:..Love my Supa10 -- but the FJR bug has a hold on me..:

[shmitty]

I am fortunate enough to have both a 14 FJR and a 12 ST. I ride the crap out of them both and love them. This is my second FJR, the first being an 06 that I put 70k miles on without incident. The FJR has had the suspension reworked with Race Tech gold valves and springs up front and an Ohlins in back. My ST is basically stock except for the ECU reflash avc did for me.

I do a lot of LD riding and frankly the ST can't compete with the FJR for that. The speed, power and comfort are good for me, but tehn I've been riding FJRs for over 10 years now. It's not as roomy in the cockpit, but the mass is nice and compact which is why it's so fun to ride in the curvy bits. There is definitely some functional overlap between the two, and although the ST is pretty quick, the FJR makes it feel like the thing has got an anchor tied to it.

If you can only have one bike then the ST is the logical choice over the FJR due to it's ability to go more places as mentioned by others. There is also the fact that the FJR is a specialsit bike, that is to say it was always designed to be a GT type sport touring machine. The ST was designed to be a better BMW GS, which is a jack-of-all-roads type bike. This difference in design briefs mean that the ST can never hope to be better than the FJR is designed to be, but it can be better at things that the FJR was never intended to do. It's kinda like comparing apples to Granny Smith apples. If you're gonna make a pie, you know which one you want. If you just want to eat an apple, then there are lots of different choices.

I am sympathetic to your dilema though. I'm downsizing my house right now, andI may need to make that tough decision soon. If I stop doing the long rides, I would probabaly lean towards the ST. Maybe.

It's a tough call, good luck figuring that out!

 

[jb]

It worked!

So, I am going in the opposite direction - I have a 2014 FJR 1300 ES, and I just got new, leftover Super Tenere ES last week.

Here are my observations of comparison:

FJR:

Super smooth, especially at high speeds
Wind protection pretty good, but not out of the box (I have a very large noggin and tall torso - no bike has ever fit me stock re: wind.)
FAST!!
Stable, even in heavy winds
Quiet
Quite comfortable

Super Tenere:

More comfortable than FJR, and wife says so too ("happy wife, happy life.")
More versatility than FJR - this is one of it's strong points for me...more on the change of mind below...
More "flickable", and, I might so, thusly, more fun to ride...
Louder than FJR, but that intake growl is very cool...
Stable - but I have not tested it in high winds yet.

For me, the clincher was versatility, as well as the change of mind (and heart) re: motorcycle riding. I had an absolutely miserable, exhausting experience last June coming back from Yellowstone/Tetons. My cruiser riding buddy wanted to go balls out on the slab - for two days - on the way home, and we hit the dread head wind in the Columbia Gorge (you who have been here in the NW know what I mean.)
I decided that from that time on, I would not ride on the slab for more than 1 hour at a stretch...now, I am semi-retired, so time is not so much of a problem anymore...(more time to "smell the roses." - and, on the back roads and maybe trails.)

I must admit it took me awhile to make the switch... I have seen all the reviews and videos, as well as ride reports on the S-10...but for me and my current interest and state of mind, the Super Tenere is it...

Hope that helps...

jb

 

[Donk]

Owned a '14 S10 and am getting a '17. During the time I owned the '14 my friend was selling his "13 FJR and I couldn't resist. Those who know me know there isn't much on 2 wheels I can resist. Anyway I was shocked at how the FJR wouldn't turn. Bike felt very gyroscopic, it wanted to go straight. Put a new front tire on and actually went out and practiced a corner over and over until I could make the bike turn, somewhat. I think the FJR is a good bike for the super slab but if you like riding twisties you will be disappointed. The S10 is much better in the twisties and in most environments with the exception of the slab over 90mph. If you must go buy a used one and ride it for a couple of months. You'll see.

 

[Squibb]

Owned a '14 S10 and am getting a '17. During the time I owned the '14 my friend was selling his "13 FJR and I couldn't resist. Those who know me know there isn't much on 2 wheels I can resist. Anyway I was shocked at how the FJR wouldn't turn. Bike felt very gyroscopic, it wanted to go straight. Put a new front tire on and actually went out and practiced a corner over and over until I could make the bike turn, somewhat. I think the FJR is a good bike for the super slab but if you like riding twisties you will be disappointed. The S10 is much better in the twisties and in most environments with the exception of the slab over 90mph. If you must go buy a used one and ride it for a couple of months. You'll see.

Donk - just stick a pair of Metzler Roadtec 01 s on the FJR & I think the old girl might surprise you. OK, you can't escape the impact of a longer wheelbase when initiating a turn, but the 01s certainly give a more sporty feel. Incidentally, they seem to need a few miles warm up time, at least they do usually here in the UK ..................... KEN

 

[Sierra1]

I've had the opportunity to ride both a ST1300 & my FJR on an actual race track. Other bikes present were the Concours & '16 1200RT-P. The Honda did better than I had anticipated, and kept up with the Beemers in the corners. Nothing stayed with the Kawi in the straight. I was then allowed to bring the FJR on to the track. It came closer to the Kawi in the straights than the other bikes. What totally surprised me was the FJR's composure in the corners at speed. Effortless. I believe I could have passed the other bikes in the corners. The FJR has heavy steering at parking lot speeds, but once it starts rolling....I love the bike for it's capabilities and manners. That being said, I love my Tenere as much, if not more. I am glad that my son has decided to adopt it for his own; keeps it in the stable.
::022::

 

[billyp]

I've got a 13 tenere and enjoy it very much,but did miss the power of the fjr.I just picked up a 15 leftover fjr and plan to keep both.My wife didn't like riding on the tenere and 2 up I prefer the fjr as well.This is my 4th fjr and it isn't as comfortable as the tenere for me.I'm 6 1 60 years old.Some great deals on used fjrs out there,These 2 bikes overlap a little,but they feel so different.My favorite is the one I'm riding.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

I had a Gen 1 FJR so my comments about it aren't worth too much. I am faster on the S10 in the twists because I am much more comfortable with the way the power comes on. As far as the new FJRs, my riding buddy rode my FJR many times and liked it a lot so he just bought a new FJR. Unfortunately, he is disappointed with the bike. As others have commented, he finds the bike not rider friendly around town. He indicated that 1st and 2d gear are very low and he ends up shifting up to 3d and then back down much more than he would like to on a bike he planned to use as a daily commuter. While it is great out on the open road, it isn't serving the purpose he planned to use it for.

 

[jb]

Hello Again,

I forgot to mention that I am a "one bike guy", so the FJR is for sale... I am new to this site, so I need to figure out how to post it for sale. I must say though, I really will really hate to see it go...

--John

 

[Sierra1]

While it is great out on the open road, it isn't serving the purpose he planned to use it for.

While I don't mind the FJR around town, you're absolutely right, it loves the open road. Sounds like an easy fix though....let him ride your Tenere. There's not much better for in-town work. I love the rear only braking for slow maneuvering.