Welcome Kelv and congrats.

Now I wonder if we will see a single pic with the whole color ranges from both the 08 and 09 lined up. But before that, we have to see a real owner of a red one on this forum, right?

Simply beautiful! Not as fast as the black one, naturally, but if speed is not your thing then this colour is by far the best.

:laughing7:

Hopefully by the time the meet in the Lake District happens (in May), we'll have a full compliment of colours there?

btw. Has anyone seen a red one in the flesh yet?

xxx

ps. looking at the photo again, I still like the look (and simplicity) of that Yamaha luggage...

Yeah, I think it is a rather 'intelligent' design. I like it, and I think it can take more abuses than expected. The aftermarket racks tend to have a bar across supporting the rearend in addition to the 'cage' design that is clearly very solid. However, the tube-shaped part on the case that is made of hard plastic and is almost the same length as the rack literally wraps around the rack, which distributes whatever pressures/tensions evenly should a fall occur. In addition, the bottom inner corner that fits snuggly to a rubber piece which is attached firmly to the frame cushions the highest tension point should a fall occur. The weakest link is the bottom outer corner. Unless it is a really spectacular fall that involves flipping and/or the bike falls from some serious height hitting some hard rocks on that weakest link, I think the stock cases would hold up, IMHO. What I am trying to say is in the world of actuarial science (more like sticking my wet thumb out testing the wind direction in my case), I reckon the stock cases will take care of 80% of the fall, while the aftermarket ones would do 85-90%. True, the aftermarket ones are actually cheaper than stocks :sad1:

Hmmmmm... perhaps there is a deal to be had in these 'economic' times? What I like most is the fact the Yamaha boxes are plastic inside - raw aluminium makes everything filthy...

I've managed to travel without resorting to panniers at all, but for 'everyday' use when I get back, I'm tempted to have a proper look at these again - or else get some Touratech Zega's powder coated... afterall, the catches are as crap as each other x

xxx

Mind you JMo, the cases have experienced literally a couple drops of water inside after a huge downpour that lasted for a few hours. The outer, black plastic pieces around the bottom of the case don't seem to seal 100%. Then again, a delicate but simple work of adding some sealant around it would solve the problem I reckon.

Hee hee - we are in danger of hijacking this thread Jo'...

Here are a few arty farty photos to get it back on track:

one of my favorites - came across this bridge in the middle of nowheresville Arizona, sums up this part of the trip perfectly:
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsacola106.jpg

In the dunes at White Sands New Mexico - a few miles north of here is where they tested the first atomic bomb...
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsacola430.jpg

I rode along this deserted beach for 15 miles on my way to Galveston Texas, on the Gulf Coast:
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsacola651.jpg

I don't like getting into cities after dark, but had to stop for this photo on the outskirts of New Orleans:
http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsacola726.jpg

xxx

Outstanding JMo. No hijjacking either. The beach, the bridge, the dune, the city, and the highway You've done us proud! :onetequila:

JMo, what are the yank's reaction to the Tenere? It's a beast they don't have over there yet?

nice JMo. Looks like an adventure of lifetime.
Keep up the fantastic pic's
:bounce016:

The mods have started!

Hand guards

http://ktim.smugmug.com/photos/484430889_MaEjc-M.jpg

Engine bars

http://ktim.smugmug.com/photos/484432251_Cnnop-M.jpg

Rox risers

http://ktim.smugmug.com/photos/484432426_iNMXc-M.jpg

SW Motech rack

http://ktim.smugmug.com/photos/484432593_H76wf-M.jpg

and LeoVinces

http://ktim.smugmug.com/photos/484431982_WTEJp-M.jpg

Just need to sort out luggage now. I have a touratech pannier rack on order which I could then use for my panniers that I already have but I am now leaning towards the Yamaha luggage.

You've got some nice, tasteful mods there! Cool! :thumbsup:

acerbis
 

Love the mods you have done, what Acerbis are they and were they easy to fit? I notice you have removed bar weights, any probs with vibes?

More questions
 

Sorry! more questions, where did you get the ROX and did you consider their anti-vibe mounting??
cheers
:icon_wink:

The hand guards are Acerbis Rally Pro. They weren't too bad to fit but I did need to drill the ends of the 'bars and modify the bar end fittings to get them to fit. I also had to move the front brake in, along the bar nad had to trip half of the ball on the end of the clutch lever off.

I haven't noticed any problems with vibes, but then having done thousands of miles on a KTM 640 I guess I don't notice that sort of thing any more!

I already had the Rox Risers in my toy box, I bought them a couple of years ago on-line direct from Rox in the USA. I didn't know about the anti-vibe mount.

Hi Tim - those Rox risers look pretty high - presumably there is no problem with the cables/hoses on full lock? or did you have to reroute them?

I certainly don't want to go that much higher, but it would be nice to know there is the option with the standard cables...

xxx

They love it... and even those people who post (on ADVrider) "it's too heavy/not got enough power" without ever seeing one, eat their words when they see it... x

There must be a (technical?) reason Yamaha don't bring in this bike, as it would clean up over here - noone would ever buy a KLR again! Hell, they'd love the XTR too if they could get it, especailly in the West - the wide open countryside is ideal for the 650cc class dirt bikes...

xxx

This black T� is my dream... :woo::woo::woo:

The question is:
Why Yamaha doens't sell this bike here?

These cases are basically ALL plastic with aluminium inserts on 3 sides and lid! I've got a set with my new Tenere .... and for the money, I'm not that impressed. I've not even used mine yet but got to take one of the cases back to the dealer because one of the plastic handles has cracked and broken where it mounts to the box with a screw (it looks almost as if the screw has been over-tightened and twisted the plastic until it broke).
All the locking and latching mechanism is plastic also so I don't think they will last long before they start wearing and/or breaking!

I would have a good hard look at them Jenny and compare them with after-market cases if possible before you spend your money.
They do look good but I personally think they have just been designed for light use and 'looking the part'!

Barry.

ps. Your pictures are great Jenny but that damn black bike keeps getting in the way, can't you tell the owner to shift it??
pps. Of course I'm only kidding ....... mine is a black one too!

Just read this by 'GasUpLetsGo' (in another thread)...........

"I put well over 8000 miles on these, fully loaded - over loaded infact according to the Yamaha blurb. Yesterday I recieved a new pair of panniers from Yamaha as one of them has developed a stress fracture in the top mounting. I'm not complaining, given the severe abuse (anyone how's traversed Romania will tell you) these boxes got in such a short time, I was actually suprised they are as tough as they are. My oppinion is , if it's enough to cause a fracture, then I'd rather it was on the pannier mount than the bike frame......."

So perhaps they are stronger than I think! :002:

Barry.

Hi Barry - don't worry, I agree with everything you're saying - and it's a shame they aren't a little more robust as the mounting system etc. is a great idea in principle... (I was aware they are essentially all plastic with an aluminium trim...) I guess like BMWs expanding cases, they are great in principle, just not so good in long term use...

I started a thread a while ago about the Caribou Cases (that use Pelicans) which I like, except you are limited to the SWMotech or Givi rack, which I don't much like... likewise the Touratech pannier frame seems to be the best, it's just their boxes have crap catches (I have their Top box on my XR luggage) and you have to line them with something to stop the contents getting grubby... also, it's a bit of a faff mounting/dismounting the Zegas in comparision...

I guess what we ideally need is something as simple as the Yamaha system, just a little more robust?

Hmmmmmmmmm...

xxx

my boxes have covered well over 8000 (mostly hard, but some very hard) miles with mine in one trip, the boxes were overloaded to the point that one devleoped a stress fracture along the mount. I would disagree with Barry, having used them for such a period I think they are like the rest of the bike (you know, it keeps getting slated for these 'gimic' plastic bits) , underestimated.

I too was concerned with them when I got them, but at the time there was no aftermarket stuff available (otherwise I might have gone down the MM or TT route) - they have proved me wrong and I think given some real use they will suprise alot more of you too.

I had a deal on the luggage but the dealer could not get them in the end, he said they had been returned to Yamaha because there was an issue with the panniers they were all faulty. Think it was something to do with hinges and locks

lads, feel free to make a comment about your luggage solutions in the dedicated thread ;)

I took the broken side case back to the dealer today and on the way back I found a little lane and took the first pictures of my new Tenere!
(Just 'phone pics so nothing special! ........ the bike is though, that's VERY special!)

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...r/4b3d1a06.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...r/e6b57edb.jpg


http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...r/9d3e104f.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...r/31c16601.jpg

Mods so far are:-
Side cases - (supplied with bike)
Bash plate - (supplied with bike)
Engine bars - (supplied with bike)
Tank pad - (supplied with bike)
Centre stand - (supplied with bike)
Yamaha Hand guards - (Ebay/ fitted by me)
Oxford Hot grips - (Ebay/ fitted by me)
SatNav mount + Hardwire - (fitted by me)
MetalMule Lowering kit - (fitted by me)
Renthal bar pad - (freebie from one of my sons' MotoCrossers)


Barry.

Beautiful bike Barry, now go and get it dirty... :drillsergeant:

Here some piccies I took today, on a short backroads ride.
Greetz, Hans.

Here is some picture of our 170 mile ride around North wales this weekend.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...8032009031.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...8032009038.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...8032009055.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...8032009089.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...8032009091.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...8032009092.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...8032009093.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...8032009089.jpg

Gary

Nice !!

Bloody hell Gary - is it still snowing in Wales?!

Don't know if I want to come home just yet then...

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...onwards197.jpg

xxx

Thats just pure evil.. :096: =)

Totally unnecessary:Christo_pull_hair:

It's not Brazil or any of the Americas, :sad1: but hey, what ya gonna do. Went out on Sunday with a plan for a ride up to Holy Island. Neck the tank, only takes a fiver from the last run, I�m impressed. Take the wee roads up to Rothbury, sun�s oot and a good view from the top looking east.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009013sm.jpg

Popular place Rothbury, loads of bikes out, put me heed doon, ride through and in a couple of miles I�m here. Cracking trail, surface is hardcore so no problems on the Ten.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009015sm.jpg

Stop at the top for a pic looking down the valley. Meet a couple of blokes on a tt600re so stop for a chat, before heading down the other side.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009016sm.jpg

Though have to stop halfway down for another pic.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009017sm.jpg

Ride on through Alnwick and Seahouses past Bamburgh, and think the destination is getting in the way of a good ride out, so stop for a tab and cuppa to sus out where next. Trouble is you can see Holy Island from where I�ve stopped, so think crack on.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009018sm.jpg

Ride over the causeway is good but the place is heaving with families on their Sunday trip out, ride to the little harbour take a few snaps, turn round and head back to England. (It�s a tiny island separated from the mainland by a causeway that gets covered by the tide)

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009019sm.jpg

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009020sm.jpg

Head for home thinking that was a waste of time, so take a detour and ride a trail I�ve never done before.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009021sm.jpg

Stop halfway to water the plants.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009022sm.jpg

I�ve never done this one before so don�t know what to expect, nee clarts, and chug along to the end.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...32009023sm.jpg

Next time no destination��

Inspiring pics Skunkmoto, so inspiring I had to do the first trip of the season. =) I haven't ridden a bike for 4 months so the abstinence became overpowering today since the sun shined. Did a quick spring Restoration and did 20-30 km today, the bigger roads were fairly ice free. Was too euforic to take any pics, but here's one I took when I came home:

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9566/firsto.jpg

(Licence plate is fake btw, just don't like flashing the number too much on the net)

Must be a pain in the a-s-s waiting for the snow to melt, there is only so much bike polishing you can do......

If they'd only put that ferry back on from the toon to bergen I'd be up round your way in a shot, so you will have to get the camera out when the snows clear.

Yes it's very very painful.. And don't worry, I'll have the cam ready. ;)

It had to happen sometime I guess...
 

20,200 odd miles and my luck ran out this afternoon... Lovely view eh? only take a closer look at that rear tyre:

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...wMexico001.jpg

I rode down the hill a little to try and break the bead, and stopped right by this handy rock, thank goodness!:

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...wMexico003.jpg

Only problem was, I just couldn't get the bloody bead broken and the tyre off the rim...

So how did I sort it? (clearly I did, as there is no internet hook up in the middle of the desert x) - you'll have to wait for TBM to find out I'm afraid...

xxx

Ahhhhh

You've taken the wheel off....... what with all them trees around, I'd have left it on the bike and used the swing arm as a pivot for that big tree....

I'm waiting then......... (for TBM) :thumbleweed:

Hi JMo, I like this, it sounds like this could be a spinoff series of the US TV series "Lost", and it could be called "Stranded". Lots of cliffhanging drama, but we all have to wait for the next episode, or buy the magazine to find out. Great pics too!