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Mud in Your Eye

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All I Want for X-Mas – Yamaha Tenere

Monday, November 30, 2009

Wouldn't the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere do well in America? I think so.

Everyone knows we don’t get the same machines in the US as elsewhere in the world, but of all the bikes that don’t make it Stateside, the Yamaha XT660Z Tenere is the one I want most. Frank Melling has been around longer than the rolling wheel, much less a pair of them, and he gushed about it at the recent NEC Birmingham Motorcycle Show.

As a 660 Single, there isn’t much else to compare it to in America. KTM stopped making the 640 Adventure which would have been similar. Now the Austrians export the 690 Enduro R, which looks astonishing and may well offer more outright performance, but lacks the commuter appeal and long-distance amenities. America has one dominant mini-adventure tour machine – or mega dual sport, however you look at it – the Kawasaki KLR650. The Green Machine is certainly monstrously good at what it is designed to do, but just take a look at that Yamaha… Fuel-injected, dual front disc brakes, 10.2-inches of ground clearance, 35-inch seat height, 454-lbs claimed wet weight, rally-raid bodywork, 6.1-gallons of fuel…

Why can’t we have this bike, Yamaha? Why?

Post Tags: Yamaha XT660Z Tenere, Christmas Wish List

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Comments

ali -hi January 1, 2011 05:15 PM
can you tell me about price

ofir zikry -i just order one August 24, 2010 06:49 AM
realy nice bike can't wait till i get my new one..

Sergi from California -I want/need one January 20, 2010 08:30 PM
I saw this bike parked on a sidewalk in Barcelona in March 09'. it was love at first sight and even took pictures of it. it's a damn shame is not available in the US for sale and wonder how much it would cost to import.

PeteP -Bring more bikes to the US! January 12, 2010 01:05 PM
With all of the manufacturers slowing production of new models due to the worldwide recession, one might think that a little "cross-pollination" might keep folks interested, and in the showrooms.

In any case, how about the new, soon-to-be-released Super-Tenere (not to be sold in the US, of course).

tsavo sam -adv December 27, 2009 05:34 PM
i am all for bringing this bike to the us. i have very small list of names on adv rider trying to patition yamaha to bring it state side. i am also putting together a list of yamaha managment to see if the masses can make them listen and import the tenere.

Tucker -Have an 89R100GS and would consider the Tenere as a replacement December 10, 2009 06:37 AM
I love this bike! I currently ride an 89R100GS and would strongly consider selling it for this bike. Something about this Yamaha just makes me want to pack my bags and head out the door. Also would make for a fun commuter bike. Very frustrating that this isn't available here in the states! Come on Yamaha..

x2468 -n/a December 2, 2009 10:32 AM
I like it. But apparently the japanese companies think that americans only like impractical, flashy motorcycles like race replicas or the v-max. But i'd prefer to see a dirt bike style front fender on the tenere. Im not a big fan of the dakar style. It's the same engine as the yamaha raptor atv right? or at least the old raptor 660.

René -Yamaha XT660Z TENERE December 2, 2009 08:28 AM
I have this bike in Norway, and are very pleased with it. I have driven BMW in 25 years and wanten a light (ok 180kg...) bike for longer trips on and of the road. And still have the driving license. I am very satisfaid and have no problem traveling with mine son to Europa from Norway. The bike makes easly 80 mph and makes 320 miles on a tank. And the sound with Leovice ex is very nice.

best regards

Guy -We tried to get it here... December 1, 2009 06:34 PM
When this bike first broke cover a few years ago there was a grass-roots campain to get the bike here in the US. A lot of dual sport riders wrote into Yamaha. I was one of them, we had a form letter and over a thousand people responded. Even offered to put money down on the bikes to bring them into the states. All we got was a thanks for your interest from corporate. Went to the dealers and talked to them,they said they would ask corporate. Again nothing. Looked at importing them from overseas, fees, exchange rate, and taxes would have killed us. Yamaha... why?

floridian guy -come on... that thing.... December 1, 2009 03:07 PM
... is fugly. That's why it won't sell in the U.S. We're way too picky on looks alone.

Dragos -why you dont buy it from Europe?!?! December 1, 2009 01:10 PM
It's not street legal in States or what?

clb3 -Yamaha December 1, 2009 10:04 AM
They can also import the MT-03-- same engine but with superb street capabilities!!!!!

clb3 -660 Tenere' December 1, 2009 09:39 AM
I've been wanting this bike ever since I logged on to Yamaha's U.K. web site and first "laid eyes" on it! There are several model variations and I would perfectly happy with any of them!

John -Yamaha asleep at the switch December 1, 2009 06:30 AM
I agree with Chris; it just escapes me why Yamaha is ceding the mid-size dual-sport market to Kawi & BMW. Their biggest dual-sport is a 250 (I have one, a WR250R). A nice bike, no doubt, but you'd better be pretty fit to take it across state lines. Don't ask me how I know...

mississippi george -tenere December 1, 2009 04:42 AM
i'll buy the second one. have this engine (without injection)in an MZ an it's bullet proof. c'mon yamaha you could at least sell 2!

Chris -Drop the Fz6R and give us the Tenere November 30, 2009 10:55 PM
I really want one of these. All other options are either too expensive or a poorly dual-sported street bike. KTM's are nice but they are high strung and ultimately unreliable for the average user without a large budget. The KLR's are ok, but it really needs what the Tenere already comes with. You would think with how many KLR Kawi sells Yamaha would get the hint.

Mud in Your Eye

All I Want for X-Mas – Yamaha Tenere

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