time to go from a '12 to a '15/'16?

[triman11427]

I have a Blue '12 with 18,750 miles that is done up to the gills and I'm wondering if I'll gain anything aside from cruise control by changing to the newer bikes. Aside from making my bike off road ready (Altrider skid plate, crash bars, pivot pegz and more), I upgraded to the 2014 clutch basket and had done the gen2 flash. Heated grips,Givi windscreen and many other farkles to customize the bike have been done. The suspension is a 8983 double click Penske shock and front cartridges were done by Stoltec. Its my understanding the ES has 84 different potential settings which is very nice and the engine has been updated and tuned a bit differently. I suppose my question is whether my custom suspension is as good as the ES and whether the Gen2 flash is comparable to the changes made at the factory. Is the financial hit worth the upgrade?

 

[greg the pole]

this is my opinion, and mine only.

I too have an early delivery 2011 done up to the hilt (ecu, full exh. system, clutch, full susp (see below)) with 70km on it (errrrmmm...46k miles? ::015: and I'm on the fence.

I have a Yacugar fully adj. rear shock c/w hyd. preload, and penske front valves, and linear springs. The ES is electronic suspension with OEM gubbins. It's adjustable, but that's it.
A quality aftermarket suspension cannot be beat. The bike handles, accelerates, and stops as it should, and the finite adjustment is endless. Besides, once you find the right setting, do you change it, just because you hit gravel? Maybe. The ultimate bike would be fully adjustable quality valving, with active suspension. that would be the cats ass.

You will not be able to fine tune the ES, to the level of suspension you currently have. The only thing you will have is on the fly adjustment (except preload) and still the same OEM valving that the ST comes with (read: shitty, plus shitty progressive springs)

Power wise I can't comment vs the 2014 and up. But a 2011-2013 tenere with good flash, clutch basket, and a full arrow system will keep up, or pull away from a 2014 Stocker. I have $20 on that if I'm wrong.

I'm sure that the cruise is nice, but to me, it wouldn't make sense. The bike flat out works, and has lots of life left in it.
If you have the cash go for it. I would, but then I would need cash

 

[patrickg450]

buy a cruise control for a grand, yep that is expensive. but not as expensive as a new bike

 

[fredz43]

this is my opinion, and mine only.

You will not be able to fine tune the ES, to the level of suspension you currently have. The only thing you will have is on the fly adjustment (except preload) and still the same OEM valving that the ST comes with (read: shitty, plus shitty progressive springs)

Just for clarification, the 14 and 15 standards have the same shitty valving and springs as the gen 1 models. The ES has completely different valving and springs. In addition, the adjustment of the forks are setup like the Ohlins conversions in that the left fork controls the compression damping and the right one controls the rebound damping. I have posted charts on this site several times with the differences in specs from the standard (all models) and the ES. Some may still think the ES suspension is shitty (I don't), but it certainly is not the same. I had a wonderful well farkled 12 and loved it, but my 14 ES is better in every way. The 14 and 15 standards are better in every way than Gen 1 models except for the suspension. There are many more changes than cruise control. It cost me $4,000 to upgrade and I would do it again in a minute.

Just as greg says, this is my opinion and mine only, but a search of this forum will show many owners that have gone from the gen 1 to gen 2 and I don't know if it is 100%, but the overwhelming majority are happy they did.

 

[Brick]

::026:: Fred I am happy that I went from a 2012 to a 2014ES!

Just for clarification, the 14 and 15 standards have the same shitty valving and springs as the gen 1 models. The ES has completely different valving and springs. In addition, the adjustment of the forks are setup like the Ohlins conversions in that the left fork controls the compression damping and the right one controls the rebound damping. I have posted charts on this site several times with the differences in specs from the standard (all models) and the ES. Some may still think the ES suspension is shitty (I don't), but it certainly is not the same. I had a wonderful well farkled 12 and loved it, but my 14 ES is better in every way. The 14 and 15 standards are better in every way than Gen 1 models except for the suspension. There are many more changes than cruise control. It cost me $4,000 to upgrade and I would do it again in a minute.

Just as greg says, this is my opinion and mine only, but a search of this forum will show many owners that have gone from the gen 1 to gen 2 and I don't know if it is 100%, but the overwhelming majority are happy they did.

 

[Dogdaze]

If you get a good deal do it! I would, but the cost to change figure of $7500 for my 3 year old with 16.5k miles is just too much of a stretch, for that $7500 I can get a decent second bike, heck, I can get a nearly new MT-09 (FJ-09) for that.

 

[greg the pole]

If you get a good deal do it! I would, but the cost to change figure of $7500 for my 3 year old with 16.5k miles is just too much of a stretch, for that $7500 I can get a decent second bike, heck, I can get a nearly new MT-09 (FJ-09) for that.

lol..that's what I did for about $10 cdn.
My maths came to $8000 difference on a base 2014 and up, (if I traded my ST at the stealers) as I could transfer over all my suspension components, exhaust etc.
I may still do it next year, or not if the k's creep closer to 100km.

 

[Koinz]

i thought about and the only thing I don't have is cruise. It would be nice, but not a necessity.
Didn't do as many miles this year due to other priorities, so to move up to a newer bike doesn't make sense right now. I'm only at 36K miles and lots of life still left in it.
I have done all the mods that 2012 can have, so it runs just as well as a newer bike minus the cruise of course. YMMV.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Both are great bikes. The '14/15 is better. Still have both models. Even with my wife being a bit envious over the extra goodies on my '15, she still really likes her '12 and isn't pushing me to get her a new one just yet.

With the warranty expiring next August I suspect we'll make the switch at some point next year. Although she doesn't like either of the '16 colors and I'm expecting we'll be looking for a blue '14 or a red '15. Color is very important to her.

 

[barkingllizard]

I have a Blue '12 with 18,750 miles that is done up to the gills [snip]
Is the financial hit worth the upgrade?

If money is no object, do that which will put a smile on your face, but really your blue 12 isn't even broken in yet...
just my opinion...

for me, going from the 12 to the 15 still makes me smile.....

 

[tomatocity]

Same as Fredz43, Brick, and Dirt Dad... plus.
...I have had my '15 ES since late May and I am looking at 15,000 miles for the first year and don't feel like I am riding it enough. Currently 7,585 miles and just replaced the tires.
...The seating position is a bit more comfortable but still needs fix.
...I like the new aluminum handle bars better than the Gen1 metal bars.
...The heated grips have three settings and can be adjusted (0-100%) for each setting.
...The mirrors are much better and I had no complaints about the Gen1 mirrors.Has an easily adjustable windshield.
...I just changed to the OEM Tall windshield ($100-$125) and like it a lot.
...As Fred said the forks are totally different... better different.
...The new gauges are smarter than I am and yes you will get used to the digital tach... whether you like it or not.
...A right side infill panel is not needed since there is ES stuff there.
...Haven't heard much about spokes loosening on the Gen2 Tenere.
...Power seems to be smoother but I don't know why.
...Doesn't seem to have the stalling issue as the Gen1.
...Don't know why but the headlights seem brighter and don't bounce like the '12 does.
...Has a highway speed whistle that is a simple fix. After my recent trip with too much freeway I am ready to do that fix.
...Might have less ground clearance but I am not much for Big Offroad stuff. I took it on my favorite rough road and did not have clearance issues.
...I was not unhappy with the original side stand and big foot.
...Exhaust pipes are not linked (can't remember the correct term).
...Catalytic converter is larger. Larger good.
...OEM luggage and mounts are the same.
...The ES has less storage room under the seat.
...Gas mileage is better.
...The 2015 metalic Red & Black consistently gets Ooo's and Aww's but...
...One change I would like to have is the 2016 Anniversary Yamaha Yellow and Film Stripes.

Now about your 2012 all dressed up... sounds like a great Tenere. When do you think you will get the most money when you sell it? Now or in six months or twelve months or? If you get a great deal on a '14 or '15 and sell your very sellable well upgraded '12... how good a of a deal would that be?

Just my thoughts.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

...Doesn't seem to have the stalling issue as the Gen1.

I haven't talked about it too much, but I've had a few more stalling episodes with the '15 than I had with either of the '12s. Minor annoyance I assume will go away as the miles build.

 

[Tyke]

Having read about stalling issues I was wondering what all the talk was about ....until.......the other day when the bike stalled for no apparent reason right in the middle of some busy traffic

The bike is a 2014 ES /ZE model with 8500 miles

 

[Ramseybella]

This one is up to you..
2012 and if you bought it new and dolled it up with only 18.5k, you are not putting very many miles on it just to lose money.
In the end you have your 15 or 16 all ends well then you start dolling that bike up.
If you have money like that than it's in your ball park to do what you want as it sounds like you sealed your decision yourself. ::008::

Now if your looking for a 15 ES and don't mind taking a small trip this may be your bike, another owner with mad money with an itch for Yellow.>>

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=17709.0 ::024::

 

[Texasten]

Factory cruise control alone is enuf to tilt my admiration toward the 2014 and up.
I will never buy another bike without cruise.
It is especially helpful to those of us who have carpel tunnel syndrome. Just a few moments of shaking it off stops the numb hands thing.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Now that I've gone from a 12 to a non-ES 14, I'd say that if you can find a very low mileage good deal like I did, it makes sense. If you are looking at a big financial difference and don't need the cruise then keep the 12.


I do have different feelings than some others on a few things, so building on Tomato's list:


Seating needed fixing on both bikes. The 12 I flattened and the 14 I used a Seat Concepts recover. Seat Concepts is better.
The height and pull back of the 12 handlebar was much better for standing on the pegs. The 14 bar seems better for pavement.
The 12 mirrors were bigger so better for a commuter.
The OEM tall windshield and deflectors make the cockpit air MUCH smoother.
The non-ES forks are about the same. Still quite good after you set the sag and then soften preload a quarter turn.
I much preferred the look of the old gages, but do like the info on the new cluster. The range read-out is a joke. The speedo is accurate within 1-2 mph.
I've been plinking the spokes and found a few needing tightening.
Power is definitely smoother and there is a bigger OEM difference between T and S.
Side stand is better.

 

[triman11427]

This one is up to you..
2012 and if you bought it new and dolled it up with only 18.5k, you are not putting very many miles on it just to lose money.
In the end you have your 15 or 16 all ends well then you start dolling that bike up.
If you have money like that than it's in your ball park to do what you want as it sounds like you sealed your decision yourself. ::008::

Now if your looking for a 15 ES and don't mind taking a small trip this may be your bike, another owner with mad money with an itch for Yellow.>>

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=17709.0 ::024::

I have a couple of bikes so my mileage is spread between them. If I had big money I'd probably be looking at other bikes as well. I'm actually trying to be fiscally responsible and not racing to scratch a new itch. Just wondering if it's a night and day difference from a bike which is really dialed in to a newer model with upgraded stuff.

 

[Ramseybella]

I have a couple of bikes so my mileage is spread between them. If I had big money I'd probably be looking at other bikes as well. I'm actually trying to be fiscally responsible and not racing to scratch a new itch. Just wondering if it's a night and day difference from a bike which is really dialed in to a newer model with upgraded stuff.

I don't know I haven't rode the new version I have as you a 2012 and had most of these mods done including a Manual CCT.
The stall, dead idle or high idle issue appears to be plaguing the new tens as well I am guessing not many but it is a concern as I had it happen a couple times recently 38k on my bike.
Me personally would like to take a new model out for a spin but I am happy with my 12 besides I can't do anything right now but find a job after lade off.
My Tenere is the last thing that will go as the resale value on higher mileage Japanese bikes suck.