AlsoRan
Member
Excellent write up about the 2014 Super Tenere in this weeks Cycle News...
http://cyclenews.uberflip.com/i/295587
http://cyclenews.uberflip.com/i/295587
Super Tenere in Cycle News
- Thread starter AlsoRan
- Start date
RED CAT
New Member
Must be a Euro Magazine stating an S10 costs more than a GS. Come on now! A GS is $10,000. more here in Canukstan.
The BMW is cheaper in the UK, but only a very pared down base model, by the time they go out the door kitted up the BMW's are pricier - but not by a huge amount.
This is more down to Yamaha's UK pricing policy which is crazy, they seem to expect people to part with about 10% - 15% more for the Yamaha badge than a Honda, Kawasaki or Suzuki one, now I would argue their bikes are well made, but the other big Jap manufacturers are also doing a pretty good job IMO.
This is more down to Yamaha's UK pricing policy which is crazy, they seem to expect people to part with about 10% - 15% more for the Yamaha badge than a Honda, Kawasaki or Suzuki one, now I would argue their bikes are well made, but the other big Jap manufacturers are also doing a pretty good job IMO.
Nice write up.
Slowly but surely it seems the press is beginning to understand that when they quit obsessing over the weight in the brochure and actually get out and try the bike, it's damn good for its intended mission. I just got back from a nice off-road/on road trip and it just reminded me what a great bike this is. From 1st gear off-road trails to hammering the asphalt curves to the highway at 80+mph, it just does it all really well. And it doesn't break (so far). ::008::
Slowly but surely it seems the press is beginning to understand that when they quit obsessing over the weight in the brochure and actually get out and try the bike, it's damn good for its intended mission. I just got back from a nice off-road/on road trip and it just reminded me what a great bike this is. From 1st gear off-road trails to hammering the asphalt curves to the highway at 80+mph, it just does it all really well. And it doesn't break (so far). ::008::
Unfortunately in the US, Yamaha's previous ~$3500 pricing advantage over the R1200GS of a couple years ago has eroded as BMW has held the line on prices while Yamaha's have increased. Apples to apples, a $16,190 S10-ES is most directly comparable to a $16,100 R1200GS with the $1495 ZPS (ESA, heated grips, cruise control, hand guards, and pannier mounts) package and the $500 spoked wheel option. If you include BMW's $495 destination charge (and assume your Yamaha dealer doesn't knick you for F&S), it works out to $18,590 list which is $2,400 more.
- Mark
- Mark
frez
New Member
I wouldn't have another BMW at any price.
Nearly Normal
New Member
I enjoyed the write up...I'm about to be in the market, and have to admit struggling some as I look to part with my Concours 1400 and replace it with the ST. I've looked recently at a Tiger, both the 800 XC and the Explorer. I'm sure the ST is a better off-road option than the Explorer which is important to me, but if one believes the press it's so 'ho-humm' that it's just a bigger version of a KLR....UGH. :-[ I can't tell You how much I don't want that! I loved the triples on my test rides, on-road...the 800 XC was nice, and while I'm assuming that it's relatively 'dirt-friendly', the chain drive is a deal breaker for me. The Explorer was a hoot, but I doubt that it has enough off-road ability, versatility...or dependability. I keep coming back to the Super Tenere...and am just hoping if I buy one, I'm not too bored, and regretting it. The article was one of the more optimistic write-ups I've seen...Now to get that Concours sold...
Yea, it's just a big ole boring KLR.
I still can't figure out why we are having so much fun on them.
I still can't figure out why we are having so much fun on them.
At least a few of us on here used to have an 800XC, myself included. You'll just have to take our word that the Super Tenere is everything that the 800 XC is and more. I can honestly tell you, I miss nothing about the Triumph, even though I enjoyed it greatly. The Yamaha is just a better bike all around. And I do believe, everything that the Triumph can do, the Yamaha can too.Nearly Normal said:
You definitely need to ride the S10. It's not a KLR, but it has some KLR'ish attributes that either can put you off or are endearing, depending on your POV.Nearly Normal said:
- Mark
Well in that case an MT/FZ-09 based "Adventure Styled" bike makes more sense than an MT/FZ-07 based real Adventure bike I would say.
Makes me think that Honda with the soft roader 700X and 500x are on the money.
Gotta be more than 12%.
I wake up everyday to find I'm more a minority than I was the day before.
I AM a dinosaur. My kids have me pegged.
I wake up everyday to find I'm more a minority than I was the day before.
I AM a dinosaur. My kids have me pegged.
Hey, it's good to be a 12%er, Cooler than a Harley rider these dayssnakebitten said:
Best thing abot it being able to go for a nice ride down a gravel road and not have idiots buzzing around all the time. ::024::
Nearly Normal
New Member
Thanks Mark...You're exactly right. I wasn't trying to offend the KLR nation out there, and certainly recognize it's value and popularity. Nor was I trying to hijack this thread...I just read the Cycle News article and thought it was upbeat and in fact DID make me want to go find one to ride again before I make a decision of what to buy. I'm a fan of the brand, and believe the ST has received an unfair smearing in the press at times. I joined this forum to learn more about the bike, and hopefully help me find one as the opportunity allows.markjenn said:
As to my opinion regarding KLR's...here's an example. On a recent dual-sport ride in Arizona with some buddies, a friend and I swapped mounts for a bit...he took my XR650R, and I jumped on his KLR. His bike was loaded with pannards and included a big bore kit. Until I adjusted, I was taken by it's weight and lack of power...the noise with 'no go' and how low it was to the ground. I kept thinking, "This think feels like a small Road King..." By the time we swapped back, I was enjoying his bike, but was ready to get back on the XRR. I agree that the KLR is a very capable 'do it all' mount (Like the Tenere?..) but to me, it was pure boredom. The joy really is in the journey, not just the bike under you...but it's much sweeter when that bike puts a big smile on your face...just my .02 cents.
When I said the S10 had some KLR'ish attributes, I was mainly referring to the engine which is a bit of a tractor and down on peak power compared to most of the competition. It's a very tractable powerplant with a broad powerband that is always useful, especially at low speeds in the dirt, but it has very little zing to it - it has a heavy crankshaft and its not especially enjoyable to rev. And the weight, like the KLR, is definitely always there - some magazines have likened the feel of the S10 to a powerful bike that is always carrying a lightweight passenger. But unlike the KLR, the chassis is very buttoned down and the bike, ridden within its modest cornering clearance limits, is a very good handler. It also feels very solid and "of one piece" unlike the KLR which always seemed to me to have a very budget-bike, flexy-flyer feel, especially the noodly front end and cheap suspension. You never get the feel the S10 is a budget bike - it is well put together, nicely finished, and has very high quality components.Nearly Normal said:
My guess is that you'll be a bit disappointed in the engine, but like the rest of the bike. In any event, you definitely need a substantial test ride.
- Mark
You need to ride mine. Fly to Hobby airport. (Houston)
Take it for a day. Go explore. If you don't come back with a "I get it now. It's an F150 Raptor. Nice truck on and off road. Not a Land Rover on road and not a Jeep off. But very capable and comfortable at both."
Then you'll never be happy with it. You're GS desires won't be squelched.
Take it for a day. Go explore. If you don't come back with a "I get it now. It's an F150 Raptor. Nice truck on and off road. Not a Land Rover on road and not a Jeep off. But very capable and comfortable at both."
Then you'll never be happy with it. You're GS desires won't be squelched.
Nearly Normal
New Member
Thanks SPX...and Mark...and Snake. I know I probably sound like a ST/KLR hater and that not the case. My time on a ST consisted of a 10 minute, 5 mile street ride on a new bike from my local dealer, and the bike seemed great. I kept thinking..."This thing feels like a very big dirt bike." To me, that's a good thing. I just wish I could spend more time with one before I spend my money.SPX said:
SPX, I missed Your post earlier and it's very helpful...while enjoyable, the 800XC certainly has some limitations, and if the ST is close in off-road worthiness, then it's the way I want to go.
Mark - I'm not so sure that I'd regret picking up an ST...I just want to be sure. I'm one of those guys who's traditionally taken one bike and 'wore it out', but my last two bikes (on road) have been short term, as I've had to confess that they're not really what I'd want. (My wife wants me to get one, and be 'done'.) I live in an area that has miles and miles of unimproved roads...and while the Concours is an awesome bike, it's limited in that fundamental and important way (road only). Futher complicating my decision is the fact that I keep missing the 'sweet' ST deals...in fact, it's hard to find one to even test ride. I've found a couple of good buys on the Triumphs close by that make me do a 'double take'. Everything considered, I just have been 'scratching my head' wondering which way to go. The Cycle News article was a help to me, but real world imput from owners like you guys is much better...thanks again.
Nearly Normal
New Member
Woah!...Snake, if You're talking to me, that's a really tempting offer...too bad we're so far apart. I follow what You're gettin' and am looking for something like that...a bike that can rack up the miles on road (it's miles and miles to anything here!), and a bike that's competent to take on unimproved roads...perhaps the rougher jeep trails (even an occasional single track???). Again, I appreciate the input...thanks Snake!...snakebitten said:
Southwest Airlines is cheap!
And although if you ride mine, you might have to go a ways to get to the "good stuff" off-road, you'll be doing it on knobbies. It's all she wears.
And although if you ride mine, you might have to go a ways to get to the "good stuff" off-road, you'll be doing it on knobbies. It's all she wears.
