Got it back together

[phil w]

Just need to get out on it now and see how it compares to the Transalp in my garage also

[Chicko]

Nice clean looking Tenere as well as the Transalp
Be interested to hear how they compare
Chicko

[Bernieboy]

It is Tenere.co.uk.! We all know the outcome of the comparo

[Mezo]

I dunno Bernie the TA is a very similar bike, the V Twin engine could make all the difference.

Mezo.

[phil w]

Well after a disastrous ride to work of about 15 miles I was ready to get off the Tenere and sell it. It felt horrible. Mind some of it was down to the fact that after I had tyres fitted the tyre pressures were all to cock with 40 psi in the rear and 20 in the front. So after a ride home going a longer route with correct tyre pressures it was a lot sweeter.
One thing is a twisted feeling on the bars, and can someone tell me if there is a rubber bushing that deteriates fitted inside the top yolk and would it be worth renewing these ??
Initially for those who think the Tenere will win hands down there are definate plus points
Tenere is easier to maintain, has better ground clearance, better fuel range, it feels lighter and thinner... therefore once off road easier to control. I prefer its single disc on the front that feels more than adequate and its rear calliper that is over the front part of the disc as opposed to the Transalps that is toward the rear part of the disc that makes putting the wheel on a tad more awkward
The engine on the Ten is more vibey.... obviously but seems to punch better in lower gears. Travelling at a genuine 70mph is 5k revs and doesnt feel too stressed, 75 was a touch under 5500rpm, 65 was sweet as a nut. The Transalp is much the same but holding 75mph for motorways would be much easier.
The Transalp has a comfier seat, and feels like you are in the bike rather than on it like the Ten.
I look at my Transalp sometimes through "Rose tinted glasses"... it is my 4th one and have a genuine affection for them, easy to ride and very forgiving but taking one off road soon gets its belly scraping along the rocks and so the ten will win there. The Ten is also a pretty bike in my eyes... and the jury is still out

[Bernieboy]

Yes, Of course it depends on the where you are riding and how you want to ride. All of these bikes are comprimises. The solution is to have many bikes!! I'm sure the TA has its sweet spot. You better get and S10 to complete your comparo!!

[xtzrick]

Well after a disastrous ride to work of about 15 miles I was ready to get off the Tenere and sell it. It felt horrible. Mind some of it was down to the fact that after I had tyres fitted the tyre pressures were all to cock with 40 psi in the rear and 20 in the front. So after a ride home going a longer route with correct tyre pressures it was a lot sweeter.
One thing is a twisted feeling on the bars, and can someone tell me if there is a rubber bushing that deteriates fitted inside the top yolk and would it be worth renewing these ??
Initially for those who think the Tenere will win hands down there are definate plus points
Tenere is easier to maintain, has better ground clearance, better fuel range, it feels lighter and thinner... therefore once off road easier to control. I prefer its single disc on the front that feels more than adequate and its rear calliper that is over the front part of the disc as opposed to the Transalps that is toward the rear part of the disc that makes putting the wheel on a tad more awkward
The engine on the Ten is more vibey.... obviously but seems to punch better in lower gears. Travelling at a genuine 70mph is 5k revs and doesnt feel too stressed, 75 was a touch under 5500rpm, 65 was sweet as a nut. The Transalp is much the same but holding 75mph for motorways would be much easier.
The Transalp has a comfier seat, and feels like you are in the bike rather than on it like the Ten.
I look at my Transalp sometimes through "Rose tinted glasses"... it is my 4th one and have a genuine affection for them, easy to ride and very forgiving but taking one off road soon gets its belly scraping along the rocks and so the ten will win there. The Ten is also a pretty bike in my eyes... and the jury is still out

Hi Phil,

The bars are rubber mounted & the rubbers do deteriate. I'd try loosening the clamp bolts & get someone to tighten the bolts while you hold the bars straight before you buy new rubbers.
Are your bars straight?
Higher bars will make you feel like you're sat in the bike & are more comfy when you stand on the pegs (when you can't take anymore of the uncomfortable seat )

I think the XTZ engine's quite smooth running for a single, never ridden an Alp but an ex had the same engine in her Bros (same as the U.S. GT hawk) & I didn't think there was much in it.
Could you be feeling the vibration from your knobbly tyres & are there any knocking sounds coming from your engine?

Rick

[phil w]

Cheers Rick... ( was looking on ABR and think I saw your bike on there.. white one is it??). Did the clamp loosening yesterday and definately made them better. Did look at a new/second hand top clamp which looked new ish so wondered on getting one to see if would be in better condition. Some of the problems of my bike is that it had been an outdoor bike for the last 6 years... allbeit covered up, but the ever changing British weather has maybe done its worst on stuff like rubber. The bars I have at the moment on there are Renthal but they have a horrible bend and feel very thin... they are only 745mm wide whereas the Enduro high I have normally use ( sometimes called 613s I think) are about 840 wide, so will change to these. I also have 30mm risers on there also which could accentuate the feeling of unstraight.
The engine itself has nil knocks it has only done 14k miles and too be honest cant believe how smooth it sounds for a single, at speeds between 30-50 it definately doesnt feel like a single. My mates earlier 3YF has 60k kms now and also seems tight and doesnt burn oil so they are obviously a well engineered engine... as all XTs have been over the years I guess
Tyres .... did think this could be a problem as I have a used MT21 on the front that has done maybe 3k miles already on another bike and is starting to slope due to braking forces.... so I will probably go with a TKC80 next as most of the off road I tend to do involves rock as opposed to mud so TKC fine for that.

One point I have noticed already is how much the plastics buzz when going slow or stopped on tickover !!!

I am also giving some thought to a lighter end can to give it a bit more zip maybe... and of course a soundtrack only a thumper can give

The main differance I rekon the Alp is going to give is its ability to do motorways for hour on hour at 75.. other than that these type of bikes all come from the same pod really

[xtzrick]

Yes that's me on ABR , hoping to do a bit of offroad & some of its members get out quite often, I'll be tagging along with them soon hopefully.

Not experienced buzzing plastics, all I can think of is loose screws or plastics not fitted properly

If you decide to fit a different exhaust & derestrict the air box, 75-90mph all day isn't a problem
A.N.Other forum member is looking at a new end can & mid pipe for his 660, along the same lines as Geoff & Mezos' 600 exhausts. I'll make sure photos are posted when he gets it done (In your own time Daz )

Rick

[phil w]

Yes looking at end cans, partly because a thumper deserves a soundtrack, there is a nice GPR one Ive seen. Just ordered better bars as the ones on there are too narrow and assist in its feeling of instability. Need to get crash bars now, to save the already fragile plastics. The list of multiple bolt on crap grows so easily