Hello Super Ten'rs. I'm considering joining the clan. Thoughts?

[troop]

Hey all,
As the subject header shows, I am seriously looking to get a new ST for next season. My current rides are a 2009 H-D Electra Glide Standard (FLHT) and 2015 FZ-09. I'm looking in to consolidating to one overall, well rounded bike. The ST clicks the buttons with its "relatively" cheap entry cost, cruise, tall stature, touring ability, dealer support network when traveling and still have a bit of playful side. Being in south central WI, their are approx 25 new 2015-2017 ST (ES/non ES) still available. Pricing will determine whether or not I get the ES. I ride solo 100% and will only "load" up the bike 10-15 days/year with gear to travel. Even then, the gear (generic 48L top case and a duffel or 2) would likely only add approx 30#. I can click in an extra shot of preload for that, but I will have heated grips. Figure I can get some nice after market grips to save the $$ on the non ES. Having farkled every bike I'v ebought lately, my only initial thoughts for the ST are a taller shield (I'm 6'3"), heated grips if non ES and the simple seat mod to remove the slope. As stated, I already have the top case/plate, LED Aux lights, mirror ext and a few other bits. My other bike thought was/is the Triumph 800 Tiger XCX (for the upgraded suspension) but I like the dealer network/servicing aspect of the Yamaha. For all you ES owners, is it worth the extra $$ for a solo rider? Thoughts/input GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.. and I'll be lurking re: accessories Troop

 

[RicoChet]

It's a no brainer, if you can afford it then I would get the ES. I have a 2016 ES after selling off my last 2 bikes, and ST1300 and a Triumph Rocket III. I miss neither. The versatility of a the Super Tenere along with the luggage, cruise control and of course, suspension adjustment just makes this bike so much more versatile then either of the last 2 bikes I had. I personally live in a city with terrible, terrible road conditions and setting up my suspension for Soft makes riding around and commuting feel like riding on a cloud. When on the highway or traveling long distances, stiffening up the suspension with a click of the button is awesome. I do recommend getting the Tall Yamaha shield, it works very well. The ES of course comes with heated grips which work extremely well. I love mine. You will as well! Plus, the bike gets great mileage.

 

[Cycledude]

I thought heated grips was standard equipment on all 2014 and newer Tenere's , maybe I was wrong again ?

 

[UpToNoGood]

I thought heated grips was standard equipment on all 2014 and newer Tenere's , maybe I was wrong again ?

Heated grips come with the ES models .

 

[AVGeek]

I thought heated grips was standard equipment on all 2014 and newer Tenere's , maybe I was wrong again ?

As noted above, the heated grips are an option on the non-ES. It has been documented here that it is cheaper to buy the grips as parts, rather than the kit Yamaha sells to add them to the non-ES, and since they are controlled by the ECU, they become available on the dash once plugged in.

 

[tomatocity]

Purchased an original 2012 in 2011 and purchased a 2015 ES in May 2015. Have more than 85,000 miles between the two. Loving the 2015 ES much better than the 2012. The Tenere carves twisties and smooths out rough roads. Power... more than I need. Travel... the Tenere will easily carry the additional weight. Fuel mileage... easily 40+.

 

[Eville Rich]

It would be great to see more S10s in south central WI. I've mine since last fall (non-ES). Mostly commuting with it so far, but it's been great. Gotta get the wife another bike before we start the touring thing, but the highway experience is positive so far. Good on gravel and with our crappy WI roads, the suspension has worked well. Replacing the windscreen was a major factor in my enjoyment. I've actually got an extra Parabellum tall screen you could have for cheap, or at least test out to see if it makes a difference.

If you drink the kool-aid, I'd be happy to get together and share with you what I've got in the way of farkles. Internet forums and reviews can only go so far.

Eville Rich
2016 S10
2015 WR250R

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome to the group. My brother has the Triumph 800 and while nice, it's a very different tool for a different purpose. I like the bike as long as you are OK with chains and have a good dealer nearby. Ours is a nice bunch of people but they stock so little that the bikes are "grounded" waiting for parts regularly. At 6'3" you probably will fit the Tenere better.

 

[Sierra1]

I too would, and did, spend the extra bucks for the ES. Like RicoChet advised, being able to fine tune the suspension on the fly is great. I don't know about there, but road surfaces here vary greatly. Cruise and shaft drive will make you a believer. No advise from me on farkles....that's a person to person thing. It's my favorite bike ever.

 

[hobdayd]

ES absolutely. I change settings based on surface, mood, speed and loading at the flick of a switch on the go...

 

[GS42]

Had a Triumph 800XC and it was a good bike and a lot of fun , but then I started looking at the Super Tenere. Shaft-drive, tubeless tires, lower center of gravity, many dealerships available, I was hooked. Bought a left-over 2014 non-ES model, put heated grips on it, and hung some Caribou hard cases on the bike. Really, really like this motorcycle. It is capable, comfortable and reliable. It will take me wherever I want to go.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Seeing as to how many ES owners have chined in, I'll throw out a post that I have a non-ES and am quite happy with it. I'm almost always riding alone and seldom need to change the suspension. It's a lot cheaper, especially for a prior year bike, one less thing to break, and setting up the suspension is pretty easy.


I did add the OEM heated grips. They were easy plug-n-play.

 

[rid34fun]

This is the best all around motorcycle I have owned. Not perfect, very good all around. A little more power would be nice once in a while and a nicer sounding motor would be a plus. I went with the nonES version, it was cheaper, and I found that once I setup the bike right, it works well on all surfaces for me and it is simpler. My wife and I go riding a lot and I commute on it everyday. So far still the best overall I have owned, especially for the money. And the people and knowledge here is amazing.

 

[RonH]

I got the ES. To me it was worth the extra money just for the heated grips and the bodywork that covers the right side. Having the electronic suspension is nice as well, but I can't really tell a huge difference in the settings personally. Sure, you can add heated grips I suppose, can't add the stock Yamaha bodywork from the ES to a non ES without a lot of effort.

 

[corndog]

I had the money, the ES was not my cup of tea. I do love the S10. The best bike I have owned to date. On my second one now. I don't even miss the heated grips since I use Gortex snowmobile mits.

It is a good, do it all bike. I love not having to even think about a chain. It is the Toyota Tacoma of bikes.

 

[Sierra1]

Uhhhh....there's different body work? ??? Wow, and I'm supposed to be observant. (face palm)

 

[troop]

Uhhhh....there's different body work? ??? Wow, and I'm supposed to be observant. (face palm)

I had to look too. Right side panel near rear shock preload adjuster. ES top/non ES lower

 

[Overlander]

Go for it, just be prepared for your riding buddies to be underwhelmed by your choice, don't worry you were right all along.
At 6'3" like me you will probably like the Puig touring screen.
Happy days ahead.

 

[RonH]

There is a few brackets/ ect that would not be simple to add to add the factory cover. I suppose the cover could be mounted in some home brew method, but it would take a little effort to even do that. The cover is really mounted on there to stay. Trust me, it's not mounted through a couple grommets like the bikes of old times put covers on. The cover also covers and protects the rear master cylinder on the ES, where on the standard model the master cylinder is in front of the rear tire, so for those that worry of things getting broken, one less protector needed on the ES.

 

[tomatocity]

There is a few brackets/ ect that would not be simple to add to add the factory cover. I suppose the cover could be mounted in some home brew method, but it would take a little effort to even do that. The cover is really mounted on there to stay. Trust me, it's not mounted through a couple grommets like the bikes of old times put covers on. The cover also covers and protects the rear master cylinder on the ES, where on the standard model the master cylinder is in front of the rear tire, so for those that worry of things getting broken, one less protector needed on the ES.

Thought the same thing Ron. I checked my ES and it would not be a slam dunk add. If someone wants to make a couple bucks... design a set of brackets (3 or 4 pieces) for re-sell. The looks are nice. Since you wouldn't fill up the space with ES/ABS related items you could use the space for tool kit, first aid kit, stash, ???.