how does triumph tiger Explorer compare to super tenere?

[frez]

I decided not to test an explorer when I was changing bikes because of the issues it had for early adopters. I assume now time has passed they have all been sorted by Triumph. What would give me pause before buying a Triumph would be the warranty requirements in the UK, which as I understand it are that the bike has to be serviced by a Triumph dealer to maintain the warranty.

 

[MIKE R]

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.
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.

Both bikes handle very well for their size but I think the Yam has the slight edge as it carries it's weight lower. In the Alps the Yam can take the hairpins etc a little faster but the Triumph accelerates better out of the bend. As you can see from my photos I use the same Givi luggage on both bikes and the S10 seems to be effected more by the extra weight. For this reason (plus the extra power) I believe the Triumph to be the better bike if you carry a pillion on a regular basis.

One area I think the Yam really shines for me is the brakes. I like them being linked and in an absolute emergency I can grab the front and it will stop the bike very quickly (don't ask me how I know I still have to pay the bill from the launderette! :-X) The Triumph brakes are good but not linked, but others will prefer this.

Both gearboxes are good with the Yam being sweeter in all gears except first. Here the Yam engages with quite a clunk compared to the Triumph's click.

Mike

 

[MIKE R]

I decided not to test an explorer when I was changing bikes because of the issues it had for early adopters. I assume now time has passed they have all been sorted by Triumph. What would give me pause before buying a Triumph would be the warranty requirements in the UK, which as I understand it are that the bike has to be serviced by a Triumph dealer to maintain the warranty.

I don't think this is right.

As I understand European law on this, any competent mechanic (could be the owner) can service any bike and as long as they use genuine manufacturer parts and keep a record then the warranty will not be affected.

The problem arises if you have a problem in a 'grey' area where you need the support of your local dealer, but this is a problem for all bikes and cars within the warranty period, not just Triumph.

Mike

 

[frez]

Ride June 2013 Magazine:

"Clinic update
In the May issue's Ride Clinic, reader Martin Duce asked about the validity of warranties when service and repair work is completed by a non-franchised dealer. In your response you state that Block Exemption allows customers to have their motorcycles serviced by a non-franchised dealer without invalidating their warranty. This assertion is incorrect. The Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation that you refer to is only applicable to passenger cars and does not include motorcycles. Therefore motorcycle manufacturer's standard warranties are dependent on dealer servicing. Guy Masters, General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles"

Of course nothing stops you making a claim against the supplier (not manufacturer) of the motorcycle under the sales of goods act, but who knows how the magistrates would decide on a technical matter of responsibility.

 

[robson]

The Triumph brakes are good but not linked, but others will prefer this.

that's actually a plus for triumph for me.

 

[ExTriumphExp]

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.
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.

If your comments were aimed at me Robson I wasn't slamming the Tiger, just giving my opinion based on my experience

 

[ExTriumphExp]

that's actually a plus for triumph for me.

Same for me Robson. In fact I think the S10 brakes are far superior but in saying that I spent 10k miles riding my Tex with defective brakes even though I reported them to the dealer before the 600 mile service. They reported that everything was OK. After the 10k service there was a significant improvement but I think the S10 (from memory!) are better in respect of poer & quite possibly feel as well but this is obviously subjective as we all have different "feel"

 

[RIVA]

that's actually a plus for triumph for me.

All your problems and worries solved, Buy a Triumph.

 

[MIKE R]

Ride June 2013 Magazine:

"Clinic update
In the May issue's Ride Clinic, reader Martin Duce asked about the validity of warranties when service and repair work is completed by a non-franchised dealer. In your response you state that Block Exemption allows customers to have their motorcycles serviced by a non-franchised dealer without invalidating their warranty. This assertion is incorrect. The Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation that you refer to is only applicable to passenger cars and does not include motorcycles. Therefore motorcycle manufacturer's standard warranties are dependent on dealer servicing. Guy Masters, General Manager, Triumph Motorcycles"

Of course nothing stops you making a claim against the supplier (not manufacturer) of the motorcycle under the sales of goods act, but who knows how the magistrates would decide on a technical matter of responsibility.

Thanks frez, I stand corrected. I checked out Triumph's warranty terms and conditions on their web site and it definitely says that the bikes must be serviced by an authorised Triumph dealer.

You live and learn!

Mike

 

[tenbob]

Maybe it were just the Explorer I testrode but I thought the builder who testrode it just before me had left his bricks behind in the topbox...

 

[eemsreno]

Well yesterday Mike and I traded bikes for about an hour.
We have traded lots of times but it has been a long time and never for that long of a ride.
When we stopped I ask what he thought. [he has 28,000 on his, mine has 84,000]
The first thing he said was that the Tenere rides way better. [this could be that my suspension is just dialed in a lot better, he has never toughed his.]
He said my seat was more comfortable and I totally agreed! [I run the stock seat leveled out]
Mike said there was a lot of things he liked better with the Tenere.
The Tenere is way quieter to ride , We both have after market bigger shields but the wind noise is deafening on the Explorer.
We rode over 400 miles yesterday and not one time did I have to shut the blast shield on my helmet while riding the Tenere. The second I got up to speed on the Explorer I had to shut the shield and I needed ear plugs too. [I never need ear plugs on the Tenere unless on an Interstate with truck traffic.
The Tenere shifted way smoother!
The Explorer was buzzier at 80, kind of a inline four buzz. [left mirror wasn't usable]
Mike complains about a very annoying gear whine that goes away if the clutch is pulled in [at high speed.]
He also had K60 tires on that just screamed at speed. [I am running E07 tires now]
I was very glad to get back on the Tenere, I just can't get enough of that bike. Totally Awesome!!
It was a fun ride until we came up on this.
http://www.kwwl.com/story/26416884/2014/08/31/one-killed-in-three-vehicle-crash
Stay safe out there and watch out for them TEXTERS.
I need a vacation.
Steve

 

[eemsreno]

I forgot to add,
The very first thing I noticed getting on the Explorer is how cramped my legs are. the seat to foot pegs is way closer , [I did not like this at all] I like how comfortable the Tenere is. He might be able to help this by raising the seat, I have know idea if he has it in the low or high.

I was surprised how much stronger the Tenere brakes felt, again this could be do to lots of things, I keep my brakes clean and the fluids changed.

 

[Somerset]

Only you can answer your own question. Get on and ride one. While you're at it don't forget to push and pull it around as if you were putting it into a garage or rolling it back into a parking spot.

All of my fellow Explorer owners (I recently got rid of mine) thought I was mad to swap in for a Yam. When I rode the Yam, it may not have had the Hyperdrive the Tex had, I found it the far more rideable bike and more enjoyable to live with.

Good luck

 

[adogarza]

I have the luck to own a S10 2012 and Explorer XC 14... I have been reading your comments and impressions about these bikes...I want to put my two cents and provide a bit of insight about these fantastic bikes...

Look:
While riding both bikes I had received more compliments with the explorer and in my opinion the Tex looks awesome in flat khaki green.

Ergonomics:

The S10 feels more natural and relax, while the Explorer is a bit more sport touring position, don't get me wrong both bikes are very comfortable... The S10 has more leg room when compare with the seat in both bikes in the higher position.. In both bikes you can reach the floor easily...in the S10 you have the feeling that your are loose in the saddle and no secure...in the other hand, in the Explorer you feels like locked in position and you feels more secure...during sport riding the Tex wins in ergonomics...is like attack position..

Brakes:

The S10 has better brakes overall, the linked brakes gives you more stopping power...in the Explorer the brakes are not linked...both has ABS although the S10 system is better...what I like about the Explorer is the feeling and progression of the front brake, the S10 feels a bit spongy and poorly progressive...at high speed the combined brakes are exceptional..

Suspension:

The S10 has better front forks, they are fully adjustable, better damping and more progressive....the Explorer has preload adjusment only and the forks botton out easily during hard braking on bumpy roads....the rear suspension is the opposite, the rear in the Tex feels with better damping and better control, also the Tex has external nitrogen reservoir and resist abuse better than the S10...feels even better than in my GS...

Engine:

The S10 feels sluggish and agricultural when compare with the triple...The tenere has two engine modes which are very different, one is very progressive and nice for off-road, rain or around town in trafic and the other sport mode feels like more powerfull and quick especially in the three first gears..the Tex does not have modes but feels like it managed to do it all pretty good with one mode...The Tex is fun, very powerfull and addictive....never feels sluggish and underpowered, especially in hilly terrain or while driving with passenger and fully loaded...fueling is very good in both bikes and both bikes are throttle by wire, although with different systems...The S10 seems to be a more robust system, and the feeling is more standard..the cruise control in the Tex is very nice to have and put less pressure in your wrist with a softer spring....

Handling:

The S10 is more stable than the Tex at high speed and when fully loaded, in the other hand, the Explorer feels more nimble and quick in the twisty roads, the S10 feel solid and more balance at low speed, but once the explorer gain a bit of speed the high speed instability pays off, giving you a more sporty and nimble handling when is more important, when having fun with curves....in my opinion the Tex wins here...the feeling is like you have power steering in the Tex and no assistance in the S 10....my experience was based in several trips with same tires and same roads...

Quality and finish:

Both bikes are outstanding in this department, although the Triumph seems to have more attention to detail and nicer equipment, like the aluminum handlebar and better finished raisers and gear lever, as well as handlebar controls...I think the Tiger has the edge in this department..

Wind protection:

Both of my bikes are equipped with OEM accessories and OEM tall windshields, the S10 offers better rider protection and better heat management than the Tiger.. The Explorer put more heat on your legs during hot weather....although the S10 does a bit on your left leg during hot weather riding...

Reliability:

Both bikes had been very reliable so far, only the Tenere has experienced mild oil consumption and none on the tiger...my ECU was replaced on the Tiger despite never experience a problem...

Conclusion:

Both bikes are very nice adventure touring bikes, with pros and cons, one with more dirt capabilities and other with more road capabilities. It is a matter of preference and I am lucky to share my life with these two magnificent machines...my two cents....

 

[Andylaser]

As a current 800 Tiger owner, I have ridden both the Exp and S10 in the past couple of months. For me, I found the Exp to be a "bit of a lump", although this got better at higher speeds. For long distance high speed cruising, it slightly has the edge over the S10. For everything else, the S10 is a better bike.

I just put my money down on the Yamaha.

 

[MIKE R]

I have the luck to own a S10 2012 and Explorer XC 14... I have been reading your comments and impressions about these bikes...I want to put my two cents and provide a bit of insight about these fantastic bikes...

Look:
While riding both bikes I had received more compliments with the explorer and in my opinion the Tex looks awesome in flat khaki green.

Ergonomics:

The S10 feels more natural and relax, while the Explorer is a bit more sport touring position, don't get me wrong both bikes are very comfortable... The S10 has more leg room when compare with the seat in both bikes in the higher position.. In both bikes you can reach the floor easily...in the S10 you have the feeling that your are loose in the saddle and no secure...in the other hand, in the Explorer you feels like locked in position and you feels more secure...during sport riding the Tex wins in ergonomics...is like attack position..

Brakes:

The S10 has better brakes overall, the linked brakes gives you more stopping power...in the Explorer the brakes are not linked...both has ABS although the S10 system is better...what I like about the Explorer is the feeling and progression of the front brake, the S10 feels a bit spongy and poorly progressive...at high speed the combined brakes are exceptional..

Suspension:

The S10 has better front forks, they are fully adjustable, better damping and more progressive....the Explorer has preload adjusment only and the forks botton out easily during hard braking on bumpy roads....the rear suspension is the opposite, the rear in the Tex feels with better damping and better control, also the Tex has external nitrogen reservoir and resist abuse better than the S10...feels even better than in my GS...

Engine:

The S10 feels sluggish and agricultural when compare with the triple...The tenere has two engine modes which are very different, one is very progressive and nice for off-road, rain or around town in trafic and the other sport mode feels like more powerfull and quick especially in the three first gears..the Tex does not have modes but feels like it managed to do it all pretty good with one mode...The Tex is fun, very powerfull and addictive....never feels sluggish and underpowered, especially in hilly terrain or while driving with passenger and fully loaded...fueling is very good in both bikes and both bikes are throttle by wire, although with different systems...The S10 seems to be a more robust system, and the feeling is more standard..the cruise control in the Tex is very nice to have and put less pressure in your wrist with a softer spring....

Handling:

The S10 is more stable than the Tex at high speed and when fully loaded, in the other hand, the Explorer feels more nimble and quick in the twisty roads, the S10 feel solid and more balance at low speed, but once the explorer gain a bit of speed the high speed instability pays off, giving you a more sporty and nimble handling when is more important, when having fun with curves....in my opinion the Tex wins here...the feeling is like you have power steering in the Tex and no assistance in the S 10....my experience was based in several trips with same tires and same roads...

Quality and finish:

Both bikes are outstanding in this department, although the Triumph seems to have more attention to detail and nicer equipment, like the aluminum handlebar and better finished raisers and gear lever, as well as handlebar controls...I think the Tiger has the edge in this department..

Wind protection:

Both of my bikes are equipped with OEM accessories and OEM tall windshields, the S10 offers better rider protection and better heat management than the Tiger.. The Explorer put more heat on your legs during hot weather....although the S10 does a bit on your left leg during hot weather riding...

Reliability:

Both bikes had been very reliable so far, only the Tenere has experienced mild oil consumption and none on the tiger...my ECU was replaced on the Tiger despite never experience a problem...

Conclusion:

Both bikes are very nice adventure touring bikes, with pros and cons, one with more dirt capabilities and other with more road capabilities. It is a matter of preference and I am lucky to share my life with these two magnificent machines...my two cents....

+1 I agree with everything you have said.

Mike
(2013 S10 and 2014 Ex)

 

[Somerset]

I'm afraid I can't agree with all those points, if I did then I would still have the Tex.

Looks:
I believe the S10 looks more the part. In the UK the Tex and it's similar 800XC relation have become as common as tits on a cow.

Ergonomics:
The Tex cruise control switching is appalling and difficult to use, the S10 on the other hand is a doddle. The rest I can agree with.

The S10 2014 brakes are worlds apart from the Tex, so much better. The S10 has wavy discs and so does the Tex, unfortunately the wave is in the wrong axis on the latter. 2 warranty claims.

Suspension.
I have the s10 with electronic suspension. I would say it's as good if not better than the Triumph.

Engine:
I've inly done just over 1500 miles on the S10 but I did over 8000 on the Triumph. After a complete Tex head replacement it was quiet for a while. For me the twin sound is so much better.

Handling:
I grew up with bikes you had to fight with to get around the bends so I quite like the added challenge from the S10. As for the Tex, I agree the handling was excellent all be it a bit too easy.

Quality:
I'm not sure a replacement head, discs, final drive, centre stand, exhaust and ECU makes the Tex a winner here. The paint in the Tex was a bit wushu woshy too, slightest scuff and gone. Time will tell but the S10 seems very god to me.

Wind Protection
Totally agree.

Reliability:
I got rid if the Tex as I had gear box problems after all the other things had been done and I just didn't feel I could wholly rely on it any longer. The S10 on the other hand feels like a bike I can just get on and not give a hoot.

Conclusion:
I'm glad I chopped the Tex in for the S10. I miss he hyperdrive if the triple motor but I'm very happy with the ability to use most of the S10 range, it feels more useable.

As I previously stated, only you can make the decision. I hope my post allows you to see the differences of opinion two riders can have on one bike. Yours may be different again.

 

[Donk]

I hope I'm not too late to the party but I figure I'll throw my 2 cents worth in. I own both a '13 Explorer and a '14 S10ES. Life has been good to me.

They are both great bikes. Both have been trouble free and I've owned the Explorer about a year, the S10 a little over 2 months. I admittedly am a Triumph guy.

Here's the pros and cons I have found of both bikes. Others may agree or disagree.

The front end is much better on the S10. Where the Explorer always feels vague the S10 always feels planted. I trust the front end on the S10 much more in the twisties.

Wind protection, the OEM windshield works better on the S10. There is more turbulence on the Explorer

Peg position is better on the S10 The shifter and brake pedal on the Explorer push your feet too far out on the pegs. A friend of mine said he ground the edge of his boots off riding the Explorer hard through the twisties. I didn't think it was possible until I had the same thing happen.

Fuel capacity is better on the S10. For as big as the tank looks on the Explorer it only holds 5.3 gal vs S10 holds 6.0.

The Explorer engine is more fun at higher revs the S10 more fun down low. That's mainly because the Explorer has higher revs, the S10 is done at 7grand.

The OEM panniers are bigger on the Explorer. The S10 has top loaders which are nice. It is possible to lock your key in the Explorer bags, not so with the S10. The S10 latches are a bit finicky. Neither is better or worse they are just different.

These are both good bikes. The Triumph may be better out on the highway for long trips. I don't know for sure as I haven't had the chance to run the S10 on a really long haul. I've done a 1000 mile day on the Explorer and it was super. Better than most. I enjoy riding the S10 more. The S10 is definitely more fun in the twisties and still good on the highway. I cannot get enough of the bike. Where the Explorer leaves me feeling bland the S10 always puts a smile on my face. My 2 cents worth.

 

[RED CAT]

You guys are forgetting the best part. The S10 is light years ahead in the dirt. The Explorer would be so far back, it would think its first.
The S10 rocks on gravel roads. In my book that puts it ahead by a mile. Road oriented bikes are a dime a dozen. The Explorer is a top heavy tank. Faster for sure though as any big road bike would be.

 

[eemsreno]

You guys are forgetting the best part. The S10 is light years ahead in the dirt. The Explorer would be so far back, it would think its first.
The S10 rocks on gravel roads. In my book that puts it ahead by a mile. Road oriented bikes are a dime a dozen. The Explorer is a top heavy tank. Faster for sure though as any big road bike would be.

::012:: Well put.