ABR's Best Adventure Bike for 2014

[Philistine]

Was just reading Adventure Bike Rider they ran a story with the KTM 1190, BMW 1200GS, V-strom 1000 and the new Tenere and they asked on their Facebook page which one would you have, the poll read:- V-Strom 5% Tenere 23% BMW 27% KTM 32% the rest of the votes went to other Bikes, they did a 5 or 6 page write up about the 2014 Tenere it wasn’t a bad write up, but it wasn’t that great either with lines like “this Tenere is different, it feels heavy and vague” but at the end of the 18 page shoot out they give ABR’s Verdict on which bike they think is the best new 2014 Adventure Bike, your not going to believe this but it was the 2014 Super Tenere ???, after reading all the write ups I didn’t expect that, but turns out they got to keep the Tenere for the rest of the week and the more they road it the more they liked it. So this proves what we already knew, the more you ride this bike the better it gets ::26:: ::012::

 

[Tremor38]

You really have to give this bike more than a day of evaluation, or you are short changing yourself. Same goes with the other bikes, as the more you ride them, the more the flashy first impression fades away and you realize they are less versatile machines.

Regaaaaaarrrddsss, Tenerator.

 

[GrahamD]

your not going to believe this but it was the 2014 Super Tenere ???, after reading all the write ups I didn’t expect that, but turns out they got to keep the Tenere for the rest of the week and the more they road it the more they liked it. So this proves what we already knew, the more you ride this bike the better it gets ::26:: ::012::

Well I suppose once you have got over the top speed runs etc you settle down a bit and live in the real world for a while it works well.

 

[oldbear]

Methinks most of the "testers" in the mag's spend a few hours on a machine, pronounce it the greatest thing since sliced bread and call it a day. I believe results would almost always be pretty different if the testers actually had to "live" with the machines for a few months/thousand miles (AND had to pay for repairs/maintenance!!). The flashy Italian super model with the fiery personality may be fun for a few days, but she's probably not the one you want to settle down and live with...... ::021::

 

[4jranch]

Is there an online link for this article? I would like to read it...

 

[Philistine]

Is there an online link for this article? I would like to read it...

Issue 22 May/Jun I don't think the article will be there for free
http://www.adventurebikerider.com/

 

[Philistine]

They also write at the end of the article that "The new technology also adds a new level of depth, but if there's one thing that sets the Yamaha apart from the rest would be its simple sense of integrity, almost reminiscent of those old trail bikes from the 80s, still going strong, you can imagine this new Tenere still going strong in thirty years time, and for that reason , and many others, we award it best new adventure bike for 2014"
I think they get it!

 

[4jranch]

No luck on the article, it may not be out online as yet. Their other articles seem to be accessible so if it comes up I will put the link here. Thanks.

 

[hANNAbONE]

I appreciate the post and the report - but I could give a rat's rump what a mag might say about the iron I love so much.

It doesn't matter to me one bit if it won or lost - I am ecstatic when I get to throw a leg over mine and go for a romp.

As the miles pile on - my smile gets broader...


YMMV

 

[Salmon Sam]

Discussed and posted article this in this thread a while ago.

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=11689.msg191402#msg191402

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I suspect most of us here did not buy or avoid buying based on a magazine article. That is not likely to change regardless of what they write in the future. Nice to see some less negative press coverage, but won't hold my breath for an attitude turn around in the magazines.

Picking "the best" bike is such a subjective thing. I recently tried a KTM 1190. Even in a short test ride the bike was phenomenal. Give me a choice between riding the KTM or the Tenere for a few days, I'm taking the KTM with no hesitation. It's a blast. But if you ask me what I'd own, maintain, trust long term...it's the Tenere with no hesitation. I trust it thousands of miles from home.

What is the best bike? Depends on my mood when you ask the question. Every bike compromises somewhere. What compromises are you willing to accept vs not accept? I'm usually in the low maintenance, high reliability mood. Tenere is clearly the best bike in that category.