The machine vibrates enough to keep the mirrors dim more or less in all conditions. The footrests and handlebars feel all right, though. I don't want to imagine what the machine would be like without the built-in balance shafts.
Tengai is an adventure touring version of Kawasaki's long-lived KLR 650 enduro.The bike is fitted with a 24 litre tank and a little plastic here and there to give wind protection. Suspension travel is somewhat reduced from KLR. The side guards are a retrofit in this indivudual.
The bike has been brought from Germany as a second-hand vehicle. Its previous history is not known. It had 47,000 km on the odometer as I got it. I sold it in Spring 2005 at 62,500 km.
This tractor is too heavy for real off-road adventures. It is at its best on gravel roads ranging from crude jeep trails to bigger and faster routes. I've enjoyed myself on the Neste Rally Finland stages next day after the event. Tengai is very light and nimble on paved roads, making it easy to pull through curves and change the driving path quickly if necessary. On a highway you start to realize that the bike after all only has 40 horses in the stable and the wind pressure makes the otherwise relaxed driving position less than comfortable.
I have done 500 km per day on longer trips without problems. If I ever went for the Iron Butt trophy, I would choose another bike, however. I stress the word _if_ . The idea of driving 24 hours non-stop in a straight line does not seem very sexy to me.
The top speed is 160 km/h according to the speedometer, maybe 145 real km/h. The engine is rather torquey and it pulls without hesitation from 3000 rpm upwards. If in a hurry you will want to stay above 5000 rpm. The engine revs cheerfully all the way to the redline at 7500 rpm.
The machine vibrates enough to keep the mirrors dim more or less in all conditions. The footrests and handlebars feel all right, though. I don't want to imagine what the machine would be like without the built-in balance shafts.
The Tengai has been a reliable workhorse - started well, never left me on the road (..umm..thanks to the tool set). However, all those kilometers and previous would-be mechanics have left their marks, which have been rectified one by one. Next pages tell more about those.
Tengai is a good bike for the do-it-yourself minded owner. The low-powered single cylinder four-stroke machine has a simple design and does not require precise adjustment.
Mika Jahkola
+358 400 623 734