eBay

Yamaha XT660Z Tenere 'Rallye' - Ex Jenny Morgan (UK) 2009 'Heroes-Legend' Paris to Dakar rally bike.

This machine was first registered in August 2008, before being shipped to the USA where photo-journalist Jenny Morgan spent six months traveling for a series of features in TBM magazine (Jan-Mar 2010).

Having been thoroughly impressed with the showroom standard machine, on her return, she felt with some performance upgrades the XT660Z could also prove to be a fast and reliable open-class rally bike - continuing the tradition of the previous generations of Yamaha XT and Tenere rallye machines.

In conjunction with a number of European part manufacturers and product suppliers, this Tenere was the prototype for many of the now commercially available modifications, and the bike itself was extensively proven over what many still consider to be the toughest rally route of all - from Paris to Dakar, on the 2009 edition of the Heroes-Legend Rally.

Not only was the machine utterly reliable in a harsh and competitive environment, but Jenny ultimately finished 7th overall, and was the first lady home. During the seventeen day, 8000km event, Jenny even won two stages, and her arrival at Lac Rose marked another first for this Tenere. Her participation also helped raise funds and awareness for the UK charity - Bowel Cancer UK.

This particular bike offers dramatic improvements in engine and suspension performance, and would be ideal as an open-class rally bike in the UK or International events; or simply as a big trail / touring / adventure bike with a unique history.

Together with the spares part kit, the bike is essentially ready to race again (requiring only navigation equipment to be refitted), and do bare in mind that 2012 may well be the last edition of the Heroes-Legend rally to Dakar, and this bike would be perfect for that event!

This Tenere has been extensively modified from standard specification with the following upgraded parts and rally preparation (all new parts fitted in August/September 2009):

Suspension, steering and wheels:

• WP 48mm USD forks (offering +60mm travel over stock).
• OTR billet machined triple-clamps.
• GPR steering damper and [fat-bar] riser mounting.
• Renthal RC High bend Fat-bars.
• Talon ‘Rally spec’ 21x1.6 front wheel: Excel rims, Talon hub, heavy duty spokes and Braking Wave 270mm floating disc.
• Talon ‘Rally spec’ 18x2.5 rear wheel: Excel rim, Talon cush-drive rear hub, heavy duty spokes and Braking Wave 240mm rear disc.
• Goodrich braided front brake hose and Brembo master cylinder & caliper.
• KTM Adventure low front fender on Meca’system mounting brackets.
• custom valved Ohlins rear shock.
• Optional +35mm rear ride-hight linkage for maximum ground clearance (recommended for race application, but not currently fitted).
• wheels currently fitted with Continental TKC80 tyres and UHD tubes.

Engine and performance:

• GMX custom heavy-duty aluminium radiator (40mm thick) and stainless stone guard.
• AIS and O2 sensor removed.
• DNA air filter and Stage 2 air-box lid.
• custom SR Racing Ti exhaust (no cat) with removable baffle (quiet baffle also supplied).
• Power Commander V with custom map (set up on rolling road at PDQ in Taplow).

Body and chassis:

• bodywork professionally re-painted in Yamaha dark blue, with light blue fairing panels.
• front indicators removed and repositioned to side-light position in headlight unit.
• screen fitted with Dzus QR button-head fasteners for easy access to rear of navigation equipment (not fitted).
• foam rallye grips and KTM plastic hand-guards.
• custom aluminium brackets to re-position instruments on bar clamps, and to mount Touratech roadbook (and IMO) in cockpit area should you wish to race the bike again. note. these brackets are easily removable should you wish to reinstate the instrument panel in it’s original position.
• custom re-shaped and recovered seat with Alcantara cover.
• side number panels (with original Heroes-Legend Rally sponsor stickers attached) - easily removed if required.
• OTR aluminium bashplate.
• IMS ‘Super-stock’ footpegs.
• modified rear brake pedal.
• extended side-stand and larger foot.
• compact DRC LED rear brake/tail light unit.

Extra information

• Please note that while this bike is still in excellent mechanical condition, it is an ex-rally bike, and has a few minor scuffs and marks to the paintwork (please see photos). Some of these elements were addressed as part of a cosmetic refurbishment after the rally, while others were left to retain the authenticity. Overall it is still a very presentable machine, with a unique and colourful history.

• The bike comes complete with a service/spare parts kit - including quiet exhaust baffle, spare DNA air-filters, spokes, wheel bearings, brake pads etc. Also included is the Yamaha factory/workshop EFi diagnostic tool.

• The bike will be sold with 12 months MOT and Tax (currently on SORN) to a UK buyer.

More recently Jenny has campaigned a Yamaha WR450F rallye bike in the FIM Cross-country World Championship (2010) and is one of only a handful of British women to ever enter the legendary Dakar Rally (now held in South America). 

Unfortunately Jenny suffered a serious accident on the 4th Stage of the Dakar in 2011, and post surgery is currently preparing her campaign to return to The Dakar in 2013. The sale of this unique and exceptionally well-prepared machine will help directly fund her future campaign.

Jenny says: Please see my other items for sale, as I will be selling all manner of interesting stuff over the next few weeks and months to help fund my return to the Dakar in 2013.

Should you be making any purchase on behalf of a business, then there may be additional promotional and sponsorship opportunities available, to be discussed.

For further information, please contact me though the eBay message service.

Bike as shown, including spare parts kit: £4995.00

Please note. This bike is located in the UK - however, due to the unique nature of this machine, in this particular instance I do welcome serious buyers from Europe and even further afield, on the understanding that they must pay a substantial deposit to secure the sale, and arrange their own shipping. I would be happy to partially prepare the bike for shipping if required (fluid draining and partial dismantling), and can deliver to London air/sea ports - please contact me for further information.