I get where you’re coming from Longdog, the F900XR is looking good, might go test ride one as well.
I’ve had my Super Tenere for 4 years now and done around 31k miles on it, including eight trips of over 2.5k miles, including one over 5k miles and two over 3k miles, all without issue. However, despite being reliable, handling well, stopping well (once the brake pads were upgraded), carrying me and my bags easily and being fairly frugal along the way, it was and remains a bike that I never really thought greatly of. I don’t think it’s a bad bike in any way, except perhaps it’s weight when paddling it about, it’s just not one that’s ever really excited me, albeit it has done all that I’ve asked from it.
I too have had the new bike itch for a while, and the S1000XR was at the top of the list. My mate has one and I rode it briefly last year and thought it was great, powerful, light, great handling and stopping, it got me thinking. Roll forward a year and I’ve just got back from a France trip, with a mate on an XR, where we swapped bikes for a full couple of hours, on different types of roads. Great great bike, but really not for me. Just felt too frantic, too busy, always on the edge of wanting to go, like it needed another gear or two, not the loping, lazy, progressive power that I’ve become used to on the Super Tenere and my previous Caponord 1000. I didn’t notice any vibration issues, but it’s just not for me, but great bike nonetheless.
Another mate has a 1290 Super Adventure, this is currently where my head is.......I need to ride one of these. But, just not convinced with the reliability.
Another bike that I cant seem to move past is the Tiger 1050 Sport, 25hp more than the Super Tenere and 30 kilos less. My mate (XR man) had one an earlier version for 10 years, without any issues whatsoever, a very capable and underrated bike.
Then, back to the F900XR.........
Let us know how you get on.