An interesting article. Quite the experience. Hope the guy heals up OK. I would be quite bummed out not only getting injured, but totaling a buddies bike. Ack!
One comment, of the authors, that struck me as odd:
"While the Super Tenere may not have some of the technology that BMW owners pay for, the motorcycle press and owners alike have been praising the bike."
Maybe he meant the Super Tenere has certain technology included in the price for which BMW owners have to pay extra. ABS (that works). Linked brakes. Full display computer. 2 levels of traction control plus off, two engine mapping modes (sport and touring), Liquid cooled, Fuel injected, Shaft drive (that, so far, hasn't burned up), lower center of gravity for lighter feel, etc. etc. One can order heated grips if you want. So Super Tenere come standard with everything, and more, that the BMWs have, or can have. What "technology" is missing? Telelever suspension? That is a road suspension that works horrible offroad (hence why the HP2 didn't have telelever front suspension. Switch adjustable suspension? I have no interest in it, but some might like it I suppose. Chromed exhaust pipe is the only other BMW option that I can think of and I'll take the included traction control over the chrome pipe, switch-adjustable suspension, and telelever suspension. Maybe those few things are the technology to which the author was referring. Would be interesting to know. Maybe I'll email and ask him. [edit: OK. Just emailed Bob. S., the author, to ask for clarification]