Looking for 1200 Super Adventure ES comments

[outdoor]

I'm seriously considering changing to this bike. I do moto camping and feel this would be a good bike. I currently have a 2018 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 that has been upgraded pipes, air intake, ivanized, racetech fork springs and Ohlins shocks.

When i hear people say the Super Tenere 1200 ES is underpowered, I'm curious how it would compare to what I'm used to. I think perhaps they are comparing to faster sportier bikes? I feel a good pull on my voyager and i get only 5.5s 0-60mph. The S10 claims 3.2s. So the pull must be pretty good. The S10 is like 310lbs lighter than my voyager.

My other question is, how is the highway passing? Does it still have good power to pass?

 

[Bill_C]

I came off a Yamaha Roadliner 1900 and I found this to have plenty of pep. You'll likely feel the same as the Voyager is a comparable bike to the Roadliner.

The S10 is a tractor in touring mode. It's got plenty of power but it's no sport bike. Still has plenty of power to pass on the highway. I find that sport mode livens it up a bit. With traction control off, I can pull the front end up in sport mode, not so much in touring (not that I do this regularly but I had to try when I bought it).
You can always have the ECU flashed. Some swear by it but I find it fine the way it is.
In short, I think you'll find it lively enough.

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[Fennellg]

Harley guys have found it a nice upgrade. Range, Power, Gas milage all come into play. The stats on paper don’t do the bike justice. There is more power than most need. Factor in reliability and cost of ownership. Winner winner chicken dinner.

In car terms, think of the old Ford Taurus vs a Accord or Toyota Camry. Many went after the Taurus for that v6 and regretted the decision.

 

[Bill_C]

Harley guys have found it a nice upgrade. Range, Power, Gas milage all come into play. The stats on paper don’t do the bike justice. There is more power than most need. Factor in reliability and cost of ownership. Winner winner chicken dinner.

In car terms, think of the old Ford Taurus vs a Accord or Toyota Camry. Many went after the Taurus for that v6 and regretted the decision.

Couldn't agree more. I road Harleys for years. I only bought my Roadliner for long distance touring and found it just didn't get used for that.
Once I discovered adventure bikes and saw that I could combine my love of the outdoors with my love of riding, it was a no brainer. I haven't once regretted the move to the S10.

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[WJBertrand]

I think the “underpowered”
comments come from folks looking at the claimed 150+ power claims for KTMs, Ducatis, Aprilia, etc big bore adventure bikes and comparing the super Ténéré which I think makes about 110 hp. It’s certainly not underpowered for any kind of real world use condition.
This bike is a stone reliable work horse, perfect for Moto-camping, as opposed to high strung, high maintenance, fragile filly.


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[sheikyerbooty]

Once you get over 100HP, and all the electrickery needed to keep upright, you are entering a world of diminishing returns. The HP arms race (with ADV bikes anyways) is more bragging rights than real world IMO. The S10 has bags of power and will pass effortlessly.

 

[Sierra1]

A person can only use "X" amount of horsepower (HP). Whether that person is limited by surface condition, tire choice, or even surface temperature. I think that a person can use a larger percentage of the Tenere's total HP than let's say, the Ducati. It has more HP, but you can't use all of it. There's been times, on pavement, that I've felt her trying to step out if I'm on the throttle too much. Bill's right, she will lift the front wheel, with ease, if you hammer it off the line. So yes, she has plenty of power for me. And my past bikes have all been sport tours: FJ/FJR, RT1150, and ST 1300. I also weight 325lbs, and she has plenty of grunt to move my fat ass. Bill's sorta right about her not being a sport bike. . . . she's not. But don't tell her that, 'cuz depending on who is on the sport bike, she's gonna embarrass them.

I've never ridden a Voyager, so I can't tell you how she compares. But, of all the bikes that I have ridden, she's my favorite ever.

 

[robp]

Travelling fully loaded with panniers and camping gear in West Texas on I-10, speed limit 80mph, was able to pass semis with no problem.

 

[Sierra1]

Travelling fully loaded with panniers and camping gear in West Texas on I-10, speed limit 80mph, was able to pass semis with no problem.

In my opinion, that's more of a job for the FJR or the Concours. The Tenere can do it, but the mileage is going to tell you she doesn't like it.

 

[robp]

In my opinion, that's more of a job for the FJR or the Concours.

Yes, I would totally agree.

 

[gv550]

I'm seriously considering changing to this bike. I do moto camping and feel this would be a good bike. I currently have a 2018 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 that has been upgraded pipes, air intake, ivanized, racetech fork springs and Ohlins shocks.

When i hear people say the Super Tenere 1200 ES is underpowered, I'm curious how it would compare to what I'm used to. I think perhaps they are comparing to faster sportier bikes? I feel a good pull on my voyager and i get only 5.5s 0-60mph. The S10 claims 3.2s. So the pull must be pretty good. The S10 is like 310lbs lighter than my voyager.

My other question is, how is the highway passing? Does it still have good power to pass?

I owned a 1700 Voyager for 8 years, rode it 400,000 miles, and I can assure you the Super Tenere outperforms the Voyager in every way.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

I guess it depends on what you want really. Do you want a proven, reliable motorcycle that will do all you ask of it and break any national speed limit you care to mention or do you want a two wheeled penis extension to give you bragging rights at the coffee bar?
Personally, I own and ride a Super Tenere.

 

[lund]

Every time someone brings up the "underpowered" statement it makes me laugh.
The Super Tenere is like the Goldilocks and the three bears, Its just right in so many ways when it come to the ADV world.
Not to much power and gadgets, not to little power and gadgets. But just what you need for the adventure rider.
You want more, I think them Europeans ones offer complex but more.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

In my opinion, that's more of a job for the FJR or the Concours. The Tenere can do it, but the mileage is going to tell you she doesn't like it.

Really? I am very surprised by this reply. When you say “mileage”, do you mean fuel consumption or the sheer number of miles passing under your wheels? Here in UK and Europe, the national speed limits are between 70mph and 83mph, (130kph), apart from a few autobahns in Germany where, for now at least, you are able to legally exceed 83mph.
For my part, I simply set the cruise control for between 75 and 85mph depending on road, traffic and weather conditions and sit back and enjoy the ride. I really like the FJR and think it is a very accomplished and capable sports tourer, but higher speeds mean increased fuel consumption, increased concentration and less opportunity to simply enjoy the ride, and the ride, surely, is what it’s all about.
The Super Tenere is capable of just about anything you can throw at it, 1-up, 2-up, loaded with luggage or simply ridden for the hell of it, it can do it all. No, it will never beat a 180bhp sports bike around a track or a Gold Wing on a long haul road trip, but it will do a track day or a road trip with ease and some degree of comfort and on your way from A to B, you will be glad you chose your S10.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . When you say “mileage”, do you mean fuel consumption or the sheer number of miles passing under your wheels? . . . .

Mileage. She'll do 60mpg @ 60mph. As her speed increases, the mileage drops. Over 75 mph, the mileage is gonna go below 40mpg. In my opinion, her mileage dropping into the 30s is her way of telling me she's not happy since she never does.

 

[Wallkeeper]

Mileage. She'll do 60mpg @ 60mph. As her speed increases, the mileage drops. Over 75 mph, the mileage is gonna go below 40mpg. In my opinion, her mileage dropping into the 30s is her way of telling me she's not happy since she never does.

Nah, it’s Issac Newton busting your chops….

 

[Wallkeeper]

As regards the Horse Power, I am with every one else. You will never use all the power available on the Tenere. it will do sub 13 sec quarters. Cruise at 85+mph. Most importantly, it will always bring you home

 

[Sierra1]

Nah, it’s Issac Newton busting your chops….

Yeah, but in motion at 85mph isn't gonna last as long as in motion at 60mph. And then gravity takes over

 

[Longdog Cymru]

Mileage. She'll do 60mpg @ 60mph. As her speed increases, the mileage drops. Over 75 mph, the mileage is gonna go below 40mpg. In my opinion, her mileage dropping into the 30s is her way of telling me she's not happy since she never does.

My fuel consumption varies over a typical 2000 mile trip between 53 and 56 mpg, and these are UK Imperial gallons not your short measure USA gallons, and, in my experience over the past 5 years, I have never managed to get less than 50mpg in any type of riding conditions, even at 85mph and fully loaded. It is just one of things that continues to impress me about my S10.

 

[kmasa58]

I come from 2016 BMW R1200GS which had 125Bhp & the S10 definately feels 'under powered' compared to that & the S10 weights 55lbs more than the R1200GS. That being said, I do NOT miss the additional bhp at all. The electrickery is more than sufficeint for the way I ride and I can take the S10 anywhere the R12GS can go. I use perhaps 80% of the electrickery regualarly on S10 & maybe 60% of what was available on the R12GS. My friend had the new Duc MTS with all that electrickery to keep it under control with so much bhp. Not for me. The S10's weight really isn't any issue unless you're picking up off the ground and the fuel economy is pretty darn impressive as long as you have a steady wrist. I'm 5'9" with 31" inseam, so bike rides a bit tall, but not enough to where I'm uncomfortable. The bike weighs more, but the CG on this bike is soooo low, you can practically idle the enigne and make a U-turn. Like someone mentioned above, the fuel economy is dependant on where/how you ride it. If you're riding on steady wrist on flat road, 50+ mpg is VERY possible. I've averaged anywhere from 25 ~ 58 mpg during steady riding. Oh, for kickers, I've had my cruise control engaged and saw 99 mpg while coasting down a gradual hill.... What I appreciate the most about my S10 is it's realiability and ease of maintenence on all the frequently serviced components. Everything is relatively easily accessed & laid out to where an average DIY person like me can do them. I think the only regular maintenance I do NOT chance is the valve adjsutment.