Education of the Tenere Kind

[wantajustride]

Tenere Riders

New to the forum, and I am looking to get an education of the Super Tenere. Since seeing one on the road a few weeks back I have become very interested in the model. I think it's a great looking bike. This new bike will be replacing a 650 V-Strom and be used mostly for the daily 45 mile commute. As I live in Colorado, longer road trips would include everything from Interstate travel at 80 mph, 2 lane twisty highway romps (Highway 550, Ouray - Durango) and endless miles of two track graded dirt running thru vast open spaces of Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.

After reading several ride reports and countless post on the various Adventure forums, Watching You Tube vids and internet searches, I can't find too much bad press about the bike. The competition for the new bike have been narrowed to 3:
KTM 990 Adventure
Yamaha Super Tenere
Triumph 800 XC

When I looked at the big beast at a local dealership, my first impression was,, "This thing is Massive", it "Looks Heavy" (@ 600 lbs), and frankly,, a bit intimidating for dual sport riding. But after trowing a leg over the saddle, I was surprised how little effort it took to balance the bike off the side stand. I'm not tall, 5' 9" / 31" inseam. Fact is, I can't stand flat footed on My Wee or any other Adv bike I have sat on or ridden (no lowering links for me). I will be keeping my DR 650 for when I want to ride a lighter DS machine.

I have 3 wishes for the new bike. Dependable (for remote desert runs), easy to maintain ( much like my trusted DR), and fun to ride getting to the final destination.

Were any of you concerned about these same things as myself? What were the main factors and reasons you chose the Tenere over the competition?


Anyhow,, I've been bitten by the big Tenere Beast and now the venom is flowing thru my veins. It's just a matter of time until I succumb to it's infectious, poisonous sting.

 

[rem]

Welcome on, WJR. Always good to see a JAFSTO. Just another future Super Tenere Owner. You're on the right track and in the right place. I think everyone here would substantiate your three concerns. No worries. I see you're from Colorado ... there goes the neighborhood. KIDDING >>>>>> YOu'll be hearing from the Colorado riders soon enough. There is a bunch of them lurking about. Lets us know when you make the move. And again, ::004:: . R ::022::

 

[HoebSTer]

Hey Wantajustride, if you have read a lot here you will have seen many have ditched the KLR's and various Sport-Touring rides to combine into the one fine ride of the Tenere. I have owned a STrom 1K and previous ST1300. The Tenere has been for me as if you take these two bikes mate them together creating a wonderful new breed! It is DEPENDABLE beyond some BMW issues, and supported by a major dealer network nationwide. Mostly, you have us here to assist you. Isn't the 24k valve adjustment interval enough to wet your taSTebuds? Sure we can say this and that to push you over the edge, but the decision is yours. You know what's right! ::022::

 

[barkingllizard]

some will chime in with more, but I don't think anyone has gone wrong with a Super Ténéré, with a simple hello, wantajustride.....

 

[snuffcityrider]

Welcome and go get cha one. I picked the Ten over the Tiger because of dealer support should I ever have a problem. I've had three Triumphs (still have one) and although I love the brand, dealers are sparse and sometimes parts are too. At least that's been my experience here in central Texas. Could be that other states have better results.

 

[MotorcopBBQ]

Welcome to the forum. For me choosing the Tenere was at first a difficult choice. I wanted a BMW R1200RT.. way over price. Then I got the adventure bug. Found a used GS1200... in Wisconsin there is a lack of dealerships also dependability is a very BIG issue. Coming from a H.D background. I didn't want another bike where I was worried about putting miles on it, because HD recommends service every 5000 miles. I looked at the KTM and it is too dirt oriented for my liking and the ride over a great distance a 30 mile test ride, was not very comfortable. I am 6'1" and there is no wind protection at all.
The Tiger 800 in my opinion is too small and has similar features that the BMW F800GS has. Very dirt bikeish

The tenere is an all around bike. I wanted something that if I was out riding and saw a dirt road, I could take it there. Depending on your riding style for my commute to work I average 48mpg. That hasn't changed since the day I took it home. The price was $8000 less then a new GS.

As maintaining goes, this bike is very easy to work on. Oil changes and primary fluid changes, are a piece of cake. So easy the first time I did it, my wife came out to check on me because, usually when I change oil on a car or my old motorcycle-H.D. I was swearing up a storm.
I hope you have to opportunity to test ride one of these great motorcycles. Because I remember my first test ride and I was blown away at what this motorcycle could do!

 

[Twitch]

Welcome to the forum!

All nice bikes you're looking at there, but a long history of great experience with Yamaha's motorcycles and my local dealer were probably the primary reasons that I went in the direction of the Tenere. With 5K miles, I have no concerns about the dependability of this motorcycle. I’d take it most anywhere in confidence that it would get me wherever and back.

 

[dcc46]

HI, and Welcome to the Forum. S10 is a great bike , you won't be sorry. ::001::

 

[wantajustride]

Thanks guys.
From all I have read you riders echo things stated from other reviewers. With the possibility of fuel prices going thru the roof again this summer 48mpg is acceptable. I have read the big KTM falls short of 40 on a regular basis. On the other hand my Wee knocks down 50-60 regularly.
Are you guys OK with the non-switchable ABS on dirt/gravel? Some riders demand the ability to switch it off for those rides.
I like the sound of an easy oil change (as in the DR).

 

[colorider]

Welcome to the forum! Assume since you are in Falcon, you looked at the SuperT at either Apex or RMCP. In any case, I really think you need to try for a test ride before making a final decision. To be honest, of the bikes you listed, the SuperT would be (is) my first choice - especially for the Colorado riding style.

Good luck and again ::004::

Rod

 

[XRAnimal]

I wasnt shopping for a bike until I road the Tenere when a few of us went to check out what Yamaha came up with. After the test ride, I considered the BMW and KTM. I eliminated the BMW because of price. I'm an offroad rider and probably would have leaned toward the KTM because of its proven ability, however two up comfort was important too, so I ended up buying the Tenere I test road

Zero regrets. I love this bike. Great in the twisties, highway and so far on the limited off road riding, just right.

 

[HoebSTer]

Are you guys OK with the non-switchable ABS on dirt/gravel? Some riders demand the ability to switch it off for those rides.

You can shut it off without a switch. Place on centerstand, start up shift into second gear and wait for the ABS light to come on. Take off center stand, ride away!!!

 

[EricV]

If the mpg is an important factor, keep the bike you have. ;D Of the three bikes you list, only the Super Ten fits with your stated goals of "Dependable, easy to maintain and fun to ride" The KTM is dependable, but not necessarily easy to maintain, and requires a lot more maintenance than the S10. The Triumph is a fun little bike, but it's really just another version of what you have now. For your stated use and location any of them will serve well. Try and go ride all three, and even a couple that you don't feel are quite what you are looking for, then decide.

Consider if having the shaft drive is important to you. If you're fine with chains, and spokes, go for what makes you giggle in your helmet and get a job closer to where you live, or move closer to where you work to save on the gas.

 

[coastie]

I have only put 1k miles on mine since December 30, but have not had any major issues with anything except with trying to decide on what farkles to buy first. It did stall on me a few times and seemed to stumble from idle but the last 200 miles have been just fine. So for now I will chalk it up to break in. I stand 5'7" 180lbs and have no problems with the size of this motorcycle on the street or on the few dirt roads I have taken it on. Maintenance is a breeze and the first valve check is around 26k! The one detail that surprised me when I got it home and read the manual was that it takes premium unleaded fuel.

 

[wantajustride]

Thanks Fella's,

I'm gonna have to go test ride the bike this week. I'm willing to sacrifice some MPG for performance. In you guy's opinion, does the bike "Ride" lighter than the weight of the spec sheet?
Thanks HoebSTer, That's a great bit of information. You're right Colo Rider we have endless miles of perfect DS riding out here in the West. That's why I'm looking at a bigger DS bike. Throw a tent and some grub on the bike and you could gone for days and never ride the same loop twice.

You guys know I'm gonna' blame you-all when the wife see's it in the garage. Ah' maybe she won't be able to tell the difference, I'll just tell her I painted the Wee Blue.

 

[JRTEN]

Confirmed- the S10 carries all its weight low and definitely seems lighter than say a 1200GSS even though it is actually heavier.

::26::

 

[wantajustride]

Picked up the Super Tenere last Saturday. A 30 mile test ride on the demo and I was hooked. A few hours later, I rode my new beast home. Now almost a week later, I think it feels and rides lighter than it's real weight suggests. When standing on the pegs the bike feels so balanced and the ergonomics is more natural feeling than my Wee.
The Super Tenere is such an incredible machine.