Took the bike out for its first shake and rattle test...also know as 'welcome to the fleet, here's what you can expect for the next few years.' It protested a lot.
So far, no matter what setting I try, the suspension is quite unpleasant. Just rough everywhere. I never had these issues with either of the '12, which were for the most part stock, out of the crate however they are set off the sales floor is how they were ridden. At some point I put different springs up front on the '12s, but it was barely noticable. The '15 was so rough at one point I thought to myself, I need to find some pavement. I've never thought that on the other Teneres.
To be fair, it was not a mild road I selected.
Did this rocky water crossing about 5 times today.
I'm still finding Sport mode to be kind touchy down low. That made the first water crossing a bit amusing. I remembered Snake said he rode off pavement in Touring mode, so I gave that a shot. I probably only lasted about 30 seconds in Touring mode. It just doesn't work for me off pavement. It still might in town. Yet to be seen.
Also found the Caribou top case is fairly miserable. There is not a tight fit where it mounts in the front. That means on the rough type roads I'm riding it rattles something awful. I have some thoughts on fixing that with rubber washers. Also, everything inside the case is getting shaken to death. I have road flares coming apart in there, my wallet exploded once, and everything makes noise. Need a solution for that.
Finally the windscreen is not as stable on the '15 as it was on the '12s. It shakes a lot more than the earlier bikes. I think this might be due to the lower windscreen bracket on the bike. The 12's was 2 or 3 inches longer. It appears to make a difference.
After today's shake test, I'd much rather ride my wife's '12 on that stuff than the new one. I suspect I'll get everything worked out. The suspension thing is baffling to me.