How to make a lighter Tenere 700

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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by johnnyboxer »

catcitrus wrote:My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?
Barely punts out 40-45hp though and suspension/brakes are in the 1970’s
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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by catcitrus »

johnnyboxer wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:01 pm
catcitrus wrote:My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?
Barely punts out 40-45hp though and suspension/brakes are in the 1970’s
Ohlins rear with remote reservoir. Racetech fork internals with Harrison 6 pot calliper , floating disc, full electronic ignition and Scriminger pulse jet plugs, Carbon rear can(saves a lot of weight), rebuilt carbs etc--but its soooo smooth and produces torque from nothing--absolute power is not everything, and nice low seat with most of the weight low down--its done the MCC Exeter trial. What it doesn't have is a load of electrickery and it will shortly get a single seat with extra rack. It can actually carry decent panniers as well that don't stick out much, and it has a kick start if really needed. they are still very sought after for good reason and the prices reflect this. All credit to BMW in keeping lots of parts still available along with specialist firms.
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How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by johnnyboxer »

catcitrus wrote:
johnnyboxer wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:01 pm
catcitrus wrote:My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?
Barely punts out 40-45hp though and suspension/brakes are in the 1970’s
Ohlins rear with remote reservoir. Racetech fork internals with Harrison 6 pot calliper , floating disc, full electronic ignition and Scriminger pulse jet plugs, Carbon rear can(saves a lot of weight), rebuilt carbs etc--but its soooo smooth and produces torque from nothing--absolute power is not everything, and nice low seat with most of the weight low down--its done the MCC Exeter trial. What it doesn't have is a load of electrickery and it will shortly get a single seat with extra rack. It can actually carry decent panniers as well that don't stick out much, and it has a kick start if really needed. they are still very sought after for good reason and the prices reflect this. All credit to BMW in keeping lots of parts still available along with specialist firms.
You didn’t say it was tricked up….
I had a similar 80 G/S with WR450F forks/front brakes and wheel and Ohlins rear race reservoir shock and a 1000cc Siebenrock kit, QTech KTM rear end and all professionally built in Belgium
Lovely bike - but my Tenere 700 is twice the bike on and off-road that it was
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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by bond_yzf »

catcitrus wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:12 am
johnnyboxer wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:01 pm
catcitrus wrote:My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?
Barely punts out 40-45hp though and suspension/brakes are in the 1970’s
Ohlins rear with remote reservoir. Racetech fork internals with Harrison 6 pot calliper , floating disc, full electronic ignition and Scriminger pulse jet plugs, Carbon rear can(saves a lot of weight), rebuilt carbs etc--but its soooo smooth and produces torque from nothing--absolute power is not everything, and nice low seat with most of the weight low down--its done the MCC Exeter trial. What it doesn't have is a load of electrickery and it will shortly get a single seat with extra rack. It can actually carry decent panniers as well that don't stick out much, and it has a kick start if really needed. they are still very sought after for good reason and the prices reflect this. All credit to BMW in keeping lots of parts still available along with specialist firms.
Regardless of how much you've spent it still won't be anywhere near the capability of a t7
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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by phil_h »

When I had a 701 I rode with loads of blokes with T7s - they're very popular here in Wales - so I had a couple of back-2-back rides on trails I know. I've ridden a T7 with the Jones' so I knew what they were like - but a back-2-back was cool. Same power, similar delivery but 50kg difference. I was always happy to be back on my 701.
I have an 890 now, same weight as the T7 but placed much lower, and it feels much lighter (until you have to pick it up ;) . 50% more power and an even creamier pickup make it a better road bike _and_ a better big trail bike in my opinion.
2021 890 Adventure R
1982 R80 G/S with Siebenrock
2020 500 Excf Rally Bike
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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by Scott_rider »

I also think the ability to ride a 'heavy' bike fast off-road (or maybe any weight bike) has a lot to do with the physicality of the rider. There is a video on Youtube of David Knight riding a KTM450 up a steep slope and then pirouetting on it at the top as if he was riding a feather weight kids trials bike not a 120+kg enduro bike.
Suzuki GSX-S1000F...the KTM 450 EXC-R has gone
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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by catcitrus »

bond_yzf wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:20 pm
catcitrus wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:12 am
johnnyboxer wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:01 pm
catcitrus wrote:My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?
Barely punts out 40-45hp though and suspension/brakes are in the 1970’s
Ohlins rear with remote reservoir. Racetech fork internals with Harrison 6 pot calliper , floating disc, full electronic ignition and Scriminger pulse jet plugs, Carbon rear can(saves a lot of weight), rebuilt carbs etc--but its soooo smooth and produces torque from nothing--absolute power is not everything, and nice low seat with most of the weight low down--its done the MCC Exeter trial. What it doesn't have is a load of electrickery and it will shortly get a single seat with extra rack. It can actually carry decent panniers as well that don't stick out much, and it has a kick start if really needed. they are still very sought after for good reason and the prices reflect this. All credit to BMW in keeping lots of parts still available along with specialist firms.
Regardless of how much you've spent it still won't be anywhere near the capability of a t7
I've no doubt that a Pol T will make the most of a T7--but they are tall and basically heavy----and for mere mortals the 40 year old BM will still be easier to foot up a muddy track and also easier to pick up if it goes over--my point is simply that "progress" has not been that great--I know of at least two people that have traded their T7s in for something lighter like the 690/701. I know which bike I would trust for a long trail/road trip. Lets face it the T7 (and the R80) are not designed for enduro type offroad use--especially in the hands of the average rider.
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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by johnnyboxer »

bond_yzf wrote:
catcitrus wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:12 am
johnnyboxer wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:01 pm
catcitrus wrote:My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?
Barely punts out 40-45hp though and suspension/brakes are in the 1970’s
Ohlins rear with remote reservoir. Racetech fork internals with Harrison 6 pot calliper , floating disc, full electronic ignition and Scriminger pulse jet plugs, Carbon rear can(saves a lot of weight), rebuilt carbs etc--but its soooo smooth and produces torque from nothing--absolute power is not everything, and nice low seat with most of the weight low down--its done the MCC Exeter trial. What it doesn't have is a load of electrickery and it will shortly get a single seat with extra rack. It can actually carry decent panniers as well that don't stick out much, and it has a kick start if really needed. they are still very sought after for good reason and the prices reflect this. All credit to BMW in keeping lots of parts still available along with specialist firms.
Regardless of how much you've spent it still won't be anywhere near the capability of a t7
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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by bond_yzf »

catcitrus wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:48 pm
bond_yzf wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:20 pm
catcitrus wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:12 am
johnnyboxer wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:01 pm
catcitrus wrote:My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?
Barely punts out 40-45hp though and suspension/brakes are in the 1970’s
Ohlins rear with remote reservoir. Racetech fork internals with Harrison 6 pot calliper , floating disc, full electronic ignition and Scriminger pulse jet plugs, Carbon rear can(saves a lot of weight), rebuilt carbs etc--but its soooo smooth and produces torque from nothing--absolute power is not everything, and nice low seat with most of the weight low down--its done the MCC Exeter trial. What it doesn't have is a load of electrickery and it will shortly get a single seat with extra rack. It can actually carry decent panniers as well that don't stick out much, and it has a kick start if really needed. they are still very sought after for good reason and the prices reflect this. All credit to BMW in keeping lots of parts still available along with specialist firms.
Regardless of how much you've spent it still won't be anywhere near the capability of a t7
I've no doubt that a Pol T will make the most of a T7--but they are tall and basically heavy----and for mere mortals the 40 year old BM will still be easier to foot up a muddy track and also easier to pick up if it goes over--my point is simply that "progress" has not been that great--I know of at least two people that have traded their T7s in for something lighter like the 690/701. I know which bike I would trust for a long trail/road trip. Lets face it the T7 (and the R80) are not designed for enduro type offroad use--especially in the hands of the average rider.
If progress hasn't been that great how come you've spent a small fortune updated the r80?
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Re: How to make a lighter Tenere 700

Post by catcitrus »

bond_yzf wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:38 pm
catcitrus wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 5:48 pm
bond_yzf wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 1:20 pm
catcitrus wrote: Tue Nov 22, 2022 10:12 am
johnnyboxer wrote: Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:01 pm
catcitrus wrote:My son's 1981 R80 G/S is 168kg dry--so much for progress?
Barely punts out 40-45hp though and suspension/brakes are in the 1970’s
Ohlins rear with remote reservoir. Racetech fork internals with Harrison 6 pot calliper , floating disc, full electronic ignition and Scriminger pulse jet plugs, Carbon rear can(saves a lot of weight), rebuilt carbs etc--but its soooo smooth and produces torque from nothing--absolute power is not everything, and nice low seat with most of the weight low down--its done the MCC Exeter trial. What it doesn't have is a load of electrickery and it will shortly get a single seat with extra rack. It can actually carry decent panniers as well that don't stick out much, and it has a kick start if really needed. they are still very sought after for good reason and the prices reflect this. All credit to BMW in keeping lots of parts still available along with specialist firms.
Regardless of how much you've spent it still won't be anywhere near the capability of a t7
I've no doubt that a Pol T will make the most of a T7--but they are tall and basically heavy----and for mere mortals the 40 year old BM will still be easier to foot up a muddy track and also easier to pick up if it goes over--my point is simply that "progress" has not been that great--I know of at least two people that have traded their T7s in for something lighter like the 690/701. I know which bike I would trust for a long trail/road trip. Lets face it the T7 (and the R80) are not designed for enduro type offroad use--especially in the hands of the average rider.
If progress hasn't been that great how come you've spent a small fortune updated the r80?
Not a small fortune, and it was purchased at a good price, and because its a classic and easy to work on, and is lovely to ride, and has a low seat, and is an appreciating asset--I think we'll agree to differ on our philosophies, and we certainly don't have the money to splash out on a T7, and THEN start upgrading it--and end up with something that maybe only marginally better on the fringes of performance, which in all honesty can be rarely used--and its to tall anyway.
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