Looking to buy, opinions appreciated

[smalls78]

Hey all, thanks in advance for any info. Test rode another Super Tenere today and loved it, maybe even more the second time, wow! This will be my first adv bike, coming from Harley and Victory. I can't even explain the smoothness of this bike.

Anyways, some questions. In the pic is this a madstad bracket? Also not sure what oil pan cover this is?

The bike has 13700mi and is a 2012. Asking price is $8997. It has tourtech luggage bags, diff tires, seat concepts seat, and heated grips.

I'm looking at another 2013 with 21,500k miles with EVERY upgrade imaginable, and well taken care of with an asking price of $9999. However, I'm kinda leary about "high miles".

What do you think? Go with the 2013 with all the upgrades, or this 2012 that may need some upgrades (crash bar, etc)?


PS: loved the dealer with the 2012, sales guy literally said "here's the keys, go have fun"!

 

[smalls78]

More pics

 

[Nikolajsen]

This is a hard question, when is isn't possible to see the bikes.
For me it would be a question about which bike looks the best, and of course, sounds the best.
Both of them is gen. 1 (mechanical the same)
For the differense in price, you can buy some upgrades.

 

[smalls78]

I have no idea why the pics are side ways...sorry

 

[Scoop47501]

The miles are not a concern. The Tenere is good for 150,000 plus if taken care of.
I would try to cut the best deal with either bike.
It's really up to color choice and add ons.
You can't go wrong either way.
Good luck

 

[tuonodave]

Yes, that is the Madstad bracket and a larger touring windshield (parabellum ??). Premium side cases and some nice goodies on the 2012. As others have said you can't go wrong with either one and the miles are not an issue. I think they are a little high on the price compared to what others are going for. I think you should try for "out the door" for the asking prices you posted. Good luck with your search!

 

[smalls78]

Yes, that is the Madstad bracket and a larger touring windshield (parabellum ??). Premium side cases and some nice goodies on the 2012. As others have said you can't go wrong with either one and the miles are not an issue. I think they are a little high on the price compared to what others are going for. I think you should try for "out the door" for the asking prices you posted. Good luck with your search!

Thank you! Yeah, I plan on making an offer. Just saw another bike posted around my area and its a '14 with low miles, yet no extras. The search continues...

 

[EricV]

The Touratech panniers and racks are around $1600 new. I have them. I like mine and they have held up well, but if you don't like them, no point in paying for them. The skid plate is nothing special and not off road durable, (nice gravel guard). 13,700 miles is nice, but not particularly a big deal.

21k miles is nothing. I put 109k on my'12 and the current owner is still cranking out miles. Not completely w/o issues, but nothing related to major flaws.

Both bikes will need the updated cam chain tensioner, (CCT), before 50k and the valve check interval is 26k miles, so if you're buying the '13 bike from a dealer, get them to toss in the 26k valve check/re-shim and full service. That can run around $400. If from a private party, you should talk him down that much since it will be due by the time you get ready for the next oil change.

If it has all the things you want, score. If some of those 'upgrades' are things that you don't really think you would buy, then they don't add value to you. You can try and ask for those things to be removed and the stock items replaced, (if they have them, and that is applicable). Or you can sell them yourself when you buy the bike.

You might also ask if either bike has any remaining factory extended warranty. These are transferable. I sold my '12 this year with 109k and it was still under warranty until 2018 because I bought the 4 year YES extended warranty and Yamaha offered to extend that another 2 years when I was near the end of that. (I bought the bike new in '11.)

Hope that helps.

 

[sgrider]

You need to check out my Tenere that is for sale. Great price and just about every option imaginable. All high quality protection and the Bumot panniers are the toughest, best you can get. Same price and mileage you are looking at but with many more, better options. Happy to work with you on delivery options. https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Yamaha-SUPER-TENERE-XT1200Z-122774831

 

[smalls78]

EricV thanks for the reply...extremely helpful!

 

[smalls78]

Ok so here is where I'm at:

2012 Gen1 $8k - 13k miles, add ons: Touratech Zega Panniers, Seat Concepts seat, Madstad Bracket, Aftermarket windshield, Side wind deflectors, heated grips have been added, skid plate on.

2014 Gen2 $8k - 6500 miles, add ons: OEM yamaha luggage panniers - the rest is bone stock

So my thinking is this, the 2012 has items on it I will need on the 2014. Items include Seat Concepts, Madstad Bracket, Aftermarket windshield, Side wind deflectors. These total = $580. But...the 2012 has the Touratech pannier setup, which alone is around $1400, and I do like them. Also, regardless of which bike I get, I will be adding AltRider crash bar, Rox risers, and AltRider rear rack plate. This items will cost = $760.

My huge hang up is cruise control. I REALLY like it on my Harley. I know I will use it. I've investigated the Kaoko throttle lock, and if I go with the 2012 I will use this, but it's not the same I'm afraid. So it looks as if $580-$600 is what is holding me back from buying the 2014. Plus the $760 I will be spending in addition.

What would you do? Is cruise and a Gen2 worth $580?

That's how I've broken it down. Opinions respected. Thanks!

 

[ABBlender]

Love my '13....going on 25K miles now and not a problem. My take on the cruise control is that is keeps me off the the boring slab rides by looking for secondary roads that are more interesting and I don't get (as) complacent on the highway by having to keep my mind on the road/speed a bit more. I do have a kaoko lock that works great (but it's no cruise setup) for shorter breaks. Having a bike with with options you like is a nice start and the add-ons you don't like you can sell and re-coup some $$.

 

[smalls78]

Love my '13....going on 25K miles now and not a problem. My take on the cruise control is that is keeps me off the the boring slab rides by looking for secondary roads that are more interesting and I don't get (as) complacent on the highway by having to keep my mind on the road/speed a bit more. I do have a kaoko lock that works great (but it's no cruise setup) for shorter breaks. Having a bike with with options you like is a nice start and the add-ons you don't like you can sell and re-coup some $$.

Thanks for the reply. I've heard good things about the Kaoko and if I go with the 2012 it will be a must have. I did my configuring wrong before. If I go with the 2014 bike, it will take me $800 in add-ons to get me where the 2012 already sits ready to be sold. So that said, is buying the 2014 worth spending a least $800 more?

 

[Sierra1]

For what it's worth, I use my cruise daily. I have a short stretch of highway, 10ish miles each way, that I use to get to town and back. Between it being easier to maintain a steady LEGAL speed, and being able scratch any itches with my right hand, I wouldn't have a bike without it. For what ever reasons, the Tenere's OE cruise is more precise than any of the cars/trucks I've driven.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'd go with the '14. There are a number of things beyond the cruise control which were improved and the base bike is just all around nicer to ride. You can pick up the farkles new or used as you go. The oil pans on these bikes are thin so if you don't intend to go off pavement much, start with one of the less expensive GIVI or SWMotech skid plates.

 

[smalls78]

I'd go with the '14. There are a number of things beyond the cruise control which were improved and the base bike is just all around nicer to ride. You can pick up the farkles new or used as you go. The oil pans on these bikes are thin so if you don't intend to go off pavement much, start with one of the less expensive GIVI or SWMotech skid plates.

Thanks for the reply. I do intend to ride forest service roads and gravel. Not really "off-roading".

 

[Crew Chief]

... So that said, is buying the 2014 worth spending a least $800 more?

I answered that question with my wallet and voted yes. I actually got a very nice deal on my '14, but I could have gotten a well farkled 1st gen as cheap or cheaper. The cruise control and other refinements made the difference for me, plus I suspect the resale would be better although I tend to wear the wheels off of things before I sell them. I may not be spending money on handle bar mods or a Madstad because of the improvements. The new bikes adjustable windshield bracket is a bit fussy to adjust, but I think it may be adequate for me, I won't mess with it after I find the happy spot anyway. The new bikes handlebars fit me better. I may make some adjustments to them yet, but if I do it will be because I'm being fussy rather than addressing a real problem. That's more potential money saved. Good luck with your decision. I must say that so far, I'm more than pleased with mine.

 

[Nissbird]

I would buy a 2nd gen bike in preference to a 1st gen bike, in fact that is what I did last October. I traded in a 2013 XT1200 with 7000 miles on the clock for a brand new 2016 XT1200ZE at a give away price of £10,500 ($13600).

The advantages for me are:
1. Cruise control (permits me to ride all day)
2. Electric suspension adjustment (quick change for my pillion and/or luggage)

Yamaha main improvements over Gen 1:
Clutch basket
Cam chain tensioner
*Adjustable screen
Side stand

*I did not enjoy the screens on either of the generations, so I replaced them with a Givi Airflow and an extra 15° tilt which works very well.

 

[VRODE]

Both sound good. Depends on what you think of the farkles, color, etc. If the bike appears to be well taken care of, 21K mleage is nothing really.

The truth is either will put a smile on your face.

 

[smalls78]

The new bikes handlebars fit me better.

I wasn't aware of handlebar changes on the 2014+? I did notice an actual riser vs the one piece triple tree built in riser on the Gen 1 bikes. Are the handlebars different? I have compared and like others, noticed the Yamaha handlebars do have more of a sweep look rather than a motoX or even like the BMW GS Adventure. But....I like that sweep, especially coming from a cruiser bike.