First ride: Yamaha Tenere pre launch report

Deputy Editor, Ped Baker is in Morocco to test Yamaha’s new XT660Z Tenere and he’s sent his first report back ahead of riding the motorcycle over the coming few days.

The Tenere is the third bike in the XT660 range and is specifically designed with adventure touring in mind, featuring a completely new tubular steel frame with a stronger rear sub frame to cope with both passenger and luggage.

• Click here to see our video fo the Tenere at the NEC

Other changes over the XT660R and X versions are a new exhaust and air box which are designed to be quickly changed on the trail.

The Yamaha designers claim they have spent time to reduce vibrations that were a particular problem on the X and R models.

We’ll be testing the Tenere over the next couple of days in the Moroccan deserts to see how it copes both on and off road.