Harsh reality of big ride dreams

[Mallardmission]

i just purchased a 2012 Super Tenere with the dream of doing some bigger rides. I hoped to tour around each Great Lake in 250-300 mile segments, prob hoteling it. I’m 60 and have put about 1000 miles on it mostly day trips. To be honest, after an hour in the saddle, I need a break, water, and just a short reset. my throttle hand goes numb and without cruise well it just sucks. I’m doubting my mental toughness as well. Riding an hour or two just exhausts me and I’m starting to wonder if the bigger trips will happen. Anyone with the same issues. Should I just build up the distances? Tips appreciated.

 

[Paul466]

i just purchased a 2012 Super Tenere with the dream of doing some bigger rides. I hoped to tour around each Great Lake in 250-300 mile segments, prob hoteling it. I’m 60 and have put about 1000 miles on it mostly day trips. To be honest, after an hour in the saddle, I need a break, water, and just a short reset. my throttle hand goes numb and without cruise well it just sucks. I’m doubting my mental toughness as well. Riding an hour or two just exhausts me and I’m starting to wonder if the bigger trips will happen. Anyone with the same issues. Should I just build up the distances? Tips appreciated.

If You have stock bars, look into less sweep bend, like ProTaper Raptor or adv. also the seat has too much angle, replacement seat might make a big difference.

 

[Jdubco]

If You have stock bars, look into less sweep bend, like ProTaper Raptor or adv. also the seat has too much angle, replacement seat might make a big difference.

was going to recommend the same thing, protaper adv bars ended my numb hand issue the stock bars gave me (im tall so i did adv high)

comparison on size (the sweep/angle is the important part )

 

[whisperquiet]

+ Throttle lock, level the seat, Yamaha wind deflectors, and the right height windshield.

 

[Fennellg]

rox risers did it for me. Level the seat.

Russell day Long seat

you should be able to ride all day,

 

[Fennellg]

I am 59 and can ride 14 hours with this setup.

 

[Madhatter]

but its really about ones overall health .... then it's about ones experience... sometimes riding alone is just boring ... and as a car driver who has radio to entertain as one travels , the lack of a radio may takes some getting used to ... the bike set up is also important as the previous posters have stated ... stock seat sucks . handle bars need replacing or risers . wind shield may drive you crazy.
there is hundreds if not thousands of post here on the forum covering everything about this bike one could ever want to know. be patient ,you will figure it out ... I'm 65 myself and my Tenere is a nice place to spend time , but it took awhile to get it set up .
turn the radio off in your car , see how that effects you. and let us know . welcome to the forum Mallardmission.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Take some time, get yourself in riding condition and get used to the bike. Then, changes as needed to make yourself comfortable. Longer distances aren't automatic, you'll need to work up to them. Seat, bars, and windshields are all personal preference and every rider is different.

Hang in there, once set up (for you) the Tenere is a comfortable travel companion!

~G

 

[RCinNC]

Like a lot of physical activities, you have to build up to it. I ride a lot, but the first couple consecutive 400 mile days of a long trip can still be a real trial until I re-acclimate myself to being in the saddle for 8-10 hours. And I go through that every year, in spite of the fact that I've been riding for 40 years now. And as I get older and the arthritis in the hands, back and knee get worse, the adjustment can take a little longer.

I find that yoga helps to improve the riding experience. Any exercises that strengthen your core can really help during long days in the saddle. Stretching exercises that work on your shoulders can really help too, and can even help with that hand numbness. And there's no weakness in stopping and getting off the bike for a few minutes every couple hours; I do it all the time. No one is handing out prizes for who can endure the most discomfort during a multi-day trip. If you feel like you want to stop and stretch, just do it.

 

[Tenman]

Get a McCruise. Once I got cruise. There ain’t no going back. Throttle locks help but compared to cruise they suck. A Utopia backrest is something else to consider. Love mine. Hiway pegs also make a ton of difference. 2” rox risers

 

[thughes317]

I typically do a 2-3 week trip....first day or two my ass gets sore, my muscles hurt, my brain fades after a few hours; eventually all that passes and you get hardened for the road. Cruise control definitely helps, a good seat and ergo setup is a plus, but being in shape, taking breaks when you get tired, and going at your own pace are the keys. Don't force it, just work up to it gradually and enjoy the ride!

250-300 miles/4-6 hour days (backroads, not interstates) with lots of breaks and site-seeing seems to be a good pace for me. YMMV.

 

[Cycledude]

The reason I traded my 2013 for a new 2018 was to get cruise control.
The stock seat sucks so I use a Rider Day Long seat or a Corbin.
Stock windshield ain’t nothing to brag about, I use a medium size VStream windshield.
My biggest issue right now is the Super Tenere is a little to tall for me.

 

[Tenman]

Is it taller than your gen1with stock seats?

 

[Cycledude]

Is it taller than your gen1with stock seats?

No gen 1 was also to tall, I’m even older now so that’s adding to the issue and the RDL seat definitely makes it taller. Switching between the Golwing and Tenere adds to the difficulty, when I ride mostly the Tenere it seems like I adapt a little better.

 

[TenereGUY]

Or dare I say... you could buy a Goldwing!! But a lot of good suggestions above. This seat is not good. Russell Day Long saddles is a very good place to go. The Yamaha winglets too. I have the 24" VSTREAM windshield. I'm 6'3 and love it. Tire pressure can make a big difference too by the end of the day. You can drop it 2 to 3 pounds for a better ride. Change out your fork oil for new will make for a smoother ride. Very snug/tight gloves can make your throttle hand go numb. Try it with a looser glove or no glove to see. Setting up or adjusting your suspension for you is important too. Order of importance to me...
-Glove or no glove test
- winglets
-FORK OIL as it probably hasn't ever been changed.
-Custom Seat.
-Windshield now the seat is done. Because you will now know the height you will be sitting at.
- are you reaching forward or straight armed to reach the handle bars? If so look into some riser setbacks.
If you just want to sit back in an easy chair and watch the scenery go by then a Goldwing is a serious thought for distance trips. That's the reason it is the king of LD touring bikes. They are heavy though at 900#.
I have been riding since the 70's and as mentioned above every year after winter I have to get conditioned to riding longer distances too. Then after a month or two I can ride 15 to 24 hrs... with the right seat and the bike tweaked for me. When I started touring on my CBR 1100XX Super Black Bird I had to get off every 45 minutes. Now I can go all day. Core strength and conditioning as mentioned above does help with riding and everything else.
Good luck and stick with it for a season or two. Then see.

 

[Fennellg]

Given how fast you knew I think the bike has to be adapted to you. That’s how it was with me. Dial it in. You will find it only gets better. One thing I forgot. I put a windshield spoiler on to help with buffeting and cut down on wind fatigue. Cheapest solution. This bike required the most adaptation for me but it was worth it. Don’t give up.

 

[fac191]

Given how fast you knew I think the bike has to be adapted to you. That’s how it was with me. Dial it in. You will find it only gets better. One thing I forgot. I put a windshield spoiler on to help with buffeting and cut down on wind fatigue. Cheapest solution. This bike required the most adaptation for me but it was worth it. Don’t give up.

View attachment 102085

I have one of those spoilers they are great.

 

[POG]

Given all the changes to the bike mentioned here, I'd consider selling and getting a 2014 or later model year. Maybe even consider a different bike altogether, such as a goldwing, BMW RT, or FJR. They are set up stock as more comfy mile munchers. Nothing wrong with many hours on the S10, but there are other excellent options, particularly if asphalt riding only/mostly.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[Fennellg]

Every bike I have owned required some customization. The least was a street glide. I added a back rest and highway pegs. If changing bikes, rent one if possible first. If not test drive or ride a friend's.

Consider this changing bikes costs money and effort as well. Factor in that to your decisions. Making the changes while a pain would be cheaper. You could find yourself right back where you started with more money spent and frustrated.

 

[sheikyerbooty]

Remember when we were 17 and rode that shitty xl175 400ks to go see a girl or go hiking? More like 'sons of arthritis' than 'sons of anarchy' these days