YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 Allroad Touring MC

YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 offers a lot adventure touring motorcycle potential. It has cross spoked rims and a 21inch front wheel which are ideal for riding on loose offroad surfaces. The Tenere has exceptionally long fuel range in the category and proper fuel monitoring features which makes it even better for the most remote exploring. The XT660Z -single cylinder engine is resilient and economical. Even the maintenance is one the simplest which is always beneficiary for backcountry tours. The Tenere wind coverage is quite narrow and not very tall either, but the windscreen is practical and hardly in the way when riding in standing posture. The ergonomics are good for average size riders, but there are very few adjustments. Never the less, the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 is capable of taking adventurous routes and belongs to the traditional allroad touring motorcycles. It`s perhaps one the most easy going dual sport bike.

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 has two brother versions, all very good for offroad riding. The simplified YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere 2014 comes without the ABS support, the rider seat is 31mm. (1.2in.) taller, offers more suspension travel and ground clearance, but it`s also 6,5kgs (15lbs.) lighter and offers 2kgs (5lbs.) more payload. As long as this model is still available, go for it. It`s probably the best adventure touring bike made by the YAMAHA so far. The YAMAHA XT660R 2014 is even more offroad oriented model without the DAKAR -racing style fairing and the big fuel tank, but the touring features are notably reduced. This single cylinder line up is quite unique and offers a lot of sensible alternatives for those who are looking for traditional allroad bikes for solo riding and gravel roads. The big brother becomes more interesting when the pavement is more often on the menu.

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 has all the basics in order for allroad touring. It`s agile and surprisingly balanced even with a full touring load, thanks to the traditional fuel tank which is able to counter balance the payload. Still the Tenere is hardy made for the most extreme offroad conditions and trails which would require something more like the KTM 690 Enduro R 2014. Never the less, everything has been kept very simple and practical. Even in standard condition, the Tenere is ready to go right after installing few travel, offroad protection and touring comfort related items. This is the way how the stock bikes should be made. Most of the manufacturers leave small relevant details out of the STD -package for further negotiations at the dealers, but not the YAMAHA. Those who are planning to explore the more challenging routes and looking for a simple & reliable allroad solo touring bike should check out the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014. For sure the Tenere is good for everyday biking too as long as speed limits are respected.

YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 Features

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 has a relative big fuel tank which provides a long range and counter balance for the payload at the back. This is supported even further by the economical single cylinder engine. The Tenere has also proper fuel monitoring features thanks to the traditional fuel tank which allows the best measuring conditions. The down side is the fact that the XT660Z feels a little bit top heavy with a full tank like any other traditional MC, but at least the fuel is close to the center of gravity which improves the agility. Never the less, the Tenere has above 500kms or 310 miles fuel range which is one of the best in the medium size category, but of course the load, riding conditions and the throttling style play a significant roll with the consumption. Unfortunately there are no low octane fuel settings at all which is clearly against the true nature of the XT660Z.

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 single cylinder engine is resilient and provides very smooth torque. The single mug shows surprisingly little vibrations and even on the highway, the XT660Z behaves better than expected. Thanks to long 5 speed gear ratios and successful balancing of the rotating forces. Such engine character is ideal for offroad touring and smallest roads, but still it`s hardly sporty. With a full touring load the Tenere becomes quite humble, but that`s just another reason to rationally load the bike and mainly use it for solo riding. Never the less, it`s reliable and the simplest engine from the maintenance point of view and once you are far away from the western services, you can appreciate it even more. The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 is good for more relaxed adventure riders that prefer to use the torque. Although the front wheel comes easily up with the 1ST- and the 2ND gear.

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 cross spoked rims and the 21inch front wheel are necessary for fluent and comfortable offroad riding. Note that the Tenere -rims are traditional and not tubeless type. Inner tubes are required. This is hardly any problem what so ever, but it limits sometimes the tyre offering and slightly increases the rotating wheel forces even further. On the other hand, the tubes allow lower air pressure for the softest offroad conditions providing better grip and repairs can be made even beside the road which all fits with the adventure potential very well. The XT660Z -suspension is rather modest and soft, but also comfortable. In the offroad conditions surfaces are hardly smooth, but the Tenere manages to compensate the rough spots better than the most. Those who tend to go to the limits, should consider investing in better shock absorbers.

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 ergonomics are slightly limited from the adjustments point of view. The Tenere is good for average size riders and the tallest should consider other alternatives. The handlebar comes rather close and without adjustable clamp or riser, there is little to do. The single piece seat with a hump leaves hardly any room for movement back and forward, but as long as the riding is active, the seat is surprisingly comfortable. Fortunately there are alternative seats at the accessory market. By changing the foot pegs to wider offroad pegs, the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 becomes ready for riding in standing posture. That would be always worth doing and gives additional variety even relief during long LEGs.

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 DAKAR style wind coverage is quite modest. The XT660Z windscreen is fairly narrow, placed quite far in the front from the rider and it`s not very tall either. It`s clearly a compromise which fits with the bike`s nature when we are looking at the most natural routing scenarios in the backcountry and especially riding in standing posture. On the highway at high speed it`s very modest for most of us, but there are plenty of spoilers, windscreen extensions and touring windshields to choose from. A pair of proper hand guards would be a good plus for the package too. The key YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 features are:

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 has a traditional ABS which is not integrated and there are no switches to turn the ABS off. This is a very odd decision from the factory since the road type ABS can be dangerous in the offroad conditions. By offering another model without the ABS is hardly any solution since the authorities force to install the ABS to new motorcycles anyhow. But by adding a simple ON/OFF -switch for the ABS would have been enough and hardly any cost factor. Now the Tenere riders are more or less forced to disconnect the ABS or gamble with their health. This is a clear shortcoming from the factory. Since the brakes are not integrated, the Tenere -rider needs to practice simultaneous foot braking in order to maintain the feel to the rear wheel and grip especially on loose surfaces.

YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 Instrumentation

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 has a simple basic instrumentation without modern onboard computer features like consumption readings, travel time counters, average speed etc. Such features are nice, but hardly necessary. The Tenere has all the basics in the cockpit in order. The analogue tachometer with a big speed reading on the LCD -display, is the best combination from the readability point of view. Although the display is fairly small and traditional. I would prefer to have 10 fuel bars which brings slightly better accuracy. Never the less, the fuel monitoring features are good and supported with two trip counters and a fuel reserve counter. Thanks to the traditional fuel tank. The XT660Z -instrumentation is functional and ideally placed as high as possible and there is enough room for a GPS -navigator stand above the cluster. Functions are controlled with 2 buttons below the display. The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 onboard computer and the LCD -display provides the following information:

In the next generation YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere I would like to see a gear in use, range, air and coolant temperature readings on a bigger display. The warning symbols / lights could be also integrated with the LCD, but the tachometer should be analogue. The ABS -settings could be kept simple and managed with an ON/OFF -switch without the automatic activation feature.

YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 Equipment Accessory

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 in standard condition is already surprisingly fit, but there are a lot of accessories to choose from and build up a unique adventure touring machine according to preferences. The Tenere is very interesting allroad touring bike for the equipment industry and they have paid attention to it. I would go straight to one of those since the YAMAHA -dealers have very little to offer from the OE -point of view.

What the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 requires at least would be a proper engine and radiator protection, the center stand to service the chains, a pair of hand guards, wider offroad pegs preferably with adjustment and a set of side panniers or an all weather tail bag such as the GiantLoop. The headlight is also very vulnerable on gravel roads and requires protection, with a quick release attachment at the best. The front wheel throws mud and stones to the engine and a tall skid-plate and a mud guard extension would be in order. Note that the rear suspension link attachment in the swing is placed rather low and it requires a long skid-plate when taking the most challenging routes. There are also GPS -navigator support bars that are placed above the instrumentation which would be the best location from the readability point of view.

Even though the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 has no seat adjustments, there are several options at the equipment manufacturers. For the moment there are 20 mm. taller, 20 mm. lower and comfort KAHEDO -seats to choose from, but note that the handlebar is quite close to the rider and the tallest riders probably need further adjustments. An offroad gear lever would fold backwards when the fall comes and the stock lever would be easily damaged. At the same time I would install a foot brake lever extension since the Tenere could be ridden in standing posture and the same lever position is not useful for both of them.

The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 stock suspension is quite soft and if you are often looking for challenges with a touring load, perhaps it would be wise to change the shock absorbers. Unfortunately the ABS can be a problem from the space point of view, but anything can be done with customization. Suspension improvements make a huge difference and if you are going to take the Tenere to the limits, they are necessary too.

YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 Comparison

Compared to the BMW F800 GS 2014, the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 is 13kgs (28.7lbs.) lighter, offers 7L (1.9USgal. – 1.5UKgal.) more fuel capacity, but it also carries 41kgs (90.4lbs.) less payload and provides 37HP / 25Nm less engine performance. Probably even less alternator capacity, but the weight difference is actually even higher. The extra fuel onboard makes alone additional 5kgs or 11lbs. They both have cross spoked rims and 21inch front wheels. They are simplified versions and have single piece seats without adjustments. The Tenere has slightly taller windshield, but they should both offer better coverage. The 800GS has clearly better ergonomics, more versatile instrumentation and onboard computer features, but the Tenere has still better fuel monitoring properties.

The biggest difference comes from the performance. The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 single cylinder engine is resilient and provides a low consumption, but it`s hardy sporty. This is an advantage in offroad conditions and brings better power control. The 800GS offers much more engine performance and it`s very agile. The Tenere has a traditional fuel tank which makes it a bit top heavy with a full tank, but on the other hand the 800GS is slightly rear heavy. Although there is a huge difference in range, the fuel in front counter balances the payload keeping the front wheel more under pressure. The BMW F800 GS 2014 is more sporty, agile and versatile allroad touring bike with one of best tuning potential. The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 is more traditional and a very simple allroad touring enduro for solo riders that are not looking for the highest performance and prefer smaller roads.

VS BMW F800 GS Adventure 2014

Compared to the BMW F800GS Adventure 2014, the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 is 21kgs (46.3lbs.) lighter, but it also offers 37HP/25Nm. less engine performance, 1L (0.26USgal., 0.22UKgal.) less fuel and 35kgs (77.2lbs.) less payload capacity. Some of the weight difference come from the additional accessory such as the pannier rack, crash bars and the hand guards, but mostly from the differences in the engine, 6 speed gear box and the exhaust. Therefore one of the biggest differences in nature come from the performance and the Tenere -single cylinder engine is no match for the BMW -twin. They both have cross spoked rims, 21inch front wheels, but the Tenere requires inner tubes which brings a bit additional weight and rotating forces. They both have taller windshields than the average, simplified standard setup and a single piece seat without adjustments.

The BMW F800GS Adventure 2014 -ergonomics are better and more versatile, especially for taller riders. The Tenere is more compact and offers limited geometric tuning possibilities, but fortunately there are several seat alternatives with lower and higher options. The Tenere has a traditional fuel tank in the front which is better from the fuel measuring and monitoring point of view. The Tenere fuel gauge is able to measure the total capacity and offers also a reserve counter feature as standard. On the other hand, the BMW offers low octane settings as optional extra, but the Tenere has no such thing available. Another angle concerns the offroad agility. The 800GSA -rear tank is not top heavy like the Tenere with a full tank. Although the Tenere offers more counter balance for the rear end payload. The BMW F800GS Adventure 2014 is more sporty, technically advanced and versatile in use. The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 is much more traditional choice for those who appreciate simplicity and are not looking for the highest performance, nor the latest MC -technology.

VS YAMAHA XT660R 2014

Compared to the YAMAHA XT660R 2014, the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 offers 2kgs (4.4lbs.) more payload capacity, 8L (2.1USgal. – 1.76UKgal.) more fuel capacity and higher comfort, but it`s also 34kgs (75lbs.) heavier and offers 2Nm. less torque due to different exhaust. The XT660R has no DAKAR -style wind coverage and is therefore less comfortable in touring. The biggest difference is with the fuel range and the payload distribution. The XT660R is a better choice for demanding adventure touring at lower speed ranges using the smallest roads and trail network. The rider seat height is the same, but the XT660R has no bump which is good for active riding and rider movement back and forward on the seat. The YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 is better for high speed roads, everyday biking and slightly less aggressive routing, but it has much better instrumentation with a fuel gauge and tachometer.

From the equipment and tuning point of view, the YAMAHA XT660Z Tenere ABS 2014 is more interesting and versatile option. The YAMAHA XT660R 2014 model has it`s limitations and there are also so many preferences and destinations that for sure there are adventure riders interested in the XT660R too.

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