Yamaha XT660Z Tenere motorcycle review

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

Yamaha XT660 Tenere, the legendary winner of the Paris-Dakar trophy raid of the seventies, laid the foundation for the Japanese manufacturer's sports bike range. Some of them were almost unique. Thus, the outstanding model among all was the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere. The ancestor of this bike - the same legend XT660 - was the first motorcycle with a four-stroke engine to take part in the rally. Thanks to its advantages over two-stroke competitors, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha has managed to establish itself as a market leader. The indestructibility and invincibility of this model was a great impetus for other manufacturers to start developing their own enduros.

Motorcycle description

For a long time, no changes were made to the design and characteristics of the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere.

Specialists andmotorists disagreed about these alterations: on the one hand, the increase in environmental requirements, which forced the manufacturer to comply with them, on the other hand, opponents of the changes in the reviews of the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere stressed that the design eventually became more complex, expensive, which affected reliability.

Yamaha continues to bet on the versatility of the legendary enduro. The XT660Z features a 48 horsepower fuel injected engine, a completely redesigned chassis and redesigned branded rubber tread. Such features allow the motorcycle to easily overcome off-road conditions. Difficulties can arise with sandy tracks, however, the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere has excellent flotation on them, provided that you change shoes to the right rubber.

Ascetic design of the motorcycle, however, does not detract from its external harmony and attractiveness. Riding at high speed is more than comfortable thanks to the high windshield that protects the driver from the oncoming air flow. The body kit with sharp edges, more typical for rally motorcycles, emphasizes the simplicity, utility and off-road character of the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere, the photo of which is presented in the review.

Specifications and Features

An important parameter for enduro motorcycles is autonomy. In the case of the XT660Z, the 23-litre fuel tank allows for fairly low fuel consumption to cover long distances without refueling. Additionalan advantage is the ability to install a larger tank, which increases the power reserve.

Among the main features and specifications of the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere, owners note a large fuel tank capacity, an injection engine and the ability to adjust long-travel suspensions. The volume of the fuel tank, so praised in reviews and reviews, is enough for 600 kilometers, which, in comparison with other motorcycles, cannot but surprise.

Engine

The motorcycle is equipped with a single-cylinder four-stroke engine with a displacement of 660 cubic centimeters and a power of 48 horsepower. The maximum torque is 58 Nm. According to the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere manual, the peak speed is 170 km/h, the acceleration time is 5.9 seconds.

Transmission

The motorcycle has a five-speed gearbox with a chain drive. The transmission is reliable and does not cause any complaints from the owners. Soft and smooth shifting makes the ride as comfortable and convenient as possible.

Dimensions

The Yamaha XT660Z Tenere has a curb weight of 183 kilograms. Body length - 2248 mm, height - 1477 mm, width - 864 mm. The full wheelbase is 1500 millimeters, the height including the saddle is 896 millimeters. For a touring model, the motorcycle has rather compact dimensions.

Chassis and braking system

Exterior Yamaha XT660Zfor touring enduro is very attractive, despite the fact that some motorists are of the opinion that the appearance could be more attractive. The frame of the model is steel, tubular type, spoked wheels of standard design.

The rear suspension is represented by a monoshock, the front - by a telescopic fork 43 mm long. The brake system is disc, with a two-piston caliper and a 245 mm disc at the rear, two 298 mm discs with two-piston calipers at the front.

Serial production

The first Yamaha XT660Z Tenere was released in 2007. The motorcycle has been produced for the past ten years, which is largely due to its popularity among motorists and more than good performance as a touring enduro that is not inferior to its competitors.

Reviews from owners and specialists

Most motorists consider the undoubted advantage of the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere to be a powerful engine that demonstrates excellent traction throughout the entire rev range. Torque is maintained at low revs, which is important for a road bike and is quite rare among competitors. The XT660Z engine is sharp, without the softness and smoothness inherent in the same Transalp. Such characteristics require a habit from the driver and over time become an advantage, not a disadvantage.

Yamaha's adjustable suspension can feel a little underwhelming at times, but handles all the bumps in the road perfectly and softensthem. The basic suspension settings specified in the motorcycle operating instructions are, oddly enough, the best for all types of road surfaces, which is often and surprisingly noted by the owners of the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere in reviews. The motorcycle is not particularly suitable for racing on city streets, besides, at high speed the rear axle begins to skid, which affects the comfort and handling and makes the pilot nervous.

The Tenere's hefty weight of nearly 200kg is normal for a bike of this class, but can be a nuisance for beginners riding a model for the first time. It is quite difficult to cope with such a colossus at high speed when driving off-road. The lack of physical strength of the pilot can become an obstacle in the management of the XT660Z, in connection with which the manufacturer has put a lot of effort into reducing the weight of the machine. To this end, the motorcycle was equipped with a plastic protective body kit and an aluminum rear fork.

Some motorists are of the opinion that a comfortable and powerful injection engine is not the best option for a touring motorcycle, because it is too picky about the quality of the fuel being poured and can fail when using low-quality fuel. Given that the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere is designed to travel on difficult tracks in areas where fuel quality is out of the question, the operation of such an engine can cause serious problems for the owner. Despite such nuances and features, the motorcycle attracts a lotattention and is very popular among motorists.