2013 + farkles or 2014 ?

[barts]

Well, I rented a 2012 Super Tenere from www.dubbelju.com last night, and put 300+ miles on it today tearing around my favorite roads in the Santa Cruz mountains to see if it would make a good replacement for my ancient rat bike, which is reaching the end of it's economical life after nearly 30 years. The Tenere and I I rode freeways at 85+, split lanes in typical 101 gridlock, and flew down lots of very twisty steep/wet/sandy/rocky back roads. Now the Tenere is back in SF, and I'm trying to decide if I want a 2013 (at a significant discount ala Cycle Trader) or a 2014? The extra shekels (order $3k) would buy quite a few add-ons, and I don't really need cruise control or electrically adjustable suspension, either... but new is better, right?

This will be my commuter - I ride nearly every day, year around in our balmy climate. I also hope to take more motorcycle camping trips (solo rider) with friends, and with a bike this fun, plan to do more riding in them thar hills. I'm inclined to go the 2013 route but...

Any thoughts?

- Bart

Menlo Park, CA

 

[TXTenere]

Well, I rented a 2012 Super Tenere from www.dubbelju.com last night, and put 300+ miles on it today tearing around my favorite roads in the Santa Cruz mountains to see if it would make a good replacement for my ancient rat bike, which is reaching the end of it's economical life after nearly 30 years. The Tenere and I I rode freeways at 85+, split lanes in typical 101 gridlock, and flew down lots of very twisty steep/wet/sandy/rocky back roads. Now the Tenere is back in SF, and I'm trying to decide if I want a 2013 (at a significant discount ala Cycle Trader) or a 2014? The extra shekels (order $3k) would buy quite a few add-ons, and I don't really need cruise control or electrically adjustable suspension, either... but new is better, right?

This will be my commuter - I ride nearly every day, year around in our balmy climate. I also hope to take more motorcycle camping trips (solo rider) with friends, and with a bike this fun, plan to do more riding in them thar hills. I'm inclined to go the 2013 route but...

Any thoughts?

- Bart

Menlo Park, CA

My thoughts ... Buy a new 2013 "cheap" and enjoy the ride, and never look back.

 

[Karson]

It depends if the improvements on the '14 warrant the extra money you'd have to outflow compared to the '13's that dealers will be clearing out. It also is important to keep in mind that it's unlikely that farkles on a '13 would factor in at resale compared to a later model '14 down the road if you're a high turnover kind of guy when it comes to bikes coming and going. A newer model vehicle will most always trump an older one that's customized.

That said, about the only thing that I'd say is cool about the '14 is the electronic cruise. Everything else can be added as aftermarket on the '12-'13's and of equal or better quality.

Thousands of folks on the board seem pretty darn happy with their '12-'13's. ECU flash and ::001::

 

[mcbrien]

Your going to add stuff either way ::008::

 

[cochise325]

Get the 2013 and order some Jesse luggage, an Altrider skid plate, Altrider crash bars, and some PIAA lights. Then you will be all set!

 

[XtreemLee]

Get the 2013 and order some Jesse luggage, an Altrider skid plate, Altrider crash bars, and some PIAA lights. Then you will be all set!

These guys don't know how awesome the 2014's are.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Buy the '13 and enjoy the farkle $$$ you'll be saving.

If the Tenere follows the FJR evolution, Yamaha will continue to make incremental improvements to the platform for years to come. They'll ample opportunity to move up to a slightly used newer model and continue the process.

Good luck!

--G

 

[barts]

Thanks guys... I tend to keep vehicles a long long time if they work for me, so I'm prone to dithering when I finally get around to changing things. We'll see in the next couple of weeks what kind of a deal the local dealers can make on a 2013. I've had one offer of 15K OTD which isn't exactly competitive on a 2013.

- Bart

 

[ec90t]

You should be able to buy a new 2013 in the $11,500 , minus tax and doc, area. A little shopping and you'll find the deal that'll make you smile.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Good luck Bart! Since you're in a captive market deals might be harder to come by but with patience, you'll find the right one.

Let us know how the search turns out.

--G

 

[tomatocity]

If you buy the '13 and want to make it comparable to the '14 ES you will need to buy...

... On The Fly suspension adjustments
... Rear shock
... Front forks modified
... Heated grips
... Electronic Cruise Control
... Upgraded windshield
... Tech Bar (above the gauges)
... Remapped ECU
... Improved S and T modes
... Improved transmission
... New head, piston, and rings
... Improved handlebar position
... LED turn signals and tail light
... Improved mirrors
... Improved rear brake (GUESSING!!!)
... Improved gauges (questionable)

 

[Travex]

Follow your gut and your wallet. You've already narrowed it down to the right bike so you win either way. Have fun with it. ::008::

 

[TXTenere]

If you buy the '13 and want to make it comparable to the '14 ES you will need to buy...

... On The Fly suspension adjustments
... Rear shock
... Front forks modified
... Heated grips
... Electronic Cruise Control
... Upgraded windshield
... Tech Bar (above the gauges)
... Remapped ECU
... Improved S and T modes
... Improved transmission
... New head, piston, and rings
... Improved handlebar position
... LED turn signals and tail light
... Improved mirrors
... Improved rear brake (GUESSING!!!)
... Improved gauges (questionable)

I had a gut feeling that you may have been through this 2013 vs 2014 debate before. Looking at your past posts, looks like you have!

 

[tomatocity]

I had a gut feeling that you may have been through this 2013 vs 2014 debate before. Looking at your past posts, looks like you have!

I did not have much of an opinion until I rode the 2014 ES twice and my opinion is still a draw. Can't go wrong either way... unless you want Cruise Control and On The Fly Suspension Adjustments. That is the deal breaker. If you like your current cruise control and don't need on the fly suspension adjustment then the 2012/2013 a good deal. The 2012, 2013, 2014 standard and 2014 ES are all good motorcycles you can own for many years and be happy.

 

[Tallgears]

Better yet. Go buy one of these ridiculously cheap 2012's for sale that are barely used and darn near fully farkled already.

Plus if you go 2012 you can get the fast black color.

 

[rmarble1]

For the next few years, the 2014 will seriously hurt the values of the 2013. I know this first hand as I watched low mile Tenere bike go at our local wholesale auction. Once the press got ahold of a '14, the previous models dove around $800 at wholesale for the same bike.

As in previous posts.........the previous models are great bikes, but the entire suspension needed a makeover and for some.........like me, I wanted all the new bits and pieces and especially cruise control. The new windshield (adjustable) is a mandatory thing if you are over 6' tall. Way less turbulence.

If you buy a previous model, ping me on e-mail and I'll make you a sweet deal on the genuine Yamaha tall windshield that I removed from my '13 prior to putting it through the wholesale auction.

Right now....dealers are paying between $9,000 - $9,600 for low mile '13's at auction.

 

[Texasten]

Oops, maybe one consideration left off the list is the clutch basket problem. It appears to be fixed on the 2014, but earlier models are said to have some vibration issues due to design problems of clutch. I have read a LOT on this site about that. For this reason, any Tenere before 2014 is a non starter for me........

 

[Karson]

I have read a LOT on this site about that. For this reason, any Tenere before 2014 is a non starter for me........

Fair enough only wanting a 14, but it's worth noting for many others that "a lot" on prior models is only an interpretation. There was a bit of a flair up at one point while a "fix" was being investigated for a handful of people sensitive to the motor/clutch vibes, but I don't think its reaching vstrom levels in both numbers or magnitude. Of course, there's probably 10 vstroms out there for every Ténéré on the road.

I've also not seen that the clutch basket redesign in the '14 has resolved the issue. It's been changed, but again, not enough of a sample size this early on to warrant it as being completely resolved for the people sensitive to the issue. Remember, the complaints only started coming in 2+ years after the bike had been sold here.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is, for 99.5% of the members on here, the remaining 0.5% have made note of it on here. Maybe only half of those folks have actually gone as far as resolving it.

Cheers! ::003::

 

[Dallara]

Oops, maybe one consideration left off the list is the clutch basket problem. It appears to be fixed on the 2014, but earlier models are said to have some vibration issues due to design problems of clutch. I have read a LOT on this site about that. For this reason, any Tenere before 2014 is a non starter for me........

Hmmmm... Spoken by a rider who has never owned one.

I have to agree with Karson. The number of people who have actually complained specifically about the clutch vibe issue is infinitesimal compared to the number of Super Tenere's sold, and I think that the very, very overwhelming majority of Super Tenere owners think their bikes are wonderfully smooth, especially for a parallel twin. I have over 39,000 miles on mine, and I think it is one of the smoothest twins I have ever ridden, period. And I've met a lot of high-mileage Super Tenere owners - like sail2xxs with over 120,000 miles on his - and you never anything about any "clutch basket problem".

Did Yamaha make some changes to the clutch in 2014? Yes, according to their new model info, but so far I know of no one who has actually had a 2014 apart to see in detail what all has changed. Until then no one will really know the depths of the changes. There are some 2014 model owners who have had earlier Super Tenere models, and so far I can't recall seeing any one of them making any posts saying "Wow, the 2014 model sure has a whole lot less vibration, and especially that clutch! The clutch vibes sure are a lot less than those dastardly 2012's and 2013's!" ::025::

Point is, for anybody out there shopping for a Super Tenere, don't have any reservations about the clutch on the 2012 and 2013 models. There's nothing to worry about there.

Dallara



~

 

[rmarble1]

A couple more........
The gear indicator is great. Can't tell you how many times I didn't know if I was in 5th or 6th.
Rode the '14 tonight and either I'm halucinating or this thing is way faster than my '13.