What comes after the Super Tenere?

[RCinNC]

When my Super Tenere crossed over the 100,000 mile threshold this past summer, I started to more seriously contemplate what to replace it with.

I’m not a bike slut; I tend to keep bikes for a long time, and focus my attention on the ins and outs of that particular bike. That has its advantages, but the collateral effect is that I don’t have a wide range of experience with other bikes, and tend not to keep up with what’s going on in the motorcycle world overall. I’ve owned my S10 for a decade, and lots of things have changed since I bought mine in August 2014.

Historically I do a lot of two up loaded touring, so reliability is really important; having a breakdown on a trip due to a bike that has “character” is a major downer. I also still enjoy riding on dirt and gravel roads, so the bike has to be able to perform reasonably in that environment. I do a lot of my own maintenance and repairs, so ease of maintenance is important.

I’m looking for some real experienced-based opinions on what type of bike might be a replacement for the Super Tenere, if I decided to go a different route than a new (or new-ish) S10. Reading self-serving reviews from motorcycle journalists isn’t truly informative, so I’m looking for opinions from guys who’ve had experience with both the Super Tenere and another similar type bike, and how they felt about the other bike in comparison to the S10.

Many thanks.

 

[Jlq1969]

Maybe you will have to open a vote... put your options, and let the users vote (depending on your options)….

 

[RCinNC]

Thanks, Jlq, but I think I'm more interested in the specifics of why someone made a choice of another bike, and if it lived up to their expectations compared to the Super Tenere, rather than just a straight vote. Even if a majority of guys voted that they bought an R1250GS, it's just a statistic unless they can say why they bought it, and whether it was ultimately a goods or bad choice for them.

 

[Cycledude]

If I buy a different adventure bike it will be smaller-lighter-not as tall as the Super Tenere. Highly doubt I will buy anything that doesn’t come from the factory equipped with cruise control.

 

[MileageMonster]

Another Super Tenere. Or nothing at all. Rode many many bikes since my 18th year (now 62 yo)
And Nothing, from the first to the before-last (ST1300 Pan European) can compete with this Beast…

 

[Sierra1]

I think it's going to come down to wants & needs being met. Over the years we want/need different things in life. Motorcycles aren't any different. I would think that if the Tenere is meeting your need/wants, why switch? Is it fast enough, reliable enough, comfortable enough, etc? Are you going to do more highway, more back roads, of even more off road? Long distance, or shorter trips? Camping? Motel? And so on. If nothing is changing, why should the bike? If it is, what bike checks the boxes for the future? As you know, what Tom likes/needs may not be the same as Dick and Harry.

I'm not a purist by any stretch, but I expect my motorcycle it to vibrate, I expect wind noise, and I know it'll cold in the winter, hot in the summer . . . . it's a motorcycle. And my list of boxes they have to check is pretty small; easy to ride, fast enough, and don't break.

There's also the possibility that with so many members getting new bikes, the "new bike bug" may have already bit ya'. Good luck with the search. Or the keeping of what you have.

 

[Mad_Matt]

It may not be the most popular choice on the forum, but a used BMW 1250 GS/A would be my top choice. Prices on 1250's are dropping crazy fast with the 1300 release, and a used 1250 should have all of the warranty "issues" sorted.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . a used 1250 should have all of the warranty "issues" sorted.

Only the "one time" issues. Granted, the one I rode was the 1150, but we fixed the warranty issues. And then fixed 'em again, but after the warranty expired. And then fixed them again. Don't get me wrong, for the first 20-25K miles? Greatest bike ever. Lived up to the "German Engineering" propaganda. And then . . . . little by little, it turned into a Yugo.

 

[Silver Badger]

If I buy a different adventure bike it will be smaller-lighter-not as tall as the Super Tenere. Highly doubt I will buy anything that doesn’t come from the factory equipped with cruise control.

I gotta sneaky suspicion, mine only, that the Vstrom 800 RE/Touring is gonna have cruise control in the next couple years.

 

[cyclemike4]

When my Super Tenere crossed over the 100,000 mile threshold this past summer, I started to more seriously contemplate what to replace it with.

I’m not a bike slut; I tend to keep bikes for a long time, and focus my attention on the ins and outs of that particular bike. That has its advantages, but the collateral effect is that I don’t have a wide range of experience with other bikes, and tend not to keep up with what’s going on in the motorcycle world overall. I’ve owned my S10 for a decade, and lots of things have changed since I bought mine in August 2014.

Historically I do a lot of two up loaded touring, so reliability is really important; having a breakdown on a trip due to a bike that has “character” is a major downer. I also still enjoy riding on dirt and gravel roads, so the bike has to be able to perform reasonably in that environment. I do a lot of my own maintenance and repairs, so ease of maintenance is important.

I’m looking for some real experienced-based opinions on what type of bike might be a replacement for the Super Tenere, if I decided to go a different route than a new (or new-ish) S10. Reading self-serving reviews from motorcycle journalists isn’t truly informative, so I’m looking for opinions from guys who’ve had experience with both the Super Tenere and another similar type bike, and how they felt about the other bike in comparison to the S10.

Many thanks.

I am right there with you. I will ride my super t till i cant get parts for it. It fits my needs almost perfectly. The trouble is nothing on the new bike market is really what i would need or want. I am a firm believer in less tech is better. If my new bike needs software updates every few months i dont want it.

 

[Donk]

It may not be the most popular choice on the forum, but a used BMW 1250 GS/A would be my top choice. Prices on 1250's are dropping crazy fast with the 1300 release, and a used 1250 should have all of the warranty "issues" sorted.

Why? And if you don't mind me asking how many miles have you put on one that you are confident in it? Just asking because my BMW experience was both painful and expensive, and the bike never was properly sorted. People swear by them so they can't be all bad or all be bad however you choose to say it. I just think as a motorcycle it is the polar opposite of the S10. ymmv

 

[Highwayman]

I want to love the Pan Am and get one now most of the bugs are worked out.... BUT honestly the chain drive keeps me away.

I've rented the GS's on tours and they were nice but just not what I would own...

I still have alot of life left in my S10 and hopefully long enough for the next gen. BUT if I had a garage fire and all the bikes burned down, I'd be buying another S10 the first day I had the insurance check in my hand. Its just been that good of a bike at doing everything I need from it.

 

[Mad_Matt]

Why? And if you don't mind me asking how many miles have you put on one that you are confident in it? Just asking because my BMW experience was both painful and expensive, and the bike never was properly sorted. People swear by them so they can't be all bad or all be bad however you choose to say it. I just think as a motorcycle it is the polar opposite of the S10. ymmv

I've only owned one GS, a 2013 which was the first year of the water head. I bought it used with 52k miles, put 14k hard miles on it over a year and a half, then sold it. I used it for the AZBDR, UTBDR, and sections of the COBDR and dropped it 100's of times. It was flawless and only required basic maintenance. The dude I sold it to immediately took it to AK and back, and then I saw the next owner did the same. Last I heard, it had over 80k miles on it and was still going strong. Maybe I got really lucky, IDK, but I have a lot of friends with 2013 and newer GS/A's, and they have all had similar experiences.

 

[pvwheeler]

I loved my 08 1200 GS as well, tried to buy it back but no luck. Kind of on the hunt for another, but prices are crazy high. The waterboxers are close to the same price so may take the plunge on one of those, unless my S10 doesnt sell. no big deal if it doesnt, I've just never loved it like most other bikes I have owned.

 

[magic]

I bought a new 2023 R1250GSA just about a year ago and with the early riding season I am about to hit 20,000 miles without any issues. The bike has been great, no issues at all. I still have my 2013 S10, haven't decided what to do with it, sell, trade or just keep it. I bought my S10 new in 2015 and only have 25,000 miles on it. I never really connected with the S10, it would have been a much better bike with a ECU flash and a better suspension. RCinNC: Here's something to consider, if you buy another S10, all your accessories will fit your new S10. Something I took into consideration before I bought the GSA. I went with the GSA simply because I always wanted another one. I had a 1988 GS1000

 

[magic]

oops, posted before I was finished. Anyhow I had a 1988 GS1000 many moons ago. The GSA is really an amazing bike, it does everything well. The only add ons I have made are handlebar risers and a taller windshield. Expensive to buy and maintain, but I consider it worth it.

 

[OldRider]

This will probably be my next stop, but not yet.

2024 Honda Transalp First Ride

We ride Honda’s all-new Transalp on the Pennsylvania Wilds BDR-X Route.

www.cycleworld.com

 

[Donk]

One friends '13 GS was a problem child for the 5 years he owned it. Finally the stator died at 40,000 miles and he traded it. For another BMW but the 850 which has been great.
Another friends '10 or '11 GS has been bullet proof. Third friends '18 was in and out of the shop until he traded it on a '21 and that one's been fine. Seem sort of hit and miss to me.It's the bike I want to like but can't stay warmed up to.

 

[Sierra1]

Even I don't think that every Beemer is bad. But it's not like they'll let you keep bringing one back until you find a good one. Here's a couple of lists. The top one is the one that's been floating around since '15. The bottom one is from May '23.

Motorcycle Reliability by Brand (Consumer Reports, 2015)
Brand	Predicted Failure Rate by 4th Year
Can-Am	42%
BMW	40%
Ducati	33%
Triumph	29%
Harley-Davidson	26%
Victory	17%
Kawasaki	15%
Honda	12%
Suzuki	12%
Yamaha	11%

---------------------------------------------Reliability rating--------------Likely to buy again (%)----------------Average lasting mileage for touring bikes--------------------------------

Number	Brand	Reliability Rating	Likely to Buy Again (%)	Average Lasting Mileage (for Touring Motorcycles)
1	Honda	9.2	87.1	100,000+ miles
2	Yamaha	9.0	84.9	80,000+ miles
3	Kawasaki	8.8	82.4	80,000+ miles
4	Suzuki	8.7	81.3	90,000+ miles
5	BMW	8.5	77.2	120,000+ miles
6	Harley-Davidson	8.2	74.9	80,000+ miles
7	Triumph	8.0	72.1	90,000+ miles
8	KTM	7.8	68.7	50,000+ miles
9	Ducati	7.5	65.2	70,000+ miles
10	Indian	7.2	61.9	100,000+ miles

 

[Superraid]

This will probably be my next stop, but not yet.

2024 Honda Transalp First Ride

We ride Honda’s all-new Transalp on the Pennsylvania Wilds BDR-X Route.

www.cycleworld.com

View attachment 110705

Agree on this being a contender but only when looking for smaller and lighter, saw one of these at the UK bike show at the end of last year and booked a test ride, way better that the last transalp all day comfy but reckon it would feel like you was labouring the bike if doing more than 400mile days, only big turnoff for me was no cruise and chain drive, again though it did turn my head.