Another soldier reporting for duty, definitely not a Russian!

[KJMagnum]

Hey everybody, new prospective owner here. Browsing the forum and conducting due diligence research. Made the trip to Sturgis and Daytona Bike week on my Marauder, so I'm looking for something a bit bigger and more comfortable now!


Current stable:
2009 Kawasaki Super Sherpa
2005 Suzuki GS500F
2000 Suzuki Marauder

 

[Sierra1]

Welcome, from Texas. Bigger and more comfortable is a broad/vague description. The T-12 fits the bill, but so do a lot of others. But I am a tad bit biased toward the Tenere. My favorite bike ever.

 

[KJMagnum]

Understood. That's just one generalization as I've been eyeing the Super Tenere for years while I ride my stable to realize the features I like/dislike in my bikes. My main hesitation has been the extra weight compared to all my bikes. I've had to pick up my Sherpa a few times offroad and it's unnerving to imagine the Tenere being 300lbs heavier (the only bad trait I've seen reviewers mention), but I'm realizing I don't offroad to the extent where it should stop me. The shaft drive, cruise control, windshield, heated grips, extra legroom, additional power, easier cargo storage, and reliability are all upgrades I'm looking forward to.

 

[bimota]

warm welcome

from S Wales UK HAD MY TENERE 9 YEARS NOW LOVE IT

Rob

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, KJMagnum...

 

[KJMagnum]

warm welcome

from S Wales UK HAD MY TENERE 9 YEARS NOW LOVE IT

Rob

Thanks! I'm looking forward to riding the A4069 Black Mountain Road someday, probably on a rental.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . I've had to pick up my Sherpa a few times offroad and it's unnerving to imagine the Tenere being 300lbs heavier (the only bad trait I've seen reviewers mention),

Yeah, if she decides to take a nap, she is gonna be heavy to get vertical again. But I'm thinking there's only about 50lbs between the heaviest and lightest ADV bikes. And at a certain point, they're all heavy. I can testify that as soon as she starts rolling, she feels like she loses a good 100lbs.

Everybody has their wants/needs for a bike. Mine were cruise, heated grips, shaft drive, and adjust on the fly electronic suspension. Oh yeah, and never break down. Alot of her competitors provide more, but also cost more. . . . and some provide many more required repairs.

But right now, there's a new Tiger owner, a newish multiple KTM owner, a newish Beemer owner, and one guy with over 310,000 miles on his Tenere. If you have any question on the Tenere, or any of her competitors, this is the place to get them answered.

Here's a link to a very objective Tenere test. You may have already seen it.

 

[KJMagnum]

I have seen that review and got my concern watching the more experienced 6'3" Ryan struggle picking it up. I'm hoping his comments of no personality, sleepy, and boring are exaggerated (or descriptive of my bikes too!). I'll also look into the mentioned 20hp tune, but don't want to be restricted to high octane during travels.

 

[bimota]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to riding the A4069 Black Mountain Road someday, probably on a rental.

wow how do you know about the black mountain road, if your ever here give me a shout

rob

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . I'm hoping his comments of no personality, sleepy, and boring are exaggerated . . . .

There are guys here that have used those descriptors. I've never understood them. Or it's exactly what I want in a bike. I don't want any surprises before, during, or after a ride or high maintenance cost(s). I don't use the word boring; I call it being dependable. The only tune anybody goes with is the ECU "adjustment". Many think that the throttle is twitchy, or too sensitive. I absolutely love it; instantaneous. So, they get their ECUs tuned to smooth out the throttle, and reduce the engine braking.

My riding history has been sport tourers; FJ/FJR, 1150RT-P, and ST 1300. The Tenere is my favorite bike ever.

 

[KJMagnum]

wow how do you know about the black mountain road, if your ever here give me a shout

rob

I've seen it mentioned a couple times, mainly on Top Gear. Thanks, I'll keep you in mind!

There are guys here that have used those descriptors. I've never understood them. Or it's exactly what I want in a bike. I don't want any surprises before, during, or after a ride or high maintenance cost(s). I don't use the word boring; I call it being dependable. The only tune anybody goes with is the ECU "adjustment". Many think that the throttle is twitchy, or too sensitive. I absolutely love it; instantaneous. So, they get their ECUs tuned to smooth out the throttle, and reduce the engine braking. I'll definitely need to ride it before jumping into my typical modding mode.

My riding history has been sport tourers; FJ/FJR, 1150RT-P, and ST 1300. The Tenere is my favorite bike ever.

I agree with wanting a boring/reliable bike, I've had friends bail on multiple rides due to issues with their KTMs and Harleys. The twitchy throttle is one thing I haven't liked on the couple fuel injected bikes I've test rode. I'm used to smooth carburetors but heard I'll just need a wrist recalibration. Engine braking doesn't bother me and I use mine more than the physical brakes. I'll definitely have to ride it before jumping into my typical modding mode.

 

[Sierra1]

OPINION: Riding the Tenere only occasionally, makes it hard to recalibrate the wrists. I spent about 15 minutes in traffic, and I was used to it. Highway riding doesn't have the same effect. But if you do decide that the twitchiness is too much, there will be plenty of fingers to point you in the right direction for a fix.

 

[Wenisgoodenuf]

Greetings from Canada

 

[KJMagnum]

Thanks everybody for the welcome! I'll post an update when I decide on a bike.

 

[scott123007]

but don't want to be restricted to high octane during travels.

I never understood why our bikes call for high octane. I started out running 93, then went to 89, and then 87 to feel or hear (pinging) a difference in performance. Nada, so for the last 90,000 between my '12 and '14, they have run on 87 with no issues. And...they get the shit run out of them!

 

[KJMagnum]

Agreed, I run the lowest octane all my vehicles will tolerate and don't join the "higher is better" crowd. Are you on a stock or aftermarket tune? I've heard plenty run 87 on the stock tune but my comment was regarding an aftermarket tune (2 Wheel DynoWorks) that has "optimized timing maps for 91+ octane". I'm curious what their performance increases would be with 87 safe maps.

 

[Sierra1]

With San Diego temps, you'll probably never have any issues. Out though, two up on 100° days, higher octane is a must.

 

[KJMagnum]

I won't be traveling two up but I go all over the country and ridden in 110+ temps. When I was in Florida the ST owner I was talking with said he goes everywhere from Florida to Alaska throughout the year and always uses 87 without issues. Have you personally experienced pinging or other issues from running 87? I wouldn't rely on finding higher octane at little towns in Mexico.

 

[Sierra1]

Bumper to bumper, two up, and fan on. That's about the only time I hear the "rattle". With premium I don't. But I also only use Shell. "I" feel that it actually does clean the motor. I was running it in a Charger 5.7. After about 6 months, mileage had gone from mid 14 to mid 17. Driving style remained the same.

 

[Jlq1969]

I never understood why our bikes call for high octane. I started out running 93, then went to 89, and then 87 to feel or hear (pinging) a difference in performance. Nada, so for the last 90,000 between my '12 and '14, they have run on 87 with no issues. And...they get the shit run out of them!

Scott, remember that where you live, the octane number is measured in AKI......in the vast majority of countries where the S10 arrived, the octane number is measured in RON......and to avoid "mistakes"...they force you to use high octane (high RON octane), but about 87 AKI, it's similar to 91 RON