This anyone here?????

[howier]

I lifted this from Kriega facebook page. Anyone know who this is and if there are more pics of this. Would love to hear the whole story.

 

[GrahamD]

Prelude to a story on HFL (Hell for leather magazine).

To cut a long story short the story starts off with....

I hated the SuperTen when I first rode it. There, I said it. Coming off the essentially perfect V-Strom 650 about a month ago, I was underwhelmed by the Yamaha’s weight, gawky looks, limited comfort, compromised handling and rough engine.

Has a bit in the middle which is about when the shot was taken...

Two days on fire roads up by Lake Hughes, with the video crew requesting pass after pass after pass after pass through what I’d dubbed “the scary water crossing” were spent with wide eyes and my stomach in my throat. But, by the end of them, I was nearing something approaching confidence in the bike off-road. At least enough confidence to decide that a solo trip down a sketchy-ass dirt road in the most isolated wilderness in California was a good idea.

Which to me is the definition of Adventure. Pushing your personal boundaries, overcoming your inner demons to open up new horizons etc etc.

Anyway he does Death Valley on his own down some gnarly tracks, stays overnight and the story ends with...

Now, having taken the big Yamaha way beyond my own limits, if nowhere near its own, I understand it a lot better as a motorcycle. It’s not some shiny exercise in ridiculousness, masquerading as a dirt bike to make touring riders feel better about themselves, it’s an honest-to-god dirt bike that can tour and commute and do all that stuff too. It overcomes its weight with clever design — the engine in the right place, weight distribution and swingarm — then boosts that fundamental capability with technology tailored for the dirt.

Writing this now, sitting in a fashionable cafe in Hollywood, there’s nothing to tell any of the pretty girls or girlie dudes sitting around me that I’m any different. Except the huge tank parked outside, wearing knobbies and covered head-to-toe in Death Valley’s dust. Knowing it’s out there, just waiting for adventure, is a special feeling. Any motorcycle that can evoke that feeling just by its mere presence, even out of site, is pretty special. [F---K] yeah, Yamaha Super Tenere.

Which really means that many road riders are shit scared of off road style Super Tanks until they get used to it, which also means that they probably don't get the compromises, which probably explains why all the good initial reviews came from Dirt riders not Road riders.

But I respect the fact thet the guy was upfront about it and pushed himself to get a really great shot. And it is a great shot!

 

[GrahamD]

Just a test....

smurf shit bugger

Very clever Mr Site Admin.

You know what I'm talking about. ;D

 

[snakebitten]

Great Post Graham.

Especially your explanation of why the bike is misunderstood. Which, is understandable, if you are correct.

If I had to pinpoint a moment when the Beast sealed its stature for me, it would be a ride that started as an innocent looking end to pavement on a nice mountain pass. It was well maintained dirt and I had no evidence that I would be challenged. But the road not only became less maintained, it went on for hours. As I never crossed paths with another human, I also got a strong sense of just how remote I was.

It became more challenging and a bit intimidating the later it got in the day.

That was a 13 hour adventure ride. I won't ever forget it. I can recall the sites, sounds, and smells like it was yesterday.

It's not the only bike capable of making that trip. But I don't believe there is another that is more capable of the combination of road conditions and shear number of miles I travelled that day. Maybe only a riding minority are even attracted to what some of us use this bike for. If so, we really should be grateful to Yamaha for taking the chance they did. Surely they knew few would appreciate it.

 

[Rexford]

I will never be able to use this bike for its intended purpose, and will never be able to use this bike to its potential. After 3 back surgeries and countless doctors telling me that I will have to give up riding, I tried the Tenere due to the info on this forum about the comfort level, handling and the low CG. Will I ever take the bike on knarly stuff...no I won't. God forbid I do go down, it could be my last time out period... but I do enjoy the comfort and confidence that this bike inspires on the road. But with that said, I love this bike and love being able to ride (at least for a while longer). I do like hearing what this bike can do and I can be happy living vicariously through all of your exploits... so keep this info coming!
I am one of those folks that will never use this bike as a dirt bike..only a street bike (with good reasons).

Have a grand day gents,

Rexford

 

[howier]

Thanks, Ill have to find the whole article. I agree its a great shot. I dought I would ever get my Tenere nearly bars deep in water like that.

Howie

 

[cesarb]

I lifted this from Kriega facebook page. Anyone know who this is and if there are more pics of this. Would love to hear the whole story.

Here is the link. http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2012/11/touratech-reviews-the-yamaha-super-tenere/

 

[Don in Lodi]

Thanks, Ill have to find the whole article. I agree its a great shot. I dought I would ever get my Tenere nearly bars deep in water like that.

Howie

LOL, the water isn't bar deep, that's splash of a high speed pass through inches of water.

 

[3putt]

I hate water crossing, just tiptoe or carry enough momentum to get me through, but offroad is a nice diversion from miles of highway. I will have a hard time getting rid of this bike for sure even tho I miss the HP of the Multi12 sometimes.

I felt pretty dumb the first time I took it offroad, more so knowing I had been offered a dr350 for a loaner. Pretty stupid to go offroad in Co. on roads I had never been on before with such a new heavy bike. I did end up breaking my front fender when the fender extenda caught on top of the bashplate. But after 9 hours, I was feeling it! Pretty scary what you end up attempting offroad with this heavy pig, thing is, so far it has pulled it off! Thanks Yamaha, for the ride.

 

[Nimbus]

That's a cool article. I found myself in a bit over my head last weekend in the sand but made it out fine. Funny thing is that I want to go back and see what I missed when I turned back! I've been telling my wife about what I've been doing with the bike (nothing crazy, but definitely out of my usual comfort zone). I half expected her to be cautious and disappointed that I was going to hurt the bike, but she simply smiled and said genuinely that she was glad that I was using it and not afraid of getting it dirty.

 

[Brntrt]

I've always likened riding the Tenere offroad to riding a rhinoceros. The first couple of rides scare the crap out of ya. But once you learn to relax, just hold on and let the beast plow through the ruff stuff. I love this thing offroad! ::018::