New Member from Albuquerque

[Mark R.]

Hello Everyone:

Mark here, from Albuquerque, NM. I have been riding for 38 years. I currently ride a 2008 KLR, which I have farkled to within an inch of its life. Once I got the KLR, I really got the dual sport bug, and spend as much time as I can exploring the dirt roads of New Mexico, be they forest or desert. Street riding bores me now. Street riding is the necessary evil required to get to the dirt.

I have gotten a little tired of the constant maintenance and tinkering required by the KLR, as well as its relative fragility, and am contemplating getting rid of the KLR and my Road Star and getting a Super Tenere.

I have some concerns about making the move, because the Super T is about 140 pounds heavier than my KLR. I ride forest roads of all conditions, and would likely equip a Super T with my favorite dual sport tires, Heidenau Scouts. Do you think the Super T is up for this kind of duty?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Damian Whitchurch-Aird]

Welcome!

 

[eemsreno]

Mark ::004::
Check out some of my off road riding as to what the Tenere is up to.
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=5900.0
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=5395.0
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=3267.0
Steve

 

[Mark R.]

Nice ride reports. Once I saw those rocky roads you went over, I knew would be ok with a Super T.

 

[barkingllizard]

most riders will find the Super Tenere is far more capable than they are, with a simple hello, Mark R......

 

[rem]

Welcome on, Mark. The old LLizard said it about as well as could be said ......

most riders will find the Super Tenere is far more capable than they are ......

Got nothing to add, except ::004:: to the Forum. R. ::022::

 

[Mark R.]

Thanks everyone. I am going to put together a deal, and get a Tenere very soon.........Stand by.

Also, rem, you must have a mighty short riding season up there in the Yukon, no?

 

[Buelligan]

Q

Mark,
I'm here in 'Querque also.
I've had my Tenere since May, and have almost 15,000 miles on it now. I've been over almost every pass in Colorado, and pretty much every dirt road within 150 miles of 'Querque.
The bike has never let me down. It's a great bike, your going to love it.
Give me a yell, and we can get together one of these weekends. It's NEVER too cold around here to ride.


Bart

 

[everetto]

Re: Q

Mark,
I'm here in 'Querque also.
I've had my Tenere since May, and have almost 15,000 miles on it now. I've been over almost every pass in Colorado, and pretty much every dirt road within 150 miles of 'Querque.
The bike has never let me down. It's a great bike, your going to love it.
Give me a yell, and we can get together one of these weekends. It's NEVER too cold around here to ride.


Bart

Bart - did you do Black Bear with the Tenere? Just curious.

Mark I sent you a PM.

 

[SpenceS10]

Welcome Mark, You'll love the bike and this forum!

 

[BaldKnob]

Good decision on the Tenere, Mark. There are a couple in the vendor area for sale, fully loaded, ready to go. I would have no hesitation (now) purchasing a used XTZ as they appear to be built to last. As for the Scouts, do they offer a 150/70-17? I couldn't find one so I went K60s (great 50/50 tires).

 

[snuffcityrider]

::004:: from one Mark to another. As far as off road I've only ridden gravel roads and its great even with the stock tires but the K 60's are definitely in my future.

 

[Mark R.]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. I will give beulligan a pm for a ride in the near future. In the mean time, my KLR will have to do for the next few weeks.

 

[Combo]

::004:: from Texas Mark.

I have had many motorcycles over the years and the Yamaha's have treated me very well. This one has been no different except my grin is increasing. ;D

::022::

 

[Buelligan]

Everetto, Yes, I have done Black Bear on the Tenere, I had more "fun" on my DRZ, though.
Mark, look forward to meeting you. Do you ever go to Coffee at Dawns on Sunday mornings?

 

[everetto]

Everetto, Yes, I have done Black Bear on the Tenere, I had more "fun" on my DRZ, though.
Mark, look forward to meeting you. Do you ever go to Coffee at Dawns on Sunday mornings?

How would you rate Black Bear as far as difficulty goes on a big heavy bike, specifically "the steps" area? Thx.

 

[20valves]

How would you rate Black Bear as far as difficulty goes on a big heavy bike, specifically "the steps" area? Thx.

::017::

Can't wait to hear Buelligan's answer. I've seen video of my buddy doing it in his jeep and while it's always hard to gauge from watching video, it looks like a big time challenge. I have no doubt the ST is capable but I'm not sure I am. Buelligan, are you an A enduro racer or some other type of super human rider? I wonder if mere humans can do this without dying ;D

 

[everetto]

::017::

Can't wait to hear Buelligan's answer. I've seen video of my buddy doing it in his jeep and while it's always hard to gauge from watching video, it looks like a big time challenge. I have no doubt the ST is capable but I'm not sure I am. Buelligan, are you an A enduro racer or some other type of super human rider? I wonder if mere humans can do this without dying ;D

It is typically rated the toughest one in the area. There are some good vids out there of bikes doing it, one with some big bikes and it looks pretty challenging for sure. My impression is not that it is HARD for the full distance, but rather quite hard for the several hundred yards of The Steps and then some of the following switchbacks look pretty tight. Hope Bart chimes in with his impressions!

 

[Buelligan]

It IS the one of the toughest I've gone down. (Going up is no problem) Like I said, it's much easier on my DRZ.
There is one "trail", more like a goat trail, I ended up on back in September east of Meeker, CO that was VERY steep and rocky.
I had a real tough time going down that one, and have the dents in the tank as a reminder of that trail.
THAT trail made Black Bear seem easier. :'(

 

[20valves]

There is one "trail", more like a goat trail, I ended up on back in September east of Meeker, CO that was VERY steep and rocky.I had a real tough time going down that one, and have the dents in the tank as a reminder of that trail.
THAT trail made Black Bear seem easier. :'(

Hmmm, so you ARE some kind of Dakar racer refugee then.

I have managed Engineer Pass with a full load of gear on the ST and that was very manageable, until I had to get around the bulldozer working a road washout on the way down to Animas Forks from the top. Not sure I'd want a whole lot more challenge than that at my age. Anyway, after doing Engineer again about 9 months later with no bags or gear and with the tires bled down to a more grippy pressure, the ST's brakes were brilliant in the rocks. Plus I was about 8,000 miles more familiar with the bike which helps a lot.