XTZ with ABS- How is it?
 

Hello,

I am in the market for a new XTZ and they offer both iterations of the bike here, although neither of the bikes is in stock for a test ride.

What I'd like to find out; has anyone ridden both versions? If not, does anyone here own an ABS version? Your experiences and opinions would be much appreciated.

Ride Safe, Bob

Keep in mind that there�s a difference in suspension height and seat height between the two:
ABS Tenere: front 160mm, back 150mm, seatheight 860mm.
Standard Tenere: front 210mm, back 200mm, seatheight 895mm.
Engine is the same, weight difference due to the ABS, about 3kg's. ABS is not possible to switch off(yeah with the same trick as on the S10), but probably the aftermarket will provide in this.
Oh and the preload on the ABS frontforks is not adjustable, on the standard it is.
Greetz, Hans.

Height/suspension
 

Dallas,

Thanks. I compared the specs on the Yammie website and I am also wondering if the non-abs would be a better fit for me because I'm a big Yank-
1.95m/113kg, (I think, I'm just now getting on with the metric system).

I rode a BMW Xchallange for a couple of years- 17,000 miles and the bike was fine for me as far as comfort goes and I loved the big single's predictable power. So, I'm hoping that the XTZ has similar ergos as an Xchallenge.

I, myself am 1.92 and around 95kg's and can flat feet on my standard '08 Tenere(suspension upgraded with Hyperpro's front&back), so that won't be a problem for you either. It all depends what you want with your bike: if you'll be ridin' lotsa offroad, you'll be better off with the standard Tenere; on the other hand, if you'll be doin' more onroad and commuting, the ABS Tenere probably is the better choice. There you go, choices, choices....!
Good luck, Hans.

Hi There. My experience of ABS. Worst thing ever put on any bike!! It will kill you on dirk/snow or ice. Unless you have absolutely no bike skills, and you gonna ride slower than a granny, buy one without, or pull the ABS fuse out. This is personal choice, but I've tried the ABS on the BMW 800 and 1200, as well as on the Yamaha. I believe a good braking technique will stop you much faster than a bike with ABS on a dry tar road! On dirt you are sking for trouble with ABS. You won't stop the bike. Worst is when you want to use the brakes to 2 wheel drift it won't let you, and it may cause you to high side or slide out. Bets advise I can give is get a bike with ABS that you can try. Safe travels!!

Hi Madmax - I think you'll get along fine on a Tenere... one of the things I like/d about the bike when I first rode it was how similar it felt to my XR650R - in that the geometry is very similar to a big dirt-bike, rather than a more road orientated 'adventure' bike. The bar, peg, seat relationship, wheelbase and fork rake etc. are all similar, and other than the extra weight, it rides in a very similar and predicable fashion...

Jx

Thoughts are appreciated...
 

Thanks to all who replied. I put a deposit on a new 2011 660XTZ- in blue.

Apparently, the dealers in my country cannot get the ABS version, so I'll forego it and rely on my aging reflexes to keep me safe on the tarmac.

Cheers, Bob

Just ordered a brand new TENERE, with ABS.
Hope it doesn't suck, as much I read it does! !
It will be here in February!

I can say that in my experience ABS is a very good thing on a motorcycle.
I bought my Tenere (also a blue one) in April last year and drove with it little over 5000 km.
ABS saved my ass for falling more then 3 times. As I like to drive quite fast on gravel then sometimes I needed to press very hard both brakes to stop and ABS will forgive you such action. Without ABS I would have probably fallen.
This is true that using only rear brake on gravel your braking distance will be longer but you can always install a switch to disable ABS. I�m planning to do this. It can be good option driving at sand quarry.
And finally I will put here a picture from my bike: do not know how to insert image directly to this post.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwpa1hwganqfzo4/956.jpg?dl=0

What a lovely place to ride. You are very lucky Riff.