Thanks for all the replies!
So far I've got:
Keep an eye on the spokes (maybe use a tuning fork?
)
Factory recommended tire pressures are fine.
Don't try Black Bear on the Tenere unless you have Mad Skilz. (I don't).
Ordered my fender extender (Thanks DonB!), and I find Tech Spec Snake Skin tank pads indispensable, so I ordered a set of those.
As far as side cases and other farkles, it looks like Altrider, TwistedThrottle, and Happy-Trail all have some good stuff. I kinda like the Wolfman stuff, too.
From kpduffy: If the forget to tell you where the tool kit is, it's located behind the right fairing. There is an allen wrench hiding under the seat to gain access. I went to wire my battery tender and discovered this. The battery is located in the same spot too.
Thanks, good to know. I'll be attaching the battery tender lead I took off the FJR.
craigd: Thanks for the photo, it seems like one would be so focused on negotiating the trail that you would miss the scenic views!
rider33 said:
I looked at FJR's about 5 years ago, in fact I went in intending to buy one but an ST1300 was stilling next to it and it just felt much more comfortable to me (larger, more open). I took that bike all over the country, 'great mile eater. The problem was, you would get out someplace interesting and there would be this gravel road to the left and you would have to think twice about taking a fully flared 700#+ bike down it. This would be my ST1300 headed down the Valley of the Gods road in southern Utah:
I made it but it got pretty hairy at times. The nice thing about the S10 is it's about 80-85% as good a mile muncher as the 1300 but much, much better in the tricky non-paved bits. It certainly is not a 250cc dirt bike but if you don't get stupid, there really are not many places it can't go (and get back from). I really enjoy having that sort of flexibility, particularly when I'm several thousand miles from home.
I test rode a Honda ST before I bought my FJR, I know a lot of folks like them and they have proven their worth, that V-4 is a great motor!
Your comment above is a major reason I'm switching to the Tenere, so I can go down some of the non-paved bits when I get the notion. Of course, someone will point out that John Ryan took his FJR to Deadhorse, but I'll just say that he was 'special'.