New Guy, What to do, What to do??

[S10envy]

I have been advised to start a new thread on this, so here it goes. Thanks in advance for your input.

I have recently been sucked in by the appeal of the Super Tenere... I am in search of an Adv Bike. So far I have fallen in love with the Tiger Explorer 1200, BUT it is too expensive for my blood. I then sat on a VStrom 1000 and just thought it had a "cheap" feel to it ( I was unable to test ride the Strom due to weather), $13,999 with bags and such. Then, by accident I stumble into another local dealer and saw 2 2014 Teneres, one being the ES. The ES is priced at $12,499 and the base was less than that. I couldn't believe the quality of the bike with all the standard features!!! This dealer does not normally allow test rides but I am working on that. I have also found a 2013 new for $9,999 ??? I really want cruise control for longer rides and comfort, I am 6'3" and 240lbs with some disc issues, that currently rides a 2014 Thruxton ::025::

If anyone has experience on any of these bikes to compare to the Tenere, I would greatly appreciate your input. For me the Strom felt small for my size, the Explorer felt as if it were built for me, the Tenere felt as if I had some extra room, which I really liked.

 

[TNWalker]

Can't go wrong with the 2014 ES. ::022:: ::26::



Steve

 

[cakeboy]

well i had the 2011 tenere and had the chance to test ride the new 1,000 v strom the other week . the first thing i noticed was how light the v strom was , the brakes were good as well , however going onto the motorway i found it wasnt as smooth as my tenere and not as smooth as the 650, the finish like you said is "no were near " the yamaha , infact i dont think its as good as on the 650 v strom ....BUT... the thing that put me off all together was when the new v strom got warmed up it started this almighty knocking at tick over ..i mean LOUD ?...when i got back to the shop i said what the hell is that knocking noise [ this bike only had 1,200mls on it ] and he said o-h some do that and others dont its called " IDLE HAMMER" but dont worry about it suzuki have looked at this noise before but couldnt find anything wrong in any of the engines ...well thats ok but i,m afraid i just couldnt live with a bike that sounded like that ...i went out and bought a new 2014 tenere and it was the best move ive made , just love it ..

 

[2112]

I'm a similar size and weight to your good self S10envy and the S10 is a comfy old girl. I fitted a set of +30mm handlebar risers which have improved the ergo's no end and tilted the bars up a little. I also had a set of SW Motech comfort pegs lying around which fitted with the aid of a washer (they've now been on a V-strom 1000, Guzzi Stelvio, 650 V-strom and now the S10) and give an extra 15mm leg room, which is nice. I agree that the new V-strom 1000 is a bit 'budget' and you can certainly see where Suzuki have cut corners but apparently they do work well dynamically and there is a taller seat option which helps with the comfort. Still has a chain to lube and replace though...

 

[jaeger22]

Another one here about your size, 6'4"and close to 220. I have a 2012 raven S10 with almost 45K miles now, including coast to coast and back twice, with no issues other than things I broke. : I came to the S10 from a 650 VStrom and I still think it is a great bike. But the Yamaha is a big step up in comfort and quality. I do like the new 1000 Strom but it just does not have the roominess and comfort of the Yamaha. For one thing the pegs are too high and too forward.
I just last week got to ride the new Suzuki 1000 and the 2014 S10 back to back at Daytona. The strom has a great motor and it is lighter but I was not motivated to trade my S10 at all. It is just not as comfortable and that is VERY important if you plan to do any long trips. But the 2014 Tenere was very nice. I love Cruise Control on long trips and if I didn't already have my own DIY CC, I would be very tempted to make a trade. If for some reason I have to replace my 2012, there is no doubt what I would get. And at the prices you have been getting, it is a no brainer. ::008::

 

[RED CAT]

Go for the 2014 S10 for sure. Many improvements over the 2013s not mentioned. I have a 2014 and had a 2012. The Triumph has a nice motor but is extremely top heavy even just off the side stand. You didn't mention dirt where the S10 blows the other 2 away by a long shot. I also believe for a big guy the S10 has more leg room seat to peg and seat to handlebar.

 

[oldbear]

I really wanted a Explorer 1200 'till I sat on and rode one. Loved the triple, but she felt top heavy and awkward to me. Stumbled onto a great deal on an S10, sat on it and thought "not bad". Dealer said "you ever ride one?". I said no, he pulled it off the floor and I took off. 8 miles on her when I left, 18 when I came back. Took her home the following morning. I was a big fan of Triumph, coming off a 1050 Tiger, but the big S10 just fitted me great. Very happy with my decision.

 

[S10envy]

Great input! Thanks. I am 96% pavement, would it be logical to go for the ES being mostly pavement? Unless this bike is extremely capable offroad and I become confident on it, hmmm... As far as I am aware the base and the ES are the same except for the electronic adjustments, is this true?

 

[Ramseybella]

The Triumph is a nice bike indeed but you will have issues eventually, get the 2014 Tenere as it takes care of all the issues the older models have and with cruse control.
Your going to save money in the long run.

 

[TalonMech]

The ES also comes standard with heated grips. You can have them added to the standard 2014 though.

 

[Rasher]

My normal "riding buddy" has an Explorer.

In summary it is sportier - better at higher speeds and on smoother roads.

Above 80mph it is superior, below 60mph the Yamaha is better - but both cruise nicely at anywhere from 50 - 90mph.

The Yamaha suspension is definitely better on bumpy roads, and the power delivery more suited to tight corners and lumbering around on bumpy back lanes, the Triumph feels more like an upright sportsbike and is really nice on flowing roads where you can keep it revving a little higher.

My mate moans about it feeling top heavy, I did not notice this when I took it for a spin, plus he is quite short which does not help.

His has also had a lot of warranty work (Cylinder Head, ECU and Final Drive) considering the bike is under 2 years old with less than 6,000 miles on the clock.


Not ridden a 2014, but if buying new today I would pay about £/$1,000 more for the 2014 as I believe the cruise control plus other small (but worthwhile) improvements make it worth a shade more, but if a new 2013 spec bike was a couple of grand cheaper I would snap it up. For me it ain't worth the £5k - £6k I would need to exchange - especially as I could buy a damn fine second bike for that sort of money.

 

[S10envy]

I am going back to the dealer tomorrow to try for a test ride. Does anyone have any input on whether or not the base suspension set up is sufficient. I have never adjusted the suspension on any bike of mine so far and I am 240lbs...

 

[DryRider]

The ability to adjust the suspension has been very nice on the ES helps the bike get all you can out of it under certain conditions with the push of a button.

 

[Travex]

I am going back to the dealer tomorrow to try for a test ride. Does anyone have any input on whether or not the base suspension set up is sufficient. I have never adjusted the suspension on any bike of mine so far and I am 240lbs...

180lbs with a month's worth of gear and they ride like a charm. The suspensions (2011-2014), seem to be identical save for the electronic adjustment convention on the '14. IMO, if you're not a frequent suspension adjuster or see it in your future with the bike it'd be a bit of waste. It's easily and more infinitely adjustable on the pre-14's, just not via fingertip. Cruise and heated grips can be simple add-ons.

Having owned a '12 and '14ES I'd say you couldn't go wrong with either. Perhaps going to the Yamaha web site and downloading the '14ES manual and familiarizing yourself with the suspension adjustment will help give you a more informed test ride.

Enjoy your ride and good luck with your decision! ::008::

 

[fredz43]

The suspensions (2011-2014), seem to be identical save for the electronic adjustment convention on the '14.

There are differences in construction between the 13, 14 standard and the ES. See these charts for some info.

 

[Travex]

Thank you for pointing that out so well fredz43. I should have qualified by saying "for most practical purposes". My combined road and trail riding found them quite similar with the exception of the 14's ease. Lively for their mass and dependably predictable.

 

[oldbear]

The '14 is without doubt a nice bike, but if you get a killer deal on a '13 you still will be a happy camper. I put ShowChrome 5 position heated grips ($80) and an Excel throttle lock on mine and could not be more pleased. If you are out the door @ 10K for a 15K bike you are getting a deal & 5k will buy a lot of goodies ::015::

 

[AVGeek]

Another thing to keep in mind is that a common thread with all the standard suspension bikes is that the rear is undersprung. Wouldn't hurt to try to ride both the standard and ES models and see what feels better.

 

[Toxic Mark]

just stumbled onto this thread. WTF $9999 for a 2013?! Here in the SF Bay Area the '13s are still at $11,999!!! Not just $11,999 but "Hey, look how low we are selling these bikes at just $11,999!"

The new 2014 ES...$16.1K.

 

[Ramseybella]

Contact Nancy Pelosi!!