Word on smaller motor?

charliedontsurf

New Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2012
Messages
2
Location
Northern California
My wife and I went to the local Yamaha dealer excited to give the Tenere a look. We have ridden strictly off-road for years, but trails are sometimes unavailable for weather or other reasons, so we are thinking of going true dual-sport. We loved the Tenere, however, it was a tad big for what we are looking for, plus we are not big people. I see BMW has introduced some smaller dual-sports to their lineup, and was wondering, if anyone has heard perhaps if Yamaha may do the same in the future. I am thinking a 750 or 900 would be a little more to our needs. Any hot rumors out there??
 

Yamaguy55

No difficult problems, just difficult people
Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
881
Location
Sunbury, PA
None that I am aware of, but my "New for 2013" wishlist included a "Mini-Me" XTZ, basically the exact same thing scaled down for those of us that aren't 6'5, 250 pound linebackers. I wanted a twin comprised of two WR250R engines stuck together, keep the weight under 400, and make the concept the same as the Super Tenere. They already have the pistons, rods, etc, just build a 270 degree crank like the old RD series, horizontal split cases, 6 speed, AL frame, decent ground clearance, but no nosebleed seat jobs, 21" front, 18" rear; sort of a cross between the Super Tenere and the WR250R.

I have one of each, and a hybrid of both would be truly outstanding. The WR is not a jewell for long road trips, but is quite good in the dirt for a street legal, compliant bike. It is very good with very few mods. The Tenere (for me) is just too large and heavy for really technical stuff, but a real gem on the road, even very rough dirt roads. i've taken my Tenere off road in some pretty challenging terrain, but find it a bit much for 5'8" 160 pound me. It isn't so much that I can't control it, more that I know if it gets away from me I'll never get it back. I can manhandle he WRR back in line if I have to. So give me the features of the Super Tenere in a lighter, more nimble package, and I'll buy one tomorrow.

From my relationship with a few Tiger 800 guys, it isn't really an off road bike either, but is somewhat lighter. I'd say the Super Tenere is probably more off road worthy than the 800 Tiger, but maybe I'm wrong. Good luck in your quest; you may need to buy KTMs, but then we're back to the ladder or skyhooks to get on board. I do find the Super tenere to be much more versatile than any bike I've had access to recently. If it weighed about 100 pounds less, I'd call it ideal for a large bike. And it is a large bike. The weight and size disappears the second you begin to move, although that shouldn't make you forget how big it is and treat it with no respect. I figure that other drivers and the terrain are out to kill me, so I don't slip into false security and have it actually happen.
 

stevepsd

New Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
Joined
Oct 3, 2010
Messages
1,500
Location
Idaho & OR
Triumph 800XC.....

Yamaha has the 660 Tenere (single) but not in the US.
 

Don in Lodi

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
5,779
Location
Lodi Kalifornia
Yep, the XT660 on your Wish List is as close as you're going to get right now from Yamaha. Folks were wanting some imported for years and we got the Super Tenere.
 

caveman

New Member
Founding Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2010
Messages
66
Location
Tasmania
Didn't realize the 660 wasn't available in the US. It is exactly the machine your looking for. I have the WR450 for the bush and sold the 660 tenere to buy the S10. I miss it and will get another early neat year to replace an old xr650l I commute to work on. It is no WR but great on road, the single is the ultimate dual sport.
 

cosmic

Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2011
Messages
781
Location
Split, Croatia
Re: Re: Word on smaller motor?

caveman said:
Didn't realize the 660 wasn't available in the US. It is exactly the machine your looking for. I have the WR450 for the bush and sold the 660 tenere to buy the S10. I miss it and will get another early neat year to replace an old xr650l I commute to work on. It is no WR but great on road, the single is the ultimate dual sport.
Set up like this one, and you'll search no more...



©
 

Brntrt

New Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 14, 2010
Messages
563
Location
N Ga. Mountains
Yamaguy55 said:
From my relationship with a few Tiger 800 guys, it isn't really an off road bike either, but is somewhat lighter. I'd say the Super Tenere is probably more off road worthy than the 800 Tiger, but maybe I'm wrong. Good luck in your quest; you may need to buy KTMs, but then we're back to the ladder or skyhooks to get on board. I do find the Super tenere to be much more versatile than any bike I've had access to recently. If it weighed about 100 pounds less, I'd call it ideal for a large bike. And it is a large bike. The weight and size disappears the second you begin to move, although that shouldn't make you forget how big it is and treat it with no respect. I figure that other drivers and the terrain are out to kill me, so I don't slip into false security and have it actually happen.
::026:: Well said. As a former Tiger 800 owner I can attest that the Super Tenere is way ahead of the Tiger off road. Though heavier the S10 hides the weight amazongly well. When I first started taking the big girl off road I was intimidated by the size and weight but I persisted. I'm a bigger guy 6'1" and 205 lbs and I don't even think of the weight anymore until I drop it. After a drop it really isn't anymore difficult to pickup than my KLR's. The more I ride the XT the more I appreciate its capabilities and the more I like it.
 

Yamaguy55

No difficult problems, just difficult people
Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
881
Location
Sunbury, PA
caveman said:
Didn't realize the 660 wasn't available in the US. It is exactly the machine your looking for. I have the WR450 for the bush and sold the 660 tenere to buy the S10. I miss it and will get another early neat year to replace an old xr650l I commute to work on. It is no WR but great on road, the single is the ultimate dual sport.
We don't get the road legal 450 either.

We're not on the list for many interesting bikes.
 

Yamaguy55

No difficult problems, just difficult people
Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
881
Location
Sunbury, PA
You're welcome. It takes nothing to amuse us. It takes a lot to shut us up.
 
Top