Dadruns
New Member
Hi, First I will introduce myself, My name is Charles, I joined the forum a few months ago to get more info on ADV riding and especially the Yamaha Super Tenere, I have been a cruiser rider for many years before I got interested in adventure motorcycling
I currently own a 2008 Yamaha Stratoliner (best bike I have ever owned) and now a 2012 Super Tenere (Maybe the best bike I will ever own, we’ll see)
2 years ago, I took a trip to the Baja peninsula, from Portland Or to Mulege in Baja, and yes I went through Cocos corner with my Stratoliner, that was a challenge but it was worth it! Anyway just seeing all the ADV bikes riding on those beat up roads like nothing got me thinking on exploring the possibility in riding something other than a cruiser.
I did ride a Suzuki DR 650 while in Baja for a few days and I quickly realized that I did not have to struggle in bad roads as I did with my Stratoliner but the DR cannot compete with the Stratoliner at all on good roads
So I started looking in to the Big adventure bikes since they all appear to do really good on the highway and can still go on gravel roads or on bad roads, I checked out Africa twin, it was big enough for me but I did not like the ergonomics, the Tiger 800 was too cramped, the GS1200 too expensive…also I have only owned Yamaha motorcycles so I was already biased towards the Tenere
Long story short, I bought a 2012 Super Tenere a few weeks ago and since then I have done roughly 500 miles and with minor adjustments it fits me pretty good, I will say I am impressed with its high speed handling on good roads but I am still getting used to it and still learning how to ride it.
I have not yet taken it to some gravel back roads but I’m looking forward to it!
These are some first impressions I can share when comparing the Tenere with the Stratoliner
Comfort: The Sratoliner just can’t be beat on long hauls but on twisties the Tenere is way less exhausting so it is a tie!
Ride difficulty: Hands down the Tenere is much easier to ride and inspires confidence
“Cool Factor”: This is my own opinion but there is something cool about cruisers that no other bikes have, so the Statoliner wins
Easy Maintenance: They both seem easy with good access to most basic maintenance tasks but the Tenere oil change looks like the easiest so far but I have not done it yet, we shall see!
Anyway, I hope to get some good riding in the Tenere as I continue to learn more about it, maybe in the next year I will decide which one to keep, it is a tough choice, maybe I will keep both!
I currently own a 2008 Yamaha Stratoliner (best bike I have ever owned) and now a 2012 Super Tenere (Maybe the best bike I will ever own, we’ll see)
2 years ago, I took a trip to the Baja peninsula, from Portland Or to Mulege in Baja, and yes I went through Cocos corner with my Stratoliner, that was a challenge but it was worth it! Anyway just seeing all the ADV bikes riding on those beat up roads like nothing got me thinking on exploring the possibility in riding something other than a cruiser.
I did ride a Suzuki DR 650 while in Baja for a few days and I quickly realized that I did not have to struggle in bad roads as I did with my Stratoliner but the DR cannot compete with the Stratoliner at all on good roads
So I started looking in to the Big adventure bikes since they all appear to do really good on the highway and can still go on gravel roads or on bad roads, I checked out Africa twin, it was big enough for me but I did not like the ergonomics, the Tiger 800 was too cramped, the GS1200 too expensive…also I have only owned Yamaha motorcycles so I was already biased towards the Tenere
Long story short, I bought a 2012 Super Tenere a few weeks ago and since then I have done roughly 500 miles and with minor adjustments it fits me pretty good, I will say I am impressed with its high speed handling on good roads but I am still getting used to it and still learning how to ride it.
I have not yet taken it to some gravel back roads but I’m looking forward to it!
These are some first impressions I can share when comparing the Tenere with the Stratoliner
Comfort: The Sratoliner just can’t be beat on long hauls but on twisties the Tenere is way less exhausting so it is a tie!
Ride difficulty: Hands down the Tenere is much easier to ride and inspires confidence
“Cool Factor”: This is my own opinion but there is something cool about cruisers that no other bikes have, so the Statoliner wins
Easy Maintenance: They both seem easy with good access to most basic maintenance tasks but the Tenere oil change looks like the easiest so far but I have not done it yet, we shall see!
Anyway, I hope to get some good riding in the Tenere as I continue to learn more about it, maybe in the next year I will decide which one to keep, it is a tough choice, maybe I will keep both!