I have recently got an ol twin light xtz 660 and love its thumper nature. Gets me wondering how much appart the new and old teneres are. Seem to have about the same power. Wondered if any one on here has had both so could give a good judgement on it

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I've had both. I only did about 45,000km on the '96 model, but I can honestly say it withstood the worst thrashing, cold weather, boiling hot weather, dirt roads and pouring rain without anything at all going wrong. The shock was adequate, had adjustable rebound damping and didn't sack out; same for the non-adjustable forks. Utterly dependable, except for the time the chain broke at 130km/h and trashed the chainguard and carrier and nearly did for the engine (hardly the bike's fault, methinks). The finish was better too.

Unlike my 2010 model, the engine stayed quiet, nothing was fragile or fell off except the fairing was a bit weak. But it was a very ordinary handler off-road. I feel that my current bike is far better off-road (especially with lots of loot spent on suspension and more to come), and it's definitely got more stick out of the box. It took a great deal of time and effort (exhaust, jetting, airbox mods) to get the old one up to 160km/h. I think the current model has as much go as my modified '96, has much better brakes, can go further on a tank of fuel on average (also has 3L more fuel) but is anecdotally prone to more failures than the old model. Both bikes have dismal high beams considering their design brief.

I bought my 2010 bike partly because of the '96 one. Overall, the new bike is a better design imo; I just wish it had been made in Japan like the old jigger.

I once had a �97 XTZ660 5-valve(like in the piccie), but my '08 XT660Z feels way more stronger, although it also has around 48hp. And my '08 is more smooth and less vibes. So I think the new XT660Z is a better motorsickle, imho.
Greetz, Hans.

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I had an 86 Tenere - the infamous 1VJ - Loved it enormously, but stolen. That bike was the reason I am getting the new Tenere. Been sitting on the decision for a while, but now bitten bullet.

The new Tenere is a completely different bike, but I wouldnt sell an old Tenere to buy the new one, it really isnt �4000 better.
But that said, its considerably more reliable (big picture, Yes, there were one or two teething issues) but it will cost less in maintaining, short and long term.

The XTZ 660Z Tenere is heavier, considerably higher, faster, and considerably smoother. Its also less comfortable with its dual seat. Definitely better on the motorway than my old bike, especially with the high guard. Its also much better at very low speed 1st gear slipping the clutch (dunno why but its so well balanced).

The new Tenere's water cooled not air cooled, there's pro's and cons, ultimately the engine should suffer less through consistent temperature. But water cooling weighs more and its just another thing that can go wrong.

The Old Tenere bench seat was an absolute delight, wide and long, whereas the new seat encourages you to remain in one position. After about 60 miles I do want to start wiggling around and the new bike doesnt make it easy.

The new Tenere is simply a better all around bike, But theres something about the Old Tenere that is and always will be amazing, I think that this is what you are referring to in the description of it being a thumper, this has been filtered down from the original XT600 kick start only with the 30l tank. I'm not sure that the "Thumper" characteristic has fully carried across to the water cooled engines.

I actually own both, the 1VJ 600 and an 08 Ten. I would agree that I would not sell the 1VJ for any reason. But lets get one thing clear. The 1VJ was extremely unreliable and died from overheating on a massive scale. That happens when designers care more about looks than they should do. Relatively easy fixes which Yamaha incorporated in the 3AJ. And carried on into the old 660Z's.
My Ten is fitted with a Kev O2 Eliminator and it has turned it into a delightfully smooth ride. Still no patch on the old Ten's carbed engine. Especially at low speeds where you don't need the clutch, the thing doesn't stall. When i rode an old 660XTZ she felt just the same. Smooth.
Weightwise the two are not that far appart. Although the old girl is far easier to handle.
Seat hight is about the same. Both need tiptoes. The old 660XTZ is better but not really for off road anymore. The 600's soft long travel suspension needs firming but then its great. Try it off road!!
Who needs watercooling if the engine doesn't overheat? With a few simple mods i admit. But modern regulations demand it.
The seat is a certain step back. Not that the seat on the old Tens was all that great.
On the whole the new Ten is a very different bike to the previous 600 and 660Tens. Modern. With all the gimmicks and comforts you expect nowadays (except the seat maybe)
The old bikes are for real men who need to fiddle with chokes to start a cold engine, who ignore the e-starter to show off how strong their right leg really is, who need to pull the brake levers all the way to the handlebar and still not blocking the wheel just to avoid crashing into the back of the car in front, who need to keep the revs over 4500 to keep moving with the modern traffic, who don't need a power outlet as it will drain the battery faster than it can recharge it. There is a word for that: Nostalgia
I really love the old Ten to bits as it has real character but in the modern world the new Ten rules. Still I will probably sell her next spring and will be sad to see her go, but go she will.
By the way, the 1VJ was rather expensive when new in 86, so much so I could not affort one at the time. I had a 550 instead. Her engine was so eager to rev and sooo smooth. In many ways the XT engines that followed were a step back.
A bit of my experience only. I have owned or ridden them all.

Rob

I had a 93. It had 40,000 miles on it when I sold it and I never had a problem with it in the 20,000 miles that I owned it. It was so long ago that I can't really make much comparison but I do know that the new one's taller (or I've shrunk a lot in 10 years). I reckon the seat was more comfortable too as I had to make a regular 300 mile return trip on mainly motorways and I can't remember moaning about the seat.

I had a new XT600E years back and it was brill. Electric start was a boost. Best of all was self coloured plastics aka motocross bikes so was cheap to replace.

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You are right about that seat. I found it much an improvement to the 600 Ten I had and the recent one is a step back. One of the main things on a travel bike shouldsurely be the seat?! But then not everybody finds it uncomfortable.
Anyway, 8 more sleeps before i go on a 3.5K trip on that terribly uncomfortable seat on the Ten.

Rob

+1. I agree about the seat. Sat on my 96 model for hours at a time and remember the seat being pretty good. At least you could move about on it. Must get my seat fixed.

Yup got to be honest the old style seat on my xtz is fabulous. Not so sure of the new models sculptured one

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