Having owned a R100GS, a R1200GS and a F800GS. I feel somewhat qualified to comment on this. I would not call them $hit. Actually, I would call them stellar machines. Myself, I'm not a huge fan of the 1200 series. It has crossed a technical threshold, that at the moment I don't want to cross. But the R1150GS is legendary in it's ability to haul large loads great distances. One up, Two Up, pavement, dirt you name it.
I'm no fanboy. I have owned nine BMWs (at Least). Some have been great, some have sucked. I want a Super Tenere really bad. If yamaha had lived up to it's delivery date promise. I would already own one. Again given the circumstances I hold them blameless.
I see no good coming of the continual bashing of other makes no matter who they are. I see it over on ADV constantly with regard to Harleys. Why do we need to prove our superior intellect by deriding everyone else's choice of motorcycle. Ride what you want. And let others ride what they want. We're all motorcyclists for Christ's sake.
BMW got it's legendary status, by building a decent product. But also it came from the riders. On a R100GS you carried extra parts such as a diode board and other critical parts. When they broke we fixed them. Without whining about every little light bulb that flickers and goes out. It seems to be the new american way. Stand there and whine until somebody comes and helps you.
I think the Tenere is a superb effort on Yamaha's part. And I believe it will only get better. But when I see guys riding Teneres, Bashing BMW GS bikes, I compare it to a rookie baseball player telling Cal Ripken how to stay in the game. Time is the ultimate test. Were the better players than Ripken? Sure. How many have the legs.
My entire point in this, is. We as a country of basically decent people, need to get off this "Bashing Train". It's everywhere and it's not healthy. Democrats vs Republicans, Union vs Non Union, North vs South, Black vs White, Bikes vs Cars, Bikes vs Other Bikes. Grizzled Adventure Riders vs Starbucks Posers, Where does it end, and more importantly what purpose does it serve.
When I look for folks opinion on a bike I'm interested in. I don't want to hear the other bike sucks, I want to see and hear pictures and stories of "YOUR" bike, and the trips you've taken with it. And the great things it does. One of the things that always impresses me is seeing a R1150GS speedo picture at 100K or 150K or 200 K.
We all want to be proud of the bikes we own. We all want to believe we made the right choice when we bought them. The way, and the only way, to achieve that, is to ride the wheels off it. And prove to yourself it "IS" the right bike for you. Then tell us how much you love your bike.
Banter, it's what's for dinner. It's also a two way street. Nobody's right, nobody's wrong,
ban·ter [ban-ter]
noun
1.
an exchange of light, playful, teasing remarks; good-natured raillery.
