my own question. Yes it's brill. Owned it for a month now and done one or two byways on it, it's excellent

@RustSports

2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic, great to hear you're loving it. We love mid-size adventure bikes for their versatility too.

Like it very much, probably i'll take this one soon, from 2009y, 82.000 km, i hope it is not too much km for this motobike !?

@RustSports

2 жыл бұрын

Hi TK, as long as the engine maintenance has been kept up with it should be fine. It's a great choice, we really enjoyed riding this one.

Notice you got a wr250r behind, how do they compare?

@RustSports

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Benjamin, unfortunately I didn't get to ride the 250R, not ridden one yet. So can't say. There are plenty of reviews out there though.

Good if you got your facts right! Weight dry 189kg wet 206kg 23ltr tank not 22ltr side panels are plastic not rubber!

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Grahew, this is why I prefer print to doing video - you can double check everything, take your time, get it right and not feel like a nonce trying to project 'personality' to a camera. And it's a job to remember your own name let alone the exact tank capacity when doing a seven-minute monologue (in sub-zero temps) without the aid of an assistant correcting you when you go even slightly wrong on your facts (want a job?). Besides if you ever look up spec sheets you'll see no two ever read the same on all details. Long and short of it, 200kg is a lot when slipping around in the mud. Even then - great bike. Anyway, the video is not the main course here - the magazine is, so please check that at www.rustsports.com (issue 36). And if you feel you can do better, please be my guest ;-) All that aside - what do you think? Good bike?

@grahew632

5 жыл бұрын

@@RustSports yes i see your point re facts and videos.... on to the bike ive owned many bike from big powerful ktms to Ducati's triumphs etc but the xt660z is in a class of its own its a odd bike and it never fails to amaze me in its ability, I've just purchased a 65 plate which is the last of the last with the intention of keeping it to end of my biking days. Ill have a look at your magazine now........cheers

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

@@grahew632 I like your thinking, I think its a great bike despite the obvious shortcomings, certainly a great travel bike and if you could only have one bike in the garage, it's a very good choice. I think a modest suspension fettle is about all it really needs, just for comfort and a little more accuracy when riding off-road. Then its just a matter of enjoying the fun of adding what you want to personalise it. Enjoy your riding, hope you like the magazine. Best JB

How tall are you may I ask? She's a tall bike! Just wondering if it will be too tall for me.

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

Hi there, I'm 6'0 which is about 1.78 metres, is that right?

@intotheskyaviation

5 жыл бұрын

I’m roughly 5’8 / 5’9 ish, just wondering whether the Tènèrè would be too tall lol. I’ll probably have to get a lowering kit haha.

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

@@intotheskyaviation You just might be okay. Depends on your experience and where you ride. The more experience you have the more you can cope with elevated perches. I was riding recently with an American lady who's all of 5'0" (I'd say) but she had plenty of skills and determination, so she was just fine on a BMW 1200 GS rallye. So it depends on your confidence and how much you're prepared to do a bit of hopping when you start and stop! Best, JB

@intotheskyaviation

5 жыл бұрын

Rust Sports Sounds like it’ll be just fine then! Haha, I’ve been riding for around 4 years or so now. Lived in Norfolk, UK my entire life so plenty of trails around here, I think I know what my next bike will be then! Haha, cheers for the info. 🙂

@paulformaioni37

5 жыл бұрын

@@RustSports would it suit me being 6, 4

is not a2 acceptable..too much torgh

@RustSports

5 жыл бұрын

Ahh, well spotted, thank you for pointing this out, Stefanos. Is this the case even if a restrictor is fitted?

@notis8046

4 жыл бұрын

I ride mine in at A2 license they don’t look into it for just 1 or 2 hsp difference