Retired Sailor in Southern Illinois saying "Hello"...

USN420

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Aug 6, 2019
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3
Location
Southern Illinois, USA
Hi All... I do not yet own a Super Tenere, but have already decided that an ES model will be my next bike and am actively shopping. I've just got to find the right bike at the right price!

I've come here to learn and to read about the ownership experience of this bike.

I currently ride a 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000LT, which I like a lot, but is kind of a "one-trick pony." At age 57+ I am tired of doing chaintenance, tired of manually adjusting the suspension when going 2-up, and tired of having no cruise control or leg room on longer rides. I might as well go ahead and admit it... I'm getting lazy!

So in advance, please allow me to thank you for the advice and information I'll get from this forum.
 

Sierra1

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Joshua TX
Welcome. Not lazy, better educated. For ME, the ES was my choice also; for the same reasons. I was USN for 6; homeported out of Groton CT on U-Boats.
 

Mak10

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Aug 20, 2018
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2,567
Location
SE Idaho
Welcome from Idaho. I love the ES and ease of adjustment. Because I’m lazy I doubt I would mess with the adjuster and just live with the wallowing when riding two up. Pushing a couple of buttons and having it set where I want is so easy and makes the handling and ride excellent.

Good luck with your search. There have been a couple of good bikes for sale on here recently.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
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Welcome to the forum USN420. Nice intro and I think you'll enjoy the Super Ten for your stated reasons. Don't forget to check out the forum for bikes for sale. There were a couple of ES bikes here for under $10k recently. Also network with your friends. When I was looking for my Gen II, A friend told me about one for sale at a HD dealer local to him that I never would have known about otherwise. My wife's FB addiction made that connection. Not being a social media guy, I was willing to take the heat from her and accept that she found the bike thru her FB connections with our friends.

Something to be aware of. The factory Yamaha warranty is 12 months. Only during that period can you add the additional 12-48 months of extended YES warranty that is identical to the first 12 months and unlimited mileage. D&H Cycles of Cullman, AL sells the YES warranty at the best price, but you have to call them to get the price. It's not advertised.

You can call Yamaha's Warranty division and give them a VIN and they can tell you if the bike is still under warranty. My '15 that I bought in mid '17 was a left over and still had 8 months of warranty on it, so I was able to add another 48 months of unlimited mileage warranty for cheap.

Yamaha offered me another 24 months of YES after 5 years of warranty coverage on my '12. D&H beat the direct Yamaha price so that bike had warranty coverage for 7 full years from new. Transferrable too, so the fellow that bought my bike with 109k still had warranty coverage!

I'm on the road at the moment, but if you can't find the number for Yamaha's Warranty division, PM me and I'll respond with it when I get home in a couple of weeks. It's in my rolodex, but not on my person.
 

fredz43

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Hi All... I do not yet own a Super Tenere, but have already decided that an ES model will be my next bike and am actively shopping. I've just got to find the right bike at the right price!

I've come here to learn and to read about the ownership experience of this bike.

I currently ride a 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000LT, which I like a lot, but is kind of a "one-trick pony." At age 57+ I am tired of doing chaintenance, tired of manually adjusting the suspension when going 2-up, and tired of having no cruise control or leg room on longer rides. I might as well go ahead and admit it... I'm getting lazy!

So in advance, please allow me to thank you for the advice and information I'll get from this forum.

Greetings, USN420,

Where in southern IL are you? I am in Hillsboro, 62049 and am on my second Super Tenere, a 2-14 ES model and I love it. I am retired and fill in very occasionally at Niehaus Cycles in Litchfield, who sell Yamaha and Honda. Let me know if you are in the area and perhaps we can get together. I would be glad to answer any questions about the ES and show you the few mods I have made to mine. We also have an informal group of retired riders that get together each Tuesday at 11 for lunch at Bandannas Barbecue near Collinsville, exit 11 off of I 55. Several Super Teneres in the group. Come join us anytime you have the chance.

Fred Z.
 

USN420

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Aug 6, 2019
Messages
3
Location
Southern Illinois, USA
Greetings, USN420,

Where in southern IL are you? I am in Hillsboro, 62049 and am on my second Super Tenere, a 2-14 ES model and I love it. I am retired and fill in very occasionally at Niehaus Cycles in Litchfield, who sell Yamaha and Honda. Let me know if you are in the area and perhaps we can get together. I would be glad to answer any questions about the ES and show you the few mods I have made to mine. We also have an informal group of retired riders that get together each Tuesday at 11 for lunch at Bandannas Barbecue near Collinsville, exit 11 off of I 55. Several Super Teneres in the group. Come join us anytime you have the chance.

Fred Z.
Thanks for the offer Fred. I'm from Carbondale and if I'm ever up that way on a Tuesday I'll look you up. I'm familiar with Niehaus. Have test ridden a couple of bikes there over the years. Although we didn't reach a deal, they seem to be a good dealership. One of Honda's biggest I think.
 

fredz43

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Thanks for the offer Fred. I'm from Carbondale and if I'm ever up that way on a Tuesday I'll look you up. I'm familiar with Niehaus. Have test ridden a couple of bikes there over the years. Although we didn't reach a deal, they seem to be a good dealership. One of Honda's biggest I think.
Sounds good. Hope that we can meet. The next time you are looking for a deal, let me know. Brad Niehaus is a long time friend and I may be able to help out.
 

Flat lander

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Feb 9, 2018
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309
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Lawrence Ks.
Welcome from Kansas. Be patient with your search. It took me most of a year to find mine. Cycle Trader was a good place for me. I also went with the ES model. I am still amazed how well they make all the electronic functions work on the new bikes.
 

USN420

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Aug 6, 2019
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Southern Illinois, USA
Welcome from Kansas. Be patient with your search. It took me most of a year to find mine. Cycle Trader was a good place for me. I also went with the ES model. I am still amazed how well they make all the electronic functions work on the new bikes.
Yes... Cycle Trader and I are close friends. It took me the better part of a 6-8 month steady search to find the right Versys 1000, but I found it on Cycle Trader. You're also right that patience is a key.
 

colorider

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Welcome aboard USN420! Glad you explained the “420” part! I spent a bit of time in the Navy as well, but certainly not as long as you - just a hitch + a bit more during the early years of Vietnam.

I’m no longer on a Tenere - mainly because my continuing search for something lighter (as I get older). The ES is certainly a good choice though and could easily be the ideal choice to replace your Versys.

Good luck!!
 
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