I've been having a hard time trying o figure out what bike I want to buy. I test rode the BMW RT and GSA. Also rode the Victory Cross Country. Really liked the BMW's but having a hard time getting past the price and I'm worried about reliability. The Victory was very nice but I've never been into the cruiser style. Have two friends who just bought Victory's so I had to try one. I've been interested in the Tenere for awhile now. Problem is I can't get a test ride. I have found a new 2012 marked down to $12,800 with the Yamaha panniers and skid plate. Seems like a great deal so I'm tempted to jump on it. I am 6' 6" tall so I'm concerned I won be able to get enough wind/weather protection even with all the accessories available. I realize this is a ST forum so I'm expecting glowing reports. What I need are opinions from those who have come from a cruiser or BMW to the ST. Or if you are tall and riding a ST I would like to hear your impressions as well. Thanks in advance for all replies.
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A large number of the owners here baled from the Beemer GS and the ergonomics are very similar.
I'm sure the taller guys will chime in shortly, but plan on a taller windshield and/or Madstad bracket. Just like you would for the GS.
You being in Tucson might see if somebody would be willing to swap rides with you, assuming you already have something they would be interested in riding.
I'm sure the taller guys will chime in shortly, but plan on a taller windshield and/or Madstad bracket. Just like you would for the GS.
You being in Tucson might see if somebody would be willing to swap rides with you, assuming you already have something they would be interested in riding.
John D
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Thats quite a variety of bikes you included. I think you need to take a step back and honestly decide what kind of riding your really going to be doing, and go from there. Theres nothing worse than riding a bike one way, when it designed for a totally different thing. Like buying a crotch rocket to tour the country. Sure you could do it, but there are much better choices to be made. As far as BMW goes, my concern with them was the lack of dealers. If you broke down you could be over 100 miles from a dealer. Not a good thing. . . Lastly Im not sure where your located at, but there are dealers giving test rides test ride before buying. I did. Good Luck
Well, I come from a GS and an RT. This bike sits somewhere between the GS and the GSA for weight and fuel capacity, and about the same as the GS for weather protection. Probably less than the GSA due it's massive fuel tank. Performance seems about the same as the GS. Not on paper, but seat of pants. So far, this bike does everything as well as my GS did. Overall, I'd say the Tenere is a great bike, a little cheaper, and I'm not worried about my final drive, fuel pump controller, or fuel strip going out again. If something does break, I don't think it will be as pricey as BMW to have fixed. Also, this bike is appears to be easy for the DIY type to take care of preventative maintenance. I've not done it myself yet , but plan to. That being said, preventative maintenance on the BMW is probably easier.
The only recurring problem I really see with these bikes, but have not experienced myself is the hard starting issue after the bikes sits for some time.
As to Victory. I hear good things about those too. But definitely apples to oranges when looking at the Tenere or BMW's. Good luck in your search.
The only recurring problem I really see with these bikes, but have not experienced myself is the hard starting issue after the bikes sits for some time.
As to Victory. I hear good things about those too. But definitely apples to oranges when looking at the Tenere or BMW's. Good luck in your search.
Post on ADV as well that you are looking for a test ride. I was lucky to find a contact from the dealer of an early purchase. I contacted the owner and asked if I could buy him breakfast and talk about the bike and sit on it. (The dealer didn't have one to sit on) He met me for breakfast and we had a great conversation. Retired State Trooper, avid rider... After breakfast he offered to switch bikes and we rode for an hour. Great chance to ride the Super Ten and realize it was just what I was looking for.
If I were closer I would return the favor...what I would give to be in AZ right now!
Rob
If I were closer I would return the favor...what I would give to be in AZ right now!
Rob
Your overall height really does not matter. What does matter is your inseam subtracted from your total height.
So you may not have a problem at all. I'm 5'11 and my inseam is 30", so I could be longer in the torso and have more wind problems than a rider that is 6' with an inseam of 36".
I came from a Wing that had a bunch of protection. The way my bike is setup, it is almost as good, but not totally. lol
With the correct shield, hand guards, and winglets, the protection is pretty good. Really..
So you may not have a problem at all. I'm 5'11 and my inseam is 30", so I could be longer in the torso and have more wind problems than a rider that is 6' with an inseam of 36".
I came from a Wing that had a bunch of protection. The way my bike is setup, it is almost as good, but not totally. lol
With the correct shield, hand guards, and winglets, the protection is pretty good. Really..
I came to the ST from a Vic Hammer and I'm 6'3"
I knew I was getting into a completely different style of bike obviously, and was most concerned with torque and throttle response.....coming from a 1634ci motor in the Hammer to the ST's 1200ci, my worry was gone on my test ride when I pulled the front tire off the ground going into 2nd gear
I test rode the BMW GSA as well and was sold on it, i even had one picked out and was ready to pull the trigger until I test rode the Tenere....
My Hammer didn't have any wind protection, and I loved it
The stock windshield on the ST isn't going to be tall enough for you, as it wasn't for me, so I got the tallest windshield I could find (Madstad) and I now ride in a nice bubble.....you are going to need risers as well, and I had a pretty major issue with the stock seat giving me sleepypeepee so I bought a Corbin
Outside of that everything else has been terrific about the bike so far, I am a daily commuter about an hour each way 5 days a week.
Bottom line coming from the Hammer is I lost a little itty bit of torque, and got a much more well rounded all-around commuter and dirtbike in one. I could ride 10-12 hours on the Hammer no problem, and on the Tenere I have done 15hrs in a day no sweat. By day 2 or 3 on the hammer I was downing ibuprofen like candy, ad on the ST I'm feeling no pain whatsoever
Didn't go with the BMW based solely on initial cost and maintenance, and I couldn't see paying that much more for a name brand as opposed to features or reliability
I knew I was getting into a completely different style of bike obviously, and was most concerned with torque and throttle response.....coming from a 1634ci motor in the Hammer to the ST's 1200ci, my worry was gone on my test ride when I pulled the front tire off the ground going into 2nd gear
I test rode the BMW GSA as well and was sold on it, i even had one picked out and was ready to pull the trigger until I test rode the Tenere....
My Hammer didn't have any wind protection, and I loved it
The stock windshield on the ST isn't going to be tall enough for you, as it wasn't for me, so I got the tallest windshield I could find (Madstad) and I now ride in a nice bubble.....you are going to need risers as well, and I had a pretty major issue with the stock seat giving me sleepypeepee so I bought a Corbin
Outside of that everything else has been terrific about the bike so far, I am a daily commuter about an hour each way 5 days a week.
Bottom line coming from the Hammer is I lost a little itty bit of torque, and got a much more well rounded all-around commuter and dirtbike in one. I could ride 10-12 hours on the Hammer no problem, and on the Tenere I have done 15hrs in a day no sweat. By day 2 or 3 on the hammer I was downing ibuprofen like candy, ad on the ST I'm feeling no pain whatsoever
Didn't go with the BMW based solely on initial cost and maintenance, and I couldn't see paying that much more for a name brand as opposed to features or reliability
I've logged a bunch of miles on cruisers, the Honda ST1300, and the Wee-Strom. I'm only 6'4" with a 34" inseam. Cruisers bend my back such that all my weight seems to ride on my tailbone. Not only that, but cruisers drag hard parts way too early in corners.
The ST1300 was great for 77k miles, but didn't like off pavement very much.
The Wee was lots of fun around home, but then I rode it from California to Colorado. At one point in Utah I was riding uphill and against the wind wide open at 65mph. No reserve power just doesn't cut it with me.
I bought the ST for the same reasons many of the others on this list did. It fits, it tours, and it goes off pavement without complaint.
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The ST1300 was great for 77k miles, but didn't like off pavement very much.
The Wee was lots of fun around home, but then I rode it from California to Colorado. At one point in Utah I was riding uphill and against the wind wide open at 65mph. No reserve power just doesn't cut it with me.
I bought the ST for the same reasons many of the others on this list did. It fits, it tours, and it goes off pavement without complaint.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2
I'm 6'6", 37" inseam, with the tall parabellum screen, Yamaha side air deflectors the wind protection is great. I also had a Goldwing and while it had more wind protection the buffeting was actually worse on the Wing. Very happy with Tenere. Tall screen, bar risers and side wind deflectors, other than that all stock up top.
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I traded a 2010 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 for my Tenere. The Voyager certainly provided more wind protection, but I have found great results with the Parabellum tall windscreen and yamaha winglets. Give me a nice buffet free ride and quieter too. I also added 1" up and 1" back Rox Riser, and the Seat Concepts seat mod. Im 6'1", 32 " inseam and I love my Tenere. Gave up some creature comforts from the Voyager such as stereo system and cruise control, but the versatility of the Tenere more than makes up for that. I can stay in the saddle of the Tenere much longer than i could on the Voyager. The Tenere can go places the Voyager can only dream of. Like someone else said, you need to decide what kind of riding you want to do and decide from there. There are great after market upgrades for any bike out there that tailor them to your specific needs. Ive never owned a bike that I didnt alter in some way to make it fit me better. The Tenere has been a great choice for me.
Steve
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Steve
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Thanks to all for the great responses. They really help. I am retired and my hope is to ride around this great country a bit. It appears the ST will work fine and with the cost savings over the price of a BMW I will have some coin left for necessary mods.
hANNAbONE
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...was a Beemer guy for over 12 years.
I could not get over the hurdle and that small voice telling me everytime I'd throw my leg over that German iron "...is this the day that I break down..."
I wanted consistency on the miles I ride...usually racking up 1000's on a 6-9 day outing.
I was done thinking like that when I got my Supa10.
I feel I could ride it anywhere at any time.
That confidence is worth the price of admission to me.
(*let alone, that same price is 1000's less than the breakdown-beemer*)
My $.02
Gas/oil/tires...ride/ride/ride...you choose what you'd like - I personally haven't looked back and couldn't be happier
I could not get over the hurdle and that small voice telling me everytime I'd throw my leg over that German iron "...is this the day that I break down..."
I wanted consistency on the miles I ride...usually racking up 1000's on a 6-9 day outing.
I was done thinking like that when I got my Supa10.
I feel I could ride it anywhere at any time.
That confidence is worth the price of admission to me.
(*let alone, that same price is 1000's less than the breakdown-beemer*)
My $.02
Gas/oil/tires...ride/ride/ride...you choose what you'd like - I personally haven't looked back and couldn't be happier
Danno,
I am 6' 6" with a 36" inseam.
I had a 2007 GSA for a year and a half. Put 6K miles on it, but it was in the shop with a host of issues for several months during that time. Never trusted it enough to do more than a couple hundred miles from home.
I then got a 2009 Wee Strom, rode the heck out of it, but I really missed the power and size of the GSA. It was a little cramped, and a bit underpowered, but very reliable.
I purchased my Tenere last April and I've put custom built corbin seat on it, yamaha "wind defletors" and a tall National Cycle Vstream wind screen. This is the best motorcycle I've ever ridden. Comfortable, powerful, I do my own maintenance and it's reliable. Fluids and tires.
My prior riding life was spent on Honda Valkyries and a V65 magna. Once I moved to an "adventure touring" bike with the cornering clearance, extra room and upright seating position I was sold. I'll never go back to cruisers. It doesn't hurt that you can run up a gravel road without hesitation either.
I am 6' 6" with a 36" inseam.
I had a 2007 GSA for a year and a half. Put 6K miles on it, but it was in the shop with a host of issues for several months during that time. Never trusted it enough to do more than a couple hundred miles from home.
I then got a 2009 Wee Strom, rode the heck out of it, but I really missed the power and size of the GSA. It was a little cramped, and a bit underpowered, but very reliable.
I purchased my Tenere last April and I've put custom built corbin seat on it, yamaha "wind defletors" and a tall National Cycle Vstream wind screen. This is the best motorcycle I've ever ridden. Comfortable, powerful, I do my own maintenance and it's reliable. Fluids and tires.
My prior riding life was spent on Honda Valkyries and a V65 magna. Once I moved to an "adventure touring" bike with the cornering clearance, extra room and upright seating position I was sold. I'll never go back to cruisers. It doesn't hurt that you can run up a gravel road without hesitation either.
Danno,
You've already received some very good feedback, and of course, this Forum is biased to the S10. Just as I've become biased to the S10 myself! ;D
The price you are looking at, for a new S10 with the panniers and skid plate is very respectable.
I wish you the best in making your decision.
You've already received some very good feedback, and of course, this Forum is biased to the S10. Just as I've become biased to the S10 myself! ;D
The price you are looking at, for a new S10 with the panniers and skid plate is very respectable.
I wish you the best in making your decision.
justbob
"crashin' sucks"
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I have ridden over 500,000 motorcycle miles on many different motorcyles, mostly japanese but there was also a Aprilia, Harley, BMW and a Victory.
I had my BMW R1200RT for 4 years and 80,000 miles, it spent more time in the shop for repairs (30 days total) not routine maintenance , than all the others combined and has been the only motorcycle to leave me stranded on the side of the road twice. No brand bashing just facts.
As others have said, figure out what kind of riding you plan on doing, although a lot of riding styles are as much a state of mind as style of motorcycle, except its hard to do much off road on a street bike other than a dual sport.
I currently have a Tenere and a Victory Cross Country Tour, they are both great motorcycles. My wife wont ride on the Tenere but she loves the Victory.
I had my BMW R1200RT for 4 years and 80,000 miles, it spent more time in the shop for repairs (30 days total) not routine maintenance , than all the others combined and has been the only motorcycle to leave me stranded on the side of the road twice. No brand bashing just facts.
As others have said, figure out what kind of riding you plan on doing, although a lot of riding styles are as much a state of mind as style of motorcycle, except its hard to do much off road on a street bike other than a dual sport.
I currently have a Tenere and a Victory Cross Country Tour, they are both great motorcycles. My wife wont ride on the Tenere but she loves the Victory.
Bob it seems you have the best of both worlds.
Again thanks to all for the great responses. I offered my local dealer $13,250 OTD and they turned me down. I know that was a low ball offer but I had to try. The bike has sat on their floor for over 4 months now. They said the price out the door was $3,000 over the sale price. That means after TTL they are adding over $1,500 in additional fees. They are out of their freaking minds. I've purchased 3 motorcycles and an ATV from this same dealer and didn't have to put up with shit like this. Too bad. They lost a sale and a customer.
Again thanks to all for the great responses. I offered my local dealer $13,250 OTD and they turned me down. I know that was a low ball offer but I had to try. The bike has sat on their floor for over 4 months now. They said the price out the door was $3,000 over the sale price. That means after TTL they are adding over $1,500 in additional fees. They are out of their freaking minds. I've purchased 3 motorcycles and an ATV from this same dealer and didn't have to put up with shit like this. Too bad. They lost a sale and a customer.
Danno,Danno said:
I think your price of $13250 OTD is a little low honestly. The bags should easily add $900. So if you are to get the bike for $12500-$12800, then add the bag price of $900 that would be $13400-$13700, then add the tax you pay in your area. Also, the bikes just after the PPD program increased in cost as well as MSRP. At $900 for the bags, that is also off of MSRP a few hundred dollars.
Now, is the dealer is adding $1000 for the sake of it like set up and freight, then this is where he can go stick it or something.
Jeff
There aren't many great deals from dealers for this bike, I noticed. Must be selling well! Best of luck in your search for this great bike.
sail2xxs
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Danno, if you are willing to travel, you could almost certainly find a bike closer to what you are looking to pay. I'd start off with the cold chilly places first. 
I've had good luck with this approach with past bike purchases.
Happy hunting and travels!
Chris
I've had good luck with this approach with past bike purchases. Happy hunting and travels!
Chris