Perspective buyer of the Tenere..

[PolterGeist]

So to start with, I am looking at getting in to the 1200 plus rated sport touring after taking a 15 year break to let our kids grow up with a total of 20 years of riding 320 plus days a year. So rusty, but not inexperienced.. Currently riding a 1980 CB650 customer to get my feet wet again..I had it down to the Connie until I stumbled across the Tenere and am once again conflicted and working my way through it, but of course other questions always arise... Lets start with me.. 5'9" tall @165 with a 31" inseam in above average shape for a 50 pluser... Both the Connie and the Tenere fit me flat footed (barely), so that's not a problem. I am looking at a bike this size as I want to get my wife into riding along, want a bike that will do two up without a challenge and she is NEW to two wheels so want one that gives her a comfortable and confident ride... One of my questions is ES or not ES... Is it really worth it at the end of the day of money is no issue? Beyond that I welcome any recommendations, personal experiences as well as the sharing of any personal experiences that I could leverage..

Thanks in advance...

 

[WJBertrand]

I went for the ES, it's not that much more money and if you are going to use your bike for solo and two-up you may find yourself fiddling with the suspension pretty frequently. The ES also includes some very effective heated grips standard. I haven't ridden the non-ES but folks seem to be happier with the suspension action of the ES.

 

[tomatocity]

Owned a 2012 for 52,200 miles. May 23rd, traded it in on a 2015 ES (now 7,5XX miles). Have no regrets.

 

[Tyke]

I went for the ES, it's not that much more money and if you are going to use your bike for solo and two-up you may find yourself fiddling with the suspension pretty frequently. The ES also includes some very effective heated grips standard. I haven't ridden the non-ES but folks seem to be happier with the suspension action of the ES.

Agreed the ZE /ES version also includes centre stand plus other items so it's well worth the xtra

Welcome along ::022:: ::26::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Gen 1 was 2012-13 in the US and Gen2 started in 2014. Gen 2 added some refinements, cruise control, and the availability of the ES.


If money is an issue, there are some screaming deals on used 2012 bikes right now. You sound like a returning rider who's not starting out looking for something hardcore into long days in the saddle and a Gen1 should do really well.


The ES bikes are nice If you can spend double the money to go from used to new. We're seeing used ES bikes now start to dip below $12k if you look, sometimes less.


The Gen2 non-ES still has the cruise control, center stand in the US, and other Gen2 improvements. You can add the heated grips with a kit later if you find you want them. (come std on the ES) With your weight, the spring ought to be fine at the softer settings as it is a bit soft for us bigger guys. Since everybody wants the latest greatest ES models, the used 2014 bikes are popping up occasionally at less than $10k.

 

[TheHelios]

I've got a Gen 1 and it's been fantastic at now 20k miles (It had 8k miles when I got it in January).

I went for the ES, it's not that much more money and if you are going to use your bike for solo and two-up you may find yourself fiddling with the suspension pretty frequently. The ES also includes some very effective heated grips standard. I haven't ridden the non-ES but folks seem to be happier with the suspension action of the ES.

This so much. If you ride with luggage or 2 up, then adjusting the suspension is a pain. The stock tiny knob is, well, tiny, and you're kind of adjusting it blindly. I ride 2 up and use luggage often so having an ES would make my bike riding so much easier. If you're in a mountainous area, then the electronic cruise control will be huge as well. I used a throttle lock in the Appalachian Mountains this weekend and I had to constantly fenangle with it. The throttle lock is much more manageable in flat terrain.

 

[Rasher]

With regards to this bike for a mix of uses (including two-up) it is probably just as good as anything out there in stock trim unless you really want to scream up into 3 figures regularly, can be improved (if you feel the need) or the Mrs takes to it and wants to go touring.

Can't comment on Gen2 / ES, but the Gen1 rear shock is a little soggy for lots of two-up work, especially if loaded (but that is true for 99% of bikes in my experience)

ES will obviously make switching settings quicker and easier, but I fitted a top quality fully adjustable shock to my Gen1 which transformed two-up and enhanced one up also, swapping settings only takes about 30 seconds - and the cost of the shock is probably less than the difference between ES and non ES.....

....pays yer money and all that, but I would go for a Gen2 if you have the funds, but you will not be disappointed with a Gen1 if your on a budget.

 

[itlives]

The prospective buyer will get mostly the Tenerist's perspective here.

Big difference in the Connie and the Tenere.
I got my Tenere because I like long distance comfort AND camping (in the woods, not the State Park).

 

[Kujo]

Nicely said itlives. I get the same feeling every time I mount my S10. I had a Connie and I thought it was the bomb. I did several long trips. 18K miles a year. But my height 6'3" the S10 is a perfect match. Plus like Itlives said it takes me places that a Connie can't.

If you test ride both for some time it should be easier to choose. Good luck hunting.

 

[78YZ]

If you never plan to ride off road, the Connie would probably be more comfortable. I ride off road and long distance on the slab. Therefore, the S10 was the obvious choice for me. YMMV

 

[Ramseybella]

Remember you mentioned your wife..
So her comfort is what will have her sitting along with you.
If you plan on doing dirt roads Tenere if not for pure smooth comfort on the super slab you can pick up a mid to late 2k Gold wing 1800 for way less than a new ES.
My wife keeps bugging me as my friend has a 2010 1800 but damn all that plastic. Oil change is easy but the air filter OMG!! :'(

 

[Donk]

I have been known to trade bikes pretty regularly and my '14ES is the only bike I want to keep indefinitely. Its just a great bike, the ES is well worth the money. Just yesterday hit a bad section of road and switched from standard to soft and didn't mind the road at all. fwiw I bought a '13 Connie as a stablemate to the S10 a few months ago. Nice bike, great engine and the WORSE brakes I have ever dealt with on a modern bike. The linked braking system is such a disaster I got rid of the bike within 30 days of buying it. In addition there is no way the Connie can match the S10 for ride quality and comfort

 

[retiredusaf]

I'm very happy with my 2014 ES. I've done a couple of long trips so far this year...San Antonio to New Orleans and San Antonio to Vegas. The bike performed well....extremely comfortable and very little fatigue after a 500 mile plus riding day. My daughter and my wife ride with me occasionally.....no issues riding two up at all (the ESA comes in handy when they ride along). I have no intention of selling or trading this bike in anytime soon. I'm extremely happy with it.

 

[oldbear]

I've done the "sport tourer" thing, and while the Connie is a phenomenal machine, (as was my FJR) I find the S10 just a much better balanced package for touring. I vastly prefer the two lanes to the slab and like the ability to hit the occasional non paved road without worrying about it. The suspension travel on the Adv Tour bikes is to me a big selling point vs. the Sport Tourer. I can also stretch out more on my S10 than either a Connie or FJR.. My '13 is non ES, and it works fine for ME. With that said, a lot of the guys really like the ES package.

 

[HeliMark]

If I was buying another S10 (have a '13), I would get the ES. Had that on a different bike, and really liked changing from one to two riders, luggage, and soft or stiff ride with a press of the button. The standard non-ES setup is good, better with changing the shocks. The ES is positioned right at a person with your weight, so it should be pretty good.

When I am out with friends with sport touring bikes, I enjoy taking speed bumps and rough roads at speed when they are slowing down for them. And my ride is just as comfortable as there's.

Mark

 

[shrekonwheels]

I bought the S10 for two up riding, it fits that bill perfectly here in the Rocky Mountains.

 

[jettcity1]

On my second Tenere and it is indeed a 2015 ES, its worth every extra penny.
You cannot go wrong with the Tenere, one of the best bikes out there and I had a 2008 Connie.
Good luck, now go get your ES.

 

[BMC55]

I agree with Donk. Just purchasing the S10 I took a ride on a rough section of road that usually has me bracing for the bumps and ruts on my previous rides. It was truly a pleasure to glide over rough sections. I think this bike is the one. Only time will tell but very impressed with the little time I've had in the saddle.

 

[Vanderwho]

I bought a 2014 ES leftover in January, and have a little over 10K miles on it. Traded-in a 2010 FJR I'd had for maybe five months. The Ténéré is much more comfortable. ES suspsension just works. Very composed in the twisties. Great for long-distances (1500+ in 24 hours). Like Donk, I have no interest in anything else that's in showrooms.

However... my wife says the Ténéré seat is a problem. She liked the Sargent on the FJR much better, and the stock seat on the V-Strom 1000 before that. So we'll be putting a Day-Long pillion-only on the bike this winter for her. (She's 5'2" on a good day, and somewhere between 140 and 145.)

If you can live with the somewhat unsophisticated nature of a big twin vs. an inline four ...you can't go wrong.