Alexander
Active Member
Hey everyone!
Great forum you have here -- been browsing for a while.
I've enjoyed riding an M109R the past decade, but I've been looking at getting a second bike with more long-distance capability, better storage, and better wind protection. Almost bought an FJR a few years ago, but life got in the way and I stopped looking. I knew my next bike would be a Yamaha because I wanted the reliability.
More recently, after months of research, I was 99.8% ready to buy a "new old stock" 2018 Yamaha Venture at the local dealer... stopped to look at it on three separate occasions to convince myself it was the right decision. The third time is when I noticed the 2019 Tenere sitting behind it. Tried sitting on both, and found the Tenere seating position much more comfortable for my 34" inseam, but it was still difficult to decide between two radically different bikes. After deliberation, my personal pros/cons list had the Tenere at +8 and the Venture at -3, so I nervously bought the Tenere on the 4th of this month without even test-riding it. And today, I'm glad I did. I got everything I was initially looking for, saved a bunch of money even with a 5-year warranty, PLUS gained the ability to go off-road? Win/win/win.
I've spent these first few weeks adjusting the controls to my liking, getting familiarized with the handling and ES suspension, and adding some aftermarket parts (mostly to protect the investment). Took this photo tonight on a 2-hour ride around the city, getting a hair over 46mpg so far with ~400 miles total on the odometer:
Regrettably, my dorky girlfriend has nicknamed it "Tennifer"
Removed all the stickers, added AltRider lower crash bars, T-Rex skid plate, Vstream touring windshield, 6" shock sox, and a cheap $50 (~23 liter?) top case from Harbor Freight. Did the "free-mod" seat leveling, which helped a lot. Torqued some loose spokes after 300 miles and zip-tied them after hearing about some horror stories on here.
Still looking into getting panniers (torn between Givi, Bumot, or Caribou), and some other minor odds and ends. Hoping to take a trip out to Colorado on it this summer.
Anyway, didn't mean to write a book -- just thought I'd say hello and provide some reading material for those who are bored during quarantine. Ride safe and wash your hands!
Great forum you have here -- been browsing for a while.
I've enjoyed riding an M109R the past decade, but I've been looking at getting a second bike with more long-distance capability, better storage, and better wind protection. Almost bought an FJR a few years ago, but life got in the way and I stopped looking. I knew my next bike would be a Yamaha because I wanted the reliability.
More recently, after months of research, I was 99.8% ready to buy a "new old stock" 2018 Yamaha Venture at the local dealer... stopped to look at it on three separate occasions to convince myself it was the right decision. The third time is when I noticed the 2019 Tenere sitting behind it. Tried sitting on both, and found the Tenere seating position much more comfortable for my 34" inseam, but it was still difficult to decide between two radically different bikes. After deliberation, my personal pros/cons list had the Tenere at +8 and the Venture at -3, so I nervously bought the Tenere on the 4th of this month without even test-riding it. And today, I'm glad I did. I got everything I was initially looking for, saved a bunch of money even with a 5-year warranty, PLUS gained the ability to go off-road? Win/win/win.
I've spent these first few weeks adjusting the controls to my liking, getting familiarized with the handling and ES suspension, and adding some aftermarket parts (mostly to protect the investment). Took this photo tonight on a 2-hour ride around the city, getting a hair over 46mpg so far with ~400 miles total on the odometer:
Regrettably, my dorky girlfriend has nicknamed it "Tennifer"
Removed all the stickers, added AltRider lower crash bars, T-Rex skid plate, Vstream touring windshield, 6" shock sox, and a cheap $50 (~23 liter?) top case from Harbor Freight. Did the "free-mod" seat leveling, which helped a lot. Torqued some loose spokes after 300 miles and zip-tied them after hearing about some horror stories on here.
Still looking into getting panniers (torn between Givi, Bumot, or Caribou), and some other minor odds and ends. Hoping to take a trip out to Colorado on it this summer.
Anyway, didn't mean to write a book -- just thought I'd say hello and provide some reading material for those who are bored during quarantine. Ride safe and wash your hands!