Super Tenere Under Powered?

[Maverick]

Maverick, there's a lot that went into my impressions. It was a demo ride so I only got to ride the bike for about 20 minutes. The bike was new to me so there was some apprehension about just how hard to press it. I'm a newish rider and so on... The R1200GSA was indeed a quick bike. It got where it needed to go without hesitation but so does the Tenere. In other words, they felt similar enough to me. I never felt a "holy crap this thing's fast" moment like I did on the S1000XR.

As to the S1000XR, I couldn't use it as a touring bike either. I'm 6'3" and it just felt too cramped to stay on it long. If I could raise the seat and lower the pegs like I did with my Vstrom, then maybe. It would also need a larger wind screen too as the one provided offered little protection from the wind blast. All that being said, I'd love to own one as daily commuter and around town bike. It is a total blast to ride!

gregp, I totally agree. I think that the S1000xr would make an awesome around-town bike.

 

[Maverick]

I agree with Shrek however there have been a few things that bugged me personally. First is the bike sounds like a sewing machine when riding which I know many prefer it quiet....

kwatters, I think that "sewing machine" effect might be inherent to two cylinder engines. My V-twin Aprilia Caponord can get like that too especially around idle.

 

[Defekticon]

I agree with Shrek however there have been a few things that bugged me personally. First is the bike sounds like a sewing machine when riding which I know many prefer it quiet. Second was the flat power delivery I felt, which with normal riding was fine, but when you pass a slow vehicle it seemed a bit lethargic.
I think I fixed both this winter with the install of my Arrow headers and two brothers slip on. Nice sound when easy on the throttle and if you grab a handful it cracks. I rode an hour yesterday and 0 - 1xx response is much better.

Skid plates amplify noise to the rider. I've noticed the valve noise without a skid plate, but it has never bothered me.

 

[trainman]

If shaft drive is important the S10 is not quite as underpowered, the opposition is then the LC GS / Crossrunner / Explorer which are only 10 - 15 BHP up, and all of similar weight.

The last of the Aircooled GS models had about the same power, but when I tested the GS and S10 back to back the GS felt quicker despite almost identical performance due to the peakier nature of the power delivery which had a noticeable step at about 4500rpm and it was bit more eager to pull up to the redline.

and I am sure part of that was down to the GS's gearing as much as anything else, from memory its true it was quite perky but at high speeds you certainly knew about it, I am happy to have the 'sewing machine' (never been into loud exhausts - deaf enough already) I think on modern bikes if there's 20 bhp or less between them its as much about gearing, emissions regs interpretation and any switchable mapping as the outright power.

 

[Maverick]

and I am sure part of that was down to the GS's gearing as much as anything else, from memory its true it was quite perky but at high speeds you certainly knew about it, ...

Trainman, having never ridden a GS at high speeds, I don't know what you mean. Was there a noticeable vibration at high speeds?

 

[Rasher]

Dunno about latest WC GS, but the old A/C one I had was a bit more vibey than the S10 at all speeds, but especially up top, holding 100mph on the GS was not pleasant, it was also revving about 500rpm more.

The S10 just sounds like a fast sewing machine at these speeds, but does not really vibe much.

I would expect the WC GS to be a fair bit smoother, but still a boxer so will have an element of "shuffle" about it.

 

[trainman]

Trainman, having never ridden a GS at high speeds, I don't know what you mean. Was there a noticeable vibration at high speeds?

certainly had some vibes, maybe my bike needed a balance tune, I think GS owners like the 'character'
and it certainly seemed to need more rev's for a given speed, maybe the 10 has lulled me into a new sense of serene laid back speed!

 

[Maverick]

...I would expect the WC GS to be a fair bit smoother, but still a boxer so will have an element of "shuffle" about it.

Rasher, This makes sense. Although, I would have thought the vibey-ness (is that a word?) of the GS wouldn't be so prominent until you reached the very top end of the bike's speed. Unless of course, 100mph *is* the top end of the Gs's speed.

 

[Maverick]

certainly had some vibes, maybe my bike needed a balance tune, I think GS owners like the 'character'
and it certainly seemed to need more rev's for a given speed, maybe the 10 has lulled me into a new sense of serene laid back speed!

Trainman, in your experience, do you think that the parallel twin (super tenere) would be more "vibey" than a v-twin (1290 super adventure)?

 

[Big Blu]

Dunno about latest WC GS, but the old A/C one I had was a bit more vibey than the S10 at all speeds, but especially up top, holding 100mph on the GS was not pleasant, it was also revving about 500rpm more.

The S10 just sounds like a fast sewing machine at these speeds, but does not really vibe much.

I would expect the WC GS to be a fair bit smoother, but still a boxer so will have an element of "shuffle" about it.

I don't know anyone that rides holding 100 mph for very long, on a S10, or a GSA, or a Busa, etc.... I can confirm my '15 GSA, with no performance mods, will get there in a hurry, my s10 with a flash and a can...... not so much. Yep, the GSA it will break the ton with ease. Last October I was in west Texas to explore a bit in Big Bend. One evening I happened to notice my GSP had recorded a top speed of 143 mph that day. Hmmm, don't know how that could have happened! ::001::

When BMW introduced the cam head motor in 2010? is was a significant improvement in power and refinement of the prior motor. The latest LC iteration is even more powerful and refined. End the speculation, score a test ride and let us know what you think.

An inmate here did provide a comparison a few months ago, FYI: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=17988.0

Paul

 

[Big Blu]

Trainman, in your experience, do you think that the parallel twin (super tenere) would be more "vibey" than a v-twin (1290 super adventure)?

I have ridden a 1290 Super Duke for about 60 miles, interstates, in town, and back roads. That is one very nice motor wrapped in a brilliant chassis. The motor is in a different league then S10 which is more then a bit agriculture by comparison. If I had faith in the reliability of the KTM products, or had my own pit crew, I'd own one of those "ready to race" products.

Paul

 

[groundhog]

It all comes down to whether a bike gives you what you want. The S10 gives me everything I want. Most on here have had more powerful bikes or better handling bikes, and so on and so on, as I have over the years. But in my opinion the S10 does what it is supposed to do, with no frills and it does it all very well. It eats up the miles, it's comfortable, powerful enough for most riders capabilities, very reliable, and it handles well on the road and within reason off road. All in all it's generally a very underrated bike. For me personally it's the best bike I have ever owned ::008::

 

[ace50]

It all comes down to whether a bike gives you what you want. The S10 gives me everything I want. Most on here have had more powerful bikes or better handling bikes, and so on and so on, as I have over the years. But in my opinion the S10 does what it is supposed to do, with no frills and it does it all very well. It eats up the miles, it's comfortable, powerful enough for most riders capabilities, very reliable, and it handles well on the road and within reason off road. All in all it's generally a very underrated bike. For me personally it's the best bike I have ever owned ::008::

::026:: ::001::

 

[stomp347]

::026:: ::026::

 

[Maverick]

I have ridden a 1290 Super Duke for about 60 miles, interstates, in town, and back roads. That is one very nice motor wrapped in a brilliant chassis. The motor is in a different league then S10 which is more then a bit agriculture by comparison. If I had faith in the reliability of the KTM products, or had my own pit crew, I'd own one of those "ready to race" products.

Paul

Big Blu, sorry for sounding like a bit of newb here, but does KTM have a history of reliability issues with their bikes? After all, it was Charlie Boorman's first choice of bike to take around the world (just kidding!).

 

[Checkswrecks]

Big Blu, sorry for sounding like a bit of newb here, but does KTM have a history of reliability issues with their bikes? After all, it was Charlie Boorman's first choice of bike to take around the world (just kidding!).

KTM has a reputation for not being reliable, but we buy them anyway because they also perform like nothing else. I've had two out of two smaller KTMs seize and yet just bought a 690R.

Just Google the words:
KTM reliablity

 

[Maverick]

KTM has a reputation for not being reliable, but we buy them anyway because they also perform like nothing else. I've had two out of two smaller KTMs seize and yet just bought a 690R.

Just Google the words:
KTM reliablity

Thanks, Checkswrecks. It's these types of golden nuggets of truth that bring me to the forums. However, I find it rather disconcerting that KTM could have reliability issues with a touring bike ( like the 1290 SA) that is supposed to take you to the ends of the earth. Come to think of it, KTM's motto of "Ready to Race" makes no mention of getting you back home *after* the race.

 

[Big Blu]

Big Blu, sorry for sounding like a bit of newb here, but does KTM have a history of reliability issues with their bikes? After all, it was Charlie Boorman's first choice of bike to take around the world (just kidding!).

+1 What Checkswrecks said.
Perhaps the one of the best performing motorcycles as a complete package, motors, chassis, suspensions, ect.. But just like a fine thoroughbred, it's maintenance intensive, has a high cost of ownership, has some quirks, and can let you down in the long run. Kinda sounds like my x-wife. :'(

Paul

 

[VRODE]

Honestly unplug yourself from the internet for just a moment and go and ride one.

The only time the power would come into question when compared to other bikes in its class is a straight line drag race, and top end speed approaching 200km/+

When you are negotiating a step rutted rocky climb in 2nd just above idle and the S10 pulls it self up the hill without breaking a sweat you'd never think to yourself it needs more power, same goes for when you are on a flat gravel road and want to flick the tail out the S10 will break traction super easy.

If all you want to do is slab it at 200km/h+ buy a sports tourer.

This.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Thanks, Checkswrecks. It's these types of golden nuggets of truth that bring me to the forums. However, I find it rather disconcerting that KTM could have reliability issues with a touring bike ( like the 1290 SA) that is supposed to take you to the ends of the earth. Come to think of it, KTM's motto of "Ready to Race" makes no mention of getting you back home *after* the race.

It's taking decades, but KTM is learning to evolve what works, in the way that the Japanese makes long have. It's always the total new redesigned aspects that seem to bite them and to get the performance means reducing the amount of safety margin a design has. The early 950s kicked ass as big dirt bikes but had a real problem with the rear cylinder overheating. The 990 and then 1190 got that sorted but the 1190 had a redesigned airbox which leaked dust into the engine. They got that sorted in the 1290, but I understand from the owner of a KTM dealer that the factory crash bars are so stiff that people are bending frames.