YAMAHA XTZ660 (1991 - 1999) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £130 |
| Power: | 47 bhp |
| Seat height: | Tall (33.9 in / 860 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (443 lbs / 201 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Yamaha XTZ660 (or Teneré) comes from a time when Continental cool meant enormous trail-style bikes and a far-away look in the eyes. Actually that might just have been piles, since the Yamaha XTZ660 boasts one of the most uncomfortable seats ever created outside of the Inquisitions of 15th-Century Spain. The exhaust and spokes rot and the electrics are poor.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Yamaha XTZ660's lofty perch and wide bars make for easy, confident bend swinging and superior vision of the road ahead. You’ll need it too, since the brakes are lamentable – the lack of bite exacerbated by some colossal fork dive. And by God, the Yamaha XTZ660's seat’s uncomfortable, too.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Yamaha XTZ660's SOHC single thumps away with its five-valve head, but the motor never feels like it’s comfortable much past 75mph. It doesn’t respond well to low rpm, either, but there’s decent power in the mid-range that makes blatting around town a breeze. Careful riding will easily see 55mpg from the Yamaha XTZ660 and push the range to almost 200 miles.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValuePresumably because it’s so unstressed the Yamaha XTZ660's motor is very reliable, which is more than can be said for the electrics, the head bearings (the oil-in-the-frame design heats up the grease, leaving the bearings to fend for themselves). The Yamaha XTZ660's downpipe rots and the finish goes off over a winter.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe Yamaha XTZ660 is miles cheaper than a BMW and its bigger Yamaha brother the 750cc Super Teneré, but nowhere near as good. Buy a Honda Dominator and be happy. Find a Yamaha XTZ660 for sale
Equipment
The Yamaha XTZ660 definitely looks the part – a big tank, chunky protection and big dual headlights. The lights, though, are truly feeble. Even with aftermarket high-power bulbs the Yamaha XTZ660's lights offer little more than raw carrots in terms of added night vision.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 659cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 5v single, 5 gears |
| Frame type | Tubular steel cradle |
| Fuel capacity | 20 litres |
| Seat height | 860mm |
| Bike weight | 201kg |
| Front suspension | None |
| Rear suspension | Preload |
| Front brake | Single 282mm disc |
| Rear brake | 220mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 90/90 x 21 |
| Rear tyre size | 120/90 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 45 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £96 |
| Annual service cost | £130 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group |
9 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 47 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 42 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 93 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 17.2 secs |
| Tank range | 185 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
1991: Yamaha XTZ660 introduced – early models have a square, single headlight.
1994: Twin headlights introduced on Yamaha XTZ660.
1999: Yamaha XTZ660 deleted.
Other versions
None
MCN Long term test reports
The 2008 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere revealed
Yamaha’s iconic660 Tenere Paris-Daker replica motorcycle is making a return for 2008 with an all-new design. The 2008 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere uses the 660cc liquid-cooled single from the Yamaha XT660X in a brand new steel cradle frame, which is equipped with long-travel right-way up front forks and a s…
Owners' reviews for the YAMAHA XTZ660 (1991 - 1999)
4 owners have reviewed their YAMAHA XTZ660 (1991 - 1999) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your YAMAHA XTZ660 (1991 - 1999)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £130 |
Version: 3yf
Year: 1999
Twin headlights, riding position and the sound and feel of that thumper engine
Standard seat you’ll manage 2 hours riding, pillion less! Ride is great though position and feel of the bike on the winding roads.
Reliable strong thump.
Poor electrics. Can’t moan about corrosion on a 21 year old bike! I’m told Bull riders practice on this bike For how hard the seat is and soft suspension.
Oil and filters cheap. DIY. At some point you’ll have to get electrics sorted and replace exhaust system every 15-20 years (aftermarket). Great on fuel
Headlights look great. And the horn works. Brakes take the edge off your speed, but good pair of boots are more effective
Year: 1999
Annual servicing cost: £250
It's the least used bike in the garage, other two are much more versatile.
The bike is wonderful on our current pothole-ridden roads, but it doesn't want to go over 70 easily due to its gearing, nor it wants to go very slow due to big thumper engine. The breaks work and stop the bike. The seat is as uncomfortable as they come, and literally painful after two hours.
It works, no complaints, no issues, no problems. Every day chugs along unstressed as long as you're doing 55-60. It can go around the world in dirt roads at this speed just fine.
Every time I think of selling it, something goes wrong with it. It's had a dangerous MOT fault every single year - I get it fixed, something else breaks. Not that I ride it a lot, but for a 21y old bike it shows its age. Engine is solid though, one part that doesn't fail. Extremely frugal when it comes to fuelling costs, does 65+mpg easily at all times and this is a carburated bike.
There ain't any to talk about. It's got mirrors, does that count?!
Year: 1998
Annual servicing cost: £100
I love this bike, I put on a sheep skin cover on the seat and it is comfortable now. I also put in led lights and they are bright as day. It can go anywhere on or off road. It has a lot of torque to climb hills. I will never sell it.
Year: 1999
Annual servicing cost: £30
Great looking bike
Upgraded with my Mountain Bikes Brakes! Seat is hard. Handles well
Thumps for ever
Electrics are poor
Cheap to service, but plug access is a joke
Electrics are poor. Twin headlamps look amazing to be fair
Buying experience: Stratford Motorcycles. Or CROOKS if you like
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Side view
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Instruments
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Riding
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Brakes
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Brakes
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Riding
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Riding
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Rear view
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Front view
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Side view
Yamaha XTZ660 motorcycle review - Instruments
