I may be crazy but I traded my Tenere for a new BMW R1200RT

[copb8]

I just rented a '14 GSA in Tuscany and put 500 miles on it. The power advantage is significant over the S10. I've always thought these bikes felt huge when I sat on them in the dealership. After a few days this was a non-issue. Overall it was an exceptional experience. The handling was excellent and the bike felt light. I came away FAR more impressed than I expected to be.

That said, I couldn't live with those damn cylinder jugs poking out the sides. I'm 6'2 and pumped my shins on them frequently. When I got home I immediately got on my S10 for a ride to compare and it just fit me so much better. I'm also in love with Yamaha quality and own 3 to prove it. I'm hoping in a few years Yamaha will add some significant power to the S10, and if they do I may end up consolidating my FJR and S10 to the new bike.

 

[viewdvb]

I've ridden with a number of RT riders. The RT community is great (http://bmwst.com/) I would love to have one of the new R1200RT's, but for me an Adventure Tourer is just a better fit right now. I just like the drop-ability and ability to drive across a rocky field, streambed and the general ability the longer travel suspension gives me.

I was recently in an accident on my Tenere and debating whether or not to get a different bike myself(if I don't buy my bike back as salvage or get it repaired). The leading contenders are:

KTM 1190 Adventure R

Yamaha Super Tenere

Aprilia Caponord


Kinda covers the continuum... If the Caponord had a driveshaft it'd be a no brainer for me. I think the Yamaha is the best 'compromise' bike - which is to say it is the best overall package, but it is NOT the sexiest...

I know where you're coming from. I rode one of the new Caponords with the active electronic suspension recently and that had to be the MOST IMPRESSIVE suspension I have ever tried. Every surface was ironed out perfectly. No setup - just let the bike figure it out. I've owned an Aprilia twin before so I have a soft spot for the engine BUT I still remember the struggle to get even the most basic spares. I'm told that the situation is much improved in the last two years but I would need a bit of research before I was convinced. That problem would be my main stumbling block, way ahead of the chain drive.

 

[cakeboy]

Ive had loads of bmw, s mostly new ones as well ..l have a 2014 tenere now ..why..?? Because almost all my bm, s " BROKE DOWN ...

 

[bigbob]

I'm also in love with Yamaha quality and own 3 to prove it. I'm hoping in a few years Yamaha will add some significant power to the S10, and if they do I may end up consolidating my FJR and S10 to the new bike.

S10
FJR
What is the 3rd?

 

[copb8]

S10
FJR
What is the 3rd?

'07 WR450F

 

[Donk]

Viewdvb I was in the same spot you're in this spring trying to decide on which bike to buy (except I didn't wreck a bike). For me it came down to the S10 or the KTM. I went with the '14ES and I'm glad I did. There was something about owning the KTM that backed me off. Can't say exactly but sort of a fear of too much dealer dependence for service combined with a bike/engine that hasn't been around long enough to have tons of miles on it. I could find no one that had or knew of a high mileage 1190. In the end I went with the S10 because it had more real world features that I could use every day. The '14ES S10 has enough go and handles great in the twisties. My Triumph Explorer will outrun it in a straight line but that's all it does. I really love riding the S10. I enjoy the hell out of it every time I get on it!

 

[twinrider]

I just rented a '14 GSA in Tuscany and put 500 miles on it. The power advantage is significant over the S10. I've always thought these bikes felt huge when I sat on them in the dealership. After a few days this was a non-issue. Overall it was an exceptional experience. The handling was excellent and the bike felt light. I came away FAR more impressed than I expected to be.

That said, I couldn't live with those damn cylinder jugs poking out the sides. I'm 6'2 and pumped my shins on them frequently. When I got home I immediately got on my S10 for a ride to compare and it just fit me so much better. I'm also in love with Yamaha quality and own 3 to prove it. I'm hoping in a few years Yamaha will add some significant power to the S10, and if they do I may end up consolidating my FJR and S10 to the new bike.

Flash your S10 and add an aftermarket exhaust system and you will be very surprised at the greatly improved response and additional power it makes. My FJR riding friend called my S10 "mental".... ::025::

 

[TimLaw]

@TimLaw - Check the dates of the last post before adding your comments. This one is somewhat of a dead thread after a few months of no posts.

Thanks for the headups...just another noob on the site.

I did want to say why I went with the Tenere.....just can't beat the price and knowledge that it's not going to be in the shop.

 

[BravoBravo]

@TimLaw - Check the dates of the last post before adding your comments. This one is somewhat of a dead thread after a few months of no posts.

On the other hand, it looks like TimLaw's post revived a dormant thread! ;D

Bruce

 

[Big Blu]

Flash your S10 and add an aftermarket exhaust system and you will be very surprised at the greatly improved response and additional power it makes. My FJR riding friend called my S10 "mental".... ::025::

The GS will be 60 lbs. lighter, makes more horses, and will have a more linear throttle response...... stock! )

Paul

 

[bmac]

The GS will be 60 lbs. lighter, makes more horses, and will have a more linear throttle response...... stock! )

Paul

10% more power for 50% more money. Sweet!

 

[Checkswrecks]

The GS will be 60 lbs. lighter, makes more horses, and will have a more linear throttle response...... stock! )

Paul

And still be a flavor that I don't enjoy.

 

[Tyke]

And still be a flavor that I don't enjoy.

::008:: +1.. Agreed, a quick look at BMWs recent recall history is more than enough to convince me that I do not ever want another,

Of all the Kawasakis that I've owned (and there have been many) only one ever let me down (1995 ZX9r) and TBH that was basically my fault for over-revving it. I've owned a part used GSA which was awful and a new K1300 GT EE BMW which was dreadful, unreliable, drank oil, poor finish, was a nightmare to put on the centre stand, had an unpredictable gear-change and finally suffering an engine cut out, resulting in it falling over in the road > , BMW (UK) refused to help me with repairs, denied ever having heard of this problem despite a number of other owners complaining of exactly the same problem and a resulting recall to correct an electrical issue ::009::

BMW :question: PAH never, ever again

My S10 is superbly built with high quality components and it does everything that we need it to do....reliably ::012::

As they say "if you follow the rest you'll go no further" .............which is what owning a GS would be like

 

[mrpete64]

4 BMW's in two years...

I had four BMW's in two years. Nice bikes but very expensive to maintain. The last one was the 800 GS which poured heat all over my right leg. I just got back from a 5,000+ mile trip on my 2014 ES and found it to be a wonderful experience. The cruise was great. The electronic suspension soaked up the interstate slab issues, and the gas mileage was around 45 mpg. I drove it 68 mph in cruise for most of my trip. I figured that the extra few mph was not worth a ticket and I was in no hurry. I had my TRAX boxes on the bike and loaded up. I honestly did not even notice that they were on the bike except when I got on and off.
The electric heated grips worked great on The Blue Ridge Parkway when the morning temperatures got down to the '40's.
I have had a lot of bikes, since 1962, and would say this bike is...excellent. Is it fast? Enough for me. I did drive the new BMW GS and it was a nice bike but not for almost ten grand more than my ES. I did drive this bike on a few dirt roads, in Colorado, and it worked very well. If I was going to do that a lot I would put a set of Mitas bike tires on it for the extra grip.
Overall...this bike, in my opinion, is a very good motorcycle for the price. Oh! Several people asked me if this was the new BMW GS. With a smile I said...no!

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

 

[Big Blu]

10% more power for 50% more money. Sweet!

Fact check....... A rare thing on the interweb!

MSRP 2014 Super Tenere: $15,090.00
MSRP 2015 BMW GS: $16,175.00

Not such a big difference for 15 more horses, 60 less pounds, and superior fueling/ throttle response. A flash and exhaust for the Tenere will more the bridge the $$$ gap but still not equal the performance. :-*

Paul

 

[TXTenere]

Fact check....... A rare thing on the interweb!

MSRP 2014 Super Tenere: $15,090.00
MSRP 2015 BMW GS: $16,175.00

Not such a big difference for 15 more horses, 60 less pounds, and superior fueling/ throttle response. A flash and exhaust for the Tenere will more the bridge the $$$ gap but still not equal the performance. :-*

Paul

I think we can all agree that while the $15,090 MSRP S10 is available (for that price, or lower), the $16,175 GS-W isn't out there/available. If you know that to be untrue, please just tell me where I can find it.

 

[bmac]

Fact check....... A rare thing on the interweb!

MSRP 2014 Super Tenere: $15,090.00
MSRP 2015 BMW GS: $16,175.00

Not such a big difference for 15 more horses, 60 less pounds, and superior fueling/ throttle response. A flash and exhaust for the Tenere will more the bridge the $$$ gap but still not equal the performance. :-*

Paul

If your going to quote facts please quote what they actually sell for.

The Super Tenere ES has no options and the list price is the top end of the scale. Current pricing is around $13,000 with some as low as $12,500.
A similar equipped BMW is closer to $20,000 (actual is $310 less). Are you finding fully equipped BMW's for less than $14,000?? The BMW dealer's I spoke with are not discounting.

From BMW's website with premium package so we can compare apples to apples.
Subtotal $19,195
Destination and Handling fee $495
Total MSRP $19,690

So yes, it has 10% more power for 50% more money.

I paid $12,800 for my 2014 Super Tenere ES. How much did you pay for your BMW?

I checked BMW website to add some options. Here is the pricing for a fully equipped BMW with every option:
Subtotal $32,393
Destination and Handling fee $495
Total MSRP $32,888

So, if you want to compare a fully loaded version from each manufacturer the BMW has 10% more power for 100% more money! How is that for a Fact Check??

 

[Tyke]

It aint all about speed and throttle response, both of which are pretty useless when your prized bike is enjoying another recall

 

[Toxic Mark]

'07 WR450F

Lol. I have 3 Yamahas, too. S-10, FZ-1, and an '07 WR250F.

 

[kenbike]

My GSA was $22,000 plus tax so it was an easy $9,000 over the 2014 ES. They gave me 48 months at a very low interest rate so ny payment for the new Yamaha with the 2012 S10 trade was $185 per moth, the BMW is $387. Hate to say it but it but GSA is worth the difference for me. A lot of you have had bad BMW history but not I. My last 3 jap bikes KLR, ZX-14( cracked frame, warped brake rotors) Tenere blown fork seal, lots of corrosion on fasteners have had problems. It is a machine and they will brake down.
Just amazing how much guys bash other brands, maybe it just makes them feel better when they just can't spend the money.
I would love a 911 turbo but it will not happen. But I sure don't slam guys who purchase one telling them how much better my Foed Escape is better because it is cheaper, more reliable.