What Type Of Riding We Do On Our Super Tenere's

  • Thread starter ballisticexchris
  • Start date

What are we using the Super Tenere for?


  • Total voters
    96
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
I did a search and found nothing. So I figured I would start this poll and see what we actually use the Super Tenere for. I have a really heavy off road background. My purpose of this bike has changed almost 180 degrees since owning it. The handful of experiences I had taking this beast on roads and trails made for dirt bikes was not fun for me. I have "aged out" of trying to make an almost 700lb bike into a dirt bike.

I have a few riding buddies in my dual sport club (with GS 1200's, and Super Tenere's) around my age that have wisely advised me that these bikes are not made for hard core riding. I found out that just simple tip overs are expensive. Sadly, I have to agree. When I got red bar pro level desert racers telling me what this bike is made for I listen.

I am willing to bet that there are only a very small handful of riders that take these beasts on anything more than a mellow to somewhat rough dirt road. I know for sure that in the right hands this bike can go into some pretty gnarly terrain. When I see threads on the forum of guys wanting to disconnect the ABS, it tells me right there it's more than where I want to take this bike.
 

bimota

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2017
Messages
6,522
Location
bridgend, Wales, UK
i know a few tenere owners in the wales area of the uk, and the ones a talk to regular like me only do road riding, like when i had 2 gsa's they were bought as they ere more comfortable to ride than tourers i find my tenere even better than my pan european st1300

rob
 

jeckyll

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 11, 2016
Messages
651
Location
Lotusland
Couple of thoughts:

First, I think everyone will have a different estimation of what those types of terrain in the poll options actually means.

Second, for me it depends on 'when' and what else I have available. I expect that for many people it's the same. If it's not the only bike they own, then the circumstances are simply different vs. someone who has one bike. If you have one bike, that's what you ride.

Finally, one size doesn't fit all. Just like 'experienced' depends on who you're standing next to, what people do will very much depend on their skill level, background etc. To me, the bike is last in that, i.e. what my experience is drives more of my behaviour than the bike. And often not quite in the same way that you'd think.

Short example of that final point: I used to do a lot of 'spirited' road riding on sportbikes. One of the local racers was with us one day and was way at the back. He thought a lot of the folks were nuts. But it came down to the fact that due to his experiences, he was uncomfortable without large run-off areas, and couldn't find the balance or flow on the road, so he stayed at the back and rode slower than most in the group (and he's way faster than me on a track, but not in those circumstances).

I ride what I ride, so that I'm in my comfort zone and can react to the unexpected. That is the same on as off road. :)
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
Couple of thoughts:

First, I think everyone will have a different estimation of what those types of terrain in the poll options actually means.
I don't agree. I think I am very clear in what types of terrain we are talking about. There are 6 different levels I came up with. From paved being the easiest to the last choice being the hardest of hard core.
 

Old Scratch

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2020
Messages
92
Location
Northeast Alabama
I was jazzed up about off-road when I first bought the bike. It did well on the Talladega 600-1. I even rode it on a motorcross track. No scrubs or nac nacs! But It can handle the track at a slower pace I believe it is a better commuting and touring bike. I rode a DRZ650 recently and that is a much better bike to take to the woods.
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
I was jazzed up about off-road when I first bought the bike. It did well on the Talladega 600-1. I even rode it on a motorcross track. No scrubs or nac nacs! But It can handle the track at a slower pace I believe it is a better commuting and touring bike. I rode a DRZ650 recently and that is a much better bike to take to the woods.
I'm in the same boat as you. I have the ability to navigate some really harsh terrain on this bike. Then I ask myself why? It's just not fun taking an almost 700lb bike on dirt bike/4wd only trails and roads. No matter how skilled a rider is, the weight of the machine cannot be denied.
 

cyclemike4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
815
Location
ky
My bike is my daily driver. I need to keep it running year round. I will take it places that are extremely ruff at times. I do not do extended off road trips with it. It is just too easy to destroy when i need it. I have no doubt this bike could go a lot of nasty places but the wheels are too weak the motor is extremely exposed with no frame under it to hold protection. I have taken it all over Nebraska and South Dakota and some of Colorado and Georgia on gravel and dirt roads. It really does great in that situation. That really wan't taxing this bike. One reason i got it. It is my pickup truck of motorcycles.
 

escapefjrtist

Searching for Dry Roads
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,418
Location
Snohomish WA
I bought / use and set up mine as a rough road touring bike. It excels on this mission. Last summers adventure to AK was a perfect example for WHY the bike works for me. Bella Coola, Dawson City - Top of the World and the Dalton is as wild as I'm going to get with this behemoth!

~G
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,817
Location
Joshua TX
. . . . Finally, one size doesn't fit all. Just like 'experienced' depends on who you're standing next to, what people do will very much depend on their skill level, background etc. . . .
Absolutely. The vast majority of my experience/background is heavy sport tourers. Although the Tenere is just as heavy, she feels much lighter. Riding position, and bike construction being main "why". I think most will agree that a lighter bike. . . . actual or perceived. . . . is easier to ride.

My bike is my daily driver. . . .
I bought / use and set up mine as a rough road touring bike. . . .
These two reasons sum it up for me. I know that day to day, where ever I ride, she can take whatever I come across. :cool:
 

Arkyrider

Active Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Messages
274
Location
Van Buren, Arkansas
These two reasons sum it up for me. I know that day to day, where ever I ride, she can take whatever I come across. :cool:
[/QUOTE]

+1 I came from riding cruisers and got tired of being limited to what roads I could ride. At the same time I wanted the versatility of long road trips with some comfort so I chose the Tenere. It hasn't disappointed me so far.
 

Tupperware

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2014
Messages
54
Location
Northern Virginia
I don't see gravel on the list, so I voted street/highway and smooth dirt roads. I have a less portly bike for anything more difficult than asphalt with a little gravel thrown in. One that can take a dirt nap without causing undue stress to my wallet.
 

Longdog Cymru

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2018
Messages
1,665
Location
Swansea, Wales, UK
i know a few tenere owners in the wales area of the uk, and the ones a talk to regular like me only do road riding, like when i had 2 gsa's they were bought as they ere more comfortable to ride than tourers i find my tenere even better than my pan european st1300

rob
I only ride my SuperTen on the road. I have owned “Adventure” styled bikes since2003 and they simply suit my type of riding for comfort and handling. They have good fuel capacity for touring and can carry all of the luggage that I need. I have ridden competitively in Trials and later in Enduros to National level, and if I want a bike to throw around the countryside, I’ll get myself a nice, lightweight, purpose built bike of about 250cc that will take the knocks and inevitable falls.
 

Bokerfork

Active Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2019
Messages
106
Location
Saint George, Utah
jeckyll said it best. Those of us that like a little off road but only own 1 bike will take the Tenere places that others won't go. I find myself often going down a side road of a side road and praying that it doesn't get any worse.(it always does) But I also know my own limitations and keep in mind that any road I go down, I'd better be able to turn around and come back out of. This, and riding mostly solo, have kept me safe while also limiting my "adventure". I would love to own a dozen bikes and be able to go out in the garage and choose the right tool for the job, but, for a number of reasons, I don't. The S10 does so many things so well, and so comfortably, that I don't mind giving up that hill climb over yonder. There are still plenty of other hills to climb within its limitations.

And as for gearing, I agree. A much lower 1st and second gear would make this bike perfect. Although its torque does make up for some of that.
 

MattR

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Messages
1,175
Location
North Hampshire UK
I bought mine as a winter bike in order to save my beloved Zx14r from the ravages of the British winter. But I also intend to use it on gravel tracks / mountain tracks when the opportunity arises. I have virtually no off-road experience so I won’t be trying anything technical for a while..
I doubt I will use it for touring, it’s just too slow but for a long weekend I think it will be fine. And Wales is in my list


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Mak10

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2018
Messages
2,567
Location
SE Idaho
I originally bought the bike to make a trip to Alaska. It’s on my bucket list. I just haven’t been able to take a month + off to get that done. So I bought it as a capable touring bike, at least that was my intention. I have found it much more capable off road than I initially thought. A lower first gear would really help.

It will easily go on 4x4/high clearance roads. There are a lot of them around here, and I love exploring the mining/logging trails.

Sungletrack? We have some world class singletrack just minutes from my house. And yes I have ridden the Tenere on some. It’s not the right bike for that. It takes a lot of work, and to me is not fun working the big girl on single track.

I don’t enjoy maintaining a fleet of bikes, as I have enough other machines I have to keep running. I love the reliability, and versatility of this bike.

A fuel injected 300 two stroke would be nice for technical riding. And I would haul it to the trails.
I’m curious about the new T7. It could never replace what I love about the T12. And I’ll let someone else be the one who is the beta tester.
Plus I have a 1hp model that does single track, and keeps the wife happy.
A58FF914-BCDA-4A2F-A227-B1C462714D1A.jpegF8402FFF-7BC8-475B-AD81-540D8C6E99AD.jpeg
 

ord13

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2015
Messages
204
Location
Marseilles (France)
First, I think everyone will have a different estimation of what those types of terrain in the poll options actually means.
Personally, I've finally answered "Street/Highway And Somewhat Rough Dirt Roads" after hesitating with "Street/Highway And Rocky DIrt Roads", 'cause it seemed to correspond to the use I have of my bike (see video), but it is true that the "level of roughness" varies according to the estimate of everyone ;)

 
Top