how does triumph tiger Explorer compare to super tenere?
- Thread starter robson
- Start date
I had a Tiger 1050 and loved it. Wanted an Explorer, but when I rode it I found it somewhat "heavy" feeling and nowhere near as nimble as my 1050. A couple months later I rode an S10 (which I had not even considered before) and fell for it. Brought it home and have never looked back. The S10 to me just feels a lot lighter and I like the power delivery. It's not the "turbine" that the big triples are, but feels like a BIG thumper. I love it! ::022::
I rented one in April. Here was my report.
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=11812.0
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=11812.0
Chuck B
New Member
Which Explorer? I owned the 800XC and 1200XC prior to the Tenere. The 800 and 1200 are nearly opposite in comparison. Bottomline...I'll keep my Tenere and would consider owning another 800XC.
squarebore
Well-Known Member
The 1200 explorer is a nice bike and ride with a fellow who has one all the time. We do dirt roads etc and he goes everywhere I go. Bike is fast too. I would have bought the Honda but seat position is a little more cramped for a big fella. I love the Honda engine.
Tyke
New Member
There have been far too many major recalls over here in the U.K with the Explorer
Its now comically known in some quarters as the Exploder
)
Its now comically known in some quarters as the Exploder
)
Tenerefeller
Member
I rode with a few last weekend, suffice to say I'm happy with my choice. Had a gamut of electronic problems that affected idle control, brake lights, and a very poor abs system. No need to turn the tenere abs off it goes and stops too, and eats dirt for breakfast lunch and dinner!
Squibb
Well-Known Member
Way too many problems with the big TEX, which seems crazy given Triumph's experience, particularly of the 'triple' engine design. Rumour here in the UK would suggest this is because too many jobs have been exported from Hinckley to Thailand - having seen the Triumph production lines a few years back, this was all to predictable, but it is no excuse for poor quality IMHO. Remember, whatever the strength of a Manufacturer's warranty, there is no substitute for quality & reliability - riding is fun; down time with your bike in the shop is grief.
I think Triumph wanted to replicate the sales success of the GS, so were lured down the same design road, rather than going their own way. All they have succeeded in doing is following the Bavarians record for unreliability. Whilst I fancied trying a TEX at launch after seeing the bike on a show stand, that evaporated when I sat astride my local dealers demo - I just knew it wasn't for me, so didn't even bother taking it out. Much the same with the Honda, just a pumped up VFR1200. The Triumph 1050 needs a proper update - they just gave it a mild makeover last time - I think rumours/leaks from KTM scared them, so they held back until they could launch something more meaningful/competitive. The 800 triple is probably the best effort, but may be a rather challenged if you want to go touring with luggage & a pillion. It competes well against the F800GS & looks the part too.
But hey, it's a case of horses for courses. They all have their strengths & weaknesses, it's just a case of getting out there & trying the bikes, checking the feedback on forums, & seeing which is the bike for you. We are all a bit biased on here - the S10 is pretty bullet proof, handles a treat & the engine has now perked up a little. It's not the quickest kid on the block, but more than adequate for most. When launched, the price point was way too high in Europe & , although RRP is still a bit strong, deals are out there now. Give it a try; you won't be disappointed............... KEN .. ::001::
scott123007
Well-Known Member
Well, they're sure not made in Japan, and I thought that was important to you.
rbernie
Member
I researched this before I bought a leftover 2013 S10 in May. The folk that I know that have a Tiger Exploder complained of design weaknesses (recalls), poor build QC (you never know what bits will be an issue until they fail), and excessive heat. The third one was a big deal to me, even for use as a commuter.
But I love the way that the Tiger lineup looks, especially the Tiger 800 in white.
But I love the way that the Tiger lineup looks, especially the Tiger 800 in white.
My mate bought one:
New Cylinder Head
New ECU
New Final Drive
All under warranty - but all within 18 months and 3,000 miles - makes you wonder what they will be like at 5-6 years old with 30 or 40k on the clock :question:
To ride it feels very nice, a bit more like an upright sportsbike than an adventure bike, and my guess is Triumph were targeting the ageing biking population looking to switch from sportsbikes, and reliability niggles aside they have done a fantastic job.
My best summary would be the Triumph is better above 80 mph and the Yamaha better below 60mph, in between there is not much in it - maybe the Triumph better on a great surface and the Yamaha better on a rougher surface.
The Engines are also very different, the Yamaha is all low down grunt, but lacks excitement when you rev it, the Triumph is well behind up to about 5k, but here it picks up quickly and is pulling a fair bit harder than the Yamaha by 7k - and feels more exciting, in s atraight line there is less in it than the seat of the pants engine characteristics suggest, but the higher the speed gets the bigger the Triumphs advantage.
On slow stuff such as mountain switchbacks the Yamaha wins, and on really rough roads (or off-road) I would say the Yamaha is also noticeably ahead.
I would suggest a long test on both bikes, on a variety of roads and surfaces and then decide which suits best - unless reliability bothers you, where the Yamaha seems more proven.
New Cylinder Head
New ECU
New Final Drive
All under warranty - but all within 18 months and 3,000 miles - makes you wonder what they will be like at 5-6 years old with 30 or 40k on the clock :question:
To ride it feels very nice, a bit more like an upright sportsbike than an adventure bike, and my guess is Triumph were targeting the ageing biking population looking to switch from sportsbikes, and reliability niggles aside they have done a fantastic job.
My best summary would be the Triumph is better above 80 mph and the Yamaha better below 60mph, in between there is not much in it - maybe the Triumph better on a great surface and the Yamaha better on a rougher surface.
The Engines are also very different, the Yamaha is all low down grunt, but lacks excitement when you rev it, the Triumph is well behind up to about 5k, but here it picks up quickly and is pulling a fair bit harder than the Yamaha by 7k - and feels more exciting, in s atraight line there is less in it than the seat of the pants engine characteristics suggest, but the higher the speed gets the bigger the Triumphs advantage.
On slow stuff such as mountain switchbacks the Yamaha wins, and on really rough roads (or off-road) I would say the Yamaha is also noticeably ahead.
I would suggest a long test on both bikes, on a variety of roads and surfaces and then decide which suits best - unless reliability bothers you, where the Yamaha seems more proven.
ExTriumphExp
New Member
Compare the the Explorer 1200 with a Super Tenere? just look at my screen name, Im very happy now, I wasnt before, partially down to a F**kwit of a service manager but also down so some very poor work carried out on my bike at the factory when the head was changed.
OK the S10 might not produce the horse power of the tex but the S10 feels much stronger low down with the Torque, the answer is to ride it differently. As regards comparing build quality, dont even bother thinking about it. S10 is Waaaaaaaay better.
Comparing the difference in dealer satisfaction & customer care?? well lets just say i managed more than 61 miles ( unlike my Tiger Sport) without having to take it back to the factory for an engine rebuild!, oh & yes the S10 had oil in the engine when it was delivered to my house free of charge unlike when I collected my Tiger Sport from the dealership.
Dont bother wasting your time. Its a sad thing to have to say but Triumph have a way to go, they look great but they need to finish the bikes off properly & get rid of poorly performing dealers
OK the S10 might not produce the horse power of the tex but the S10 feels much stronger low down with the Torque, the answer is to ride it differently. As regards comparing build quality, dont even bother thinking about it. S10 is Waaaaaaaay better.
Comparing the difference in dealer satisfaction & customer care?? well lets just say i managed more than 61 miles ( unlike my Tiger Sport) without having to take it back to the factory for an engine rebuild!, oh & yes the S10 had oil in the engine when it was delivered to my house free of charge unlike when I collected my Tiger Sport from the dealership.
Dont bother wasting your time. Its a sad thing to have to say but Triumph have a way to go, they look great but they need to finish the bikes off properly & get rid of poorly performing dealers
ExTriumphExp
New Member
robson said:
)........That bad, believe me its far far worse. As a British company I hope they succeed, I don't know why after the way some of there staff treated me. I think its because once they recognised that there has been a serious failing in there procedures that senior people within Triumph (Hinckley) tried & succeeded to a point to satisfy me, only for the dealership (service manager ) to undo all the good work done by Hinckley trying to satisfy me. They (Hinckley)seem to acknowledge my second bike didn't have a PDI carried out before i collected it, but they let themselves down as they wont hear a bad word said against the dealership. I have strong suspicions that my first bike (Explorer) also didn't have a PDI carried out. I had been waiting to buy/own a Triumph for some years, but now after buying my S10 & owning/riding it for a few weeks I can only say that my experience with buying/Riding it, dealer interaction TOTALLY surpasses the same areas & experience I had with Triumph over 12/18 months, with the exception of the factory support but that's another story. Hopefully i wont need factory support with the S10.
::003::
Ramseybella
Well-Known Member
I loved my two Tigers I owned 1998 and 2010 I liked the 1200 but I dug the 800XC but a bit short on the seat.
I'm afraid Triumph is pushing itself off the ledge again.
I'm afraid Triumph is pushing itself off the ledge again.
MIKE R
Well-Known Member
Seems to be a 'unreliable Triumph v Super reliable Yamaha thread.
I'm in the fortunate position of having a '13 S10 and a 14 Tex and both are great bikes although in different ways. These are my observations after 10k miles on my first S10 which was traded for a World Crosser in April 2013 and has now covered almost 14K, and 6k on my March 2014 Triumph.
Both have been very reliable (although I did have the 'starting problem' on the Yam last week) and both have taken me in comfort across Europe this year. Neither needed any fluid replacement except petrol unlike some other bikes on the tours. My Tex does not need the head/ECU replacement although the tyres need changing!
The S10 fits me like a pair of slippers, the TEX needed bar raisers. Both now have an after-market screen (Givi AirFlow). The Tex has more electronic gadgets compared to my 13 Yam but time will tell if this is a good or bad thing. I suppose if I wanted most of the gadgets I could trade up to a 14 model Yam. The spokes on the Yam are prone to corrosion as they are on the XC Triumph (I've got cast wheels on mine). The S10's instrumentation is clearer than the Triumph and easier to find, but the Triumph gives you more. I don't like the rubber brake and clutch hoses on the S10, the Triumph's are braided. The majority of nuts and bolts on the Triumph are stainless. Both have very comfortable seats in my opinion but you sit higher on the S10 giving a more a better view of the road ahead. The Triumph is slightly more economical than the Yam. Engine wise the Tex has tremendous power and torque, but the Yam is 'lazy' and long legged especially in T mode.
The Triumph is certainly better on motorways (I hate motorways but they are a necessary evil sometimes) and fast A roads. The Yam is better on rough roads and narrow back roads. But the Triumph has no difficulty with rough/back roads and the Yam can be motor along on motorways and be great fun on fast A roads.
So which in my opinion is the better bike. The truthful answer is that I really don't know and at the moment I have no intention of selling either of them
Mike
I'm in the fortunate position of having a '13 S10 and a 14 Tex and both are great bikes although in different ways. These are my observations after 10k miles on my first S10 which was traded for a World Crosser in April 2013 and has now covered almost 14K, and 6k on my March 2014 Triumph.
Both have been very reliable (although I did have the 'starting problem' on the Yam last week) and both have taken me in comfort across Europe this year. Neither needed any fluid replacement except petrol unlike some other bikes on the tours. My Tex does not need the head/ECU replacement although the tyres need changing!
The S10 fits me like a pair of slippers, the TEX needed bar raisers. Both now have an after-market screen (Givi AirFlow). The Tex has more electronic gadgets compared to my 13 Yam but time will tell if this is a good or bad thing. I suppose if I wanted most of the gadgets I could trade up to a 14 model Yam. The spokes on the Yam are prone to corrosion as they are on the XC Triumph (I've got cast wheels on mine). The S10's instrumentation is clearer than the Triumph and easier to find, but the Triumph gives you more. I don't like the rubber brake and clutch hoses on the S10, the Triumph's are braided. The majority of nuts and bolts on the Triumph are stainless. Both have very comfortable seats in my opinion but you sit higher on the S10 giving a more a better view of the road ahead. The Triumph is slightly more economical than the Yam. Engine wise the Tex has tremendous power and torque, but the Yam is 'lazy' and long legged especially in T mode.
The Triumph is certainly better on motorways (I hate motorways but they are a necessary evil sometimes) and fast A roads. The Yam is better on rough roads and narrow back roads. But the Triumph has no difficulty with rough/back roads and the Yam can be motor along on motorways and be great fun on fast A roads.
So which in my opinion is the better bike. The truthful answer is that I really don't know and at the moment I have no intention of selling either of them
Mike
Attachments
thank you for first objective opinions in this thread! because that's the exact impressions I got from talking to different people having either bike.MIKE R said:
Both bikes are very good obviously and slamming a tiger here is a little childish. I was hoping to get some opinions here on differences in handling, how they compare
not how bad is one or the other.