XTZ660 Tenere dissapointed

[alanB]

C'mon guys lighten up,  I didnt "diss" the bike, nor did I insult anyone.

I just stated my opinion.  You cant deny the bike is designed more for tar than dirt (just look at all the expensive panels etc) and it is heavy - heavier than even the Dakar, if I remember correctly.  If you liked the Dakar or that type of bike, I'm sure you would really like XTZ, but if you wanted something that was a lot better for off road riding then its not the right bike - that's a fair honest statement.  Why get upset about it?

I don't understand why people get so upset when someone gives an honest opinion instead of only singing praises about a bike - no point in living in denial.

I made it clear why I personally didn't want the bike after considering it - why take offense at that ??

[DirtyHarry]

C'mon guys lighten up,  I didnt "diss" the bike, nor did I insult anyone.
I just stated my opinion.  You cant deny the bike is designed more for tar than dirt (just look at all the expensive panels etc) and it is heavy - heavier than even the Dakar, if I remember correctly.  If you liked the Dakar or that type of bike, I'm sure you would really like XTZ, but if you wanted something that was a lot better for off road riding then its not the right bike - that's a fair honest statement.  Why get upset about it?
I don't understand why people get so upset when someone gives an honest opinion instead of only singing praises about a bike - no point in living in denial.
I made it clear why I personally didn't want the bike after considering it - why take offense at that ??

Nothing wrong in what you have said, but ...
Bikers can be quite sensitive if someone else is critical about their bikes. The bike you own will always be the best one  
I call my 1150 a pig. If someone else would tell me that I ride a heavy, ugly looking pig, I also might take it the wrong way, even if it's true.
Let's just call the XTZ660 Ten one of the best single cylinder DS bikes ever made. Which it is really.

[Vlakhaas]

@alanB - I appologize if I misunderstood your post. I got the impression your main concern was weight and suspension, which lead you to an enduro bike, not the Tenere you talked about. You are of course entitled to your opinion, it is what a forum is about. It was not seen as insulting.

I just think that one should experience a bike under the riding conditions it was designed for before deciding to dismiss it completely for some figure on a piece of paper, irrespective of make or model. My very familiar GSA felt far lighter than a cruiser I rode recently, even though the BMW was significantly heavier.

I haven't been on a Dakar in a very long time, but from what I can remember it was also a completely different feeling from the Tenere. To me, riding the Tenere under DS conditions, compared to my 2009 KLR under the exact same conditions, the Tenere felt far lighter, even though it was on paper heavier. Ride height and suspension was probably the main reasons.

[DirtyHarry]

 

[buzzlightyear]

where is the expensive panels on the Z???

[DeeCeeBee]

I have been lusting over this bike since I first laid eyes on it. For ME it ticks all the right boxes and I WILL be looking for a previously loved one soon as I have just been promoted at work... 
Just for interest sakes @subie... Why the "r" and not the " z"??

[Jondu]

To me, riding the Tenere under DS conditions, compared to my 2009 KLR under the exact same conditions, the Tenere felt far lighter, even though it was on paper heavier. Ride height and suspension was probably the main reasons.

Is dit regtig so? Ek loer net die Tenere en het gedog die KLR wat ons het hanteer beter.
Sorry vir die hi-jack

[Sir Rat]

Ag nee wat kêrels. Ek dink die XT660Z is vir ou oomies wat wil kewl lyk op n DS bike. Die bike het alles op en die looks maar ry net  lekke op teer. 

Even buzzlight looks like an old man on his Z. 

[subie]

I have been lusting over this bike since I first laid eyes on it. For ME it ticks all the right boxes and I WILL be looking for a previously loved one soon as I have just been promoted at work... 
Just for interest sakes @subie... Why the "r" and not the " z"??

The R is lighter,seat height lower. The R is perfect for my type of adventure trips and riding style. I am more confident on the "simpler"
lower,lighter R. I have been all over the country with my R. Never needed "better" suspension,more ground clearance, better windprotection (which I don't understand what is the issue about this ). I plan my trips so my 250 - 300km fuel range is adequate for me.  Both my R's never had any headshakes,fuel surging , or crap suspension  (vendors are so quick to point out )The Z like the new shape KLR is just to "busy" with all the extra tupperware for me. I love the way my R handles. I am on my second R totally in love with the bike so may be a bit biased 
My bike is just for adventure trips and nothing else. No trips to cafe or just round the block.

[DeeCeeBee]

Thanks subie.
Seems it suits your purposes just right
Lots of opinions and advice offered here though, the best I think is to ride before you decide.
To me, the tender just looks so lekker!!

[subie]

Dink my smaak is ook n bietjie weird.
Ek hou nie van die XT660 Z en nuwe KLR se look nie. Die ou fugly shape is weer vir my great.
Die ou 600 tenere was vir my seker die lelikste,gevrekte bike wat ek ooit gery het. Die ding was solid en betroubaar soos n ou kanniedood trekker.
Die groot BMW bikes is pragtig maar heeltemal belaglik in my oe as adventure bikes.
Nog net een KTM gesien wat vir my mooi is. Daai model wat orange swifty ry ,die 950R

    

[Vlakhaas]

To me, riding the Tenere under DS conditions, compared to my 2009 KLR under the exact same conditions, the Tenere felt far lighter, even though it was on paper heavier. Ride height and suspension was probably the main reasons.

Is dit regtig so? Ek loer net die Tenere en het gedog die KLR wat ons het hanteer beter.
Sorry vir die hi-jack

Die Tenere het vir my ligter gevoel. Die KLR se pap voor suspensie tel teen hom op hantering

[Dwerg]

As jy dink 'n 660Z is nie capable offroad nie het jy nog nie saam met Jules gery nie. Maar kom ons wees eerlik, jy praat uit jou hol uit as jy die 660 en die 690 in die selfde sin noem  

[Gerrard]

As jy dink 'n 660Z is nie capable offroad nie het jy nog nie saam met Jules gery nie. Maar kom ons wees eerlik, jy praat uit jou hol uit as jy die 660 en die 690 in die selfde sin noem  

Jy's 'n lekker skoorgat, maar die keer stem ek saam met jou. 

[alanB]

The bike you own will always be the best one  
I call my 1150 a pig. If someone else would tell me that I ride a heavy, ugly looking pig, I also might take it the wrong way, even if it's true.
Let's just call the XTZ660 Ten one of the best single cylinder DS bikes ever made. Which it is really.

Of course everyone thinks their bike is the best!  That's as it should be.

Personally I think this is the best single cylinder DS bike ever made  



But that's just my opinion.  I wont get upset if other people don't agree.  

[Captain Zef]

Die XT660Z is die beste 660 op die mark. Kaptein Zef het gepraat

[swart skaap]

I feel that SideTrack should have made mention of his intended use for the bike.

We do technical DS rides:
He joined me on our recent ride (3x 690's, 1x 525, 2x450's)
The ride was not planned to be particularly technical but the foreman of the farm that we were supposed to traverse, had his panties in a bunch and we had to take an alternative hardcore 4x4 route.

I have been riding technical terrain for a long time and in general, used to lead the technical hardcore rock routes like Butch'es Rock in dewildt etc. so I'm rather capable.
Upon seeing the rock faced entrance to the 4x4 route and riding one of the 450's in the group, I found myself having to summon up some courage.. next attraction, the dudes on the 690's simply just cruised up the thing! I could feel my jaw dropping.
The route was over a kilometer long, stretching into the mountains and I was astounded by the 690's prowess.

What I think Sidetrack meant was that the 660Z doesn't appear to be in the same league as the 690 in terms of its technical abilities and therefore feels disappointed by it.

I cannot image muscling a 180Kg bike up that hill and to its defense, it shouldn't be!
But if factors outside of your control demand that you take the technical alternative, it would be kak having to turn around due to the fact that you are riding the "wrong" bike  

[buzzlightyear]

I feel that SideTrack should have made mention of his intended use for the bike.

We do technical DS rides:
He joined me on our recent ride (3x 690's, 1x 525, 2x450's)
The ride was not planned to be particularly technical but the foreman of the farm that we were supposed to traverse, had his panties in a bunch and we had to take an alternative hardcore 4x4 route.

I have been riding technical terrain for a long time and in general, used to lead the technical hardcore rock routes like Butch'es Rock in dewildt etc. so I'm rather capable.
Upon seeing the rock faced entrance to the 4x4 route and riding one of the 450's in the group, I found myself having to summon up some courage.. next attraction, the dudes on the 690's simply just cruised up the thing! I could feel my jaw dropping.
The route was over a kilometer long, stretching into the mountains and I was astounded by the 690's prowess.

What I think Sidetrack meant was that the 660Z doesn't appear to be in the same league as the 690 in terms of its technical abilities and therefore feels disappointed by it.

I cannot image muscling a 180Kg bike up that hill and to its defense, it shouldn't be!
But if factor outside your control demands a that you take the technical alternative, it would be kak having to turn around due to the fact that you are riding the "wrong" bike  

The proof is in the pudding  You have to taste it 

But having read sidetracks Ride Reports over the years I'll be very surprised if he chooses to ride a 660Z 

Looks like I choose the bikes he dislikes. Years ago he mentioned how underpowered etc the KLE was, and now the 660. I wonder what he will dislike next, that would be my next bike according to the pattern 

[swart skaap]

I feel that SideTrack should have made mention of his intended use for the bike.

We do technical DS rides:
He joined me on our recent ride (3x 690's, 1x 525, 2x450's)
The ride was not planned to be particularly technical but the foreman of the farm that we were supposed to traverse, had his panties in a bunch and we had to take an alternative hardcore 4x4 route.

I have been riding technical terrain for a long time and in general, used to lead the technical hardcore rock routes like Butch'es Rock in dewildt etc. so I'm rather capable.
Upon seeing the rock faced entrance to the 4x4 route and riding one of the 450's in the group, I found myself having to summon up some courage.. next attraction, the dudes on the 690's simply just cruised up the thing! I could feel my jaw dropping.
The route was over a kilometer long, stretching into the mountains and I was astounded by the 690's prowess.

What I think Sidetrack meant was that the 660Z doesn't appear to be in the same league as the 690 in terms of its technical abilities and therefore feels disappointed by it.

I cannot image muscling a 180Kg bike up that hill and to its defense, it shouldn't be!
But if factor outside your control demands a that you take the technical alternative, it would be kak having to turn around due to the fact that you are riding the "wrong" bike 

The proof is in the pudding  You have to taste it 

But having read sidetracks Ride Reports over the years I'll be very surprised if he chooses to ride a 660Z 

Looks like I choose the bikes he dislikes. Years ago he mentioned how underpowered etc the KLE was, and now the 660. I wonder what he will dislike next, that would be my next bike according to the pattern 

Have you ridden a 690 then?

Somehow, these 650cc discussions always loop back to the 690 vs X vs Y vs Z comparisons. After our last ride, I can truly see why those bikes are the benchmark for guys like Sidetrack and myself. Too bad they are so expensive and look mundane in standard trim.

IMHO, the best solution is probably a low mileage TE610, simply because the XR600R's all have too high mileage and need rebuilds.

[sidetrack]

The bike you own will always be the best one  
I call my 1150 a pig. If someone else would tell me that I ride a heavy, ugly looking pig, I also might take it the wrong way, even if it's true.
Let's just call the XTZ660 Ten one of the best single cylinder DS bikes ever made. Which it is really.

Of course everyone thinks their bike is the best!  That's as it should be.

Personally I think this is the best single cylinder DS bike ever made  



But that's just my opinion.  I wont get upset if other people don't agree.  

I do agree but the TE could have been so much better if Husqvarna just fixed a couple of small issues to start with. The platform and idea behind it is brilliant though. I'm in the process of buying back my 610.