Tell Cycle World what you think of your Tenere

[gunner]

A buddy forwarded this to me today, it was posted on Cycle World's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/cycleworld?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

Cycle World Magazine

Any Yamaha Super Tenere owners out there?

Are you the owner of a Yamaha Super Tenere? If so, we'd like to hear what you think about the bike for possible use in a CW story. Please e-mail your reasonably brief comments to us at hotshots@cycleworld.com, or respond below. Include your name, city and state. Thanks for the help!

Here's an opportunity to let everyone else in on what they are missing!

Steve

 

[coastie]

Yea it's on adv rider also. I wrote a big long post the very first day hit "post" and it just deleted. I never went back, I was so pissed.

Sort of strange that they did not come to this forum looking for info.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[wfopete]

This is going to be too EZ.

How do I dislike the Super Tenere'?

Let me count the ways...

But it still a great commuter bike!

 

[Yamaguy55]

Let's see if they use mine:

"I'm one of the PDP owners (complete with tsunami-induced delay). I haven't been able to ride as much recently for a variety of reasons, but am still very pleased with the bike. Some consider it a dirt bike, I'd be inclined to call it an all road bike, as it excels on very rough roads, is comfortable for any distance, and extremely versatile. If the pavement is rough, it is a better sport bike than most sport bikes. Adding a passenger and/or luggage doesn't change the handling or power delivery much. But I'm sure you already knew that.
Likes: Handling, versatility, comfort, carrying capacity, character. It feels and rides like a gigantic DT1.
Dislikes: Needs more sorted engine power delivery ( a little rough below 4K); the lack of a frame under the engine prevents fitting a proper bash plate; excess weight. I think it could lose 75-100 pounds and be a much better bike.
Would I buy another? Yes.
I'd like Yamaha to keep it in the line, and offer a better accessory range. Serious accessories."

I'd be surprised to see it printed, but you never know.

 

[hANNAbONE]

Yea it's on adv rider also. I wrote a big long post the very first day hit "post" and it just deleted. I never went back, I was so pissed.

Sort of strange that they did not come to this forum looking for info.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

always..ALWAYS...type a long post (*ride tale etc*) on a word doc.

then copy n paste and you won't lose your original posting if it times out.

DAMHIK

 

[Buckeye71]

I’ll put my two cents in, even though this past Tuesday I traded in my Tenere for a different motorcycle.

For the nearly two years that I owned the Tenere it was rock solid reliable, requiring nothing more than gas, oil changes, and tires. It never once broke down or left me stranded anywhere. The motor gets the job done and the brakes were fantastic, as was the traction control. If it were not for some personal issues with the ergonomics and aerodynamics the bike will still be sitting in my garage.

It’s a great bike that I simply could not physically get comfortable on. The bike placed me in what felt like an awkward riding position and the wind buffeting was beating me to death on the highway. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the bike other than it simply did not suit me.

 

[Yamaguy55]

I’ll put my two cents in, even though this past Tuesday I traded in my Tenere for a different motorcycle.

For the nearly two years that I owned the Tenere it was rock solid reliable, requiring nothing more than gas, oil changes, and tires. It never once broke down or left me stranded anywhere. The motor gets the job done and the brakes were fantastic, as was the traction control. If it were not for some personal issues with the ergonomics and aerodynamics the bike will still be sitting in my garage.

It’s a great bike that I simply could not physically get comfortable on. The bike placed me in what felt like an awkward riding position and the wind buffeting was beating me to death on the highway. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the bike other than it simply did not suit me.

What did you end up with?
If it helps, nothing fits me, I just live with it.
Probably the alien DNA....

 

[sail2xxs]

I e-mailed my thoughts in. Of the 8 bikes I've owned, the Tenere is the only one I would replace with another of the same.

The farkle fund (with a lot of help from Jaxon ) experienced some significant depletion early on, but now that the bike is set up just the way I need it, oil changes, tires, and brake pads are about my only expenses outside of fuel. Better yet, I don't have a recurring need to ogle other bikes, unless they are Teneres!! ::26::

Chris

 

[snakebitten]

Sail2xx,

As far as I'm concerned, if I was a reporter/writer for a moto mag and I was looking for a source to talk to about what life is like with a Tenere,........

Well, you would definitely be my guy.

 

[Buckeye71]

What did you end up with?
If it helps, nothing fits me, I just live with it.
Probably the alien DNA....

I picked up a 2013 Street Glide.

 

[wfopete]

Some consider it a dirt bike, I'd be inclined to call it an all road bike, as it excels on very rough roads, is comfortable for any distance, and extremely versatile. If the pavement is rough, it is a better sport bike than most sport bikes. Adding a passenger and/or luggage doesn't change the handling or power delivery much. But I'm sure you already knew that.
Likes: Handling, versatility, comfort, carrying capacity, character. It feels and rides like a gigantic DT1.
Dislikes: Needs more sorted engine power delivery ( a little rough below 4K); the lack of a frame under the engine prevents fitting a proper bash plate; excess weight. I think it could lose 75-100 pounds and be a much better bike.

I'd like Yamaha to keep it in the line, and offer a better accessory range. Serious accessories."

Yamaguy55 Is onto something. The Super Tenere' parallels the original DT1 in many ways. The DT1 was the original Japanese foo-foo bike. In stock form, the DT1 had too much street and not enough dirt to be competitive off road. It (the DT1) was overweight, poorly suspended & underpowered. But it had what the Spanish, English, German and Iron curtain bikes didn't; price, parts & reliability. Savvy riders could minimize most of the DT1’s shortcomings and over a race season the DT1's reliability out lasted many of the more temperamental Euro bikes. The Jones brothers laid the groundwork for the YZ250A by modifying the DT1 but I doubt anyone could perform a similar trick with a Super Tenere’.

Never know though. Stranger things have happened.

 

[snakebitten]

Somehow, buried inside that post, I'm sure I heard feint praise.
Feint, but I'm sure of it.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Any Yamaha Super Tenere owners out there?

Are you the owner of a Yamaha Super Tenere? If so, we'd like to hear what you think about the bike ...

Done.

 

[Yamaguy55]

Wow: I'm becoming a big time guy and being quotable.
Next maybe I can get published.
(Like those big buck studies that consume grants to examine why prisoners wish to escape; proving that drinking milk while eating cookies is yummy.) 8)

 

[markjenn]

Yamaguy55 Is onto something. The Super Tenere' parallels the original DT1 in many ways. The DT1 was the original Japanese foo-foo bike. In stock form, the DT1 had too much street and not enough dirt to be competitive off road. It (the DT1) was overweight, poorly suspended & underpowered. But it had what the Spanish, English, German and Iron curtain bikes didn't; price, parts & reliability. Savvy riders could minimize most of the DT1’s shortcomings and over a race season the DT1's reliability out lasted many of the more temperamental Euro bikes. The Jones brothers laid the groundwork for the YZ250A by modifying the DT1 but I doubt anyone could perform a similar trick with a Super Tenere’.

The DT1 was a revolutionary bike and essentially invented the modern dual-sport trail bike. There was essentially nothing else like it when it appeared. It was wildly popular, and dominated its category for many years.

The S10 is a Japanese interpretation of the BMW GS, a bike that was first seen more than thirty years before the S10 shipped. It's a great bike, but a far cry from being revolutionary. And it certainly is a long, long ways from being dominate in its category.

- Mark

 

[Yamaguy55]

You all do realize that I was referring to riding position and general flavor, right? I don't think our Tenere's are anything other than Yamaha's take on the segment that the GS created and dominated for a very long time. Alone, at that. The DT1 was iconic, but was a simplified and reliable, inexpensive and accessible bike for everyone, not a demanding mistress for the masochistic. It's enduring popularity, and that of the Rds, and XS650, speaks to this ease of ownership.

However, having competed on the old AT/CT/DT Yamahas, while the handling and power seldom approached the likes of CZs, Maicos and such, they didn't break down every heat, either. My buddy's CZ had a rare day when it ran both motos on the same day without major problems. In those days, Pentons and sometimes OSSAs were about the only reliable bikes from Europe. Huskys were good, but we never saw them.

What Yamaha has consistently brought to me is very well sorted, reliable bikes. Perhaps not the best, but I've only had to push once, and that was from water getting into the rear hub of my CT1 and killing the bearings. I can't say that about some of the other brands I've had/been exposed to over the years.

 

[markjenn]

You all do realize that I was referring to riding position and general flavor, right?

I guess not. But then I don't see any parallels between a DT-1 and a S10 in riding position and general flavor either. I thought you were trying to compare them as landmark bikes. Which was probably just my knee-jerk reaction - the DT-1 is just one of those groundbreaking bikes than changed motorcycling - something the S10, good as it is, is definitely not. You're right in that both are reliable motorcycles, but I don't see how you couldn't pick any number of other Yamahas - the FJR for example - as honest, straightfoward, down to earth, dead reliable bikes that may not be as cutting edge as the competition, but do their jobs without muss or fuss.

- Mark

 

[Yamaguy55]

Probably just perspective. I will give Yamaha credit for functional and reliable innovation: they may not have been the first for any of these, but certainly the early adopters of stuff that not only worked but is still used by many. Autolube, Two stroke reed valves (don't star: I know that outboards and chain saws and such used them, but not motorcycles), the first attempt at Liquid cooling a MX bike on the 70/80s 125s, mono shocks, counterbalances (the ill fated TX/XS750), EXUP and two stroke power valves, and boost bottles. That's just a quick list.

I don't see the FjR as anything other than an update on the FJ/XJ/XS series. All of them were as tough as nails as well, but not icons. Maybe the old FJ1200 in its day, but not the rest.

I guess the link to the DT1 is family resemblance, not ground breaking innovation.

 

[Ticeman2]

The last ground breaking bike Yamaha produced was the GTS1000. It was marketed incorrectly and targeted the wrong segment. Which made it a sales flop. It was a great bike too. I put a lot of miles on one in a very short period of time. It was fun to ride and sensitive to change. I wish I still had it around.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I agree Yamaha did not invent the big bore, true dirt capable Adventure bike market. But it was ground breaking to riders like me that consider reliability their #1 top priority. I always admired the offerings from BMW (except for those cylinder heads just waiting to get hit), but never would have bought one because I do not buy bikes with know reliability issues. I've owned more Yamahas than any other brand, and they have never let me down. When Yamaha said they were doing the PDP I put my money down in the first two weeks.

No, they did not invent the market, but they did make it a market in which I could play.