Comments on my S10 after it's first 400 miles, coming from a FJ-09(with some Versys 1k comments)

Talltourer

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Aug 6, 2018
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96
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Ottawa, Ontario
Figured I posted my thoughts on this, a topic that comes back often is "I'm running bike YZX, how does it compare to the S10" and now I feel I can answer that a little.

The bike, 2017 Super Tenere, Desert Sand, non-ES. Wifes Versys 650 in the background, she loves that thing to death.

20180825_172723.jpg

TLDR: It's awesometastic, rode it back from dealer(100 miles away) and the next day went on a 300 miles ride without touching any suspension adjustment yet other than rear preload. I'm way less tired than I would have been on my FJ after a similar ride, seat is great, seating position is almost the same than the FJ-09 but more room for legs, still need a better windshield. Motor likes to tractor along instead of needing to be revved. Shaft drive is quiet :)

The details...

41, 280lbs, 6'4". Been riding for 25 years on road, 35 off road, always had sportier bikes. The FJ was the "less sporty" and smallest diplacement I ever had. To name a few, I had a ZX9R, 2x Z1000, a 2004 R6, Honda CB919(I miss that bike) and recently ,my FJ-09. I heavily debated a Versys 1000 before picking the S10 and even tried one the same day I signed the papers. I'll add my comments as to why I went S10 in there also where applicable.

Ergonomics:
The seating position is very similar to the FJ-09, even cycle-ergo says so but what they dont show as much as they should is how the legs are less bent, how the Tenere feel wider between the legs. The stock S10 seat is more comfortable than my 800$ Top Sellerie gel seat from Europe I had on my FJ-09. More room to move around also. Footpegs are great with the metal teeths and rubber insert. When pinned against a Versys 1k, the Versys felt right as soon as I sat on it but after 10-15 minutes I noticed right away how tighter the seating area was since I was not able to move forward and backward on the seat, very little side to side. This was going to be an issue for me on long rides. That was strike 1 for the Versys.

Wind protection:
On my FJ-09 I had a Vstream Sport Touring windscreen and it was not tall enough, i'd still get buffeting above 65mph. I'm looking at the Vstream Touring(tallest one) for my S10. For the demo ride I did on the Versys, i'd say the same thing, a much bigger windscreen would be needed. I also had replaced the handguards on my FJ with a set of KTM enduro hanguards. They fitted nicely on the bars and gave me much more protection than the OEM FJ handguards and I can say they were better than the S10 also. Riding back from the dealer(100 miles ride) I noticed right away how the wind was able to enter my jacket at the wrist that I usually leave loose for more comfort. This is something i'll have to address on the S10 with some extensions on top or replace them all together. Having your jacket inflate and puff with the wind is not pleasant. The S10 offers good protection wind protection in front of your knees VS the FJ and it's slightly better than the Versys also I think.. Something I will very much appreciate as the temps will drop for autumn riding, my favorite season. I noticed that my jeans dont flap around behind my boots when on the S10, they did on the FJ and Versys, I'll assume it's "quieter" down there also, less subject to direct rain and such.

Drivetrain:
The FJ-09 made great power... when revved above 5k. This was getting tiring. It was relatively vibration free and sounded awesome when on it. One thing i'll give to it was fuel economy. On some rides I was doing under 4L/100kms(58-60mpg), this was mostly back country roads at 50-65mph. It was amazing for that. I'll get something else out of the way also, the Versys 1k engine is a beast, was full of torque and wanted to go, it's very fast BUT there is lots of vibrations over 4.5k in the seat and handlebars. Enough to annoy me on the 20 minutes test drive I took. It was one of my biggest turn off and strike 2 for the Versys 1k. The S10 on the other hand... performs awesome in the low revs, pull away from 2k rpms in any gear, no fun, no vibrations what so ever at any revs where it matters. I knew what I was getting into, a great no frills "touring/torquy" engine. The only thing i'm not a fan of yet may never be until I put a pipe on is how "agricultural" the engine sounds. No feelings/emotions in there, it just does it's job, very nicely with no frills. I was also impressed by the fuel economy of the big 1200 twin, giving me 5L/100kms(47mpg) yesterday on a typical ride with my wife in the backroads west of Ottawa between 50 and 65mph all day. This is my first shaftdrive bike. Feels weird to not ear the chain at all. I'll get used to that quickly I think!

Suspension:
One of the biggest reason I wanted to sell my FJ and ended up on a S10. Unless I was gonna spend 1.5-2k Canadian into getting it redone, the FJ-09 suspension is barely adequate for bigger guys like me, then you had luggage and it's not good... it would be harsh, choppy and too soft all at the same time. The demo ride on the V1k gave me the impression it was much better than the FJ but even with the rear preload maxed out(did not touch anything else), it was rather bouncy and soft in the back. Now the S10! So far I only touched the rear preload, it's a 4/5 bars on the adjuster. I did not even check whatever goofy settings the dealer much have done to it and yet, it rides miles above my FJ. Comfortable yet just stiff enough you feel what's going on. I can feel the expansion joints on a bridge or small potholes but they dont upset the bike(or me) kinda deal, I just know there was a lil bump on the road. This bike was build from the ground up to carry some weight and it shows. Cant wait for the suspension to break-in and dial it in to my likings.

Luggage:
I had the SHAD SH36 on the FJ, loved them. They could fit a fullface helmet easily, even with my Sena still attached and looked great on the FJ. Same with the Versys 1k OEM luggage, no bad comments, wife has the same on her 650 and they work great. I knew getting the S10 i'd need a top case right away, i'll be ordering the Yamaha one since in Canada side cases are standard and i'm not spending 1500-2000$ Canadian yet on a set of new Givi/Touratech and others when the OEM ones will do the trick for now. The OEM Yamaha top case will give me room for my helmet when we stop for lunches and such and will work with my key like the side cases. I like that. Funny fact... the top case retails for 700$+Tx around here, ordering it from RockyMountainATV with the winglets(80$us VS 180$ Can) will cost me around 650$ Can all said and done. Far from the near 1k$ the dealer wanted with taxes.

Hope that helps anyone having some questions, feel free to send some if you have. :)

Cheers.
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
Hi there, that's a really nice looking Tenere. I almost got that color scheme. It's really strange how much good feedback I keep getting for the OEM suspension on these bikes. Enjoy your ride Sir. BTW, good on you having a wife that rides with you. And she has the perfect middleweight bike! I had a 07 Ninja 650R and really enjoyed that ride for over 35,000 miles.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Great review there, I changed from a 2012 Versys 1000 which I owned, loved and enjoyed for over 5 years. You are correct, the V1 motor is simply amazing but your comment on vibes is valid although mine was fine until a samall Rev range just over 6k rpm. Regarding wind flow and buffeting, I fitted a Givi Airflow to my V1 and it was good, but the stock Super Ten screen is better I think and I am 6’2” with a 33” inseam.

I have owned my pre-owned 2017 Super Ten, (shouldn’t that be Super 12?), since 1st. August and I am loving being back on a twin again.
 

Gigitt

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Sydney Australia
Congrats!!
Great info on bike comparison... I did the same this with the same bikes... tried the V1K and the MT-09 (Fj-09) still got my 2012 Versys 650 for commuting.
Im also 6'4" but more like 350#... before you go hunting for a bigger screen try the Russian Spoiler for the windscreen... it is cheap and might be good for you. just search "russian spoiler" I've posted links to the ebay seller in the forum before.
The Winglets DO make a HUGE difference to the wind on the arms and body.
With the hand guards - try rotating them up a bit.

I love riding my S10.

Enjoy your new toy!
 

Talltourer

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Aug 6, 2018
Messages
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Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Congrats!!

Im also 6'4" but more like 350#... before you go hunting for a bigger screen try the Russian Spoiler for the windscreen... it is cheap and might be good for you. just search "russian spoiler" I've posted links to the ebay seller in the forum before.
The Winglets DO make a HUGE difference to the wind on the arms and body.
With the hand guards - try rotating them up a bit.
Thanks :)

The windscreen is already ordered. I'm also thinking about cutting a couple inches off the stock one for the hot summer weeks.

I've for the winglets also already on order. Cant wait to see the difference.

Problem with the handguards is if you rotate them up, you raise the clutch and brake lever also outside of my natural position for them. I'll figure out something sooner or later :D
 

Cycledude

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Rib lake wi
Ongratulations on the new Tenere !!!
I am also the owner of the tallest VStream made for the Tenere and have been pretty well satisfied with it, I just bought it last fall and at first wow it was a major improvement for me, one of my friends took it for a test ride and ordered one the next day.
I am a bit surprised how much you seem to like the stock seat, at first it seemed ok for me but the more I ride it the less I like the seat, 45,000 miles on it now and I’m seriously considering trying the Seat Concepts seat that so many board members have been raving about. For me The stock seat works fine if I only ride a couple hundred miles a day but much farther than that gets kinda painful, many folks complain about the rear of the seat being to high and there’s a long thread about how to lower the rear by changing some spacers, that did help me a little but on long days it’s still a big pain in the butt.
As far as the winglets I have them but a few days ago I read where someone had taken his winglets off and says it’s less windy without them so I might be giving that a try to see what happens.
 

Edbo1960

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Aug 17, 2018
Messages
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Connecticut
Thanks Talltourer, I'm 6'4" at 220 and have been thinking about both of those bikes - want to sell my 2008 FJR (54,000 miles), try something new. I'm firmly in the S10 camp and have a line on a bike to buy soon.The cruise control, shaft, TC etc really is appealing along with the comfort.

Good luck!
 

Talltourer

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Ottawa, Ontario
Ongratulations on the new Tenere !!!

I am a bit surprised how much you seem to like the stock seat, at first it seemed ok for me but the more I ride it the less I like the seat, 45,000 miles on it now and I’m seriously considering trying the Seat Concepts seat that so many board members have been raving about. For me The stock seat works fine if I only ride a couple hundred miles a day but much farther than that gets kinda painful, many folks complain about the rear of the seat being to high and there’s a long thread about how to lower the rear by changing some spacers, that did help me a little but on long days it’s still a big pain in the butt.
Thanks! :)

For the seat... maybe i'm used to hard/thin sportbike seats but even my expensive modded custom gel seat on the FJ was not as comfortable as the Tenere is stock. For the first time when I sit on a bike i'm not sitting on the plactic pan under the compressed foam. Feel like a couch to me now. I will be trying the "flat seat" mod also shortly.

For the windshield, try the knockoff MRA Xscreen you can find on EBay. It’s less than $50 and well worth the money. The winglets are a good add too.
Vstream and winglets are already on order, will report back with comments and pics :)

Thanks Talltourer, I'm 6'4" at 220 and have been thinking about both of those bikes - want to sell my 2008 FJR (54,000 miles), try something new. I'm firmly in the S10 camp and have a line on a bike to buy soon.The cruise control, shaft, TC etc really is appealing along with the comfort.

Good luck!
I sat on a FJR a couple times and I knew my knees would probably not like it for a long ride. Lowering the pegs might have been an option but the bike is so low already, did not want to do that. So S10 it was and I dont regret it at all!
 

ace50

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May 19, 2015
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VA
So Talltourer,
How do you like your wife's 650V, I'm sure she's let you ride it?
I've been thinking about downsizing as I get older and that one's on my list.
 

Talltourer

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Interesting, my wife and I have a similar combo! -JEP-
You have great taste in motorcycles sir!!

So Talltourer,
How do you like your wife's 650V, I'm sure she's let you ride it?
I've been thinking about downsizing as I get older and that one's on my list.
I think it's small, underpowered, undersprung, underdamped... but it's so easy to ride and tons of fun to throw around. It's also the cheapest bike on fuel i've ever owned, 3.5L/100(67+ MPG) in our rides is a common occurance. I replaced the Dunlops that she never really liked with a set of Road 5 2 weeks ago and she's super happy. Bike leans in and out in corners better she says. I can definitely see why she likes it from her 5'10" 140-ish lbs. It's perfect for her. It was a hard thing for her to admit it but she is also coming from a few sportbikes(5 ZX6R of various years and a Suzuki GSX-S750) and absolutely loves the change of pace we did with touring bikes now.

That lil 650 mill is also awesome for what it is. Kawasaki put them in a few bikes, it's not a powerhouse but has good torque in the low end, they are bulletproof, run on 87 and sip fuel. I'm even thinking about getting a ER-6N(naked version) just for farting around town, going to the gym, work once in a while, things like that. They are getting really cheap used here and I would not mind a higher mileage one. Something to tinker on in the garage also.
 

airmed

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Jul 8, 2014
Messages
195
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Mesquite, Nv
I loved my Versys 650. Would buy another one in a heart beat for local and not to distant riding. I did some really long trips on mine, and while it did excellent in all that I asked of it, I got so tired of dealing with chain lubrication.
 

twinrider

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Yokohama
The only thing i'm not a fan of yet may never be until I put a pipe on is how "agricultural" the engine sounds. No feelings/emotions in there, it just does it's job, very nicely with no frills.
Yamaha really restricts the motor. Set it free with an ECU flash and you'll be laughing aloud in your helmet when you twist your wrist. An arrow header also frees up more power and improves the sound by getting rid of the catalyst.
 

avn801

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Jan 2, 2020
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Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
I had the same Versys 650 also in Lime Green. Loved the bike in town. Super flickable and handled incredible. Distance touring It was either I replace the suspension or get the S10. I went with the S10. The rear shock was like a pogo stick. Other than that it was an amazing bike truly liked it a lot.
 
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