MCNEWS GS VS S10

[switchback]

Great test and I couldn't agree more with their assessment of the Tenere. In the end the extra 45 lbs hurt the Tenere and the GS pulled off the win. They said it was one of the closest tests they have done.

Tenere won the following categories: Suspension; Pavement chassis and handling; Pavement Riding Impression; Instruments; value

GS won: Engine; Dirt handling; Dirt Riding Impression, Overall

Tied: Ergonomics; Clutch & Transmission

Despite the outcome the Tenere competed very well. A better fuel map and a diet would have easily changed the result,

 

[spasm]

yeah thats only wot they think, my bike...... the handling, the looks, the power (wiv me mods) and its a yamaha, fuck bmw lol ::022::

 

[X5]

The as tested prices in that comparison was $21,709 v. $14,990. Guess they did not weigh the value category highly in their decision... ::002::

 

[HoebSTer]

I guess with the clutch and tranny having a tie, they can't take into consideration the multiple issues BMW has had over the years in these area!!! I made the right choice for my Raven Yellow Tenere!!!

 

[~TABASCO~]

I haven't read the article but one thing that struck me is the clutch and trans being "tied"... No way dude...... BMW still has a 40 year old single disk dry clutch. The Yamaha as the most up to date 8-10 plate wet clutch... IMOP the way the two bikes engage gears is black and white.. not even close.. They Yamaha smokes the BMW... As the two bikes are, the stock engines are really close.. I would say the BMW is over all probably better bone stock motor out of the dealer... Throw a few bolt ons to both bikes and the Super Tenere would KILL the BMW all day...... Ive ridden the GS and GSA many times and looking to buy the GSA for years.. Bike verses bike they are both great.. Long term Ill take the Yamaha.... Now that the engine is "correct" I look forward to keeping this bike for at least 20 years..... LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ::26::

 

[Brntrt]

Personally I don't care one way or the other what bike is the best at this, that and the other thing. I like my Tenere, overall it floats my boat.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mark

 

[Aggie85]

The as tested prices in that comparison was $21,709 v. $14,990. Guess they did not weigh the value category highly in their decision... ::002::

The price was the winning factor for me! The OTD price in Texas between a Super Tenere with

1) a 5 year unlimited OEM mile warranty
2) Alt Rider engine guard + skid plate
3) Touratech panniers (38 + 45) + Top Case + $2,000 other Touratech addons
4) Yamaha Heat Grips
5) Garmin 665 + Touratech mount
6) McCruise Control ($1100)
7) Bagster bra
8) CalSci windshield

was about the same price as the BMW GS 1200 with an additional aftermarket warranty (this is, no add-ons)!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

TCR

 

[Tippo]

I respect MCN and have been a subscriber for many years. I like their no-advertising format (although they do go on new-bike introduction junkets to Spain and South Africa, etc. I have relied on MCN recommendations for tool and accessory purchases many times. I'll never test a half a dozen helmet cams before purchasing one but am glad they do.

MCN has always loved the GS. A few years ago they chose the GS as the best sport tourer over the FJR, C-14 and VFR 1200.

Note that their criteria does not include long term, non-scheduled maintenance costs and dealer support. These items have frequently been mentioned on this site as reasons for choosing the Tenere over the GS.

One line resonated with me - " For the price of the GS you could have a Tenere and a DRZ 400S" (that would be a WR250R in my case). When I bought the Tenere I knew I wasn't buying a "dirt bike". For my uses the Tenere is near perfect. Yes, I would like it better if it were lighter.

Value was not my main consideration. I could have bought any bike. I considered a Ducati MTS 1200 but was not ready to part with my Ducati ST 4s and I am about 200 miles from the nearest Ducati dealer. The GS just didn't feel "right" to me. I am happy with my Tenere.

 

[GrahamD]

I think these win Vs loose type things are over simplified and just exist because people perceive it a bit wishy washy if you just discuss pros and cons.

They are both good things, one will probably be more trouble free and I think all this win loose stuff is part..

1) You piss off less people if you pick the current favorite. (it's a group think thing)
2) People who find out later that they spent $5-7K more than they needed can always say, "if you want the best...." and"I can afford it can you?"

The same thing happened in this country Lexus Vs BMW/Mercedes.

The first mag to say they liked the Lexus better at half the price copped a lot of flack from depreciation sensitive BMW/Mercedes owners who had to have a good resale to make the lease payments look like value.

Anyway, where I live all I have to do with the change from buying the YAMAHA (even here there is a lot of change) id figure out what to upgrade / add.

Went through the same thing with the Strom. I could buy two Stroms or 1 BMW. The BMW was and is not twice the bike.

But anyway, If people just read these reports and buy any bike on spec. they deserve what they get.

 

[hojo in sc]

They compared the newer GS than what I had, and I had a GSA so I can't give as much of an accurate comparison but I do have few comments.

When I pulled into traffic on the freeway with the GSA I had to think twice, not so with the Teneree, I want to put the bike out there, acceleration is not a problem. The vibration was so bad on the GSA I was ready to try the trick of putting BB's into the handlebar in attempt to reduce the vibs, not only do I feel much less vibs on the Teneree, my hands haven't been bothering me since I sold the GSA. I know the GSA is larger and heavier than the GS, but wow, the Teneree does rock in the twisties.

It was easy to do the wrenching on the GSA, even if it was more frequent. The one thing the article doesn't go into is the number of FD failures. I finally got rid of mine when 4 of my buddies all had FD problems all the same week (and another buddy the previous year).

 

[GrahamD]

It was easy to do the wrenching on the GSA, even if it was more frequent. The one thing the article doesn't go into is the number of FD failures. I finally got rid of mine when 4 of my buddies all had FD problems all the same week (and another buddy the previous year).

Funny I lost interest in shaft drive BMW's when three random people I met, all had a big whine at me about BMW and the problems they have had. I lost my BMW rose colored glasses after that and wondered what were the chances of bumping into 3 random BMW owners in a row with shaft drive problems. Then a nice policeman riding a R1200RTP pulled me over one day and started having a bitch about the bike he rode using more oil than petrol. After that I lost confidence.

Apparently I need not have worried because BMW fan boys point out that they were the 4 out of ten ever made with issues.

But anyway, where I live they are just not worth the price unless for some reason you just can't find another bike that works as well for you.

I am glad there are a few alternatives now with different compromises.

I do hope that YAMAHA don't sit back and "Do a Suzuki" though and keep raising their own bar.

I have a funny feeling that BMW's entry into the Sports bike arena has sparked a bit of tit for tat amongst the Japanese.

I wonder whether this Growing segment will now get as much attention as the shrinking RRR market?


Cheers
Graham

 

[switchback]

If you ignore the this vs that aspect, the review of the Tenere is spot on. They praise all of the bikes positive traits and found all of the things that are bothersome. This was the first real test of the Tenere that I find credible. The GS win really came down to the Tener's weight and the poor fuel map that many of us are solving with Power Commanders and reflashes. MPG was also a concern. There is nothing said in the article that hasn't been said here. Honestly, I think most of us here were swayed to the Tenere by the factor they did not rate, RELIABILITY!

 

[Tremor38]

I can live with that review. As others have said, it seems pretty accurate. I take an issue with reviews that publish blatantly false info like "proven single-side swing arm and final drive" as well as suggesting that the Multi Strada is better in the dirt. I'll bet MCN didn't do the 50 - 100KPH 2nd gear roll-on test in T-mode either

All in all, this was a good review. The one thing they can't be expected to test is reliabilty, though it seem that at least the history of...ahem...certain brands and models..cough... ought to be mentioned.

 

[Buckeye56]

Every bike available for sale today is an engineering compromise. I think Yamaha made design decisions biased towards reliability and I am OK with that. It's great bench racing material to say you have the most HP, lightest weight, etc. But my biggest concern is having a bike that ie less prone to breakdowns. From my experience and what I can gather, the Tenere is likely to be more robust that the other major player in the ADV category. Would it have been cool if it had "won" the comparision test? You bet! Am I gonna sell it since it didn't? Not on your life!

I do think that the OEMs will be making improvements now that competition is heating up and that has to be a good thing for buyers.

 

[Tremor38]

I do think that the OEMs will be making improvements now that competition is heating up and that has to be a good thing for buyers.

+1

 

[hANNAbONE]

I have not read the review - but wondered if the rider did in fact use the "S" mode along with "TC" on & off.
My stocker OEM - no mods - came to life running the TC - off and the "S" mode on.
Any insight on if they did this??

 

[Checkswrecks]

...
I do hope that YAMAHA don't sit back and "Do a Suzuki" though and keep raising their own bar.
...
Cheers
Graham

Doubt it, as Yamaha seems to have a 3-4 year design cycle. Now that this bike is out, for the next 3-4 years I expect each new year to offer minor changes, along with new and exciting paint colors. Their engineering staff is probably now working on the hot revision of a different model line for next year. After that period is when we'll probably see the next generation for the bike.


The saving graces are that they built growth capability into the initial Super Tenere design, and the competition is going to heat up over the next year, so they may have to use some of that growth capability sooner than planned.

 

[switchback]

I have not read the review - but wondered if the rider did in fact use the "S" mode along with "TC" on & off.
My stocker OEM - no mods - came to life running the TC - off and the "S" mode on.
Any insight on if they did this??

They tested all power and traction modes. They liked TC off, touring mode off-road, and sport on . They wanted a ABS switch so they could slide it more off-road.

 

[X5]

Doubt it, as Yamaha seems to have a 3-4 year design cycle. Now that this bike is out, for the next 3-4 years I expect each new year to offer minor changes, along with new and exciting paint colors. Their engineering staff is probably now working on the hot revision of a different model line for next year. After that period is when we'll probably see the next generation for the bike.


The saving graces are that they built growth capability into the initial Super Tenere design, and the competition is going to heat up over the next year, so they may have to use some of that growth capability sooner than planned.

Since this model debuted as a 2010 (Europe), a major refresh is expected in two years. Just in time for the new water cooled GS re review comparison.

 

[HoebSTer]

Doubt it, as Yamaha seems to have a 3-4 year design cycle. Now that this bike is out, for the next 3-4 years I expect each new year to offer minor changes, along with new and exciting paint colors. Their engineering staff is probably now working on the hot revision of a different model line for next year. After that period is when we'll probably see the next generation for the bike.


The saving graces are that they built growth capability into the initial Super Tenere design, and the competition is going to heat up over the next year, so they may have to use some of that growth capability sooner than planned.

There might be subtle changes, YES, but keep in mind, the Japanese try to extend the life on certain models for more than 4-5 years that fall into a "niche" category as this Tenere. Take a look at Honda and the ST1100 & ST1300's, they both have lasted almost 10 years for each model line with small changes on each style. This helps cover inhouse costs of design, marketing, and production making it payoff in the end.

I think, although BMW has been successful for many years with the GS line of ADV bikes, this category is still in it's infancy stages compared to the large amount of global units sold for motorcycles as a whole.