Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré specs: can you green lane it?
The Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré weighs 206kg wet, has a seat height of 895mm and 245mm of ground clearance, and makes 47hp. Expect about 60 mpg, for a range of Not officially published from its 23-litre tank.
6/10
Holloway Green Lane Score
A tough, simple single with proper 21 and 17 inch wheels, long travel and a huge tank: a very capable and affordable green-laner as long as you accept modest power and a tall seat. Rider ability, terrain, weather and tyre choice still move the real answer more than the bike alone does.
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Beginner friendliness
4/5
Road usability
3/5
Technical off-road capability
3/5
Green-lane suitability
3/5
Full specs
PriceUsed only
Years made2008 to 2016, used only
Engine660cc
Power47hp
Torque58Nm
Weight (wet)206kg
Seat height895mm
Fuel tank23L
Real-world rangeNot officially published
Economy~60 mpg
Wheels (f/r)21" / 17"
Ground clearance245mm
Suspension travel (f/r)210mm / 200mm
ABSNot confirmed
Traction controlNo
Ride modesNo
Service intervalCheck the handbook
Licence requiredA2
Stock tyre sizes (f/r)90/90-21 / 130/80-17
Stock tyresMetzeler Tourance
Where the Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré sits
Wet weight against ground clearance for every bike in the finder that publishes both. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit. Tap a dot to open that bike.
Figures are manufacturer claims. Clearance is measured differently by different makers, so treat small gaps as a draw.
Will your feet reach?
The Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré has a 895mm seat. Enter your inside leg for a rough idea of how much foot you'll get down when stopped.
A rough guide only. A wide seat needs more leg than a narrow one, the suspension settles 20 to 40mm under you, and boots add a little. Many bikes offer a low seat or lowering link. Sit on one before you buy.
Tyres that fit the Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré
It runs a 90/90-21 front and a 130/80-17 rear, on Metzeler Tourance from the factory. 44 tyres in our Tyre Finder are made in at least one of those sizes, ranked by green lane score.
Sizes are for the standard UK model and can change between model years. Check the size on your own tyre sidewall, and ask your dealer before fitting a different size. Our size lists come from maker and retailer listings and can miss sizes, so a tyre shown for one end may still be made in your other size. Check the maker's size chart.
The XT660Z Ténéré is the old-school, no-electronics adventure bike. Its 660cc fuel-injected single makes about 47hp, so it is not fast, but it pulls cleanly at low revs and feels at home on slow, rutted lanes. At 206 kg wet with 210 and 200 mm of suspension travel, it is not light, but it is well balanced and easy to fix at the roadside. The tall 895 mm seat and stock road-orientated tyres are the main complaints for green laning, and both are easily improved.
Pros for green laning
Simple fuel-injected single with no electronic rider aids to confuse or fail, and an easy engine to work on.
210 mm front and 200 mm rear suspension travel and 245 mm ground clearance handle ruts and rocky steps.
A 23 litre tank gives long range between fuel stops on road links.
Spoked 21 and 17 inch wheels; 21 inch front gives you a wide choice of off-road tyres.
Cons and limitations
Only about 47hp, so overtaking and long motorway links feel slow.
Tall 895 mm seat and 206 kg wet weight make it awkward in mud for shorter riders.
Standard Metzeler Tourance tyres are road-biased and are weak in slippery lanes.
Sources do not confirm whether UK bikes had ABS, and there are no ride modes or traction control to help on slippery lanes.
Before taking it seriously off-road: Off-road tyres, a bash plate and handguards, and a lower or modified seat if you are short. To buy used, check: the fuel pump and injection (rough running or hard starting); chain and sprockets and wheel bearings; leaks from the fork seals and shock; the subframe, panels and plastics for crash damage; and the service record for oil changes and valve clearance checks. Confirm whether the bike has ABS, because sources are unclear.
Remember: a rank here assumes reasonable stock tyres and a competent rider in decent conditions. The right tyres, or the wrong weather, can move a lane from easy to genuinely hard regardless of what bike you're on. Check a lane's own difficulty and hazards on the map before you go, don't rely on a bike score alone.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
