Just signed up. Doing the whole "ST vs GS" thing.

FullTilt151

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Aug 25, 2020
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6
Hey everyone. As the title says. I've been comparing bikes. I just sold my DRZ and currently don't have anything to ride. My buddies all have GS' and love them and are desperately trying to get me to drink the koolaid. I don't mind the BMW. I guess, it just doesn't inspire me, if that makes any sense? They're great bikes and have a yuge following but yea, it just doesn't blow my skirt up.

So that's what led me here. Even on ADV, the ST's have a great rep. I'm trying to find one local I can ride just to see if it'll blow my skirt up and if I should keep looking. Price isn't really the thing here.

I had a clapped out VFR that I rode the wheels off of but I'm a little older now and I want to take my wife on rides. So that's the check boxes I'm looking to hit.
1. Is it fun?
2. Can I throw my wife on and go for multi day rides and her be comfortable?
3. Can I flick it around on curves?
4. Is it reliable and low maint?

Thanks!
 

RCinNC

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Aug 30, 2014
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2,816
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North Carolina
1. Yes

2. Yes. 73,000 miles on mine, from Maine to Utah, with most of that riding two up with my girlfriend. She likes it way better than she did my
Road King.

3. I don't know if you can or not. I can.

4. It's the most reliable bike I've owned. 73,000 miles, and so far the only parts that have had to be replaced due to failure are a rear wheel bearing and a couple headlight bulbs. It's been rock solid, and I fully expect to reach 100,000 miles on mine and beyond. As far as low maintenance, I'd say yes. Valve checks are only every 26,000 miles, and there's nothing on it that requires constant fiddling.
 
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FullTilt151

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Aug 25, 2020
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6
Appreciate the response! I'm trying to find one local that I can go throw a leg over. I've pretty much read everything you said about these bikes. Super reliable, etc. etc. That was what I loved about my VFR (aside from the engine sound) I could jump on and go 700 miles no problem.

I don't know why I'm fighting against the GS so hard. They sell a gazillion of them.

If you don't mind me asking, have you done any upgrades etc to yours? Seems a lot of guys flash theirs to wake the motor up. According to the Internet, so who knows. heh
 

yoyo

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Jan 30, 2016
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915
Location
Swansea UK
I love the look and idea of a GSA, the size and road presence but the purchase cost, service cost and question marks over reliability have put me off and my S10 is staying.

When you have the test ride try and make it a long one, the S10 is not going to set your pants alight straight away, I test rode one along side a V-strom 1000, the Strom was faster, lighter and felt more flickable but I'd read enough to know the S10 was a grower so I went for it and 4yrs later I still love it.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk
 

FullTilt151

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Aug 25, 2020
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Rode a weestrom in Ecuador and it was surprisingly fun. Under powered IMHO but I'm a bigger dude @ 230lbs.

GS buddies are all yelling at me about the fit/finish between the GS and ST is no comparison. Heh. I'll never get an honest opinion.

No local STs aside from an 800 model. I may go check out just to get a feel for one.
 

bimota

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Dec 10, 2017
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Location
bridgend, Wales, UK
yes to all of your questions,
had 2 gsa's last one 7 yrs ago sold it for my tenere and its flashed pimped etc etc would never go back.
SL272068.JPGIMG_20200324_153217692_HDR.jpg003.jpg
 

bimota

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Dec 10, 2017
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Dang, both those bikes look sick af. Why'd you sell the GS if you don't mind me asking?
i had it 14 months,
only road riding the fuel sender senor in the tank failed twice £250 a fix a rear wheel bearing went at 19000 miles £400 to fix and cost of servicing got fed up quickly, did the NICK SANDERS check and wow xt1200 reliable as hell and peanuts to service in comparison very easy swop.
3 mates ride 1200 gsa's but no thanks
 

MonkeyBut

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Joined
Jul 21, 2018
Messages
258
Location
Armpit of America, NJ
I've offered before on this forum for those who want to ride an Anthony Flashed Tenere. One of the, if not the best upgrades I made to the motorcycle. But it is a personal preference. Offer still stands. I'm in South Brunswick, NJ if anyone is interested. As far as reliability, its been dead reliable for me with almost 25,000 in 2 years. Oil and differential changes, air filter, tires, fuel and go. It has just enough electronics to keep me 'safe' and all the additional stuff that other motorcycles offer is overkill, for me.
Test ride both if you get a chance. It won't light your pants on fire with huge HP numbers and won't rail corners like a sportbike but it does the job it was intended to do. Get you from A to B without any drama even if you decide to take the longest way possible. Enough of my babble.
 

Boris

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Dec 21, 2013
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Location
midlands. UK
I’ve had my Gen1 Super Tenere for just over 4 years now, and have done about 32k miles on it, with the bike having an overall mileage of about 35k miles on it. I only ride on tarmac and having done numerous 2000 plus mile trips on it, including one in excess of 5k miles, as you’d expect from a Japanese bike, it’s been faultless, doing all that I’ve asked of it. Basic maintenance is easy and consumables are cheap and readily available and fuel economy is usually between 45 and 52mpg. It handles well for the type of bike it is, however it’s weight, especially with full luggage is very noticeable on braking when trying to get a proper move on. The weight is also noticeable when pushing around car parks/garages etc, but fine once moving. Gen1 suspension also isn’t up to the job if two up and or with luggage, for my style of riding, on the standard shock. Gen2 bikes are better suited to this.

In summary, and answering your questions,

1, Yes, but any bike can be.
2, Gen2, probably.
3, Definitely. Most would be surprised just how quickly these bikes can get through the twisties.
4, Yes.

Knowing what I know now, I personally wouldn’t go for a Super Tenere, there’s something about it that just doesn’t do it for me. I think there are better all round bikes out there, but not necessarily a GS, it’s never been a bike I’ve even considered.

The above is all my personal opinion on the Super Tenere.
 
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eemsreno

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Sierra1

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Nov 7, 2016
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. . . .4. Is it reliable and low maint?
The guy below? He's being coy. His Gen 1 has 226k miles on it. So. . . . reliability. . . .check.


I'm not sure where you live 151 but I have let lots of riders test my bikes and more than 10 guys have said they bought a Tenere because of me. . . .

It's my favorite bike ever. The RT 1150 I rode was great until the warranty expired. Went through two drive shafts, and clutch assemblies just to mention a few problems. The Tenere has nowhere near the flash, or pizazz, that the competition has. But, it will do anything that you want/need it to. I'm 300lbs, and it can keep up with an R6 in the curves. So. . . . :)
 

Don T

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Mar 11, 2011
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541
Location
Denmark
1. Is it fun?
It depends on how you ride it. Like most bikes it can put a smile on your face if you utilize its potential.

2. Can I throw my wife on and go for multi day rides and her be comfortable?
It depends on your wife... but I find the T12 to be a great 2-up bike.

3. Can I flick it around on curves?
If you know how to ride, the T12 can keep up with most anything on a twisty road.

4. Is it reliable and low maint?
YES!

The T12 isn't for everyone, and don't expect a test ride to blow you away. It takes time and miles to really understand what kind of beast the T12 is, and just how capable it is.
I've been riding for 30 years and normally replace my bikes every 2nd year or so. After 5 years and 125.000 trouble free kilometers I still haven't been able to find a bike that tempt me enough to replace the T12 (and money is not an issue).

Good luck with finding the right bike for you.
 

StanBo

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Apr 10, 2019
Messages
44
Location
Central NJ
@FullTilt151 you are more than welcome to come check out my 2019 ES.

I was all for purchasing a GS. I rode a rental on the PCH a couple years back. Totally awesome bike, I rented a RT and my buddy got the GS. Couldn't find a complaint other then being cooked by the cylinders on a RT when we were stuck in traffic on a 111 degree in the shade day (still wouldn't scare me off of the bike).

What did was the base price of the bike before I would outfit it.

For the base price of the GS I was able to get what I really wanted. A KTM for Dual Sports and hopefully Enduros. The S10 for longer rides.

1. It is so much fun I am smiling just typing this. New owner with close to 1,500 miles on it. Did a 400 mile day Sunday up to CT to see a buddy and tool around. I LOVE THIS BIKE. Back road all morning. Hop on the highway and ECO cruise at 80mph with the CC locked. Can't go wrong.

2. Yes. My wife and I are 6' and 5' 7" with athletic builds. The bike handles us on the highway without a complaint. Backroads again are a blast. I set the suspension for two riders. Added some air to the tires. Off we go. She loves being on the back. Not one complaint and now we are riding with coms.

3. Yes you can flick it. I still have my Versys. They are different. The Versys is 650 so it flicks easier the the S10. The one feeling I have with the S10 over the Versys is that it feels like a "train". Apply throttle and the torque is going to open up and the bike moves. It isn't a 650 with a 17 up front. But I know that. I still have a damn good time rolling around with it. I have had the rear come out on me a bit when riding with my sportbike buddies. I am on the stock tires and being a bit more aggressive applying throttle with the bike leaned over. It is still a blast. :D

4. Maintenance I call Round The World Paul and his two S10s into evidence. He admits that all he does is oil, filters and tires and rides the hell out of his S10s. The stood up to the miles he pounded. His goal is to ride 1 Million miles for MS research.


If I had to have only one it would have been the GS.

I am in a much better situation though.
 

Sierra1

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. . . . (and money is not an issue). . . .
Well. . . . la-tee-da. :D

But, he's absolutely 100% correct. I was going to trade my first born for a GS. . . . until I lived with the RT. Use the ten grand you save on the Tenere to make it exactly the bike you want/need. And, in my opinion, spend the extra money for an Gen 2 ES. Nothing wrong with a Gen 1 and/or non-ES, but the push button suspension is fantastic when switching from solo to two-up, and you REALLY want/need cruise control.
 
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gv550

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Sep 14, 2016
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1,334
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Listowel, Ontario, Canada
166,000 kms on my 2016, no recalls, one warranty repair (brake light switch), no breakdowns, ever......
Lots of tires, brakes, fluids, filters, replaced shagged rear shock with Hyperpro at 100k, replaced fork springs, bushings, & seals.
I rode Bring Money With for 20 years and switched to Japanese in 2002, huge breath of fresh air.
 

regder

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Sep 10, 2017
Messages
466
Location
Toronno
Let's be honest, we're not an unbiased bunch here. You'll likely get completely opposite answers on a GS forum.

My opinion, watch the Fortnine Super Tenere review. He pretty accurately describes my feelings on the S10.

Personally, I would have bought a GS if it didn't cost twice nearly twice as much as my S10, plus infinitely higher maintenance/repair costs.
 

FullTilt151

New Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2020
Messages
6
Thanks guys for all the responses. Yea, I figured it's a biased forum but the ST is getting love on ADV as well so that's a good sign. Gen 2 electric suspension for 2 up is huge and I didn't realize it til now.
Fortnine is great. I watch most of his stuff.

I'm in the midwest (KY) so I'll have to find one to check out in person and go from there.

Gonna lurk around here as much as possible. Thanks again everyone!
 
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ballisticexchris

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My Super Tenere is the nicest most comfortable motorcycle I have ever owned. The more I ride it the more it impresses me.
 
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