Harley Touring to Super Tenere

[InvertedB]

All,

I recently joined this forum as I've gotten bit by the need to do some adventure riding. I'm not planning to do any in the near future due to my first child on the way in June, however I really love riding and have had a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic for a while now that my wife and I have taken some big trips on. With the aforementioned child on the way though, the vast majority of my future riding will be to and from work and long weekend excursions when able. I'd also like to be able to do some exploring of the many dirt roads around here in Florida.

With that said, I am curious if anyone else here has experience going from a large V-Twin cruiser to the Super Tenere? I have not taken one for a test ride yet, but I've done a lot of research on the bike and sat on it at a dealership. I am really interested in the linked ABS brakes for on road safety as there are a lot of dumb drivers around here that like to randomly slam on their brakes and that is just not a fun experience on a 900lb bike. There are also some awesome deals I've seen on used ones that would not require much if any cash out of pocket besides what I get from selling the Harley. I will admit the wife is not too thrilled about the idea of getting a different bike as she's really enjoyed the sofa that is the pillion seat on the Ultra Classic, but I really don't think she'll be on it much in the future and I'd certainly like something a bit more modern, more powerful, and smoother than the tourer is when standing still (think sitting on a paint shaker).

Any information or opinions are welcomed, I am really up in the air at this moment, but really love the S10! It seems like a much more affordable BMW GS with less maintenance concerns.

 

[Bappo]

Went from a 2010 Road King to the 2012 S10.

What I miss:
- Cruise control
- easy to get the leg over the low seat
- beautiful paint

Everything else is in the S10's favor and the 2014 reputedly has cruise control. Nice to go on what ever road tickles your fancy, similar gas mileage, you can STAND up on the pegs!

Oh and you can change the oil filter without dribbling oil on the engine!

Seriously I have not regretted the switch at all. I have been wandering all over the west including up to the Yukon and Alaska and every state west of the Mississippi in the 2 years I have owned the S10, rode my first Ironbutt ride and LD rally and have more slated for this year. Reayy enjoying this bike.

Except for no cruise

 

[snakebitten]

First child? Congrats.
Lots of us Tenere dudes are on the other end of parenthood. Or, let's just say we have a fair amount of grey in either our beard or our hair. AND, the vast majority have had many bikes and riding years before, um, maturing into this kind of bike. Lol

Harleys in particular? I've rented them a few times. Nice. But a completely different mission.

My wife and I are in our 50's. She'll ride on the back of this Tenere for days/weeks at a time. So it must be just fine back there.

I suspect it will come down to if you really do enjoy adventure riding as much as that urge you have suggests. If so, you won't regret the change.

Good luck.

 

[longride]

I currently have a Tenere and a 2001 FLH Classic (along with a Gen1 VMax). The only thing you will want is possibly a bigger windscreen if you want FL like wind protection. Otherwise the Tenere will be a better choice for almost everything. It is comfortable, fast, handles great, and has minimal vibration, fantastic brakes. The big Harley is great for lumbering down the highway 2-up with lots of gear, but the Tenere will amaze you with what it can do. Go ride one. Then you will buy one. I live in Daytona Beach.

 

[twinrider]

All,

I recently joined this forum as I've gotten bit by the need to do some adventure riding. I'm not planning to do any in the near future due to my first child on the way in June, however I really love riding and have had a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic for a while now that my wife and I have taken some big trips on. With the aforementioned child on the way though, the vast majority of my future riding will be to and from work and long weekend excursions when able. I'd also like to be able to do some exploring of the many dirt roads around here in Florida.

With that said, I am curious if anyone else here has experience going from a large V-Twin cruiser to the Super Tenere? I have not taken one for a test ride yet, but I've done a lot of research on the bike and sat on it at a dealership. I am really interested in the linked ABS brakes for on road safety as there are a lot of dumb drivers around here that like to randomly slam on their brakes and that is just not a fun experience on a 900lb bike. There are also some awesome deals I've seen on used ones that would not require much if any cash out of pocket besides what I get from selling the Harley. I will admit the wife is not too thrilled about the idea of getting a different bike as she's really enjoyed the sofa that is the pillion seat on the Ultra Classic, but I really don't think she'll be on it much in the future and I'd certainly like something a bit more modern, more powerful, and smoother than the tourer is when standing still (think sitting on a paint shaker).

Any information or opinions are welcomed, I am really up in the air at this moment, but really love the S10! It seems like a much more affordable BMW GS with less maintenance concerns.

One is a touring bike, the other is an adv bike. Different tools for different jobs so you're really comparing apples and oranges. I prefer my S10 for solo riding and aggressive sport touring. It's fast, nimble and has huge cornering clearance. And I can take it on gravel/dirt.

But when it comes to long distance two-up touring with the wife I'd much rather be on the Road King. It's more comfortable on long days in the saddle, hauls more gear and it's more fun riding at the safer pace that I take when riding with my wife on the back.

I don't know what year Ultra you have. My '09 Road King's ABS Brembo brakes are pretty good, but the S10's brakes are much better. As far as vibrations go, you know that once on the roll, the rubber-mounted HD motors are glass smooth. The S10 vibrates more on the go, but if the HD's vibrations at a standstill bother you, the Yamaha has none there.

All in all, if you don't see yourself doing much two-up touring, I think you'll be very happy with the S10. But if your wife still wants to ride long-mileage days you might have a problem on your hands...

 

[Yzhogman]

If you ride two up a lot you might want to take the wife for a test ride on an S10. My wife has not adapted well to the S10 and it's not so much the seat comfort but the height. She is just over 5 ft and doesn't like feeling like she is perched so high off the ground.

I have no regrets. Not a one.

 

[timothy.davis]

I traded my 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 in on my 2012 S10. The KLR was a great bike and the initial motivation for the trade was a two up consideration. The S-10 took a little getting used to; it will quickly gain your respect. The Seat Concepts pillion seat was needed for the comfort of my rider. Last year I traded my 1988 FXR Super Glide in on a 2013 FJR 1300. The cost of ownership and brand named everything was very noticeable difference from Harley to Yamaha. The dependability of the Yamaha's is well documented and easy to get used to. The option of riding where ever your skills allow you, I think, is the greatest distinction the S-10 has over the Harley. I will note that while driving the FXR I was quite acceptable and noticed by the Harley crowd. I feel kind of invisible now and I kind of like that too.

 

[Kelvininin]

Before ever taking on an adventure bike, I had only ever rode cruisers. The last one being A Victory Vision. My first Adventure bike was an A990, awesome bike but very maintenance intensive, I got tired of working on it so I traded it for my Tenere.

I was in a similar spot as you but I had both a Tenere and the Vision, I sold the Vision a few weeks ago to shore up my savings account as my wife and I added our first child to the family in November.

For me, I kept the Tenere over the Vision because of the Tenere functionality and utilitarian nature. Plus getting stuck in stop and go traffic on the Tenere is much easier than the Vision. Both bikes very easy to work on and maintenance is a breeze. The Tenere is certainly a taller bike that is not as comfortable as the rolling road sofa's but with a 10 week old, I don't think the wife and I are planning any long trips.

I don't know where you are financially, I sold the Vision for financial reasons. If you can justify the cost then go for it, otherwise hang on to your other bike and enjoy the money in the coffers.

Also, as a new parent, you are not going to have a whole lot of time to ride. I travel for work, to give my wife a break I watch the kid during the weekends, not a whole lot of time to ride.

 

[Old Blue]

I sold a 2013 Road King and bought a 12 S10.

Main reason was economics, but I just didn't have time to ride the King like it was designed for: highway miles. Plus I got tired of not being able to do curbs, medians, dirt roads, etc.

I won't ever be a Harley basher though. The King was a very, very nice ride. Great quality, well made, incredible dealer support. It simply wasn't the kind of bike I need right now.

 

[joneil]

I currently have both, a 2007 Ultra (79k miles) and a 2012 Tenere (18k miles). I would hate to give either up.

Most guys on this web site don't get the whole Harley thing, I understand where they're coming from. That said, if I'm going to go cross country, or even a long day ride two up, I'm on my HD. No question about it.

But man oh man, I love this Tenere. 18k miles and it's never been back to the shop. I do all my own maintenance and managed a couple of repairs from damage I caused. No failures. It's really been flawless. Some previous comments seem to indicate the HD can haul more stuff. That has not been my experience. My Tenere works like a pack mule.

When I ride the Tenere, I'm engaged. Power, agility and a heap of cool. I love riding in the dirt. My Tenere takes me places I used to just wonder about while I was on my Harley.

In a perfect world, I would have a garage full of bikes. For now, I'm happy with the two I've got.

Good luck with your decision and the forthcoming addition to your family.

 

[snakebitten]

See? The best Harley dudes have Teneres.

You guys really get it.

 

[Boondocker]

I have not owned a Harley, but the wife and spent a long weekend on an Electra Glide. I was really hoping to feel the magic that make cruisers so popular, but I didn't. I liked the low-end torque but it wasn't as powerful as it sounded.

While the HD was reasonably comfortable, the S-10 ergos are spot-on for me. For my wife, at first she loved the Electra Glide's Queen Throne, with back rest and arm rests. What she didn't like (I echo this), is the minimal rear suspension travel that kicked her backside more than once.

My Tenere is now equipped with a Queen Throne, courtesy of a Corbin passenger seat with backrest. She loves that seat. When traveling, we strap a small duffel bag on top of each pannier so she has armrests and a convenient spot for her Camelbak. She likes being able to stand up to stretch her legs too. When riding the bumpies, we both stand. That must be funny to see. ::015::

These 2 bikes are so different that it's not fair to compare them. As for ergonomics, most bikes could use some tweaking to personalize the fit. I can't stand the foot-forward position (that was a pun just there), so the cruiser genre is not for me.

This more comes down to - do you want Cruiser style or Adventure style? As long as you feel good about what you're riding, you can make what you're riding feel good.

 

[barkingllizard]

I went from a VTX 1800 and would never go back, InvertedB.....
The on road handling is far superior, with the ability to continue when the road deteriorates, and there are Yamaha dealer everywhere.....

 

[Duckhead]

The real question might be, why did you buy the Harley in the first place? and how long have you had it? do your friends have Harleys? are you going to miss the pipes and the "coolness" of a Harley? These are all factors which might play into your decision. :question:
I flip flopped back and forth twice with Harleys (Road Glide and Ultra) till I finally said good bye to what I now see as "hype"...Some people love and need the Harley experience just as much as they need to ride......to each their own. .I have never regreted my decision but there is no way to compare these rides.

 

[twinrider]

but there is no way to compare these rides.

Exactly. One is a touring bike, the other is an adv bike. Comparing them makes about as much sense as comparing a dirt bike with a sport bike. Errr, get the one that suits the kind of riding YOU want to do.

 

[KCampbell]

Still have my 2003 Fat Boy with large touring screen and bags, but I grew up riding Japanese 4 cylinder machines since about 1984.

After riding the Harley for 7 years the Super Tenere is fast, agile, stops on a dime, quiet, handles like a dream, rides smoothly, and has lots more pillion room.

The Harley is a lifestyle, but the Super Tenere is an outstanding motorcycle.

Kevin

 

[InvertedB]

The real question might be, why did you buy the Harley in the first place? and how long have you had it? do your friends have Harleys? are you going to miss the pipes and the "coolness" of a Harley? These are all factors which might play into your decision. :question:
I flip flopped back and forth twice with Harleys (Road Glide and Ultra) till I finally said good bye to what I now see as "hype"...Some people love and need the Harley experience just as much as they need to ride......to each their own. .I have never regreted my decision but there is no way to compare these rides.

I'll admit I've only had the Harley about a year now. It wasn't the first choice motorcycle purchase, however it was a great deal at the time and my wife had finally decided she liked riding along with me and my previous ride ('04 Triumph Thruxton) was not going to cut it as a 2-up bike. The Ultra has treated us well when we did a ride up from Florida to Deal's Gap and up the Blue Ridge Parkway, however with a baby on the way in June I do not foresee that kind of ride happening again. I do have a number of friends with Harleys, however just about every one of them has swapped back and forth between different types of bikes as well. I will certainly not miss the pipes, the Harley is meant to eat up a lot of miles at a go and the loud pipes just seemed to drone. I actually ended up swapping back to stock pipes recently and enjoy it far more like that. I've also never gotten into the HOG scene, there are a ton of them around here given Florida's riding weather and the proximity to Daytona, however I've just never found the bar-to-bar ride my style.

How is the heat coming off the Super Tenere when stuck in stop and go traffic? That's one of my biggest complaints with the Harley as a commuter, especially in the summer in Florida.

 

[Mzee]

Never owned a Harley, don't hope to own one but it is interesting to read the different tastes here.

 

[Duckhead]

There is no heat off a ST compared to a HD or most any other bike......not an issue.
You sound like a motorcycle rider......rather than someone that bleeds orange and black.....I think for the money the ST is the best bargain around. Its like a KLR on steroids.....doesn't do anyone thing spectacularly but just does EVERYTHING well at a great price and with out standing reliability. If you are not sure about the off road stuff.....the 2014 FJR is a great sports touring bike with enough speed potential to put a smile on almost anyones face.
I wish you and your wife well with your new addition....exciting times, treasure the moments and make time for each other.

 

[HDFlyer76]

I have a 2008 Harley Ultra Classical and a 2012 Super Tenere. I enjoy both bikes for different reasons. I have used the Harley for two up riding, and touring with my wife. While she has been on the Tenere, she loves the seating on the Harley and I cannot duplicate that on the Tenere. However, if not for her, I would not ride the Harely any more.

The Tenere is much more fun and enjoyable to ride. The brakes are really great and I don't really notice the linked brakes between the front and back. I have ABS on my Ultra so I am used to them, but the brakes on the Tenere are far superior compared to the Harley. Power there is no comparison, the Tenere wins hands down. I do miss the electronic cruise control and the radio from the Harley, but that's about it. My longest day on the Ultra was 650 miles, this summer I did 850 on the Tenere with no issues. Overall, I love the Tenere much better. I am lucky to be able to have both bikes, the Ultra and the Tenere. But for my, the Tenere is the best overall bike I've ever owned.

Finally on the issue of heat, the Ultra was so hot I had to put wings and a power commander to get it rideable. The Tenere has no issues related to heat at all. The other adjustment is Harley riders will no longer wave to you, but that is their problem.


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