S10 Suspension compared to Africa Twin for aching back

SilentSoaring

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Jun 22, 2020
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I too mirror Robert's "Sierra's" opinion on the ES suspension. I made the mistake of measuring the sag when I first got the bike. I then made a bigger mistake of going on the forums and reading opinions on how under-sprung the stock Super Tenere is. As a disclaimer, I'm sure there is some improvement to be had. For myself the stock suspension is just fine until I have it serviced around the 10,000 mile mark.

My suggestion is to ride the bike and play with the adjustments. There are 84 different combinations to try. IMHO, the biggest mistake riders make is to not take into consideration the weight of this bike. It's not like we are going to jump it like a dirt bike. While the sag measurements don't lie, this bike has plenty of suspension without the fear of bottoming out. As far as the bike wallowing, I was able to tune it out with stiffening up the damping and preload.
Thank you Chris
 

SilentSoaring

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I'm assuming you are in the US and what follows is based on that:

The Super Ten is MUCH better for commuting and occasional trips, especially 2-up. I commuted roughly an hour into DC on most days for over 7 years on a Gen1 and then Gen2 and ridden the same bikes all over the country. If your commute involves any highway you will quickly appreciate the cruise control and the shaft means no chain maintenance. The Super Ten with a set of summer and winter (touring) windscreens will provide MUCH better weather protection for both touring and commuting.

Honda's AT feels more like a dirt bike and would be a better commuter in Europe where lane splitting is normal. I've done a lot of it on the Tenere too, but the AT just handles slightly faster.

All that said, you'll need to test ride both bikes to see if one agrees more with your back. btw - Doing planks REALLY helps with my lower back issues.
Thank you Checkswrecks, will try Planks. they are cheaper than fuel too:D
 

Cycledude

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What are planks ?

I'm assuming you are in the US and what follows is based on that:

The Super Ten is MUCH better for commuting and occasional trips, especially 2-up. I commuted roughly an hour into DC on most days for over 7 years on a Gen1 and then Gen2 and ridden the same bikes all over the country. If your commute involves any highway you will quickly appreciate the cruise control and the shaft means no chain maintenance. The Super Ten with a set of summer and winter (touring) windscreens will provide MUCH better weather protection for both touring and commuting.

Honda's AT feels more like a dirt bike and would be a better commuter in Europe where lane splitting is normal. I've done a lot of it on the Tenere too, but the AT just handles slightly faster.

All that said, you'll need to test ride both bikes to see if one agrees more with your back. btw - Doing planks REALLY helps with my lower back issues.
 

bmac

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Hi,

I am looking for a bike to replace my Vstrom 650, since my back demands a better suspension to isolate all road irregularities from it.
I ride mostly Solo, commuting to work during the week, but also doing long trips with wife and luggage on weekends.

been looking at S10 and AT.

Will S10 suspension be as capable as AT to provide a comfortable ride mostly on the tarmac, with some speed bumps here and there, or should I opt for AT?

Will be thankfull for feedback, prefferably from those who have experience with both models.

Thanks in advance.
For the riding you describe it is no contest, the S10 is the hands down winner. The only place the AT has the advantage is if off road ranks high on the list. I will say, the Honda is a very nice looking rig.

If you are able to test ride both you will choose the Yamaha.
 

Checkswrecks

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Mad Earl

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A WaterRower has done wonders to my back and overall fitness. Popped a disk in my mid twenties and had constant back problems until I started rowing. The WaterRower is quiet enough to watch TV while working out, gives a calming splashy noise. Not exactly cheap, but mine is 15 years old now and has seen heavy use.
 

twinrider

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Hi,

I am looking for a bike to replace my Vstrom 650, since my back demands a better suspension to isolate all road irregularities from it.
I ride mostly Solo, commuting to work during the week, but also doing long trips with wife and luggage on weekends.

been looking at S10 and AT.

Will S10 suspension be as capable as AT to provide a comfortable ride mostly on the tarmac, with some speed bumps here and there, or should I opt for AT?

Will be thankfull for feedback, prefferably from those who have experience with both models.

Thanks in advance.
I owned a 2016 AT for a couple of years. The suspension worked well solo without luggage, but throw some camping gear on the bike and it became clear quickly that it was too undersprung even for that, much less riding with a passenger. The front end would get really light and shake in corners. The S10 doesn't have as much suspension travel but is a far better two-up bike with the stock suspension. Much better balance as well. I think Honda tried to compensate for the 21" front wheel by tweaking the frame geometry, but it made it much less stable than the Yamaha.
 
B

ballisticexchris

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You really have to keep in mind that the handling characteristics are a night and day difference when it comes to 21"/18" vs 19"/17". On the pavement the AT is going to be twitchy and not as stable as the ST.

In contrast the ST is going to be a slug and handle oddly off the pavement. In deep sand, silt and ruts the Yamaha really struggles to stay balanced and upright. It tends to plow and cannot make direction changes very well. If you drop down in a rut you have no choice but to ride it out. I personally experienced this and did not like it at all. Also throttling my way through deep sand was very unnerving. The small front wheel gives no feedback.

So if you have back issues then the Super Tenere is not a very good bike for off highway excursions.
 

cycledelic relic

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Since the parameters are biased toward street riding....& the previous bike was a 650 Strom.... Let me just say....
Ive owned 8 different Stroms now... 4 1000s & 4 650s. When I rode a friends 2013 Tenere a few years back... Compared to my then current 2011 650 #3....it was a definate leap ahead. I had always considered the 650 Stroms to be one of the best overall values ...& mine have had suspension upgrades to help smooth out the ride. That 11 model had a Sasquatch modded 1000 shock ...Sonic fork springs & Ricor Intiminators which really made a difference...

The Tenere was better
I bought one...a 13 with 1300 miles & lots of farkles. Added a Touratech h/d shock.. rode it for 23K smiles. Sold the 11 Strom.

But I found I couldnt be without a Strom...
So I bought a 2012 650 Strom as an extra bike. Set it up to be as comfy as the Tenere was. Seat..shield..lower footpegs.. Wilbers shock...I jus never rode it as much.

1 year after buying the 13 Ten....a 14 Ten popped up for sale & I bought it. Moved the shock & various farkles from the 13 to it....sold the 13 & proceeded to rack up 44K worth of fun on the 14 Ten.

Then last Fall..anuther 14 Ten found its way into my garage.. I traded the 12 650 Strom & Im enjoyin the blue Ten right now. With the appropriate farkles transferred. 20K miles so far.....

Which brings me to this....

This past Jan I traded the 44K 14 Ten for a 20K 2014 Strom 1000 as a second bike.....lots of farkles & comfy.... Now its hard to decide which bike to ride. Both have very good adjustable suspensions....lots of power & great brakes.

The Tenere is my travellin bike with full luggage...& shaft drive. Nice wind protection.
The Strom is the lighter sporty alternative but can still travel too...just a top case on it though.

Id lean towards the Tenere for 2up riding or long distance travels.

Sent from my LML212VL using Tapatalk
 
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EricV

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Hi,

I am looking for a bike to replace my Vstrom 650, since my back demands a better suspension to isolate all road irregularities from it.
I ride mostly Solo, commuting to work during the week, but also doing long trips with wife and luggage on weekends.
Welcome to the forum. Please take a minute to add your location to your profile. It gives context to your posts and allows others to give you more specific answers.

As a different point of view, have you considered spending some money on suspension for the Vstrom 650? You can spend a lot less on suspension than on a new bike and be worlds better off. Not knowing where you are located, I can't offer any suspension shops that might work with you. But having had custom suspension on both a sport touring bike and the Super Tenere I can tell you that no stock suspension will be as good as custom bits worked up for your needs.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that the longer travel suspension of a bike will equate to a softer or more compliant ride. That's not usually the case. No suspension will isolate all road irregularities from your back. A good set up will go a long way though. I would suggest that the Stock Super Ten may still need re-work to meet your needs. And I've had both the Gen I and II, though not the ES version.
 

Ksm1000

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Welcome to the forum. Please take a minute to add your location to your profile. It gives context to your posts and allows others to give you more specific answers.

As a different point of view, have you considered spending some money on suspension for the Vstrom 650? You can spend a lot less on suspension than on a new bike and be worlds better off. Not knowing where you are located, I can't offer any suspension shops that might work with you. But having had custom suspension on both a sport touring bike and the Super Tenere I can tell you that no stock suspension will be as good as custom bits worked up for your needs.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that the longer travel suspension of a bike will equate to a softer or more compliant ride. That's not usually the case. No suspension will isolate all road irregularities from your back. A good set up will go a long way though. I would suggest that the Stock Super Ten may still need re-work to meet your needs. And I've had both the Gen I and II, though not the ES version.
Some excellent advice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

twinrider

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You really have to keep in mind that the handling characteristics are a night and day difference when it comes to 21"/18" vs 19"/17". On the pavement the AT is going to be twitchy and not as stable as the ST.
Actually a 21" wheel should be more stable. That's why it's used on dirt bikes and most street bikes use a 17" wheel. Most adv bikes aim for a compromise between the two at 19 inches. My F650GS Dakar was very stable. It boils down to weight and frame geometry.
 

Nikolajsen

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Stable, yes..
But harder to get to lean over in corners, that comes quickly one by one.
(of course also if only one corner, but it won't feel as "bad")
 

Cycledude

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Every time I ride over soft Terrain With Tenere I feel like a taller front wheel might handle significantly better.
 

Drif10

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I put 220k on a GSA, then 70k on an AT, now on an S10.

The AT is soft stock. I'm 6'3" and 240, I changed springs front and rear. Mostly solo riding and touring. Two up it was okay, but not something the wife liked much. Had Sargent saddles too. She's tall at 5'9", but slim.

The 2nd gen ES suspension has much more flexibility between loads, depending on the roads, you can change the ride at a button push.

Much more power on the S10. Plus, the tuning has the torque lower, whereas the AT is tuned like a 600cc sport bike: wring it's neck to make it go. Very unlike a twin cylinder motor, I found.

Current AT prices are stupid, they've priced them like a BMW GS. It ain't even close, given the un-honda like quality of materials.

If you've got specific questions about the AT, I'll try to answer them, I messed with mine a lot. I had a DCT, and that part of the bike is brilliant, that I'd recommend to anyone. Easily the best part of the bike. Smooooth....
 

Sierra1

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. . . .The 2nd gen ES suspension has much more flexibility between loads, depending on the roads, you can change the ride at a button push. . . .
Absolutely. Most of the roads I use suck a**. I can't just set & forget. I'm 6' and 300lbs. In my opinion, the bike has plenty of suspension. . . . others here will adamantly disagree. Even two up the bike handles fine. It's my favorite bike ever.
 
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