And now Itchy Boots is keeping the spirit of XT 600 Tenere (1987) alive with her blue one called Frankie in her latest season 8, currently riding around Turkey.
And Tenere is the place that inspired Thierry Sabine to create the Paris-Dakar rally race when he got lost there in the 70's. Not to mention the many victories of Monsieur Dakar with his super Tenere. "Tenere" will never be forgotten.
The XT 600, no matter what type, was probably the most capable adventure bike of all time. I raced one WAY past it's expiry date....as in, a decade plus past. My last race on one was the when I raced the 1988 model in the 2000 Finke desert race. I certainly didn't win, but I finished well. If I recall the year model correctly, the 1993 model was a dream to ride in difficult terrain. It just had so much poise and capability. Sure footed, somewhat nimble....It didn't win in the weight department, for sure, but was able to carry all of it's heft extremely well. I miss mine, as i'm sure many do.
You deserve 10 times the subscribers you currently have. I’m 65 and have been riding for over 50 years now and always enjoy your videos. Keep up the hard work. Please
...facts...lol Tenere was the street Version, though 1983-1985 were kind of Rally-Replicas the Race Bikes were based on TT600. 1986-1991 has nothing to do with racing, these are lightweight Touring Bikes that can do anything, except going fast. With the small tank XT 600 is a serious Off-Road-Bike. However, it was a french idea executed by the Japanese and these are still lovely bikes, youtuber "itchy boots" just got 1987 for her Adventures.
I had a 1988 model fitted with a kickstarter as well as electric starter. Drove that back for many miles here in South Africa. Was one of my saddest days when I had to sell the bike. Still miss the old Moose.
I like old school bikes and was looking for a big single, possibly a DR650 as I have a 350. However the opportunity arose when a riding friend told me about his TTR600 (now a 620cc ) was for sale which he had built for himself for long trips in North Africa. I decided to go with the Italian built Yamaha It has electric and kick start, simplified electrical system, Ohlins shock, alloy swinging arm, lightweight wheels, Paoli forks, Brembo brakes and a Acerbis 20L tank. It rides very well and can handle tight trails and fast pistes. It was built by Kev Thomas at Woodcutterbikes in the UK. Kev is one of the UKs Yamaha specialists in the XT/TTR platforms and modifies and sells bikes to match his customers needs.
Great video even compared to your usual standard, I love the mix of new and old footage. My XTZ 690 is my first motorbike and I've already crossed most of Europe on it so it's nice to now understand the history behind the Tenere.
Another great vid. Thanks. Wasn't the Honda XLM (XL600 LM) just as good, if not better? The Ténéré name is more evocative, but the Honda engine was more reliable and more refined, and went on for years with only a minimal changes. I have a 1988 Honda Dominator as backup because my main bike is a KTM 😊
@johnheckscher7138 At the moment, the Dominator has been 100% reliable during 45k km since 1988... but the KTM has an equally impressive record over two years and similar mileage. The Dommie is rarely ridden these days, so I suppose we'll never know which is the most reliable 😊
I really enjoy your channel! The motorcycle history is badass! Have you ever checked out the DR big? Suzuki's answer to the Dakar race! They almost won it I think, and they had the legend, Gaston Rahier. It would be neat to see what you could talk about with that bike
@ Heck yeah. Looking forward to it. I think most people don’t know about the dr big. Biggest thumper ever I believe. All of the bikes from that time are iconic IMO.
I almost bought the "normal" model of the 600 tenere, the XT600E, 2001 model last year. I ended up backing down as the dealer that had it didn't let me see the bike because they were "changing the oil" - I waited for a week, still changing the oil. Ended up going for an 1989 CB450 DX. It was a good decision at the end of the day, Honda parts are much cheaper and easier to find where I live (even for 35yo bikes). I still want a XT600E though. Someday.
@criticalmass181 I'm going for a modern fuel injected XR300 Tornado (air cooled, very CRF-like) for next bike, need something reliable and capable, but maybe down the line... I rode a XT660 a few weeks ago and didn't really feel anything about the bike so that was a disappointment, but also good I guess because that bike is also unbelievably expensive around here. But I won't lie, if one of the old XTs appear with the old graphics at a good price... Maybe. Can't justify having more than two bikes just yet (even more so two trail ones).
@@LoneWanderer905 Great choice. Although big bikes are all the rage, they're becoming ridiculous. My 500 is pretty much as big as I reckon anyone would need.
Great work. Now you have to do the Dr650. Current model was released in 96. I rode my 96 bike 20 thousand km around Australia by dirt last year with two others. The perfect remote texpedition bike with real world qualities that dont exist in bikes anymore. I don't think many other 28 year old bikes would have done the job as well.
And yet, they didn't think anyone in the US would want them. 30 years later, the Tenere 700 is one of the best selling motorcycles in America, with it's highest marketshare being dominated by US sales. Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki really missed the ball and missed out on decades of revenue by not offering these dakar version bikes in the US.
Thanks for this video. When a next review of the also legendary Yamaha Super Ténéré XTZ750 2 cylinder, ? Stephan Peterhansel drove them and won Paris Dakar many time's. It's from this engine that the T700 is born.
This would be my dream bike. Yamaha 550-650 single with the modern convenience of FI and a low slung tank off an 890. I'm sure the usual comments section readers are tired of me saying that. Do you have a Ko-fi link?
Nice video! However, I am unsure if Yamaha actually built the Ténéré to win the Paris-Dakar. At that time, ordinary production machines were used, which were modified to the best of their abilities. I think the Ténéré was probably developed to be an ordinary off-roader, and not a production racer for desert racing. But please let me know if you have information that the opposite is the case.
BMW made a F650GS Dakar model, but it wasn't like the 700cc race bike. Racing still sells bikes. From my memory, people who are used to Japanese controls would rather keep with a Japanese motorcycle for dual sport or adventure. The price of a twin at that time may have been higher and yet a more agricultural feeling gearbox.
The Tenere has been the motorcycle everyone turned to for adventure. It will continue to be alot of people's choice where adventure riding is concerned. I think Yamaha has missed some opportunities to really continue innovating on the platform. I think Yamaha is not alone I think most manufacturers have ignored most of the people and that is what is allowing the Chinese manufacturers to get an edge in the market. That's just my .02 cents.
I had a 550 and a 600 at the same time and they were chalk and cheese. The only common thing was the engine and even they were very different. More power and better economy, smoother too. Alas i needed money and the 550 was worth little so the 600 was sold and i rode the 550 to death over many years.
Yamaha killed it in 1986 with the new model, plagued with overheating problems and engine failures. All confidence in it as a world-travelling bike was lost.
hey ,love your videos❤ can you make a video about the yamaha tricker and why it failed?? it was pickedup from china originally a shineray tricker and is currently used by crossfire in nepal as the crossfire tracker 250
Great video as always. It feels terrible saying this but because Dakar doesn’t mean much to the American audience it’s always been less of a focus for most brands. KTM dominated everything the American Audience and Brands were not for a long time for this reason.
I'm no expert on this topic, and this was a great video, but I got to put it out there: at 30 seconds into the video you claimed that the 1984 Tenere what's the grandfather of adventure and rally bikes. Doesn't that accolade go to the 1980 BMW R80 GS? Somebody help me out here because I was well aware of that bike in 1980 as I started riding street bikes in the mid '70s.
I saw a table once, that the 600 tenere won 2 dakars. First place not once but twice. How is it not in this video? Or was that table crap? I have a 94'tenere bdw, and that was my dream motorcycle for so long, becuse of its legendary status, simpleness, and looks. In a way it was outgunned as twins entered dakar, but even today the xt platform is one of the most popular enduros, and I dont think it is by mistake.
This was interesting for me as in 2009 I went to the Sahara on a Yamaha XT600 which is essentially the same bike except for the large tank. A 13 episodes TV series was produced about that adventure and one of the episodes has been translated to English: ruclips.net/video/aKDJBw33T0k/видео.html It's a professional quality video but unfortunately the picture resolution is SD as the production budget was very limited. I hope this will be interesting to some.
Slightly off subject, I think the new tenere should be more like the transalp, more forgiven, lighter, lower center of gravity, and not as tall, with cruise control.
Unlike the KLR, being able to actually off-road? Out of the entire video, this was the one false statement. There are thousands upon thousands of accounts where the KLR has successfully trekked offroad more so than almost any other bike. Lol
And now Itchy Boots is keeping the spirit of XT 600 Tenere (1987) alive with her blue one called Frankie in her latest season 8, currently riding around Turkey.
The quality of your videos is definitely not well matched with the number of subscribers. I sincerely hope this will change, you deserve it, totally.
his videos were already always good, but keep getting better and better
Thanks guys! Appreciate it!
And Tenere is the place that inspired Thierry Sabine to create the Paris-Dakar rally race when he got lost there in the 70's.
Not to mention the many victories of Monsieur Dakar with his super Tenere.
"Tenere" will never be forgotten.
I never knew the Tenere desert was the place where Thierry got the idea from ... super cool!
The XT 600, no matter what type, was probably the most capable adventure bike of all time. I raced one WAY past it's expiry date....as in, a decade plus past. My last race on one was the when I raced the 1988 model in the 2000 Finke desert race. I certainly didn't win, but I finished well. If I recall the year model correctly, the 1993 model was a dream to ride in difficult terrain. It just had so much poise and capability. Sure footed, somewhat nimble....It didn't win in the weight department, for sure, but was able to carry all of it's heft extremely well. I miss mine, as i'm sure many do.
You deserve 10 times the subscribers you currently have. I’m 65 and have been riding for over 50 years now and always enjoy your videos. Keep up the hard work. Please
Thank you for showing the bike I love and own, great retrospective and all the facts correct and to the point.
...facts...lol
Tenere was the street Version, though 1983-1985 were kind of Rally-Replicas the Race Bikes were based on TT600.
1986-1991 has nothing to do with racing, these are lightweight Touring Bikes that can do anything, except going fast.
With the small tank XT 600 is a serious Off-Road-Bike.
However, it was a french idea executed by the Japanese and these are still lovely bikes, youtuber "itchy boots" just got 1987 for her Adventures.
One of the, if not the, best channels on Dakar related bike stuff! Absolutely love it, and have been, for quite some time now.
rode this bike 25 000 miles through Africa in`89
Nice 👌
I had a 1988 model fitted with a kickstarter as well as electric starter. Drove that back for many miles here in South Africa. Was one of my saddest days when I had to sell the bike. Still miss the old Moose.
I like old school bikes and was looking for a big single, possibly a DR650 as I have a 350.
However the opportunity arose when a riding friend told me about his TTR600 (now a 620cc ) was for sale which he had built for himself for long trips in North Africa.
I decided to go with the Italian built Yamaha
It has electric and kick start, simplified electrical system, Ohlins shock, alloy swinging arm, lightweight wheels, Paoli forks, Brembo brakes and a Acerbis 20L tank.
It rides very well and can handle tight trails and fast pistes.
It was built by Kev Thomas at
Woodcutterbikes in the UK.
Kev is one of the UKs Yamaha specialists in the XT/TTR platforms and modifies and sells bikes to match his customers needs.
The later model, from 1990s, is still one of my dream bikes.
Your videos are awesome
Great video even compared to your usual standard, I love the mix of new and old footage. My XTZ 690 is my first motorbike and I've already crossed most of Europe on it so it's nice to now understand the history behind the Tenere.
That was great mate. My 600 was Tenere, an XT, the TT electric start, which was a great relief. Thanks for the memories.
I love love love this channel. The best escape from all the “journalists” just reading the spec sheets and calling it reviews
No one really wants a race bike. Everyone wants one that's fun.
So many new video's in such a short time❤
Love dual sport riding. Classic tenere is on my list of must buy before I die
Another great vid. Please keep them coming.
Love your work Krank! Keep it up!
Another amazing video. Thanks Krankit
Legend has it, if you're early enough, homeboy will review an RnineT Urban G/S
Maybe one day if I get the opportunity ...
Another great vid. Thanks.
Wasn't the Honda XLM (XL600 LM) just as good, if not better? The Ténéré name is more evocative, but the Honda engine was more reliable and more refined, and went on for years with only a minimal changes. I have a 1988 Honda Dominator as backup because my main bike is a KTM 😊
The Dominator is probably more reliable than the KTM
@johnheckscher7138 At the moment, the Dominator has been 100% reliable during 45k km since 1988... but the KTM has an equally impressive record over two years and similar mileage. The Dommie is rarely ridden these days, so I suppose we'll never know which is the most reliable 😊
@@RedRupert64 I have an XR600R with 50,000 kilometres that I owned since 1996, always been reliable
@@johnheckscher7138 Those 600 and 650 motors (and the bikes) are Honda at their best.
@@RedRupert64 yep, air cooled single cylinder with carburettor and kick start
I really enjoy your channel! The motorcycle history is badass! Have you ever checked out the DR big? Suzuki's answer to the Dakar race! They almost won it I think, and they had the legend, Gaston Rahier. It would be neat to see what you could talk about with that bike
I do have that on a list of possible ideas
@ Heck yeah. Looking forward to it. I think most people don’t know about the dr big. Biggest thumper ever I believe. All of the bikes from that time are iconic IMO.
And look the new tenere, there is a lot of them now
I almost bought the "normal" model of the 600 tenere, the XT600E, 2001 model last year. I ended up backing down as the dealer that had it didn't let me see the bike because they were "changing the oil" - I waited for a week, still changing the oil. Ended up going for an 1989 CB450 DX. It was a good decision at the end of the day, Honda parts are much cheaper and easier to find where I live (even for 35yo bikes). I still want a XT600E though. Someday.
Get one..... You will not be disappointed. Excellent machine in the right hands....
@criticalmass181 I'm going for a modern fuel injected XR300 Tornado (air cooled, very CRF-like) for next bike, need something reliable and capable, but maybe down the line...
I rode a XT660 a few weeks ago and didn't really feel anything about the bike so that was a disappointment, but also good I guess because that bike is also unbelievably expensive around here.
But I won't lie, if one of the old XTs appear with the old graphics at a good price... Maybe. Can't justify having more than two bikes just yet (even more so two trail ones).
@@LoneWanderer905 Great choice. Although big bikes are all the rage, they're becoming ridiculous. My 500 is pretty much as big as I reckon anyone would need.
You have outstanding videos and gained a new sub!
I love and adore my 3aj, thank you for the video
I think the closer it got to win the Dakar was with Franco Picco.
Cool video, thanks and nicely described, Make more of old bikes please 😎
I wish they would make dual sport adventure motorcycles that looked like 1980’s Dakar racers. Of course, the Japanese never listen to demand.
Great work. Now you have to do the Dr650. Current model was released in 96. I rode my 96 bike 20 thousand km around Australia by dirt last year with two others. The perfect remote texpedition bike with real world qualities that dont exist in bikes anymore. I don't think many other 28 year old bikes would have done the job as well.
Suzuki’s time will come at some point on this channel :))
The Honda xr, and Klr both do it just as well, if not better in certain cases. Each has their strengths. All the 650 thumpers are awesome
And yet, they didn't think anyone in the US would want them. 30 years later, the Tenere 700 is one of the best selling motorcycles in America, with it's highest marketshare being dominated by US sales. Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki really missed the ball and missed out on decades of revenue by not offering these dakar version bikes in the US.
Thanks for this video. When a next review of the also legendary Yamaha Super Ténéré XTZ750 2 cylinder, ? Stephan Peterhansel drove them and won Paris Dakar many time's. It's from this engine that the T700 is born.
I have the same model as in the video (but in blue/yellow), the 3AJ. Heavily modified, unfortunately only collects dust in the garage.
A video about the dakar marathon class may be interesting.
This would be my dream bike. Yamaha 550-650 single with the modern convenience of FI and a low slung tank off an 890. I'm sure the usual comments section readers are tired of me saying that. Do you have a Ko-fi link?
Nice video! However, I am unsure if Yamaha actually built the Ténéré to win the Paris-Dakar. At that time, ordinary production machines were used, which were modified to the best of their abilities. I think the Ténéré was probably developed to be an ordinary off-roader, and not a production racer for desert racing. But please let me know if you have information that the opposite is the case.
BMW made a F650GS Dakar model, but it wasn't like the 700cc race bike. Racing still sells bikes. From my memory, people who are used to Japanese controls would rather keep with a Japanese motorcycle for dual sport or adventure. The price of a twin at that time may have been higher and yet a more agricultural feeling gearbox.
I bought Xt600e just so i can go anywhere. I love the bike so much i will buy another one
The Tenere has been the motorcycle everyone turned to for adventure. It will continue to be alot of people's choice where adventure riding is concerned. I think Yamaha has missed some opportunities to really continue innovating on the platform. I think Yamaha is not alone I think most manufacturers have ignored most of the people and that is what is allowing the Chinese manufacturers to get an edge in the market. That's just my .02 cents.
The first one was more like a TT600 than an XT600
I had a 550 and a 600 at the same time and they were chalk and cheese. The only common thing was the engine and even they were very different. More power and better economy, smoother too. Alas i needed money and the 550 was worth little so the 600 was sold and i rode the 550 to death over many years.
In an event like the Dakar, anybody / bike that finishes a winner, yet you describe them as failures for being in 2nd, 3rd and 4th 😂😂😂😂
i have 2 these bikes ... love them :)) only disadvantage ... it burns fuel like hell :D:D when u having fun :)
Yamaha killed it in 1986 with the new model, plagued with overheating problems and engine failures. All confidence in it as a world-travelling bike was lost.
hey ,love your videos❤
can you make a video about the yamaha tricker and why it failed?? it was pickedup from china originally a shineray tricker and is currently used by crossfire in nepal as the crossfire tracker 250
Might check it out one day
Ktm 640/620 adv would be a interesting watch 🤞
Never say never
Great video as always. It feels terrible saying this but because Dakar doesn’t mean much to the American audience it’s always been less of a focus for most brands. KTM dominated everything the American Audience and Brands were not for a long time for this reason.
Good Video & Tribute To A Great Bike. Thank You. (Like #64 - Comment #12)
Do about xt660R
Salutari, in ce zona ai testat motoreta...? Multumesc anticipat
Salut! Brașov / zonele alea
The RUclipsr Krankit commented on another channel in the comments, used the word "sure" and I had it in my ear. Just like at 1:33 of this video, haha
Make a video on Africa twin too
I'm no expert on this topic, and this was a great video, but I got to put it out there: at 30 seconds into the video you claimed that the 1984 Tenere what's the grandfather of adventure and rally bikes. Doesn't that accolade go to the 1980 BMW R80 GS? Somebody help me out here because I was well aware of that bike in 1980 as I started riding street bikes in the mid '70s.
What should I get for my first bike as a large guy? A Tenere or a Transalp?
(for aprox. 2500€)
The “grandfather” of all rally & adventure bikes is the BMW R80GS PD
Hubert Auriol won the Paris-Dakar in 1981 and 1983 on a BMW R80G/S 👍
Cyril Neveu won the Paris-Dakar in 1979 and 1980 on a Yamaha XT 500. It must be the great grandfather 😄
No one remembers the runner-up?
Ask the Turkish hitman 😂😂
And transalp with better suspension for off road abilities, lighter weight and cruise control would be the perfect tenere
I saw a table once, that the 600 tenere won 2 dakars. First place not once but twice. How is it not in this video? Or was that table crap?
I have a 94'tenere bdw, and that was my dream motorcycle for so long, becuse of its legendary status, simpleness, and looks. In a way it was outgunned as twins entered dakar, but even today the xt platform is one of the most popular enduros, and I dont think it is by mistake.
Not from what I can see. Yamaha won the first two editions, and their next win was already on twins ...
@@KRANKiT my bad it was the 750-850 model
This was interesting for me as in 2009 I went to the Sahara on a Yamaha XT600 which is essentially the same bike except for the large tank. A 13 episodes TV series was produced about that adventure and one of the episodes has been translated to English: ruclips.net/video/aKDJBw33T0k/видео.html It's a professional quality video but unfortunately the picture resolution is SD as the production budget was very limited. I hope this will be interesting to some.
Twins Rule, 1970 Honda 350 SL Motosport 😂😢
I personally think the TT600R Belgarda was a MUCH better bike that was about 10 years too late.
Definitely underpowered for 98.
Slightly off subject, I think the new tenere should be more like the transalp, more forgiven, lighter, lower center of gravity, and not as tall, with cruise control.
Bro please please please please please please please make a video on road legal 450cc drit bike
BALDING
Hey there early birds!
Unlike the KLR, being able to actually off-road? Out of the entire video, this was the one false statement. There are thousands upon thousands of accounts where the KLR has successfully trekked offroad more so than almost any other bike. Lol
Eu tive uma dessas.... muito pesada e difícil de controlar. A bmw é muito mais fácil de pilotar.