CONSIDERING A SUPER TENERE

[timonbik]

Hello, I'm Tim from Canada, eh!!! I am currently considering a 2017 Super Tenere. I currently have 3 bikes, a 2010 Honda NT700V (great bike just a little down on power), a 2006 Victory V92TC (thought I'd try the dark side, nuff said) and a 2008 Moto Guzzi Breva 750. I'm thinking of replacing the Vic and the Honda with the ST. I use the Moto Guzzi down south in the winter months . To be honest, at 62 years of age I am not interested in wrenching on bikes, I just want to ride, so reliability, minimal and ease of maintenance is important to me. I' tired of manufacturers putting out expensive bikes that one has to spend hundreds of dollars if not thousands on upgrades to make it run right.
Some of the concerns I have about the ST are: seat height, fuel mapping issues, and leg room (those knees don't bend like they used to).
Any input appreciated.
Thanks, Tim

 

[Ape]

Well I can tell you that I am coming off a very well set up 2002 FZ1 and I find this thing a dream. Fuelling issues maybe if you are real picky. I don't find it an issue. Seat height could be an issue if you are shorter than 6 ft I guess with short legs. Leg room will not be a problem unless you have a 38 inch in seam. If that is the case then the prior will not be an issue. The fz was like a corvette this thing is like a Cadillac different power same speeds. More comfortable I am not sure but it is very comfortable I guess I would say different comfortable as well. It took me two days of riding to feel like it was mine. But after the second day I knew it was the right decision and have been loving it now for the last two weeks. I won't tell you that you will love it but I will tell you that I sure do.

 

[holligl]

Find the closest one and go for a ride!

 

[BaldKnob]

2nd the test ride. It probably won't blow you away but if you ride dirtbikes, you'll feel right at home. It helps to be tall, if you aren't comfy tiptoeing around, and employed because they ain't cheap (find a nice used one) but worth it. There is less than 100hp at the wheel and it weighs 575 so not a rocketship. The torque and traction and stability is what I was impressed with most on my test. Learned to live with the throttle and suspension.

 

[timonbik]

I agree with doing the test ride but up here in Canukistan it is difficult to do test ride as many dealers don't PDI bikes on the floor until they are sold. Yamaha Canada unfortunately did not include an ST on their factory test tour
As far as buying used, the electronic cruise is an important feature for me because along with my knees, fingers are also becoming arthritic so would need a 2015 or newer.
I am on the shorter side but weigh enough that suspension compresses. Tried siting on one at the bike show and it didn't feel too tall, but if it were to become an issue it is my understanding lowering links are available.
Thanks for the input, Tim

 

[WJBertrand]

One of the specific reasons I went for my Ténéré was for the additional leg room and more roomy ergos compared to my ST1300. The Super Ténéré has accumulated a reputation for bullet proof reliability, so that's not a concern. Fueling could be a little better, but that's my only minor gripe. Fortunately, you can re-flash the ECU and improve that.


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[IslandTractor]

As far as buying used, the electronic cruise is an important feature for me because along with my knees, fingers are also becoming arthritic so would need a 2015 or newer.

Actually cruise control appeared in 2014 along with some engine control mods.

I bought a used 2014 earlier this year. Benefit of buying used is 1) depreciation hit has already occurred, 2) most bikes get a bunch of farkles added by the first owner. There seem to be a half dozen that almost everyone does and that can add well more than a grand or two. Easy to spend more than that. Luggage, protective plates, extra lighting, winglets, side stand foot plate, custom saddle etc etc. I've not ridden a S10 without suspension mods but many folks do beef up the suspension which is expensive to do. Bottom line is that if you can wait for a good used bike to show up you will likely save many $grand and have a bike that is well sorted from the start. I don't doubt that the stock bike is excellent but owners vote with their wallets to make it "excellenter" so a used bike can be a very good deal. And, we are not talking BMW maintenance issues/cost here so it isn't like you have to keep a small fortune in reserve. A nicely cared for low mileage 2014 with desirable farkles can be had for $10K in the States. Worth looking for IMO.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Hello, I'm Tim from Canada, eh!!! I am currently considering a 2017 Super Tenere. I currently have 3 bikes, a 2010 Honda NT700V (great bike just a little down on power), a 2006 Victory V92TC (thought I'd try the dark side, nuff said) and a 2008 Moto Guzzi Breva 750. I'm thinking of replacing the Vic and the Honda with the ST. I use the Moto Guzzi down south in the winter months . To be honest, at 62 years of age I am not interested in wrenching on bikes, I just want to ride, so reliability, minimal and ease of maintenance is important to me. I' tired of manufacturers putting out expensive bikes that one has to spend hundreds of dollars if not thousands on upgrades to make it run right.
Some of the concerns I have about the ST are: seat height, fuel mapping issues, and leg room (those knees don't bend like they used to).
Any input appreciated.
Thanks, Tim

Welcome aboard.

Ergonomically, if you can't find another Tenere, it's extremely close to the BMW 1200GS for bars/pegs/seat. I'm a couple months younger than you and one reason I came to the Tenere from an FJR is the kitchen chair sitting position. MUCH better for both gravel/dirt and long distance touring.

It's easy to spend LOTS of money on farkles, and a new Tenere is a bit of a blank slate. Some people add nothing and keep theirs as a road bike. Panniers can go from $100 Nelson Rigg to over a grand. You likely will want at least a skid plate to protect the vulnerable sump plate. If you go on gravel a lot, a set of bars is a good idea to keep from putting the fan through the radiator inside the left fairing.

Definitely lowering links and lower seats are available. A number of folks are on the forum who made theirs shorter, so use the SEARCH function, as it works well here.

Gen 1 (2010-2013) had the worse fuel mapping which could be addressed. Gen2 (2014+) are all the same other than paint and if the fueling is a bit off, you can do a couple of things fairly cheap to smooth it.

 

[RicoChet]

Hey Tim, welcome aboard. Where in Ontario are you located? I was lucky enough to have Limey (Paul) offer up his bike to me when I wanted to go for a test ride. He is a very generous dude! I know what you mean about the test rides, you can't do them here at the dealership. After I took a ride on Pauls bike I was hooked, the thing is like a tractor.

I am now an owner of a black and red 2016 ES and I absolutely love it. The cruise control is my favourite feature, regardless of who poo poos on it!!

Good luck with your search!

 

[Sierra1]

My favorite bike ever. As far as initial cost, expensive is a relative term. Finding a bike with the Tenere's capabilities that cost less will be tough. An FJR is a little more, the GSA is A LOT more. Favorite things: shaft drive, ELECTRONIC cruise control, and heated grips. The rest is gravy. Bought mine without riding it; never regretted the purchase.

 

[barkingllizard]

go for a test ride, timonbik, with a simple hello.....

 

[limey]

Welcome Tim, I'm in Bowmanville if you are close by your more than welcome to take my 2012 out for a few hrs.

 

[timonbik]

Thanks for your generous offers, but I see that Yamaha Canada has added one to their test ride fleet. Now to align my schedule with theirs at a location within reasonable distance.

Cheers. Tim

 

[2daMax]

Welcome and delay no further on the S10. May is almost over... (yeah, warm climate person trying to pretend he knows everything about winter riding avoidance )

Rideability improvements can be improved with simple tweaks like TB sync and 3/4 turn out on referenced air screw, and CO settings adjustments via the clocks.

 

[IslandTractor]

If you can buy a used bike in the US and drive it home, I noticed that there is a nice 2014 that just popped up in the for sale section. Wisconsin or Minnesota I believe. Might be a nice fly and drive if you can sort out the paperwork. $11.5k which is about right.

 

[limey]

If you can buy a used bike in the US and drive it home, I noticed that there is a nice 2014 that just popped up in the for sale section. Wisconsin or Minnesota I believe. Might be a nice fly and drive if you can sort out the paperwork. $11.5k which is about right.

That's $15,500 CDN with the exchange rate , just not worth it.

 

[IslandTractor]

That's $15,500 CDN with the exchange rate , just not worth it.

How much are used bikes going for in Canada. $11.5K for a well cared for, well farkled 2014 with less than 15K miles is pretty close to average used price here. I've seen a totally stock 2014 go for $10 but 11.5 seemed a reasonable asking price. Pre 2014 would be $8-9K.

 

[limey]

How much are used bikes going for in Canada. $11.5K for a well cared for, well farkled 2014 with less than 15K miles is pretty close to average used price here. I've seen a totally stock 2014 go for $10 but 11.5 seemed a reasonable asking price. Pre 2014 would be $8-9K.

There is one local 2013 with 5,000km for $14,000. I just not worth it with the week Canadian dollar and the hassle.

 

[Cycledude]

I recommend a 14 or newer so u get cruise control , I've never ridden a 14 or newer but supposedly the fueling and the clutch are better but I never had any problems with that stuff on my 13. No matter what year u get the stock headlights are crap but there fine if you switch to LED. I was disappointed to find out there are no self cancelling turn signals no matter what year u buy but lots of folks say they don't want self canceling turn signals. You can often save a lot of money buying used, that's what I did and it worked out great !

 

[IslandTractor]

There is one local 2013 with 5,000km for $14,000. I just not worth it with the week Canadian dollar and the hassle.

Big difference between a 2013 and 2014 though. If you intend to do road touring you might want to stretch to get the electronic cruise control that became standard on 2014+ models.