Help me make up my mind?????

[Clawdog60]

Fixed that for you. Seems crazy that everyone offered small displacement shaft drive or enclosed chain drive bikes in the '80s and now no one does. BMW should be dragged out in the street and shot for building that abomination of chain drive bikes. 45 years of telling us why shaft drive was the only way, then they go cheap instead of bringing back updated designs of bikes they already sold in the past.

Note to Honda... CX/GL500/650/750 with a modern EFI motor, updated LED lighting, ABS and a 'standard' seating position will SELL.

here,here

 

[Clawdog60]

For me it was, Dealership availability and brand; which is moot with the winged warrior; was 1st on my check list, then looks, cruise control,drive shaft, tubeless, dependability.

 

[Computer Doctor]

I want to thank all of you that responded, with some obviously honest and well thought out answers!

I made a list of the positives and negatives of both the AT and the S10 and really, the S10 epitomizes what I want in my next Adventure bike, much more than the AT does! The AT now looks to me like a CRF 250 Rally, small and skinny dirt bike! My Bad.

However, I bought my trade in bike, my 2014 Honda CTX1300D and all of the Farkles from the dealer where I had planned to buy the AT, as soon as this ICE AGE in the Heartland here would allow me to ride there and test ride the AT, but this boy don't ride in no 13 degree weather

After further research and perusing this Forum, I have changed my mind-----IF, a Yamaha dealer will approximate the deal I have going now with the Honda Dealer, I will buy a new Tenere

I only found 2 somewhat near me, approximately a 65 mile DRIVE, one a new 2019 and the other, a used 2012 a lot closer that I'm not interested in buying but I want to give it my very important 'BUTT' test, before I go any farther.

The ergonomics on the AT felt fine on the Dealers showroom but don't they all

As an aside, my 2016 Suzuki DL650 ABS V-Strom is very comfortable, not long distance comfortable, like my recent 2012 Triumph Rocket 3 Roadster or my 2012 Goldwing, before that but just fine for my Saturday morning 200 mile Breakfast or Lunch rides.

I will report back after I check out the S10, hopefully within a few days.

 

[dmulk]

There are sooooo many good deals on well farkled Gen 1 and Gen 2 Super Tenere's right now it's quite amazing. I found a 2012 for my brother with 3k fewer miles than my 2014 (about 28k) that had every farkle ever made installed (including Yoshi pipe, arrow headers, ECU flash, rumbux, BD Aux LED lights, GPS, bar risers, updated chain tensioner and clutch basket, etc) for under $7k. Seriously....the amount of farkles and the time and labor involved in the work was worth more than the bike.

The deals are out there and honestly, if I had not found one locally I was willing to fly and ride and turn it into an adventure (like I did when I purchased my 2014 used a few years ago from a member on here....flew in my gear to Austin Tx, picked the bike up, headed up to Jaxon's place to get his skidplate installed and install some highway pegs and road back to San Diego, Ca over a couple days.

Again, I can't believe what you can get for such little money in this depressed market...

Here's the link about my brother's bike:

https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/found-gen-1-2012-2013-super-tenere.25070/

Here's the bike I flew to pick up for myself a few years ago:

https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/wts-2014-super-tenere-es-8900-sold-all-accessories-4000-sold.19696/

Not sure if you are required to work with a dealer because you have to trade something you already own but if you are able to work with a private party you'll get a great deal.
Good luck with your hunt!
<D>

 

[Sierra1]

I agree with dmulk. Since your riding season is still a ways off, don't rush into a purchase. "Patience my young Padawan". Maybe put YOUR bike on the internet. Private sale at trade in price? I think the sale would be quick. My person opinion would be to suggest a Gen II due to refinement versus the Gen I. There were a few problems that the Gen II addressed. AND, I prefer the ES over the standard. But that is a person to person preference.

 

[dmulk]

I agree with dmulk. Since your riding season is still a ways off, don't rush into a purchase. "Patience my young Padawan". Maybe put YOUR bike on the internet. Private sale at trade in price? I think the sale would be quick. My person opinion would be to suggest a Gen II due to refinement versus the Gen I. There were a few problems that the Gen II addressed. AND, I prefer the ES over the standard. But that is a person to person preference.

The ES is awesome! I love mine. It was totally worth the spend for me as I and up touring quite a bit with guys on FJR's and when my Girlfriend decides she wants to come along on a multi-day tour (she tends to pack the kitchen sink).

<D>

 

[Computer Doctor]

Well Friends, I just got back from a Multi brand Powersports Dealer and got to really look at the Africa Twin:

The saddle is VERY high but the luggage rack is even higher and I had a hard time throwing my leg over the beast. I'm 6ft-5in and have a 33 inch inseam and I had to call upon my old Military Combat kick and I just barely cleared the bike!

Once in the saddle, the suspension compressed just right and I could flat foot okay.

Trying to jump off quickly in a 'tip over' though would be a tough one though.

A new Suzuki DL1000 was easy to get on and off of basically because it is just like my DL650. (Looks like a streetbike though)

No S10 in the store however.

My quest continues

 

[MFP]

Well Friends, I just got back from a Multi brand Powersports Dealer and got to really look at the Africa Twin:

The saddle is VERY high but the luggage rack is even higher and I had a hard time throwing my leg over the beast. I'm 6ft-5in and have a 33 inch inseam and I had to call upon my old Military Combat kick and I just barely cleared the bike!

Once in the saddle, the suspension compressed just right and I could flat foot okay.

Trying to jump off quickly in a 'tip over' though would be a tough one though.

A new Suzuki DL1000 was easy to get on and off of basically because it is just like my DL650. (Looks like a streetbike though)

No S10 in the store however.

My quest continues

The AT has an adjustable seat, perhaps the seat on the AT in the showroom was in the high position.

 

[robson]

I was on the market for new AT since 2015 and I have canceled my orders twice.
If you want AT get the second edition, starting from 2018 not first one, because there are significant improvements.
Things which put me off were overall poor build quality as for that price segment, tubed tyres, alloy and tiny pegs mounts which break
easily, no centerstand or 12V socket standard, fragile windscreen mount. to name a few.
With first models and even with some current you'd get extra rusting spokes, rusting frame, sticky switches etc etc

 

[mrpete64]

I was going to buy a 1000 Vstrom...then I drove the Tenere ES. That was in 2014. I've driven it 20,000+ miles an zero issues. I have said, in other posts, I would NEVER own this bike. I learned...never say never! I have had many BMW's, etc. The Africa Twin is a nice bike if you are going to spend most of your time "off road." I am sure you have watched enough videos showing Tenere's going places angels fear to tread. They are very good bikes. Shaft drive/cruise control/es suspension is the deal breaker for me.

I am sure you will like either bike. I sat on an Africa Twin...too tall for my old aging body.

Mr. Pete-------->
aging hippie

 

[ballisticexchris]

The ES is awesome! I love mine. It was totally worth the spend for me as I and up touring quite a bit with guys on FJR's and when my Girlfriend decides she wants to come along on a multi-day tour (she tends to pack the kitchen sink).

<D>

What amazes me is how versatile the ES is. I was not even looking for this model when I got mine. One thing that still leaves me scratching my head is the suspension sag numbers. Tape measure shows that this is a softly sprung ill handing machine. I have found it to do everything I ask from it by just a push of the button. I even took it to Race Tech. The service manager told me to get some miles on it before doing a spring rate change.

Here is a link to my purchase:

I have been a lurker here for a few years. I finally saved and worked my butt off to get the bike of my dreams!! Sorry if it's in the wrong forum section. I'm just so excited!!

Here is the long winded story of my one day purchase experience:

https://www.wheelsinmotionmc.com/default.asp?page=xNewInventoryDetail&id=5077882&p=1&s=Year&d=D&t=new&sq=Super Tenere &fr=xnewinventory#unit-details-gallery-heading

My first call was a bunch of BS!! It was nothing but a bait and switch!! Screw that dealership. They did not even have the bike. Offered to sell me a 2018 for 14,000 plus fees. I can’t stand being lied to.

I ended up calling Berts Mega Mall and speaking with the young sales manager Jordan. They had a new standard 2017 Tenere advertised. I told him I was a cash customer and if they could let it go for my price OTD. He told me he would call back in a few minutes and give me a price. Came back with a price texted to me OTD complete ready to go. He said if I get the cashiers check and text a photo of it to him, he would have the shop do the PDI (pre delivery inspection) and have it ready for me when I get there.

The story gets better. After I had the check ready to go and texted it, I get a call from the “adventure bike specialist”, telling me the bike advertised was a used model with 7000 miles on it. They had a new 2017 ES (electronic suspension) model he would offer to me at the same price!! HOLY CRAP!! I asked if he was kidding me. Nope!! ES model brand new for the same price!! What a smoking deal!! I got a brand new ES bike for less than a standard model.

Carol and I got to the Mega Mall and were greeted and treated like a king and queen. Full on air conditioned lounge with padded couches and chairs and coffee bar. Simple paperwork to do. I had at least 4 different guys walking me through everything!! They even had it ready with a full tank of gas, and a pigtail for battery tender. Before taking off I had a really nice young man come out and go through all the features and make sure I was comfortable riding away.
I highly recommend this shop.

Check this out. Fully electronic suspension!! This is the full blown top of the line Tenere!! I did not even consider one of these because of the cost. These Tenere's have every single feature you can imagine!! Heated grips, cruise control, adjustable windscreen, LED lights, three different traction controls, unified braking, two ride modes (sport and touring), the list goes on. This is A LOT OF BIKE!!

Just the short ride home was almost overwhelming. The fanciest "street bike" I have ever owned was a Ninja 650R with Elka Suspension and dyno tuned with power commander.

My whole outlook on what this bike will be used for has changed with the first gear click out of the driveway. HOLY DAMN CRAP!! This is a amazing machine. I have been saving like a madman to get what I wanted. I can't wait until next week when I go nuts with accessorizing it to my liking. I have to be honest with myself and know this bike will be mostly pavement with a few mellow jeep trails. I have neither the skills or strength to do hard core off roading with it.

Some here might think I'm nuts. But I could not turn down the deal they had on the ES model. No more screwdriver or turning knobs. Some of the suspension threads take a hard line on how "ill handling" the OEM suspension is for anyone over 185lbs. Time will tell but I'm willing to bet it will be just fine with my 200lb body and some light luggage. It's pretty damn cool to push a button to change rebound, compression and preload settings.

I have my Beta for real dirt riding now. Pissing blood after an Iron Butt and beating up my body on a 800+ mile trip to Death Valley on a dirt bike is no longer fun for me.

Thank you for listening to my long winded buying experience.

I'll make sure to post up before and after pics in the appropriate sections as I accessorize my bike. I did not get much of a ride yet but here is the first pic of it in my driveway:

Here are the sag numbers:

There is already a pretty extensive thread on modifying the ES suspension with springs and such:

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=17861.msg265050#msg265050

I am getting acquainted with my new ES and various settings on the bike.

Here are the hard numbers with bone stock suspension. I weigh right at 200lbs without gear. Sorry I did not weigh myself geared up. I imagine it's close to 220 in gear. All settings were valving set at "standard 0". This is right in the middle of the valving range. I took measurements while sitting using my digital sag tool.

1 helmet: 48mm free sag/87mm rider sag

1 helmet and luggage: 46mm free/82mm rider

2 helmets: 32mm free/72mm rider

2 helmets and luggage: 29mm free/68 rider

So what does this all mean? Well I'm sure a few guys will reply to this thread and say the OEM stuff is crap and it's time for a re-spring right away.

I plan on riding the piss out of this bike just how it is and enjoy the heck out of it. Just the short 70 mile get acquainted ride tells me the Yamaha engineers know their stuff. While the suspension is under sprung, it is more than sufficient for my needs for a season or two. It just flat out works. When set at 1 helmet and luggage/standard 0 it's a really good traveling machine. For super responsive cornering and feedback to rider, I just switch to 2 helmets/standard 0.

I'm overall very pleased with this OEM ES system. The really good news is I can just drop off my bike to Race Tech and they only charge 150 bucks labor to R&R shock and forks. I called and the ES shock and forks are fully rebuildable units that can be valved to my liking.

Suspension can be a very subjective and heated topic. I'm simply pointing out that the OEM springs and valving are pretty darn good right out of the box. There is a ton of adjustments I have yet to try.

Here is the link to my ES experience:

So last week I had my Tenere set at 1 rider and luggage soft +3. This has been my go-to everyday mellow setting. It was horrible and downright scary going through the local canyons. I could not hold a line, the bike wallowed, made strange direction changes in the corners, and my toes kept dragging pavement in sharp turns. I really wanted to see how this thing rides from freeway and straight line to hard cornering without changing anything. I'm here to say it SUCKS!!! Not good and downright dangerous.​

​

Fast forward to this morning. Went to the same canyon and set the suspension to 2 riders and luggage hard +3. This is the very stiffest setting available. 1st thing I noticed was the bike actually raised up a bit in the rear. I was now on my tiptoes when heading out. HOLY DAMN SHIT!!! Night and day difference from last weeks ride. This bike is nothing short of amazing in the turns. Yes the suspension is very stiff. Well worth the tradeoff in phenomenal handling. I was braking deep into the corners at first. Then found myself doing trail braking in the middle of corners. First using just the rear brake. Then with the unified system using front brake only. As an added benefit of setting the valving to hard +3, the fork dive is almost eliminated!! I did happen to drag a footpeg. Only once.​

​

After I came off the mountain I set it at 1 rider and luggage soft +3 and enjoyed a very plush and stable freeway ride home. Yes this ES suspension is really nice.​

​

I'm now over 1000 miles on this bike and really liking the stock suspension. While I know it's under-sprung, The adjustments and settings are more than adequate. I can only imagine how much better it will be after having Race Tech re-spring and valve it for me.​

​

I'm still scratching my head in bewilderment how such a under sprung bike can work so well. The tape measure does not lie. I weigh in at close to 220 lbs geared up. Figure in the panniers, tools, extra fuel, ropes/pulleys/carabiners. Even set in the stiffest position the Tenere really sags under it's own weight. Race Tech service guy told me it sags so much (initial free sag) due to the open ended OEM spring.​

​

Whatever the reason, I'll just continue to ride it until it's due for oil change and/or bushing replacement. I figure I should get a good season or two out of the OEM setup. Being under sprung like it is goes against my thinking as a long time proponent of changing springs to get proper sag. I have no idea why it works and handles as well as it does. One thing for sure is I can't see myself "outriding" the suspension on the pavement. In a few months I'll be venturing off the pavement. That will be a whole new aspect of how good the suspension will keep the knobby's planted.​

​

 

[ballisticexchris]

I was on the market for new AT since 2015 and I have canceled my orders twice.
If you want AT get the second edition, starting from 2018 not first one, because there are significant improvements.
Things which put me off were overall poor build quality as for that price segment, tubed tyres, alloy and tiny pegs mounts which break
easily, no centerstand or 12V socket standard, fragile windscreen mount. to name a few.
With first models and even with some current you'd get extra rusting spokes, rusting frame, sticky switches etc etc

I sat on the new AT Sport and the ergo's are spot on for standing or seated. When I was shopping for my bike the two things that put me off were the chain drive and the fact that the Africa Twin has no subframe. The one piece frame is a big deal to me as it's something that can be bent or broken by even a simple tip over. I do like the tubed tires though. I guess it's what I'm used to and have no issues doing a trailside flat fix. As far as foot pegs, and no center stand, the aftermarket has that fixed.

 

[Sierra1]

….One thing that still leaves me scratching my head is the suspension sag numbers. Tape measure shows that this is a softly sprung ill handing machine....

Ah, grasshopper....you are learning, you are. There's "on paper", and then there's "the real world". I read on here where people are scraping pegs. I have ridden where my chicken strips are gone, and still haven't touched anything; and I'm 300lbs. But when I ride like that, I too have the suspension maxed out. The rear is more than a little high (check the lean angle when the bike is on the side stand, and max suspension; versus the preload of "one helmet") I adjust from a stiffer to softer ride as the road demands, quite often; the roads I frequent suck. My son refuses to ride on some PAVED roads because they're so bad; and he has the FJR ES. The Tenere doesn't even blink at the same roads.

 

[bigbob]

I am 300 lbs too and had Jaxom lower mine an inch. I love it when I find a road where I can scrape pegs. At least after the first time wakes me up!

AZ 666 (US 191?) was one of those. Right side 3 times and left 2. Great road!

 

[Kawiryu]

Hi,
My point of view is: I will not go for AT ever, I will be between horse and donkey in adventure bike class. The big down points are the chain, small fuel tank(non adventure version) and its also a heavy bike. If I have to go with chain bike I will choose lighter one ( tenere 700 or ktm 790 adventure r)
So, I decided few years ago and I bought S10.
S10 it's a heavy bike but you will not feel it too much, it's the bike who pushing you to make many kms.
Succes în tanking the best decision

Trimis de pe al meu EVR-L29 folosind Tapatalk

 

[ballisticexchris]

Ah, grasshopper....you are learning, you are.

LMAO!! I guess I'm never too old to learn! The older I get the less I know!! I could not be happier with this bike. It's everything I want in a long distance touring machine. I'm blown away at how well the suspension adjustments work. It's so nice to be able to adjust on the fly or make major changes by just pulling over and pushing a button.

 

[Sierra1]

....It's so nice to be able to adjust on the fly or make major changes by just pulling over and pushing a button.

I find that the little changes, hard to soft & +3 TO -3, sometimes have a larger impact on the ride than the preload adjsutment. I've gone from wallowing to riding on rails with the "on-the-fly" adjustments. Yes, I know, other bikes do the same thing. But, usually, at a greater cost, or with less reliability.