Compare FJR to S10

[Peter]

Hello Everyone,

My wife and I currently own a 2007 Yamaha FJR, it's a great bike. I took it to Alaska, Newfoundland, and other states. We camp almost 90% of the time. After the Chicago Motorcycle Show, my wife and fell in love with black Super Tenere. How does the Super Tenere compare to FJR for long distance riding? 600mile PlUS a day trips?

Thanks

 

[Bigbore4]

05 FJR and 2012 Faster Black Super Tenere here. Your Missus has good taste.

I have a couple ~ 800 mile days on my Tenere, and several long days (really it's about hours in the saddle) up in the mountains in CO. I have the OE seat leveled, and Bead Rider beads.. The FJR has the Yamaha Corbin and I move the beads back and forth.

The Super Tenere is not an FJR, but it aint bad. I think with a better seat it could have thousand mile days in it.

What it IS better at is gravel. I don't shy form gravel on the FJR, but the geometry is wrong. You are always tense with your tailpipe all puckered up. The Super Tenere just eats it up. And it's really good on pavement with an 80 / 20 tire. We were out for a last ride in October, me on the Super Tenere, and friends on a ZX14 and a Connie. The ZX14 disappeared into the distance, my friend on the connie allowed as how he was not only impressed but feeling pressured in the twisties. Made me feel good.

Buy one, keep both, teach the missus to ride.

 

[jim a]

I cannot speak to riding two up, but after 2 fjrs and 6500 mi on the S-10 and some 600 mi. plus days I find the riding position more to the liking of my old bones. The only thing I miss is the HP.

Jim

 

[AVGeek]

08 FJR and 12 ST here, I find the riding position more relaxed on the ST, so expect it to be able to be a longer distance mount for me. My wife also said she liked the seat on the ST better, even without having a tail trunk as a back rest like I do on the FJR.

Forgot to add, I have no intention of having either one leave my collection. I appreciate the FJR more for what it is now that I have the ST.

 

[reverend12]

I have an S-10 and a FJR, Apples and Oranges, completely different machines. Both are great bikes!

 

[protondecay123]

Well, I have a 2005 FJR and a Raven 2012 SuperTen. The SuperTen does it all for me. Past Sept, the wife and I took the SuperTen on a 9 day 5K mile Eastern US loop including the EOM in Kentucky. We road straight back from Cumberland Falls to NWA. We took the SuperTen because my wife was more comfortable though the FJR has a Russell Day Long. This Spring the FJR goes on the market. I'm sad to see it go, but it needs to be utilized more.

 

[RIVA]

::003:: I have a 2010 Fjr and a 2011 S10. We're talking chalk and cheese here. Both are very capable machines. Both are comfortable for 800 + km. per day one or two up. The fjr pulls like a train in top gear at any speed from 60km per hour, You all know what the S10 is capable of. As to my favourite! Of course it's the S10 . ::015:: It is also my wife's favourite. The S10 is totally adaptable to any riding situation Where as. I find the Fjr slightly cumbersome in real tight twisties two up and luggage. My 2 cent worth. ::008::

 

[markjenn]

I recently sold my 2005 FJR and have a S10. They're very different bikes, so it is a little difficult to compare them.

The FJR definitely has some advantages for pure pavement touring, mainly power, smoothness, and better weather protection with the electric windscreen. If you are doing very high-speed stuff (above 90 or so), the FJR is much more capable. OTOH, the S10 has more legroom and a more relaxed riding position. The extra suspension travel is nice on bumpy roads. And, of course, the S10 gives you the flexibility to easily do gravel and dirt roads that would be either impossible or seriously stressful on the FJR.

There is something about the turbine smooth power of the FJR that the S10 can't come close to. If you like big, strong, smooth inline-four power, you may be disappointed in the S10 whose engine is a bit flat and almost agricultural by comparison. OTOH, twins have their own character which I find engaging. I guess I'm saying that there is more to these two bikes than just the specs - they have very different personalities.

- Mark

 

[~TABASCO~]

Cant say much more that has not already been said.. I have an 08' black FJR. Engine is super smooth, and you can do 1000 mile a days on the FJR. The longest Ive gone in one sitting with the Super Tenere is 14 hours straight. Comparing the two bikes for long distance 'for me' I would go with the Super Tenere... Ive told friends and customers, if I was told I had to sell all the bikes and only keep one, the SUPER TENERE would be the only one I would keep.. More fun to ride, easier to ride, better balanced, more room, able stand up and ride & stretch, Etc... Also, you missed your exit and you need to pop over that grass embankment, you can do that on the ST, not not on the FJR. Being in the bike business I get to ride MANY different bikes and try them out.. I would put the Super Tenere in the top 3-4 bikes on my list. And IMOP it would beat out the FJR any-Ol-Day if I had to choose just one......

 

[colorider]

I can't add much more that has not all ready been said. IF I could have kept my '08 FJR when I bought my SuperT, I would have. The FJR was my all-time favorite bike. Very comfy and capable of anything I wanted to do. So far, my wife has not ridden on the SuperT with me, so that important test has not been passed, but from what others have reported, it should not be an issue. Range is better with the SuperT even though the tank is smaller. I'm still bouncing between premium and regular fuel so not sure if the overall fuel cost will be higher or not.

Good luck!!

Rod

 

[sportrider]

Sold my 05 fjr for s10 to get more legroom. As stated above, it is everything I hoped for. It is slower, but that's ok, I love the 6th gear as I was always trying to shift into 6th on the fjr. Not as hot in the summer, I am not concerned about exploring down a dirt road or across a field. Both great bikes, but I do not regret my trade. My wife prefers the ride on the fjr, says it was more comfortable for her.

 

[Tremor38]

Sold my 05 fjr for s10 to get more legroom. As stated above, it is everything I hoped for. It is slower, but that's ok, I love the 6th gear as I was always trying to shift into 6th on the fjr. Not as hot in the summer, I am not concerned about exploring down a dirt road or across a field. Both great bikes, but I do not regret my trade. My wife prefers the ride on the fjr, says it was more comfortable for her.

I was so close to picking up an 07 FJR with zero miles in showroom condition. I watched the price inch down year after year, but came to my senses somehow. Started looking at Veestroms, then somebody offered to sell me a TDM, so I edumacated myself on that, but hesitated at the dirt worthiness, and looks to certain extent...Fast forward one year and hear comes the S10. I thought it was just a TDM on steroids until investigating a bit further. The rest is history. ::001::

 

[terrysig]

I'm in a unique position as I just faced your decision. I've had three FJRs and all were traded or sold with 40K+ miles. I rode the 2008 200 miles on friday and traded it in for an S10. Took a longer way home for my first 250 miles on the S10. Being a long time offroad rider the S10 was a familiar seating position. But it is very different from the FJR. On road the end result is about the same, the S10 like the FJR is an obvious mile muncher.

Added a dirt road to the ride home and there the S10 shines. Although I never shied away from dirt roads on the FJR the S10 was obviously different and ALOT more fun.

My reason for the change was the seaing postion and the supsension. My knees, shoulders and wrists just could not take the FJR seating position and I think the condition of the roads in my parts has alot to do with it. Multiple stretch outs on the FJR...not one needed on the way home with the S10.

Little two up riding so can't comment other than my long legged wife could not fit the FJR...will have to check that on the S10.

Good luck with your decision...actually you cannot go wrong with either!

 

[Peter]

Thanks everyone for your feedback.
I called three dealers in Chicago area, all three will have a demo S10 in the middle of March.
I will schedule a time and take a ride on it, since all dealers are close to express-way, I will be able to test S10 at highspeed.

 

[Desert Dave]

Just an observation........

I find it really interesting to see so many FJR owners here that switched to the Tenere. I always thought these bikes were so different that if you wanted both they would complement each other in the garage more than compete. I've always liked pure street sport touring bikes like the FJR but the ergonomics alone have always kept me on adventure bikes, as pointed out in so many posts above.

Just curious how many of you that have owned both are Yamaha loyal or is it just chance that these two bikes that seem to work for you are both Yamahas ?

 

[Checkswrecks]

For Pete -


Had an '04 FJR, '07 FJR, and now the black Super-10. Loved the FJRs and that whoosh of the motor. I don't miss the weight or sliding out the rear wheel in the rain with throttle. (We ride LOTS of rain here.)


My longest day on the S10 has been a bit over 18 hours and it's normal to be on it 2+ hours/day for commuting into DC. With a touring windshield and the front seat flattened ($2 mod) I can just go FAR longer than I could on the FJR. Pillion-wise, yesterday was a 200+ mile day and the lady VERY much likes the Super-10 for both room, solid feeling, and sitting higher. In fact, she mentioned these after we did about 10 miles of slimey gravel & mud on a ridge top.




As for the Yamaha fan observation -
No, there's nothing about the Yamaha brand, it's just that the FJR and S10 both appealed to me, like the Ducati ST2 that I had before the first FJR. Just yesterday at a Ride To Eat, a Beemer owner was confused about why I rent BMWs on my travels but own a Super-10. After explaining that I always know what I'll get when I rent a Beemer (like McDonald's burgers) overseas but never bonded with the engine/trans, and don't want the owner issues, he got it.

 

[mcrider007]

I have an S-10 and a FJR, Apples and Oranges, completely different machines. Both are great bikes!

I wouldn't say they are completely different. They are both made by Yamaha, they both have very easy maintenance schedules that any home mechanic can do (including a 26K valve check), and both should be very reliable. I bought the S10 to use on rough, uneven pavement and the very occasional side trip on gravel roads and that Alaska trip that everyone talks about doing sometime in the next 3 years (but rarely ever happens). If the roads are smooth then the FJR rules. If I could only have one, it would be the FJR because almost all of the roads I ride are pretty smooth...or at least smooth enough that the S10s long suspension isn't needed.

 

[sportrider]

I was just trying to downsize the garage and the s10 seemed like a great big bike to replace my fjr and 950se, and now I am thinking of selling my 950sm and 520exc for a 690e. I do miss the hot rod 950se, that was a fun bike.

 

[Bigbore4]

Just an observation........

I find it really interesting to see so many FJR owners here that switched to the Tenere. I always thought these bikes were so different that if you wanted both they would complement each other in the garage more than compete. I've always liked pure street sport touring bikes like the FJR but the ergonomics alone have always kept me on adventure bikes, as pointed out in so many posts above.

Just curious how many of you that have owned both are Yamaha loyal or is it just chance that these two bikes that seem to work for you are both Yamahas ?

77 XS 650
79 XS 750 Special
80 Excessive Eleven
92 FJ 1200
05 FJR
12 XTZ 1200

All purchased new, so you might say I am brand loyal. Have worked with 2 really good dealers, that helps, but you cannot beat the Yammi reliability. I looked at a Kawi before I bought the FJR and then I dug into maintenance. 6000 mile valve adjust vs 26000 valve adjust. hmmmmm. I have had some others along the way, the Monster was a hoot for a while.

I was in a dealer getting a cord for my Gebrings Gloves and asked over my shoulder if Yamaha had anything new and the sales guy handed me a Super Tenere brochure. I was hooked at first look. Found this site and started reading, made the mistake of going to talk to my dealer with checkbook in pocket.

The FJR and XTZ are two very different machines. I don't think a better bike than the FJR exists for eating great heaping gobs of asphalt in a single day. The Super Tenere is a darn close second, and it may be equal. Sometime this next summer I will put it to the test.

As markjenn and others have said, and I have FHE, The FJR will do gravel but it can be stressful. I came over a pass on mine between ID and MT. Forget which one, biut instead of hard bottom gravel like we have in MN it turned into inches deep loose shifting river rock. My bunghole puckered up so tight.... Well you get the idea, would have been entertaining on the Super Tenere, it was "stressful" on the FJR, especially with all the dang logging trucks.

 

[protondecay123]

Just an observation........

I find it really interesting to see so many FJR owners here that switched to the Tenere. I always thought these bikes were so different that if you wanted both they would complement each other in the garage more than compete. I've always liked pure street sport touring bikes like the FJR but the ergonomics alone have always kept me on adventure bikes, as pointed out in so many posts above.

Just curious how many of you that have owned both are Yamaha loyal or is it just chance that these two bikes that seem to work for you are both Yamahas ?

Well the timing of the purchase had a lot to do with it on my part. In August of 2004, Something that was a mile muncher, two up and a great dealer network appealed to me. I do at least one and some years two one week motorcycle vacations with the better half. The FJR fit the bill there.
But after the FJR Yamahas brand consciousness has risen on my part. One thing that bothered me was heading down a dirt road with the FJR. After a long distance rally I started looking for something more dirt worthy. Reliability issues aside the Roundel's are out of my price league. The SuperTen was coming out just as I got everything arranged financially. The ergos are so much better for me and the better half. The SuperTen is truly a two up all arounder.