Super Tenere observations

[Bogie]

Hey guys, I must admit that I suck at this forum stuff, there is just not enough time in my life to keep up with everything and be a good member of this site. So below is my meager contribution...

My 2012 S10 has about 3700 miles on it now with the vast majority of those being street miles. The bike fits into a niche that is limiting me to riding partners with similar machines...let me explain.
 
I have 4 bikes, an '04 FJR for cross-country, a '93 KLX650 for dirt although this guy is plated, a '95 Sportster bobber for going to the bar and eating chicken wings,,,mmmm ,,,chicken wings lol, and the Super Tenere for my 'adventure' bike. My riding partners have a combination of the above motorcycle styles but none have an adventure bike, none that can do what a Tenere does. For example, last week was 70deg here in Colorado so I took a day off from work and rode to Colorado Springs from Denver...about 60 miles of highway, then to Cripple Creek,,,about 60 miles of dirt road, then to Victor...about 25 miles of tarmac, then dirt rode again for 25 miles of gravelly sweetness down to Canyon City. The return trip was effectively the reverse order of this trip for a grand total of approx 350 miles.

This trip would have been punished me if on a dirt bike...punished the bike if I were on an ST bike...and I would have died long before Cripple Creek if I had been on my bobber!... The Tenere was the perfect machine for this type of ride.

This bike is a WAY better street bike than it is a dirt bike. The bike weighs a hundred pounds less than the FJR, has excellent manners even in deep corners with bumps and ripples in the road, but still big enough to feel planted even in the wind. Very confidence inspiring. ABS, linked brakes and the traction control all work great and are unobtrusive during normal riding conditions. The only time I 'used' one of these features was pulling to the shoulder at 60 or so to dodge a forest rat. The ABS came on when I hit the dirt on the shoulder. It was predictable and smooth. I was surprised when it came on but it didn't freak me out or anything...just let off and reapplied the brakes and stopped...unevetful. Bambi was OK too.

OK, let's talk about these features when in the dirt. Step one, turn off the traction control. If you don't you will almost stop when trying to accelerate on washboard. Also, when trying to drift or power slide around a corner, the traction control will kick in and ruin your line. I was ...dis-enchanted. Step two, wish you had a switch to turn off the ABS. There is a way to defeat this feature by putting the bike on the center stand,  hit the front brake and run the bike in gear for a while. The computer will think the ABS is broken and turn it off. Cumbersome but it works.

So far no maintenance issues but then again it only has 37xx miles...maybe I'll do a long term review sometime down the road.

L8r guys,

Carl-



Forget jumps. Forget single track.

[garry]

The ride you described sounds like a perfect day to me! Which is why my next street bike will be an adventure bike. I miss the versatility of my Wee Strom for rides like that.

[tankhead]

if I ever get rid of my Buell Ulysses the Yamaha Super Tenere is what I will get.  

[black hills]

exactly the reason I love this:

[DogBoy]

Entertaining write-up.  

Glad you're enjoying the Super Tenere so much.

[stew71]

Thanks for posting your observations. I've been considering trading in the FJR for the Super Ten to keep up with my riding buddies on their Tigers.

[napper]

Good write up.  Good observations.  Still think I'll stick with my xr650l for "adventure." 

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[Bogie]

Thanks for posting your observations. I've been considering trading in the FJR for the Super Ten to keep up with my riding buddies on their Tigers.

 
I still have my FJR because the dealer only offered me $1500 for a slightly used FJR (67k miles). If you can afford to keep yours I would as they both have there own unique advantages. Last summer I went to the Oregon coast and had to cross the desert twice...the FJR is the perfect machine for making short work of a desert,,,

Good write up.  Good observations.  Still think I'll stick with my xr650l for "adventure."

 

Yea, my KLX650 is a lot more fun in the dirt that the Tenere but it sucks if the ride is more than about 100 miles and the KLX hates the highway. I ride with a couple guys that have XRs...those bikes are too much fun!

Carl-

[stew71]

 
I still have my FJR because the dealer only offered me $1500 for a slightly used FJR (67k miles). If you can afford to keep yours I would as they both have there own unique advantages. Last summer I went to the Oregon coast and had to cross the desert twice...the FJR is the perfect machine for making short work of a desert,,,

Carl-

Believe me, I'm keeping that in my back pocket. The tough sell will be to the wife-unit as to why I NEED 2 bikes.

[black hills]

it starts slowly, but eventually this:



will look better than this:



 

[bomber]

it starts slowly, but eventually this:



will look better than this:



 

This is true -- it took three days for me ;-}

The Tenere is so very tempting, I spose I should be happy they aren't brining in it's little brother ;-}

[Bogie]

Yep, I was hoping for the 660 as well. I wonder if it would have been to close to my KLX650 to make the purchase make sense...maybe not.

Black Hills...I don't know if I'm up for that on the Tenere...the KLX no problem!  

[Clint64]

I thought I would add my observations about the Super Tenere after 1 month and 1200 miles of ownership.  I came to the S10 from a BMW K1200s and prior to that an Aprilia Futura.  I was looking for primarily a road bike with a more upright seating position.  The S10 was a big step down in power that I am coming to terms with.  The bike is a fantastic road bike and handles much better than I would have thought.  I find myself riding the bike much quicker than my previous bikes.  Overall I am very happy with the changes and can see myself on this bike for a long time.

[SWriverstone]

The local dealer has one that I've been eyeballing. I'd love to take one for a ride---I've only sat on it. I found it comfortable---the stock seat is far better than my V-Strom 650's was (which I replaced with a Corbin). Seat height was only a tad lower than the Wee...but otherwise they felt similar.

I haven't scoured this whole Yamaha forum to see other reports, but I get the impression people aren't flipping out over the Super Tenere...and I wonder why? (Maybe the high price?) And nobody seems to be ranting about its awesome power. If I got one it would mainly be for riding 2-up (since I'm still pretty happy with the Wee, which even does well 2-up...but we want more power!).

Gotta try to find somewhere to ride one (or someone who'll trust me to ride theirs for a few minutes...)

Scott

[mcrider007]

I haven't scoured this whole Yamaha forum to see other reports, but I get the impression people aren't flipping out over the Super Tenere...and I wonder why? (Maybe the high price?) And nobody seems to be ranting about its awesome power. If I got one it would mainly be for riding 2-up (since I'm still pretty happy with the Wee, which even does well 2-up...but we want more power!).

I think the reason nobody is ranting about the awesome power is because it does not have awesome power.....at least not on the top end....it doesn't have a top end, the motor is all mid-range.  It has a very long stroke, low redline (7750 rpm) and starts running out of breath around 7000 rpms.  If your intent is high speed highway riding then you are not going to be very impressed with the power, however when ridden in the environment for which it is designed, it has all the power you will ever need.  It also is very smooth for a twin and is capable of getting pretty good fuel mileage.

I upgraded from a DL1000 (with upgraded suspension) and the Tenere trumps the V-Strom in every catagory, the most noticeable is the brakes.  The suspension isn't great but can easily be improved with linear springs in the forks and a aftermarket shock.  I think the best thing about the Tenere is the reliability record,  Yamaha really seems to have gotten everything right on the first try.

[Scottyfizz]

My local dealer has a leftover 2012 Raven that he quoted me $12,782 otd.Seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on this deal.Seem like a decent price for a brand new leftover? Of course I keep my eye on used Tenere's farkled out,but most of them require more travel time to get to than I have time for.

What say on the price?

[Clint64]

My local dealer has a leftover 2012 Raven that he quoted me $12,782 otd.Seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on this deal.Seem like a decent price for a brand new leftover? Of course I keep my eye on used Tenere's farkled out,but most of them require more travel time to get to than I have time for.

What say on the price?

Price does not sound that bad.  Before buying my 2013 a local dealer quoted me $12,500 plus sales tax and fees so yours was better than than the quote I received.

[Scottyfizz]

Price does not sound that bad.  Before buying my 2013 a local dealer quoted me $12,500 plus sales tax and fees so yours was better than than the quote I received.

The price I was quoted was with tax, tilte and all that bs.I've looked around the general Midwest area and seemed like a right in the ballpark otd price.

[Clint64]

The price I was quoted was with tax, tilte and all that bs.I've looked around the general Midwest area and seemed like a right in the ballpark otd price.

I agree.  I think it is a great price OTD.  

[stew71]

Dropped by the local shop during lunch to pick up some supplies and managed to swing a leg over a new Super Ten. The ergs felt pretty good and I liked the sitting position with the seat in the low position. Kinda pricey though...a shade over $16K w/o the luggage. This one will take some time to consider.