I’ve felt the need for a change of bike coming on for two or three years now but for various reasons have been undecided as to which way to jump —

The Tenere (above) was bought new for Long Distance Touring plus a bit of simple off-roading six years ago. She is still in excellent condition and there are certain aspects of her abilities that I would miss if I were to use her as the ‘make-weight’ in a deal for her replacement.

As time wears on my needs are changing and this might just be the fiesty ‘all-rounder’ to do the trick  —

I have followed the various incarnations of the MT09 since the Yamaha triple first appeared on the scene eighteen months ago but felt there was nothing much it could do that my Suzuki GSX-R 600 Streetfighter couldn’t do better —

Thankfully Mr Yamaha appears to have seen the light for in addition to the original street focussed MT09 he has introduced a sharp Sports/Touring version and managed to keep the sale price below that of the direct opposition —

With useful bits like a centre stand and a range of luggage to suit the engaging triple available from the manufacturer she could be the bike for every occasion that I have been looking for —

Just a matter of choosing a colour really. The red showing off it’s panniers below doesn’t do a lot for me —

and the plain ol’ Matt Gray is in pole position at the mo’

but the Silver bike with Blu bits might be difficult to pass by in the flesh —

With 113 honest little ponies in that sweet triple I have no doubt a top box will be in order for two up riding  🙂