How can I make my Tenere comfortable for distance riding?

[Sierra1]

Preach brother. I've been teased for years for being anal about going to the gym for just an hour a day. Fitness makes everything easier; quality of life. My latest new "work out buddy" is a 71-year-old former Marine. 9 months ago his bench was 45lbs. Now . . . . it's 195. Almost daily he comes in telling me that he was doing this/that, and how he wasn't even tired anymore.

Yes, fitness makes riding so much easier. And while I'm a lazy bastard, I'm a fit lazy bastard . . . . and I still can't ride long distance.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Although, honestly, I just don't have the funds to try all the seats, windscreens, clutch rebuilds, ECU remap, bar risers ... etc. chasing some "maybe" solution. I think I'm just not in the right tax bracket for a big ADV bike after all. I had to dig deeply enough just to buy this bike in the first place and I wasn't anticipating having to spend so much more money on it as I already have in just a couple months (fork seals, $90 just to replace *one* missing spoke, it actually costs more for gas than my car...) In the end I just don't think the S10 is the right bike for me and I don't think I'm ever going to be happy with it.

The bike doesn't NEED all those things and mine is fairly stock. As said before, the best and almost only way to make the bike comfy for long distance is to build up to it with lots of riding. Even though I've done multiple Iron Butts on Teneres my shoulder, butt, and sometimes back hurt in the Spring when I haven't used those muscles for hours on end. Weeks later and all's right with the world. It was the same on the two VStroms, two FJRs, GS1100, GS1000, and every other long distance bike I've had or been on because each rides different.

But the magic is broken for you and your mind seems made up, so best of luck in finding what makes you happy.

 

[Peachy00]

There is a school of though the standard seats are too soft. I changed mine for Touratech seats. Very comfy indeed. Good for 8 hours with a few coffee breaks along the way.

 

[Sierra1]

All booties are not created equal.

 

[lund]

The bike doesn't NEED all those things and mine is fairly stock. As said before, the best and almost only way to make the bike comfy for long distance is to build up to it with lots of riding. Even though I've done multiple Iron Butts on Teneres my shoulder, butt, and sometimes back hurt in the Spring when I haven't used those muscles for hours on end. Weeks later and all's right with the world. It was the same on the two VStroms, two FJRs, GS1100, GS1000, and every other long distance bike I've had or been on because each rides different.

But the magic is broken for you and your mind seems made up, so best of luck in finding what makes you happy.

EXACTLY, I go through the same things. Part of April all of May and part of June are PAINFUL, but watch out July and on. A 7-800 mile ride is easy and painless, dirt or pavement.
One of the mistake many do is don't condition them selves for such long journey's and when they do it they pack on their backs more weight then necessary, such as back packs and water packs?????? REALLY, don't be bitching when your hurting, cause it will guaranteed.
The other thing is the seat on the S10 is nice for an ADV bike, it does require a breakin time and depending on individuals may take lots of seat time. Mine started to feel good after the 3,000mile mark. A "used" S10 unfortunately might never conform properly to a different rider IMO as the seat has been preformed to someone else and may or may not reform.
Buying aftermarket seats, highway pegs and so on may help on a small scale but in the big scale it boils down to seat time and self conditioning.
There is no magic formula or setup, one needs to build up to long distance riding and the Super Tenere is one of the best motorcycle out there for that purpose. Goodluck

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

I think you need a FJR1300 in stead of the Tenere. That is a fantastic tourer. The Tenere is a great do it all and everywhere. But no it ain’t a dirtbike, nor a highway cruiser, nor a race bike. But it is the very allround, do it all, won’t let you down companion. My favorite bike up until now. Good luck!

Yeh, my thought too. But having tried an FJR, the only improvement is the seats way better than the S10. The screens worse, and the fuel economy worse by about 10mpg. I also get a pain in my wrist like I do on my Pan European. Yes its quicker and smoother, but the throttle snatch is still there like it is with any bike with Fi and fuel cutoff. Which is most bikes these days.
So my FJR is going. My Pan is staying and possibly getting McCruise fitted and maybe look into straightening the bars a bit.
And my S10 seat saga continues. I’m currently thinking of trying a local uphosterer to rework my Touratec seat.

 

[keysta]

Pardon the interuption...
I too have a 2012 S10; ( i sound like you guys now i would read these forums and wonder what an s10 was until it finally occurred to me it might be short for Super Tenere. I HAVE ARRIVED!
Anyway... All these things don't have to be purchased together/immediately. I went piecemeal, -and, one must learn to shop. Ebay, open box items, Veterans discounts, internet discounts, etc, etc. It can be pricey, just not as pricey.
I'm embarrassed to say that I intentionally purchased an Akropovic exhaust (deeply discounted, it came in newspaper and a kohler plumbing box) Arrow headers. My k&n air filter and re-flash are on my to do list. Just the exhaust and headers made it run so much better.
I got some Rox anti vibration risers, and a copycat flex handlebars from China. Some bar weights that are like 3" long from flex racing helped also.
The handlebar and triple tree clamp on the 2012 is one continuous piece. I believe from 2014 the risers were built on vibration dampeners. (I bought one off a wrecked bike.)
Anyway, any seat is an improvement. I bought a Saddleman seat while my original seat was being rebuilt. It was, -"eh", "ok". Now, when I got my seat back from this guy named Terry Adcox, I swear it was like a got a Brazilian Butt Lift! Not only that, way cheaper than an aftermarket seat. So, you might find an upholsterer to build up your seat... maybe. On a personal note, I loved the seat so much, I lowered my bike.
I don't know how tall you are, but good boots help as well as a bike mechanic you can call a friend.
Finally, I've found in this thing called life, -that when I minimize my expectations, my disappointments are likewise minimized.
Keep your head up and consider not throwing the baby out with the bath water.

 

[keysta]

one more thing, try a Crampbuster... its $12

 

[wal054]

If you have the S10 with ES and travel on crappy roads like we have in OZ, set the suspension to Soft -3. Very comfy for touring all day.

 

[sheikyerbooty]

soft+3? thats stiffer right?

 

[wal054]

Nah. Soft -3 is the softest setting allows the suspension to move more over potholes bumps etc

 

[sheikyerbooty]

ok. But firm sus = predictable in corners. under braking. on the tar?

 

[wal054]

Maybe. Worked for us on a trip from southern NSW to Townsville ( a bit over 2000 km each way). Tar all the way. Bike was loaded to the max with pillion and luggage. Rider & pillion over 200 kg.

 

[sheikyerbooty]

choice wal. perfect bike for Aussie

 

[wal054]

That's for sure. Its not going anywhere (except on trips). It doesn't go anywhere unless its travelling at least 1000 km. I have had the seats modified by MJM since this photo was taken. Now its good for all day travel.

On that trip 1/3 of the trip we experienced 46 deg C. Other trips -6 deg C.

 

[Boris]

If you have the S10 with ES and travel on crappy roads like we have in OZ, set the suspension to Soft -3. Very comfy for touring all day.

Im surprised at that? I was in Australia for 6 weeks earlier in the year, drove from Brisbane to the Great Ocean Road and back again, different routes each way, explored plenty of souther QLD and northern NSW and thought the roads were generally very good. There was some damage from the recent (then) floods, but overall I thought they were good.

 

[wal054]

Im surprised at that? I was in Australia for 6 weeks earlier in the year, drove from Brisbane to the Great Ocean Road and back again, different routes each way, explored plenty of souther QLD and northern NSW and thought the roads were generally very good. There was some damage from the recent (then) floods, but overall I thought they were good.

If one travels regional Oz on roads oter than major highways you will see the real Oz and roads

 

[Boris]

If one travels regional Oz on roads oter than major highways you will see the real Oz and roads

I stayed off the highways, almost the whole trip, even in a car us bikers prefer not using the dull roads, went through the scenic routes. Must have been lucky.

 

[Fennellg]

There is not a one size fits all solution. Some, and I might add a minority, feel the bike is comfy stock.

With that said here my 2 cents for what it’s worth, probably not that much. I changed my seat to a Russell day long, put rox risers and mirror extenders on.

I can do more miles on my bike in a day than I can in car.

If I had it to do over, I would probably give Terrys custom seats a try. Apparently they are cheaper, as good, not as well known and closer to me. Turn around would be quicker.

 

[lund]

One of the best way I found on riding long distance on any bike is by wearing the right stuff. Like Moto-Skiveez help tremendously with seat discomfort.
Staying fit, keeping a strong core and not slouching while riding makes a huge difference in back and shoulder pain.
Taking 10-15min breaks with stretches every now and then, at the end of a long day makes no difference on how long it took to get to your destination.
And lastly and importantly "AVOID" carrying unnecessary weight on your body like back packs and so on.