hard decision on changing bike

[spasm]

hi everyone, it's been a long time since i have posted on here, some of you may remember me in the early days. ive posted this on other forums and since i then i have ridden the KTM 1290 super adventure and didnt like it.
i have the yamaha xt1200z super tenere first edition, had it since new 2011, i do love the bike weve got a sort of bond really after sharing 55k miles together, touring europe and lots of weekend adventures with clubs like ABR and others.
since i bought the bike i have done everything to her, full arrow exhaust system, power commander, ECU flash remap, k&n airfilter, crash bars, spot lights, bash plate, adjustable screen, heated grips, number plate S10ERE,
gel seats,
and i have just had all the bearings everywhere replaced, wheels, head, swing arm e.t.c. new proggresive fork spings + seals, spark plugs + coils, i did this work to be ahead of the game really as i didnt want stuff failing whilst on a long tour, especially as i was thinking of riding her across america next year.
so yes ive done a lot of work making this bike my bike how i want it. now i have a problem ive fallen for the KTM 1290 super adventure i want one. but i clearly cant have both why have 2 adventure bikes, equally i dont have the space.
i just cant make my mind up what to do now haha, my bike is mine all payed for and im not going to get a lot for her with those miles on her even though shes been well maintained. im waiting to see the KTM dealer on saturday to give me a exchange price on my bike and test ride the KTM.
am i losing the plot lol.
now then i'm a bit out of touch with everything thats been posted on this site, so my question is would i be wise to buy a 2017 super dooper tenere with all the new electics and gadgets. whats the bike like compared to my first edition, whos updated there bike, any advice please. ive been told by diasipon yamaha in italy that i would not need too put arrow headers on it as the new ECU flash is better and i would get good power. i love yamahas ive raced them and had them all my life, so i would like to keep it that way.

 

[snakebitten]

Too bad 2 bikes is is such an obstacle for you.
Like you said, you are NOT going to get near enough for your Tenere.
That is why I end up with more bikes than I can defend. But I just can't justify selling it for a fraction of its real worth.

I'd GIVE it to a loved one or friend before doing that.

And what law says each bike I have must be a different genre?

And finally, you already know how you feel about your Tenere. No guarantee 5 years from now (or even 1) you'll feel that way about your next bike.

There, did I drive the sword in deep enough? Lol

 

[snakebitten]

By the way, good to hear from you!

 

[greg the pole]

Welcome back.

I too had a recent itch to switch. Maybe to an AT, or the new 1090 adventure. Like you, I 2011 have about 80k km on my bike, with the kitchen sink thrown at it (many 2014 bits in it)
You have to ask yourself what you want. The KTMs are very nice bikes. But, and this is a big but, will not be nowhere as reliable as the Teneres, and likely more maintenance intensive. The on going fiasco with the air box issues with the original 1190s, the suspension recalls on the 1290s. I'm not saying that your possible 1290 will have issues, but technically it is a 1st year bike. Yes they are using the exisiting 1290 motor, but many of the electrics are new (dash, switch gear-which was shit from start...). Also consider the massive heat the 1290 will spit out. 150hp and all that.

Now for the upgragded tenere? I really cannot comment. My 2011 has the 2014 basket, manual cct (oem was shit), pistons, rings, ECU flash, arrow headers. I can't comment on the cruise, but I'm guessing mine drive like or better than a new gen. I did just rebuild my motor (hard life..40% off road) but it's minty fresh after 80km.

I do own a FJ09 (MT09 Tracer) and it's a faboulous bike. It can do limited gravel, but not willingly. It has the new gen tenere switch gear and dash, which I enjoy.

Don't say no to the KTM. I think I would buy the 1090 over the AT, as it has more character, much better motor, and suspension, and roll the dice on reliability.
But after having a starter blow up after 70hrs of use on my off road XC300...i will likely stay with Japanese bikes in the future. KTM are great when they work.... :

 

[Rethy]

sounds like your S10 is well sorted to suit you. 55 kilometers (34,000 miles) is nothing for the S10 in terms of wear. Many going into 6 figure miles with only maintenance. For long distance touring it is my opinion the S10 would be the more reliable choice. Less drama in terms of maintenance and repairs. Unless you are just tired of the bike and want something new, not much reason to change. The S10 is a workhorse and serves its purpose well as an adventure tour bike. The KTM is a more race inspired design. KTM only builds high performance motorcycles. Performance comes with a cost. When I am in the middle of nowhere and alone I want a bike I am confident will get me back. More so than if I have an additional 50HP. The 1290 outperforms the S10 everywhere with the one exception---reliability. That is the game changer for me. I would like an 1190R but too many issues. A sorted gen 1 versus a gen 2? mainly going to gain cruise and electronic suspension. Probably not worth the cost difference in my opinion. You have a lot of life left in your current S10. But I get the new bike bug often. Owned over 60 motorcycles (not really proud of that). I get bikes sorted to my liking and then sell them. Usually take a bath on the deals too. Now that I am nearing retirement I watch my spending a little closer. This is why I now plan to keep bikes longer and get my moneys worthy out of them. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Dogdaze]

Just to be clear, Spasm has 55k miles on his bike, not km's. He is UK based so it's miles, like the US. That's two countries that need to be yanked into the 21st century kicking and
screaming ::025:: ::025::

On another note, go for the KTM, unless you plan on living until the end of the century and you have another life coming, little point wondering and wishing, just do it. So it may not last as long as the S10, go in with eyes wide open and you'll be fine, expect more then you may be disappointed.

 

[Tenerester]

My two pennies worth.......
If you are so in love with the KTM1290SA and if you can afford it without selling the S10, suggest go for it. Because you will keep thinking about it no matter what else you ride. You have lot more miles left in the S10 and you are not going to recover your investments on farkles and maintenance if you sell it now.

Ride the KTM for a year or so. After a few good long rides and a couple of maintenance services, you will know if it's 'the bike' for you or not i.e. whether high maintenance costs outweigh the pleasure if riding it. You might realize it even sooner. If you are still in love with it, sell the S10 off. If you are not happy and probably with the 'itch' gone by then ;D, you can sell it and go back to your beloved S10 (if she wiling to take you back )

BTW, if you are going to take the plunge anyway, you might as well check out the new BMW R1200GS Adventure as well. You might change your mind. Good luck!

 

[HeliMark]

That big of a trip with a known bike that is reliable and sorted for you, would my vote. Afterwards, the KTM. ::26::

Mark

 

[shmitty]

That big of a trip with a known bike that is reliable and sorted for you, would my vote. Afterwards, the KTM. ::26::

Mark

Great point. ::026::

 

[RED CAT]

We have a large multi Dealer here who carries 10 different brands of motorcycles, including KTM .All models. Did I say big? Anywho one of their top mechanics told me and a buddy to stay away from the 1190/1290s. Plenty of problems still. We know this mechanic well and he doesn't BS.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome back. To me the 1290 is closer to the FJR than the Tenere. Cool bike if it's what you have to have, but the girl I want to live with is the Tenere.

 

[Xclimation]

With all the known problems with the KTMs and possibility of problems from all the electronics....I'd pass unless I had a boatload of monies for repairs and/or being able to procure repairs on the road. Why not the Ducati Multistrada? Having said that.....for me, the peace of mind the Tenere gives me makes me enjoy my riding. I ride to relax and sight see mostly. But yes, every once in a while, I want the thrills and "adventure." But for my riding ability; the Tenere is more than enough bike to get what I need. In a nutshell; I'd go for the peace of mind on the road and the heavier my wallet is give me peace of mind!
If you decide to go for it, then please come back here and give us your take on the differences. Always curious what I may be missing!

 

[groundhog]

You obviously think ahead on reliability. There is no more reliable bike out there than the S10, as I'm sure you know! . Also you won't know how you feel about the KTM until you have ridden it. I bumped into a bloke last week on a KTM, he said he loved it except he hated having to do chain maintenance after years on shaft bikes, that's worth remembering too.

 

[Sierra1]

Many of ya'll speak of reliability. The only non-Japanese bike that I have had is the BMW 1150 RT-P. It was a great bike until the warranty expired. Each time the input shaft failed, it took the clutch out. And if the tech did not install the clutch PERFECTLY....it would fail again. I have never even thought about mechanical reliability with any of my Japanese bikes. I've never been one that has to have the fastest/coolest anything. When I spend my hard earned money for anything, especially transportation, I don't want to worry about it.

 

[blitz11]

This is what you have to do to bleed the cooling system of air after a coolant change. This is my brother's bike.

This alone would keep me from buying an 1190.

Full disclosure, i own a 690 KTM Duke (2015) with a penske shock and AK-20 fork inserts, and it's the bomb. Fun, reliable (so far), and light. Easy to repair/maintain. I don't have to remove the rear wheel to change the coolant, however.

His 950 adventure puked on a ride, costing me a visit to the Barber museum. Tenere has been fun, and electrically and mechanically ROCK solid.

 

[airhead81]

Spasm,

I recently replaced my 2012 S Ten with a 2015, and still have both bikes.

I have to say, the Gen 2 is a very different bike. I don't know if it's the generational differences, or just the differences between my two examples. My Gen 2 seems more refined mechanically, though a little bit louder in the exhaust note. The Gen 1 feels torquier, faster, and more "mechanical." Honestly, when I ride them back to back, I really can't pick a favorite. That is until you add electronic cruise into the mix. That is the feature that sold me the new bike. Here in the US we have lots of long boring stretches of road where the e-cruise is nice to have.

My vote would be to keep the bike you have, unless 1) You like some specific feature(s) of the Gen 2, or 2) You just have the itch to change bikes. That does happen.

As to the German reliability issues vs. Japan Inc., I have paid my dues with the other teutonic brand and don't care to go back. Most of my friends still ride them and seem resigned to just dealing with the issues when they come up. If that's your personality, you would probably just love the KTM for what it does well and learn to live with the rest.

Cheers!

 

[siddhartha]

Hello spasm - like you, it's been a long time since I've been on this forum and have logged in to research the exact same question as your original note. I have original first edition S10, only 22k miles on clock and accessorised with everyone required but without any technical modifications. While still very happy with current model I have unfortunately started thinking of an upgrade due to the technical improvements, cruise control and so on.

Am interesting in knowing if you made a decision and upgraded to latest 2017 model and if so, which version, and what is your perspective?

Thanks, Dave