I buy the odd "Adventure Bike Rider" magazine in digital version for my smart phone. It is a UK-based publication for those unfamiliar. Some entertaining articles.
Just downloaded the May June issue. Attached some screenshots so apologize for the fuzziness.
There is a review of the 2014 ST (not attached); a look at Teneres down through the years; a comparison of the 2014 with the "old" ST; a reader survey on which adventure bike that they would buy; and then ABR's choice for their "Which one would you have".
For the readers, the percentages were: KTM - 32%; Beemer - 27%; Super Tenere - 23%; V-Strom - 5%; Triumph TE - 6%; Multistrada - 1%; Honda Crosstourer - 1%; Aprilla - 1%.
Not a bad endorsement of our ST.
Now, the magazine went on after the survey to pick their "one" - and it was the Tenere over all the others with probably the best description that they "get it" that I have ever read in a review about the bike. For those who might have trouble reading the photos:
"Which leaves us with the Tenere, a bike that was lukewarm in the first few hours of the press launch in Italy. It was all just a little bland and uninspiring. It didn't do anything particular well and was just another bike you get on and off. Forgettable even. But spending time with it in the UK, and also on the off-road school, really brought out its depth of ability. It is a very solid, dependable bike, that you would never question its ability to do what you asked it to do. With that soft, low suspension it's also a very accessible bike. You don't get tired in traffic, and that engine is one that isn't endlessly encouraging you to rev the nuts off it. The bike instead encourages you to reduce the pace somewhat, take in the scenery, and in the corners it's light, nimble and non-threatening. There is no sense of excess weight. That only comes off in of-road conditions where it isn't as competent as a stock GS, but with the right tyres, and the right patience, it will get you through the worst of it. The new technology also adds a new level of depth, but if there's one thing that sets the Yamaha apart from the rest would be its simple sense of integrity, almost reminiscent of those old trail bikes from the eighties, still going strong, that were on display at the Ace. You can imagine this new Tenere still going strong in thirty years time, and for that reason, and for many others, we award it best new adventure bike of 2014
I think I might subscribe to ABR. Great article (maybe I don't buy the dirt assessment, because I have ridden both the GS and ST off dirt and the ST is far better), but haven't seen anyone nail down so well why I bought it (and I learned to ride on a DT-1!
Just downloaded the May June issue. Attached some screenshots so apologize for the fuzziness.
There is a review of the 2014 ST (not attached); a look at Teneres down through the years; a comparison of the 2014 with the "old" ST; a reader survey on which adventure bike that they would buy; and then ABR's choice for their "Which one would you have".
For the readers, the percentages were: KTM - 32%; Beemer - 27%; Super Tenere - 23%; V-Strom - 5%; Triumph TE - 6%; Multistrada - 1%; Honda Crosstourer - 1%; Aprilla - 1%.
Not a bad endorsement of our ST.
Now, the magazine went on after the survey to pick their "one" - and it was the Tenere over all the others with probably the best description that they "get it" that I have ever read in a review about the bike. For those who might have trouble reading the photos:
"Which leaves us with the Tenere, a bike that was lukewarm in the first few hours of the press launch in Italy. It was all just a little bland and uninspiring. It didn't do anything particular well and was just another bike you get on and off. Forgettable even. But spending time with it in the UK, and also on the off-road school, really brought out its depth of ability. It is a very solid, dependable bike, that you would never question its ability to do what you asked it to do. With that soft, low suspension it's also a very accessible bike. You don't get tired in traffic, and that engine is one that isn't endlessly encouraging you to rev the nuts off it. The bike instead encourages you to reduce the pace somewhat, take in the scenery, and in the corners it's light, nimble and non-threatening. There is no sense of excess weight. That only comes off in of-road conditions where it isn't as competent as a stock GS, but with the right tyres, and the right patience, it will get you through the worst of it. The new technology also adds a new level of depth, but if there's one thing that sets the Yamaha apart from the rest would be its simple sense of integrity, almost reminiscent of those old trail bikes from the eighties, still going strong, that were on display at the Ace. You can imagine this new Tenere still going strong in thirty years time, and for that reason, and for many others, we award it best new adventure bike of 2014
I think I might subscribe to ABR. Great article (maybe I don't buy the dirt assessment, because I have ridden both the GS and ST off dirt and the ST is far better), but haven't seen anyone nail down so well why I bought it (and I learned to ride on a DT-1!
