Sold My Super Tenere Today

Tigerkf

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Well, I sold my 2018 Super Tenere today. After returning home from a three week trip last month, I decided that I wanted a lighter more off-road capable bike. I went down and bought a KTM 790 Adventure R. The 790 has been in and out of the dealer for issues ever since I purchased it! However I own it now and needed to get rid of the S10. I sold it to a buddy who I know will make good use of it. It was a bittersweet day none the less! I thought the 790 might be the unicorn of a bike I was looking for but with all the issues so far, I can't trust it for a long trip. I will keep it local until I can get rid of it and get something else. Can anyone say Africa Twin 850? Please Honda!!!
 

Tigerkf

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They are like a Yeti here in the US! I will definitely be considering one as soon as that mysterious beast shows itself!!! The only drawback, living in the US, is the T700's top end. We regularly ride open spaces were the posted speed limit is 80 mph and people run about 90 mph. I know the T700 will do it but how happy will it be doing it for hours straight??? Running those high RPMs might drive me crazy. The S10 was capable of cruising at 95mph for an hour straight, hypothetically of course.
 

cyclemike4

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Sorry to hear your new 790 is giving you problems. It always is such a disappointment when you spend hard earned cash on something that just isn't as good as it should be. May be after a few issues are corrected it will be the bike you were looking for. Sure hope so. We will definitely find out how the T7 will hold up on long runs at high speed now that Long Haul Paul has one under him. I am sure he doesn't let up on his machines on the interstate. I am with you though. it would worry me turning a motor at such a high RPM for long hours. I still would love to have a T7. It looks like a fun bike. My Super T is just about perfect for what i do with it.
 

Madhatter

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it has a chain so you can change the gearing to a more highway setting or change it for a more off road setting , the positive part of chain and sprocket drive.....
 

Sierra1

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If you're going to do that much high speed highway driving. . . . why the need for a "dirtier" bike. Buy a dirt bike throw it in the back of a truck, and drive fast to where you're going. That way, the ride would be easier, no worry about weather, and carry more stuff. Just me. :)
 

Tigerkf

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Sorry to hear your new 790 is giving you problems. It always is such a disappointment when you spend hard earned cash on something that just isn't as good as it should be. May be after a few issues are corrected it will be the bike you were looking for. Sure hope so. We will definitely find out how the T7 will hold up on long runs at high speed now that Long Haul Paul has one under him. I am sure he doesn't let up on his machines on the interstate. I am with you though. it would worry me turning a motor at such a high RPM for long hours. I still would love to have a T7. It looks like a fun bike. My Super T is just about perfect for what i do with it.
If it were only a couple issues, I would feel the same way but with all the one's I've had I just don't trust it. Here's a rundown of the problems I've had since I bought it a month ago. Yes, I said in one month and 1,000 miles!

1. Recall on brake line prior to buying the bike.
2. Brake light replaced prior to buying bike.
3. Cruise Control quit working after the first day. (Dealer spent two weeks trying to fix it and after replacing multiple parts, KTM flew in a tech who eventually fixed it after spending a solid week, 8 hrs a day working on it.)
4. Oil leak around from sprocket shaft
5. Condensation in TFT screen after picking up from dealer (after they had it for two weeks trying to fix CC)
6. Ran out of gas on the way home from dealer because fuel gauge quit working and was reading half a tank when it was empty.
7. Whatever is next

As you can see KTM quality control is not even in the same universe as Yamaha. Other KTM owners tell me it's just minor but for me a bike (or any vehicle) should work as designed form day one, you know like a Yamaha does!
 

StefanOnHisS10

Converting fuel into heat, noise and a bit motion
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I truly feel sorry for you, it’s hard now to trust it again. I know how you feel, had it with a car once that I eventually sold because I didn’t enjoy it anymore.
 

Tigerkf

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If you're going to do that much high speed highway driving. . . . why the need for a "dirtier" bike. Buy a dirt bike throw it in the back of a truck, and drive fast to where you're going. That way, the ride would be easier, no worry about weather, and carry more stuff. Just me. :)
I know what you're saying but I have plans of doing some long distance solo trips and the S10 is just to heavy (for me) to do what I want and the dirt bikes are not road worthy enough. I plan on doing the TAT and Maybe a trip to the Arctic Circle. I also would like to do some international trips like South America, Eastern Europe, Asia and maybe some Africa. I know you can do those trips on a big bike but even when I watch skilled riders doing it, they are working wayyyyy to hard trying to keep those bikes up. On a recent three week trip I was too afraid to do some of the trails (read beginner stuff) with the S10 for fear if I dropped it I'd have to wait for someone to help me pick it up.

I've noticed some well-known ADV instructors are moving to midweight ADVs due to their ease of handling. For example Bret Tkacs and Bill Dragoo both bought 790s.
 
B

ballisticexchris

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I have also found that the Super Tenere is a lot more bike than I expected off the highway. I had a plan B when I purchased it. Knowing it was a beast, I use that as an advantage and It has turned out to be a phenomenal road bike that can be loaded down and used as a comfortable touring platform.

Let's face it none of these big beasts are going to be anywhere as near as capable for any riding condition as a lightweight small bore bike that comes in at under 300lbs. I'm so very happy I kept my do all bike the Beta. Nothing comes close to what it will do. Anything from touring to hard core off road and everything in between.

The only real downside to a plated dirt bike is comfort. After about 300 miles in the saddle I'm begging to get off. And it cannot be loaded down with creature comforts for touring.
 

lund

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It sounds to me a lot of people fall into the manufacture advertising, social media and YouTube trap. Then find them selves on a motorcycle that was never intended to do what they thought it could or should that be what they thought they could unless your a professional and then some.
The Super Tenere is a large long distance touring motorcycle (road bike) that was never intended for off road use that you would find a trail or dirt bike on, like you see so much on Youtube.
It is a perfect motorcycle for what it was intended to do, carry your gear over long distances over varying "road" conditions and that is the key. NOT over varying terrain and trails but roads.
Unfortunately, social media has taking this to a place it was never intended, unless your 6ft 4" and pro circuit level rider and then what fun is that on dirt single tracks.
That is why Yamaha has the smaller brothers of Tenere and now the T7.
I picked up my T7 in May and it fills the gap perfect that the 1200 did not on off trail excursion. BUT when it comes to long distance riding the S10 is my #1 choice.
The T7 is real nice off tarmac and as a short distance weekend explorer will keep you grinning but if your planning multi week cross continental trek the Super tenere 1200 hands down is the better option. Owning both that's my opinion.
 

Don in Lodi

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You keep listing reasons to have kept the Tenere; open road, long distances, low maintenance, good mileage, dependability. The small bike ain't gonna do the weeks of open road, the big bike ain't gonna do the short haul technical. Good luck on your next choice. You found out about the Orange after the fact... do more research. Oh, and shipping international is outrageous, cheaper by far to rent.
 
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Dirt_Dad

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Well, I sold my 2018 Super Tenere today. After returning home from a three week trip last month, I decided that I wanted a lighter more off-road capable bike. I went down and bought a KTM 790 Adventure R.
I understand the basic concept. I've also just purchased a KTM and I'm selling my Tenere. Sorry to hear you've had so many issues.

Can't imagine what KTM spent on flying a tech, paying his salary, rental car, hotel, and per diem for a week. I doubt that would make me happy as I waited for my bike to be fixed, but it does suggest KTM is willing to invest to find an issue so it can be addressed in future bikes. Again, as the owner of the bike I'd still be dissatisfied. It's the 790 owner three years from now who benefit from your difficulties.
 

Sierra1

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Ok. . . . still don't know/understand why they put the T7 & T12 in the same category. Other than they can both go on & off road. That's were the similarities end. Everybody seems to be in agreement. They don't prefer the T7 on a cross country trip. They don't prefer the T12 for playing in the dirt. That's because they weren't designed for what people don't prefer. Can you make them work outside their design envelopes? Sure. Plenty of people here going on loooong trips, on crappy roads. . . . on sport bikes. Y'all can do it. . . . I respect y'all for being able to do it. . . . I just don't understand it. I needed a bike that didn't really care what the road surface was. You can load her, flog her, abuse her. . . . and for the most part she doesn't care. Although I don't think she's heavy for everyday use, 600lbs for motocrossing? Nope. Mr. Lund refers to advertising and marketing for Adventure Motorcycling. Maybe people fell for that. . . . I was just looking for a tough, dependable motorcycle that was comfortable, and handled good. Found one. :)
 
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