4700 miles in 10 days, the good and the bad

[oldbear]

I'm an S10 newbie, but I've been riding since '67. I find the S10 to be comfortable, good handling, relatively smooth and powerful. (for the record, I've owned a 900 SS Ducati, an FJR, a GS and numerous other bikes going back to a bunch of mid '60's 2 cycle motors.)Yes, the S10 is not as fast as an FJR, a Multistrada, a big Katoom, or numerous other bikes on the market, but that's ok with me. Frankly I get somewhat tickled when folks decry a lack of power in a 100 horsepower motorcycle. Really? I wish I had a penny for every mile logged two up, loaded with a Windjammer fairing and luggage on old CB750 (68 horse) Hondas starting in '69. I'd be a Very wealthy man, and I never remember anybody, ever, complaining about a "lack of power". Not to even mention the 100's of thousands of folks out there on their HD's who'd spend a fortune to get 90 horses from their hogs. Nowdays, 60 horse bikes are routinely dismissed as "starter" bikes. Cracks me up. Let's face it, the Mark 1 type 0 homo sapiens has not changed in the last 50 years, just our expectations of what is "needed". In reality, if any bike will be comfortable, carry two folks and their stuff at speeds substantially above that which is legal all day, what else do you need? If you really feel that the S10 doesn't have the power you need, ok. Swap 'er for a Multistrada or a big KTM and hang on, however, realistically you will find yourself running at the same speeds you are now 99% of the time (or you'll be in jail or dead). Different strokes for different folks I guess. I suggest we all ::021::

 

[arjayes]

I'm an S10 newbie, but I've been riding since '67. I find the S10 to be comfortable, good handling, relatively smooth and powerful. (for the record, I've owned a 900 SS Ducati, an FJR, a GS and numerous other bikes going back to a bunch of mid '60's 2 cycle motors.)Yes, the S10 is not as fast as an FJR, a Multistrada, a big Katoom, or numerous other bikes on the market, but that's ok with me. Frankly I get somewhat tickled when folks decry a lack of power in a 100 horsepower motorcycle. Really? I wish I had a penny for every mile logged two up, loaded with a Windjammer fairing and luggage on old CB750 (68 horse) Hondas starting in '69. I'd be a Very wealthy man, and I never remember anybody, ever, complaining about a "lack of power". Not to even mention the 100's of thousands of folks out there on their HD's who'd spend a fortune to get 90 horses from their hogs. Nowdays, 60 horse bikes are routinely dismissed as "starter" bikes. Cracks me up. Let's face it, the Mark 1 type 0 homo sapiens has not changed in the last 50 years, just our expectations of what is "needed". In reality, if any bike will be comfortable, carry two folks and their stuff at speeds substantially above that which is legal all day, what else do you need? If you really feel that the S10 doesn't have the power you need, ok. Swap 'er for a Multistrada or a big KTM and hang on, however, realistically you will find yourself running at the same speeds you are now 99% of the time (or you'll be in jail or dead). Different strokes for different folks I guess. I suggest we all ::021::

I agree with most of what you said and respect your long riding history, but first, it's more like 90hp (on a good day), and second, it's a heavy pig. The Tenere is a great bike and there's not much to complain about, but it would be even better with 25 more hp. I was very happy with my 1983 GS750T back in 1983. It was a sweet ride in its day. I also used to be happy with NTSC television and VCRs when that's all I knew, but I like HDTV and Blu-ray much better! Same goes for motorcycles - what was perfectly acceptable 30 years ago just can't compare to what's available today, no matter how nostalgic you are.

You're right, though - we're spoiled in so many ways now. Cell phones, GPS, the internet, etc. I can barely remember anymore what life was like without all that crap!