Noob to ADV

Joined
Sep 3, 2020
Messages
40
Location
Northern California
Hi,
Tony D. in NorCal here. Lurking for a few days, seems like y'all are a nice bunch of miscreants.
I did 28 States on an old Vulcan cruiser, still have it. Did 38 states on an ST1300, still have it. My commuter is a VFR VTech, never selling this one.
I find I've lost my passion for distance riding but when I went dirt riding with a friend recently, it sparked something. Got my eye on a one-owner 2014 ST ES with 30k, bags, bars, all kind of nice farkles and serviced every 4k.
Everything I can find says Gen 2 are about as reliable as a hammer, anything I should be looking out for? (If this is the wrong place to ask, please let me know!)
Looking forward to falling down on some fire trails in the near future :)
 

Tenman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
2,102
Location
Natchez Ms USA
Take your fine new ride out in the grass and lay it over and make sure you can pick it up. I dumped mine on a downhill slope. If a strong cow girl wouldn't have come by. I would have had a long hot walk. It ain't a single track trail machine. Turning around can be a nightmare.
 

Revz

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2020
Messages
80
Location
Central Minnesota
Welcome, I think, as others have said, they ain’t dirt bikes. But for fire roads and two track they are a blast and gravel roads are a hoot on these. Running loaded up at 85 is a breeze. Gas mileage is surprisingly good for a 1200 as well. Mak10’s advice about the valves is sound.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
Welcome from Texas. I can't give you any advise on off road riding. My sweetheart is a pavement princess. Reliability? G. . . .T. . . .O. Revs is right. . . . sort of. She does get good mileage, and she will do 85 loaded up. But, she won't get good mileage, loaded up at 85. But, what bike does.
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
Welcome and enjoy your ride. Yes they are a heavy bike to pick up. Mine is a pavement queen as well.
 

Don T

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
541
Location
Denmark
If you have lost your passion for distance riding and want to play in the dirt, there are much better options out there than the T12.
I love the T12 as a travel companion, but playing in the dirt, I have much more fun on a lighter bike.
 
Joined
Sep 3, 2020
Messages
40
Location
Northern California
Thanks, all!
Sound advice about practicing in the grass. I’ve had to pick up my 700+ pound bikes at the MC shop, not fun.
Valves were done at 24k, no mention of TB sync tho.
Not sure how hardcore I’ll be in the dirt but logging roads and fire trails, here I come!
 

escapefjrtist

Searching for Dry Roads
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,418
Location
Snohomish WA
Welcome from metro Seattle! Sounds like a Tenere will work just fine for what you have planned.

Happy hunting!

~G
 

Tenman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
2,102
Location
Natchez Ms USA
Hi,
Tony D. in NorCal here. Lurking for a few days, seems like y'all are a nice bunch of miscreants.
I did 28 States on an old Vulcan cruiser, still have it. Did 38 states on an ST1300, still have it. My commuter is a VFR VTech, never selling this one.
I find I've lost my passion for distance riding but when I went dirt riding with a friend recently, it sparked something. Got my eye on a one-owner 2014 ST ES with 30k, bags, bars, all kind of nice farkles and serviced every 4k.
Everything I can find says Gen 2 are about as reliable as a hammer, anything I should be looking out for? (If this is the wrong place to ask, please let me know!)
Looking forward to falling down on some fire trails in the near future :)
I had to google miscreants
 

AVGeek

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
2,780
Location
Boulder City, NV 89005
Welcome aboard! A "nice bunch of miscreants" is just about the perfect description for this motley crew...

If you need any help with the forum itself, reach out to myself or Checkswrecks, as we are your friendly neighborhood moderators...
 
Joined
Sep 3, 2020
Messages
40
Location
Northern California
Welcome aboard, make sure to let us know how you two are getting along.

Stefan
Got a 40 minute test ride :)
On my mostly-freeway commute :(
That engine braking will take some getting used to and the RoadPilot Trails have got to go. They were seeking on grooved pavement so badly I thought something was wrong.
But other than that I think I'm in love. Off to research tires, find out which handles the best in falling ash...
 

StefanOnHisS10

Converting fuel into heat, noise and a bit motion
Staff member
Global Moderator
Joined
Apr 8, 2020
Messages
2,158
Location
The Netherlands, Friesland.
It’s a good start, like every bike or car one needs to get used to it. Tires are a big part in the bike handling. There are a lot of members with various riding styles that can give good advice depending on what you demand from them. And there is already a lot of info about the subject on this forum.
Keep the safe km’s coming!

Stefan
 
Joined
Sep 3, 2020
Messages
40
Location
Northern California
280 miles today, just wandering. The Bus, as she has been named, ate up some goat trails like they were runway smooth tarmac. Same roads on my ST1300 beat hell out of me. Love the brake feel when trail braking. Love the ABS (pavement only today) that lets me know it’s there without being obtrusive. Found the rev limiter 1st thru 4th gear, cannot wait to decide on an exhaust and get this flashed! What is T mode for, really, other than keeping my license, that is. 43 MPG even with my fist in it a lot. Tall screen in the top position gave all-day comfort and kept it quiet enough for music or podcasts.
I kinda hate the on/off switch that is the engine brake, also having a bike with Traction Control will also take some getting used to. The only genuine complaint tho Is something about my seating, my right foot never got comfy on the peg/brake. And after a nice nap when I got home :) my right shoulder/hip/leg/ankle hurt like hell. Gotta figure out the seat/riser/ergos.
Pilot Trails are lovely in twisties but I cannot wait to ditch them for some Shinko 705s or something.
Anyway, first real ride and I’m still happy with The Bus, just gotta get a few things worked out.
 
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