So, help me justify the price of a Super Ten

[SuperTenSteve]

My best pal recently bought a new FZ9 for about $7k. I have been shopping for and talking up a Super Ten. He asked me the price and I said about $13,600 before Tax and License. His response was, how is the Super Ten worth twice as much as my FZ9. So, I says, well,
it has shaft drive,
traction control,
multiple fuel mapping,
cruze control,
electronic adjustable suspension
heated grips (ES) model
spoked wheels
What else can I say?

 

[klunsford]

1200 cc's compared to 900, a built proof tried and true drive train, lot's of years of successful use both on and off road. The FJ09 is just to small for me since I am a little taller than average. I feel like a monkey riding a football when I road either the FJ or FZ.

 

[dcstrom]

Your pal is talking about the FZ-09 correct? The two bikes are too different to compare - mid-size naked sport bike vs 1200cc adventure bike. So it's not a question of cost/value, but a question of what you want to do with it. Once you answer that question the choice is easy.

A tougher comparison might be between the Super Tenere and the FJ-09. There's some overlap in useage - both make nice sport-tourers, both can do light off-road (but Super Tenere will do it better). If you decide you're choosing between those two, the price differential is less, $10,490 for the FJ-09 (though not sure what discounts are available).

THEN you can say, the extra is for shaft drive, more comfort (especially if you're a big guy), better off road, better fuel economy (I think), etc etc. You should find that the Tenere stacks up quite well. On the other hand if you want a sportier ride, the FJ may be a better bet.

http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2015-yamaha-fj-09-first-ride

 

[snakebitten]

How can the Super Tenere be worth 3 or 4 times the price of a nicely farkled, low mileage KLR?
Or how can it be worth 30 $500.00 Maytag Washing machines?

In other words, you can play that game in an endless circle and completely miss the real equation.

For me, the Super Tenere is worth MSRP. It brings me THAT much joy and pleasure. Actually, much more!
I love getting old. I see things from a completely different point of view.
What something is "worth", is measured by a much different scale. Much less an economic equation, if you will.

As much as my Super Tenere is "worth", I'd give it up in a heartbeat to get to see my grandson win the game ball at little league.
Make sense?

Whatever bike you get, go perch it on top of some mountain and watch the sun go down (or up)
What's THAT worth?

Good luck.

 

[Lutsie]

When my cbr got ran over I could have gone out and gotten another one for 5 grand. But instead I payed 14 grand for a tenere....worth every penny. I in no way regret my decision and would have happily payed msrp.
dcstorm is right you are taking apples and oranges. A dedicated sporty naked compared to the best all arounder made.

 

[dcstrom]

Oh yeah I get now that your friend was asking how is it that it COSTS double, when it's the same basic components - engine, wheels, brakes, electrics... not that he was asking you why you would choose one or the other. Basically the S10 as a few components that are more costly - shaft drive, swing arm, ABS - but mostly it's down to volume. Yamaha sell a lot more FZ-09 than they do Super Tenere, so unit price comes down. So does their margin, probably. Just economics...

 

[longride]

If I have to help you justify it, you shouldn't buy it. Nobody would be able to talk me into, or out of, any motorcycle I am going to purchase. Any 'justification' is worthless.

 

[SuperTenSteve]

Oh yeah I get now that your friend was asking how is it that it COSTS double, when it's the same basic components - engine, wheels, brakes, electrics... not that he was asking you why you would choose one or the other

what he said

 

[Goldwing]

Hydraulic clutch, bigger engine, ABS, adjustable seat, adjustable windshield...........

 

[stomp347]

Take a nice long ride with your friend.....say 300-400 miles in a day. When you get to your destination, ask him if he's ready to head back and it he would like to trade bikes. He will jump all over it.

 

[mrpete64]

the first time you take a nice long trip you will be glad you purchased a Tenere. the electronic suspension..cruise...heated grips..shaft drive is worth every penny. I have had many bikes...lots of bmws...my 2014es is wonderful. I rode it to Colorado last summer to my 50th high schoo reunion...and then back to upstate NY via my favorite ride...The Blue Ridge Parkway. It was smooth on the interstates...and great on the curves. Very stable in the wind..and the brakes work very well!!
I, personally, think that if you plan on doing any long rides there is NO comparison between these bikes. the other bike is very good but NOT in the same class.

You will love the shaft drive.

Mr. Pete
Aging Hippie

 

[barkingllizard]

SuperTenSteve: So, help me justify the price of a Super Ten.

Me: No.....

 

[Vanderwho]

Show me another highly-reliable, shaft-driven, cruise control-equipped alternative to a GS.

::017::

Go ahead. I'll wait.

::022::

 

[shrekonwheels]

A bike is worth whatever you are willing to pay for it regardless of brand or size. You are paying for ride ability to your style as well as certain features. In this case a bike designed for DP vs street, wind/weather protection vs none, and what I was looking for a touring bike that my wife would be comfy on.
It seems you have been on here for a bit looking for a bargain bike, then use your most expensive latest version compared to a cheaper bike to talk yourself into saving money.
The FZ is a beautiful bike that may take you to where you want to go, you should ride both and make your own decision.
You should buy what you want though, as a good friend says "I just tell my hubby to buy what he wants the first time, otherwise he just spends time thinking about what he really wants and sooner or later he gets it anyhow costing us more money"

You need to just get a pull the trigger, you already missed out on e best prices for the year, You will not see those prices again until fall. How much longer do you want to ride your keyeboard?

 

[greg the pole]

The FZ9 is built to a price point.
Cheap parts being:
-Suspension. After spending $1300 on a rear shock, and sorting the front end, I was happy
-Zero electronic aids
-Naked bike
-Paint on wheels that's put on with a blue sharpie (I didn't think it would last long, but it's still holding up ok)

With the FZ9 yamaha planned ahead, and shared a lot of parts with other bikes. The wheels are shared with the 9, FJ9, and FZ7.
The rest of the bike is shared with the FJ9 minus the headlight, instruments and rear tail section. Economy of scale.

To each his own. The tenere is 2 bikes in one for many folks.. it's like having a FZ9 stuck in B mode ::015:: ::015:: yet be able to ride 1000km days, and go on gravel.
perfect

 

[Tyke]

Show me another highly-reliable, shaft-driven, cruise control-equipped alternative to a GS.

::017::

Go ahead. I'll wait.

::022::

Good point well made...I've just read reports on the new KTM Adventure as well as the new Ducati Multistrada S ~ both of which are, lamentably, chain driven ::007::

 

[dougdapirate]

Let's see...the S10 should be able to stop for gas once for his two fill ups and the biggest difference, wait...you can ride an IB 1000 while he has his left hand on his thigh because he has been leaned forward all day that is hurts! ::002::

 

[triman11427]

I'm lucky enough to own both a FZ09 and a S10 and I've had to invest in each one to make it right for me. I do that with any bike I own so thats just part of the ownership expense for me. The FZ engine is an incredible triple. Its more fun than you can imagine and in the FZ brings a different riding experience than the S10. I have a 2012 S10 that I can see being in my stable for the far off future. The FZ, not as much. My go-to bike is the S10. It does 98% of everything I want to do on a bike. The only issue is of course it's weight. There are times I just don't want to have to contend with 600lbs for a short ride or a day trip with a lot of stops and uneven parking surfaces. The FJ09 would be a nice alternative to the ST but its not as capable off road and I don't care for the styling. For the price it's really hard to not see an extraordinary value in each of these bikes compared to the competition. I would have loved to see Yamaha put a 1000 triple into Super Tenere. That would be awesome. For those of you who have not ridden a triple, you wouldn't understand. For those who have, you know what I mean. Just my 2 cents.

 

[big dave]

The day you have to justify the bike you want/buy is the day you should hang up your helmet. I am more and more of the opinion that the selection on your bike should be an emotional choice. If it makes you smile and want to ride it you've made the right decision. Save logic for your car.

 

[Vanderwho]

The day you have to justify the bike you want/buy is the day you should hang up your helmet. I am more and more of the opinion that the selection on your bike should be an emotional choice. If it makes you smile and want to ride it you've made the right decision. Save logic for your car.

Emotion drove me to the FJR, which I owned for five months before trading it on my S-10 -- which I find more and more satisfying, the more I ride it. It makes me smile -- inside. Personally, I think it's a combination of things; my bike has to satisfy both my head and my heart. If I'd chosen my bikes based strictly on emotion, I'd probably have bought and sold several bikes (cough) Guzzis (/cough) that I'd have found impossible to live with. Perhaps most importantly, a bike has to fit the kind(s) of riding that I really do. Yeah, I still have a thing for inline fours, but until someone stuffs one into a shaft-driven bike with cruise control, long-travel suspension and the S-10's ergos... I'm on the right bike for me. YMMV.