Compare to Yamaha FJR

[Peter]

Hello Everyone,

I currently own 2007 Yamaha FJR, I took the FJR to many places, including Alaska, Newfoundland, many states, I currently have little over 48K miles. Most of my miles, I ride with a passenger. Plus, having Givi E55 top case, helps alot.

In regards to 2013 Super Tenere, how much different is the ride, sitting possition? With the FJR, I'm always worried taking the bike on roads which are not ideal for FJR (dirt, gravel).
How is the S10 for long trip, 800-1100 mile days and two up?

Thanks

 

[Jagermeister]

I put 58k on my FJR, and loved it. About 25% of those miles were 2-up. I had a lot of farkles on it - Heli Triple Clamp, Rocky Mayer custom seats, Ohlins shock & Race Tech forks, Power Commander, and lots more. Compared to my beloved FJR, the Tenere is a mixed bag. Overall, the Tenere is better than the FJR, but not in every respect.

• *On fire trails (which I did frequently on the FJR), Super Tenere is the hands-down winner. Hell, I take it most of the places I'll take my DRZ-400.
  *The FJR's engine is more powerful. Your can't expect the same thrust from a 1200cc twin.
  *The Super Tenere is more nimble, but not quite as fast in the corners (new suspension may fix this). True ADV tires will be another limiting factor on-road.
  *The Super Tenere's riding position is more comfortable (upright) than the FJR's - even with that Heli riser plate. The ST also has a more comfortable position for the Pillon, although mine complains a lot about the stock seat.
  *The ST puts a LOT less heat on the rider than the FJR.

Both are great bikes - arguably, the best in their respective classes. You need to decide: do I want a Sport Tourer, or an Adventure Tourer? For me, the Super Tenere is a more satisfying bike, based on my riding style and interests.

 

[BaldKnob]

Hey Peter, having ridden the FJR a couple of times, I can say that you have a fantastic machine that is only limited by the surface of the road it travels. Yamaha's website has locations of dealers that offer demo rides. Find an S10 and go for a ride. You'll find the riding position more upright with your feet lower and further forward. My bars were located way too far forward so being short, the reach was awkward. Rotating them back in the clamps worked great for me, taller riders may need risers mostly for offroad standing situations. As for handling differences, you will need to adjust because the S10 is not a sportbike. It can hustle down a twisty road but it takes more handlebar work (counter-steering), smooth throttle hand and good rubber (not knobs). The engine is down 40HP to the FJR but the S10 is lighter (FJR feels lighter) and having 150HP in an ADV bike is overkill. That being said... I would like about 15-20 more HP! The brakes are excellent. You can forget about the rear brake pedal and the lack of ABS off switch. It would be nice if TC was on the fly. Drive mode will switch with the throttle off. T-mode is smoother with slower throttle response, S-mode is very quick throttle and feels like more power but I think both modes give full power. Yamaha restricts full torque in the first 3 gears so you may feel a hitch in it's giddyup (right off idle) but that is easily resolved. The suspension starts out stiff but breaks in with 1000 miles or so and has full (Mantronic) adjustability. Many tuners can revalve both ends very easily to fit you. Money well spent.

I have been on several 3-4 day rides in the Smokies/BRP/Barber Motorsports Park and found the S10 inhales highway miles (good seat with room to move around), loves the twisties (and rough roads) and can go down a gravel road at insane speeds. I would suggest going slow offroad to get a feel for how the bike reacts. It is a pig (watch out for soft sand) but a very well balanced pig that can take you and yours to just about any spot of land on this good Earth.

 

[Checkswrecks]

There are a lot of us who came to the Super_T from the FJR and I had both a Gen1 & Gen 2. As with the FJR, don't be surprised if you look for an aftermarket seat and windshield. Also like the FJR, there are plenty to choose from and they don't have to be too expensive.


The first thing that hit me was missing the velvety smooth hammer of the FJR's power. The FJR throttle is almost like an electric motor rheostat in the relationship to power delivery. The Tenere is a twin, so you feel the power delivery and the torque "curve" is essentially flat, so until you jumper the clutch switch wire (see threads devoted to it) a brand new Tenere motor is almost underwhelming. Do the mod and wait 1,500 miles for break in and it becomes plenty entertaining.


As for seating position, there is a simple $2 mod to flatten the driver's seat and once done, We did a ride from DC to Alaska and California in June and I'll take the Super Tenere as a long distance mount over the FJR any day. One person on the forum (sail2XX) has gone 52,000 miles in a year.


Our last 2-up big ride was 600 miles and after that one I was asked if I could flatten her seat the way I did mine, which was again no problem. My partner is fairly small and really likes the back seat of the Tenere. Personally, I find the cushion a bit narrow but she likes it and there are several companies now doing aftermarket seats.


Using the big square panniers is incredibly more practical than the odd shaped 34L ones on the FJR. btw - With the big boxes and a set of bars, if the bike falls over, you pick it up and ride on, then simply touch up the paint with a little can of Rustoleum. You don't spend $120 for a mirror and then start looking to buy mufflers and plastic.


You'll LOVE the traction control and ABS when you have your passenger on and are goofing around on wet grass or gravel. The electronics just WORK. The Tener is also much easier to work on than the FJR and has a bigger alternator to power heated gear, lights, etc.

The FJR looks better to me and has it's place. But I live much better with the Tenere and am having a ball.

 

[AVGeek]

+1 to Checkswrecks comments above, and my 2€ (I'm in Europe as I post this, so I'm upping my price) I'll throw in...I still have my 08 FJR, it's one of my favorite bikes, and a perfect commuter (I don't have hard bags on the ST...yet). For my recent SS1000, the roads I took would have been awesome on the FJR, but I took the ST. It was far more comfortable to me for the long haul, and I did it on the stock seat with the $2 mod CW mentioned. I was especially glad I had the ST for the TC when I hit adverse weather on my return trip from Denver (rain, wind, hail). I would have liked the greater protection the FJR affords, but the confidence that comes from the electronics package on the ST let me blast through the bad weather as quickly as possible.

 

[HoebSTer]

I have done alot of miles on Honda ST1100' and 1300's over the years. When I have ridden my dads FJR, I didn't really notice that much power difference from the FJR to the ST's. I feel the Tenere while cruising down the road at 70mph, then hitting the throttle to be way more torquey. The FJR felt like typical inline 4 where the rpm's needed to be high for power.

 

[pluric]

When I bought my Tenere I planned on keeping the FJR. After 6 months of the FJR never being used I sold it.
I do missed the big grin thrust of the FJR.

Two of my smaller bore trail bikes have not been used in over a year now because of the Tenere is that
good off road.

 

[20valves]

I feel the Tenere while cruising down the road at 70mph, then hitting the throttle to be way more torquey.

It may feel more torquey but my seat of the pants tells me at 70mph in a top gear roll on, an FJR would leave the Tenere for dead.

 

[HoebSTer]

It may feel more torquey but my seat of the pants tells me at 70mph in a top gear roll on, an FJR would leave the Tenere for dead.

True, and no argument!!! I have no desire at all in my bones to haul major ass for speed sake. I like to drive fast through curves, just not for a straight shot thing. I constantly am thinking of wheres the cops, oh there goes my fuel mileage. I know, it internally sucks to let my self free and go with it at times.

 

[dansi]

I have a gen1 fjr and love it. I agree with the comments made so far. What I will add it the fjr is way smoother in the vibration felt thru the bars. I am sensitive to bar vibration and my hands numb on the s10 much faster. Other than that the ergonomics are much better on the s10. I had to reduce the sport position of the fjr to ride it for any distance. My knees hurt faster on the fjr and that is with highway pegs added. Bar risers and custom lower seat were a huge benefit. I have put risers on the s10, but more for standing comfort and the hope in reducing vibration (ROX rubber mounted risers). Headlights on my fjr are fantastic. S10 terrible by comparison.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[snakebasket]

Have an 2011 FJR and S10. The FJR is for two - up touring and is a joy to ride on fast highways effortlessly, very smooth and predictable. My S10 doesn't have a pillion seat or foot pegs , it is my ultimate bike and I feel it was made just for me.
I agree about the vibes on the S10, but try some Grip Puppies, they do help.

http://www.migsel.com/store/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=80

 

[OX-34]

................How is the S10 for long trip, 800-1100 mile days and two up?...........

I have an FJR and a S10 and have done several 1000 mile days and a couple of 1500mile days on each bike. Both are great at that sort of thing. I think the FJR is probably better at the extreme end of distance riding e.g. a 1700mile day. Its just effortless.

The S10 is more comfortable, though.

 

[Paulvt1]

I'm actually contemplating going the other way - from S10 to the new FJR. A test ride when the big beast arrives will be in order...

 

[colorider]

A test ride when the big beast arrives will be in order...

This is probably something I should NOT do! I'm too easily tempted (and still miss my FJR).

::022::

 

[MrTwisty]

I kind of miss my FJR sometimes too, but the versatility of the S10 makes up for it. The thing I miss most about the FJR is the ability to pass at will, almost anywhere. The S10 is definitely a little slower, but it's no slouch.

They are both fantastic motorcycles. However, I can't see owning both because they are just too close to being the same thing, except the obvious exception of the Tenere's off-road capability.

 

[20valves]

Having an FJR and a Tenere is like having two kids. You love 'em both but they're different. Lots of mission overlap on these two but if I'm 100% certain it'll be a pavement only trip, I prefer the FJR. If I could only have one bike, I'd have the Tenere.

 

[PNWSuperbeast]

I absolutely loved my 06 FJR and prior to the roll out of the Super Tenere I don't think I would have selected another bike. As everyone has already noted each has it's niche, mine just kept getting ridden less and less after the S10. I do miss the velvety smooth throttle on my FJR but I can go a lot more places that I never would have before.

 

[AVGeek]

Quick aside...I am in Paris right now for a work trip...been here since 10:30am yesterday (local time), and I have seen 7 FJRs and no Super Teneres...I have seen plenty of Varaderos, Transalps and even an Africa Twin, along with a few GSs.

Carry on...

 

[Paulvt1]

First reviews are popping up of the new FJR. Looks to be one class act.

http://www.moto-station.com/article14942-yamaha-fjr-1300-a-repartie-pour-un-tour-.html

 

[hANNAbONE]

...the 3 times I rode an FJR the first thing I noticed was the incredible mill.

the 2nd thing I noticed was the incredible heat ---- THAT DIDN'T EVER GO AWAY..!

I liked the FJR, but I love the Supa10...plus it packs way more for extended trips.