Harley Touring to Super Tenere

[InvertedB]

Thank you to everyone for the replies and opinions! I never would have expected this many ST riders to also have the big tourers to directly compare to. I'm going to try and do a demo ride with one of the local dealers and see how I enjoy the ST and probably go from there. With the comments regarding spouses not being particularly keen on the ST I may give it until after the baby comes to make a final decision once I can prove to myself and my wife that we won't be doing too much 2-up riding for a while.

 

[twinrider]

Thank you to everyone for the replies and opinions! I never would have expected this many ST riders to also have the big tourers to directly compare to. I'm going to try and do a demo ride with one of the local dealers and see how I enjoy the ST and probably go from there. With the comments regarding spouses not being particularly keen on the ST I may give it until after the baby comes to make a final decision once I can prove to myself and my wife that we won't be doing too much 2-up riding for a while.

Good idea, and keep in mind that the baby can ride in the tour-pak as long as you poke some air holes in it. ::008::

If you do end up keeping the Ultra a while, and presuming that you have already done you have already done the stage 1 mods to undo the lean EPA setting that results in excess heat, check into Jason Ward's cooling fans. They make a huge difference in comfort. http://www.wardspartswerks.com/

 

[snakebitten]

Keep in mind there are as many ladies that love the Tenere, as there are that don't. At least, it's reported both ways.

When my wife married me 3 decades ago, she was a bit annoyed that I didn't even have a car\truck. And as newlyweds, she did try to enjoy riding with me. (GS1000E) But I could tell she was just trying to please me.
So the next 20 bikes were basically solo riding for me. Then I brought this beast home. She thought it "looked nice". Really? You wanna ride?

That lady has spent many many days back there! It has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this special machine. After all these years we now SHARE our ADV passion. It's fantastic.

Big Bend in about 4 weeks. Woohoo.

Don't be so sure she won't like it.

 

[ejy712]

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.

Your left knee can get a bit warmish from the air coming out of the radiator fan in stop and go traffic. Nothing unbearable. But you will notice it.

 

[cb0802]

I rode a Deluxe for 8 years before I switched to the Tenere. Because they are such different bikes, it took my quite a while to make the transition.
I was never compfortable in the seat, it was too loud, too hot, slow handling, and lousy breaks; but it was a bad-ass Harley. Even though the Tenere was exactly what I hoped for, it took several months to fully appreciate.
If I could own two bikes, there would be a Harley in the garage, but as long as I can only have one it'll be the Tenere.
Except for wind management, the Super 10 is superior in every way!

 

[timothy.davis]

Just for fun:

The Rancher and the old Gray Mule.

This rather prominent rancher, in keeping pace with his peers, had an expensive and lavish stable and an expensive and lavish collection of thoroughbreds. These horses would only perform if shown the utmost of care, given the best of grains, regularly attended to by the best of Vets. And being the breed they were, one would have to contend with temperamental attitudes. Riding one was more complicated than just saddling it up and going for a trot. One must choose the right saddle and of course the saddle would have to be of the highest quality and require meticulous upkeep to keep it in top form and of an excellent look. After the ride, if the horse felt like it, the horse would have to be walked, cooled down, brushed, and returned to the stall. If the horse was not attended to properly the Vet would soon grow rich. All the riding equipment would have to be thoroughly cleaned, treated and stored in a protective environment. Quite the expense and trouble but well worth it to preserve the image.
One day while attending an auction the rancher acquired an old gray mule just to keep in the fields. One day he threw an old saddle on the mule just to take it for a trot. It didn't go to fast but it went everywhere he wanted to go. When he got finished he just turned it out to the pasture and it stared munching on grass. The saddle was just thrown over a rail in the stable and it was ok. The rancher started utilizing the old grey mule on a more frequent basis. It didn't cost him an arm and a leg to maintain and it was always ready and willing. It was not skittish during storms and did not require a well groomed surface for footing. He started exploring the rougher terrain of his ranch, the places he could just not risk taking his thoroughbreds. A good day changed from the pomp and ceremony requiring the proper etiquette and personal grooming of the thoroughbred elite, to a day of blue jeans, mud, and unexplored regions. This transformation the rancher was experiencing was quite noticeable to his wife. He seemed to be self-content, independent, had to be independent because who on a thoroughbred would want to be seen riding with person on a mule. As time went by the rancher found the satisfaction of the thoroughbred life was wanting and disposed of the thoroughbreds and associated riding equipment. Because of the economy the only person who could afford it to buy the rancher out was his vet. The wife being from a background of wealth and image was overjoyed at her husband's transformation. She was so overjoyed in fact with his swollen bank account that she and the vet lived happily ever after.

 

[TRUBRIT]

Had an '02 Fatboy, did the lifestyle thing but soon got bored with the Bike nights. On day and 2 day trips it was not comfortable. Traded for a new '07 Street Glide in '07. Like night and day. Went all over East Coast with Wife on the back, Nova Scotia, Quebec, comfortable as I had it tricked out. Got tired of seeing dirt roads going off into the distance and not being able to check them out. The Rockies were calling. My Buddy bought a GSA and kept his SG. I traded my SG for '12 Tenere. 250 lbs lighter than the SG, more power than the SG. Similar Torque. Wife prefers the SG seat over the Tenere but prefers the suspension travel and foot peg position of the Tenere. Not fond of being higher in the saddle than the SG. Did a trip with friends on their Harleys GA/AL/NC/TN including the Dragon. Done the Dragon many times on the SG plus Blood Mtn, and the other roads of note. Far more confident two up on the Tenere braking and going into corners. Was right on the tail of the HDs in front of me who were one up. Two waived me by as they could see they were holding me up. Not saying I am a superstar, far from it, the Bike is that confidence inspiring. Went all over Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana this past summer with two GSA's. No Wives. Had a blast. The Tenere for me beats the SG in long distance travel. Not as trashed at end of day like on the SG. Back to my Buddy who kept his SG when he bought his GSA, only ridden the SG a couple of times round the block to keep things moving. Has no desire anymore to ride it. As for the Wife, she is still pissed I traded the SG. She liked the lifestyle and clothing part. Got to work on her seat to make it more comfortable........and now she wants her own bike, the Canam. Win Win for me ::015::

 

[scott123007]

and now she wants her own bike, the Canam. Win Win for me ::015::

I know a few who have those because they didn't quite want to have a motorcycle, and they're happier than a pig in poop.

 

[bloodline]

Was right on the tail of the HDs in front of me who were one up. Two waived me by as they could see they were holding me up.

They waived you by? Holy crap! Must have been your friends. Harleys in the mountains are worse than out of state minivans.

 

[TRUBRIT]

LOL. Yes, my friends.

 

[Kelvininin]

I am someone who rode cruiser and touring bikes exclusively until about 2.5 years ago when I bought my first adventure bike I have been riding something for 20 years now (Sheesh!!). In that time frame, I looked at HD and was so incredibly unimpressed with them, I entirely don't understand the following. Compared to the competition, HD are hot, vibrate a lot, under powered, slow, poor handling, high maintenance, and said maintenance can be difficult (belt change), and yes I test rode plenty. If HD was a domestic auto maker they would have been long gone. I started riding a moped when I was 15, then at 16, an old beat to hell Honda Shadow 500, That became a 1998 Honda Magna, then a Victory Kingpin, followed by a Victory Vision, before turning to Victory I was eye balling Goldwings. When I was still single I bought a second bike a Buell Blast for a get around town bike, it was awful and unreliable, that became a Victory Hammer S, which became an A990 which was slightly more reliable than the Blast, that finally became a S.Tenere.

Now with a 10 week old in the house, and daycare payments at $1000/month for cheap daycare, I sold the Vision and kept the Tenere. My only slight regret is I didn't discover Adventure riding until just a few years ago.

I get riding, I just don't get the HD thing. They are just another bike manufacturer.

 

[Paul466]

I hear Ya! I think people buy HD for the legend of it. Performance takes a back seat to the pirate look. Sad that a GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY is stuck still making model-t s for bikes. I would love to buy an american adv bike. They need to have the classics models and inovative models also. Had high hopes for BUELL... Sad

 

[num]

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.

I had a fat boy for about a year. It's a cool bike but after crashing it i never bought another harley simply because all that chrome is a pain in the ass to clean! hahaha. The cost of ownership on a HOG is just crazy compared to the s10. Once I bought the s10 I couldn't get over how light it felt while riding, it's really unbelievable, it's got all the features i would want out of a bike (after adding a few myself). Slowly i started to agree that Harleys just turn gas into noise. They do one thing and do it well, cruise. The s10 is so much more motorcycle than the Harley is, it turns heads because it's a beautiful functional bike but no one really sees them because it's a bike that can take you 100 miles to the woods and then another 30 miles on a trail hahaha

**shameless plug**
With that said, I have mine for sale because I want a new dirt bike

 

[rafnk3]

I rode an Electra Glide Classic for 5 years and started to research adventure bikes before I went and pre-ordered the ST. I then decided I was going to ride both for a year and make a decision on which one was going to stay. Well after smiling ear to ear before, during and after each ride on the ST I decided it was time to end my riding days on the Harley. There just isn't the wow factor riding the HD. Yes I have added a lot of accessories but why not when this one is here to stay (unless the 2014 ST is that much more). Also my wife enjoyed riding the Harley, until we went on a few trips on the Yamaha. She says the ST is more active riding, it's more comfortable, less wind, smoother and etc...
Bottom line, sold the Harley and never looked back. Best decision I ever made!

 

[Easy]

Same story for me. Had an 09 Road King Classic, and a 12 Ultra classic. Bought the Tenere and kept the ultra classic for a year. After the year sold the Harley. I recommend making the jump from cruising to adventure motorcycling. A world of difference. Just raising the Tenere up off the side stand will make you smile.

 

[FDhog]

Im lucky. I get to have both.
2011 Road King Classic and 2013 Super Ten
Just got the Ten about 3 weeks ago and the weather has been crap.
Already added LED lights, Hardwired GPS, and have skid plate, bar risers, and crash guards ready to go on.
Just waiting for snow to melt.
I will never get rid of my Road King. I like to take long trips with the GF, and sorry guys, as good as the Tenere is, it just doesn't get the long distance 2 up nod for a 6'3" and 5'10" duo.
I bought it as a fun second bike, and that's what it is, my second bike.
No brand loyalty involved. I've been riding over 40 yrs and I know what I like.

 

[SIXTEEN]

I went the other way. Love my '16 anniversary Ténéré, but I had to add a touring bike to the stable. Got a 2018 Indian Springfield Dark Horse to fill that role now.

 

[TeneRey]

The stock seat on a Tenere is a joke and needs to be one of the first items modified or replaced. I lucked out and got a Bill Meyer pilot and pillion seat off of eBay for $350 and my stock seats. Bill Meyer went to Costa Rica and Rocky shut down the shop. So you can't buy them at all anymore. BUT there are a lot of custom seat makers out there. I ride 2up a LOT and my gf loves her perch.

 

[Super08]

I have a 2015 Road Glide I have pretty much built into an Ultra. I love the way the miles just roll by on a long trip and the comfort both one and two up. The Tenere is my fun bike. The handling and performance are so far above a Harley that they are not even worth mentioning. It is very capable of long distance touring but will never come close to the comfort of my RG. Right now if I had to choose only one I would keep the Tenere but over time I know my wife would lose interest in riding with me.

 

[trainman]

The brakes are possibly the best on a large adventure bike, the linked front/rear eliminate dive to the point I thought it as good as my previous GS. The balance and traction is good too, long wheelbase and engine well forward (side radiator) ideal.

I have gone the other way, S10 to Guzzi Audace crusier, S10 is reliable, competent and capable of long miles at speed in comfort (seat and screen may need tweaks). For now I am only doing short trips so the Guzzi character appealed and I am back to real wind in the face biking. If I needed a tourer again it would be S10 all day long.