Pondering a ST ES

Little Joe

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Messages
85
Location
Ontario, Canada
Hey from Ontario
Long time rider looking to get educated on the ST. Currently have a Gen 3 FJR and a DR650. Looking to possibly replace both with 1 Super T.
Would really like to be able to ride a S10 for a day or two to see if it will agree with me.
 

Gerard

Active Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2020
Messages
106
Location
Sydney Australia
Done the same thing, traded my gen 3 FJR in for a ST to do some serious outback riding in Oz. First thing i missed was the turbine-like smoothness and power of the FJR and for a while i thought i made a big mistake. It took a 75 km stretch of very windy, bumpy and undulated road, that was a bit of a handful on the FJR to realize how incredibly good these bikes are. And never looked back. Done some 20,000 km of outback touring since on some pretty bad roads and the bike has been fantastic. Still miss the FJR a bit though.
 

Little Joe

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Messages
85
Location
Ontario, Canada
Thanks.
I rode a Ten on a Yamaha ride day. The engine is hard to warm up to after in-line 4’s.
I really dislike turning back when pavement ends on FJR. It has 120K km(74Kmiles).
At least half 2up.
I have FJR setup comfortable for me and need slight forward lean because of back issues.
Need a good long ride on a S10 to be sure it will “fit”with the back ...


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richarddacat

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2015
Messages
574
Location
Tennessee
Hey from Ontario
Long time rider looking to get educated on the ST. Currently have a Gen 3 FJR and a DR650. Looking to possibly replace both with 1 Super T.
Would really like to be able to ride a S10 for a day or two to see if it will agree with me.
How did the height feel to you? Obviously the ST won't be as easy to pickup as the DR and just a little easier than the FJR.

The riding position might bother you, it does me over long rides and like you I really need to lean forward a bit (history of back issues too). I actually have my bars, without risers, leaning forward a bit to try a gain that bit of lean, but I'm still in slouch mode though.

I also had FJR's before the ST and I'd like to get another one, a 2016 or 2005. I like the ST but it's not as comfortable as the FJR on long rides and the wind protection is not as good IMO. Saying that the ST is fun, like a big dirt bike, upright viewing of the countryside, handles great, feels light, and roomy like the FJR, I feel mine is just not as smooth as the FJR but it is easier on tires and easier maneuvering in tight situations.

I'm in the South and ride year around so the FJR did get hot on summer rides but felt great in winter. With the ST its easy to remove the hand guards and optional "wings" to help cool things off. So it's "convertible" between seasons so to say.

I did very little off road riding with my ST, at 5'7' 180# and 62yrs of age its more than I want for trial riding. I have recently lowered my ST and make it a point to see very few dirt roads or cow trials. Personally if I were to swap off I would keep the DR but it would be nice if you can get more seat time on a ST before making the move.

Good luck.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,814
Location
Joshua TX
. . . . Currently have a Gen 3 FJR and a DR650. Looking to possibly replace both with 1 Super T. . . .
Welcome from Texas. The Tenere is somewhere in between those two. Gerard is right about missing the FJR power. (Intoxicating) But, I do find myself shifting less around town on the Tenere than the FJR. (bunches of torque) My FJR riding son swears the Tenere is quicker off the line to 30mph than the Tenere. The DR will go further off road than the Tenere. . . . she doesn't feel 600lbs, but she is. I'm 300lbs, have leveled the seat, but have left everything else stock, and there's a slight forward lean. She's my favorite bike ever.

Listen to moto.monk. . . . do it. (but, if you see him. . . .guard your nuggets :D)
 

escapefjrtist

Searching for Dry Roads
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,418
Location
Snohomish WA
Welcome from metro Seattle Little Joe!

Don't punt the FJR or you'll hate yourself. I've got both and each compliments the other. While the Tenere checks many boxes, having both lets you have your cake and eat it too! My FJR is IMHO, very nicely set-up with aftermarket suspension (triple-clicker Penske & USD forks), Ivan flashed ECU plus all the other normal goodies. It makes me smile every time I ride it. The Tenere is set up with Penske shock plus all the other normal goodies...it's set-up as my rough road touring bike. Works great for my north-of-the-border adventures where the FJR would get beat up. They both work wonderful for their seperate and distinct intended missions.

Good luck with your decision and search!

~G
 

Edbo1960

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
98
Location
Connecticut
I went from a 2008 FJR to a 2014 ST ES, mostly for comfort and rider aids and cruise control (I'm 6'4") I ride mostly street. Felt that I didn't need all the power of the FJR being 60 YO now.

I would get the bike flashed immediately as makes a big difference, but it is not an inline 4 jet engine....the sound of the ST twin (even with slip on) is the only thing I don't like about the bike, after flash it has plenty of usable power.

I also have a SV650 for fun.....
 

Little Joe

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Messages
85
Location
Ontario, Canada
How did the height feel to you? Obviously the ST won't be as easy to pickup as the DR and just a little easier than the FJR.

The riding position might bother you, it does me over long rides and like you I really need to lean forward a bit (history of back issues too). I actually have my bars, without risers, leaning forward a bit to try a gain that bit of lean, but I'm still in slouch mode though.

I also had FJR's before the ST and I'd like to get another one, a 2016 or 2005. I like the ST but it's not as comfortable as the FJR on long rides and the wind protection is not as good IMO. Saying that the ST is fun, like a big dirt bike, upright viewing of the countryside, handles great, feels light, and roomy like the FJR, I feel mine is just not as smooth as the FJR but it is easier on tires and easier maneuvering in tight situations.

I'm in the South and ride year around so the FJR did get hot on summer rides but felt great in winter. With the ST its easy to remove the hand guards and optional "wings" to help cool things off. So it's "convertible" between seasons so to say.

I did very little off road riding with my ST, at 5'7' 180# and 62yrs of age its more than I want for trial riding. I have recently lowered my ST and make it a point to see very few dirt roads or cow trials. Personally if I were to swap off I would keep the DR but it would be nice if you can get more seat time on a ST before making the move.

Good luck.
I found the ST easier or more foot on the ground with seat in low position than the FJR. ST seat/frame is narrower at front.


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SuckSqueezeBangBlow

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2018
Messages
370
Location
Whitby, Ontario
Where in Ontario are you? Maybe talk to a couple of dealers and see if you can take one out for a bit. You should have a really good clue in an hour or so. I believe there was a dealer in Hamilton that allowed you to take one out, same with Hully Gully. Eagle Rider in the US had some for rent but that is out of the question for now. As Ryan Fort9 says, it is good at everything but great at nothing. Sort of a Swiss Army knife.
 

Little Joe

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2020
Messages
85
Location
Ontario, Canada
Where in Ontario are you? Maybe talk to a couple of dealers and see if you can take one out for a bit. You should have a really good clue in an hour or so. I believe there was a dealer in Hamilton that allowed you to take one out, same with Hully Gully. Eagle Rider in the US had some for rent but that is out of the question for now. As Ryan Fort9 says, it is good at everything but great at nothing. Sort of a Swiss Army knife.
In Ottawa area. No dealers I know would let a bike out for a few hours... unless a used one happened to be available. I don’t blame them.
I’ll keep my eyes, ears open.


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