2014 Super Tenere at Daytona. To ES or not ES....

[SUPsurfer]

First thank you all for all the useful info on this site as it has been valuable when trying to make a decision on my new bike. After test riding the 2013 model and checking out the 2014 this week in Daytona I am ready for a low maintenance, fun, comfy ride and the 2014 S10 looks like the ticket. The addition of the cruise control this year was the deal maker.

First some thoughts on the 2014:
1- the improved windscreen is a much better design. I could not test it but sitting on the bike using the adjustments seemed to create a nice aerodynamic pocket.
2- cruise control is a great plus. With a 65 mile commute each way, 52 on highway, this is a must. But leads me to a question, how does the bike rev/cruise at 75-80 mph? I could not get on the freeway during my test.
3- the electronic dash is ok, I prefer the analog tach, but it is a good layout and easy to read.
4- The ES looked like a tight package. Not sure if 1100 is worth the suspension and heated grips. The seat is a wash.

Though I hear the ES can be lowered/softer than the standard model. Thoughts? Would I be better with the optional lowered seat? Being 5'6" this is the only drawback to this bike. My 2001 CBR is 31.5 inches for seat height but 165 lbs lighter. i wonder if I get the use out of heated grips or pass and go the heated gloves route being in Fl.....blue/gray... Decisions.

April can not get here soon enough...we'll maybe May.

 

[creggur]

Can't tell you which one is better for you, but I can tell you 80MPH is right around 4k RPM in sixth, and she likes running there - nice and smooth on mine in that area...

 

[RED CAT]

Got a 2012 now and hope to get a 2014 end of this year unless Honda comes out with an Africa Twin that blows the S10 away. We know that won't happen! The ES is only available in that ugly flat gray. Not that color is that important but you do have to look at it a lot. I like blue. Anywho, looks like the only difference is Heated Grips, ESA, and a Rack on the back. Not that impressed with ESA as I had that on my GS1200 and mostly used 1 setting all the time and I blew the rear shock, and BMW wanted $3600. for a new one. Also probably a bitch to change fork oil on the ES. Heated grips are an easy install with Oxfords for $85. The Rack is cheap to build. So I'm definitely leaning towards the Standard. It will have all the other updates on the 2014. Just hoping they fixed the HP restrictions BS. My pal just bought a new 2014 WC GS12 and can't believe the HP, not that HP is that important but come on Yamaha. Its a 1200 after all. ::26::

 

[avc8130]

Personally, I would save the cash.

Buy a used 2012/2013: $11k (most likely gonna come with some nice farkles, but if it doesn't):
Penske Shock: $925
Forks revalved: $624
ECU Flashed: $125
Rear Rack (your choice): $150
Heated Grips: $85
Windscreen (your choice): $150

GRAND TOTAL: $13,059 and the bike is custom setup for YOU...and you still have $4k in your pocket to buy gas and tires!

ac

 

[rem]

Welcome on, SUPsurfer. First off, ::004:: to the Forum. When you get the chance, please post under the General Category, Member Intros. Otherwise, a lot of us will miss the fact that you're a new member. Regarding the bike, I'd go for the ES. It seems to be you're getting a lot for the extra bucks. Up here in expensive land, it's an additional grand. The cruise control and heated grips alone are worth that. And despite what Red Cat says (BAD Red Cat), the grey is gorgeous. My '13 is grey and I love it. In any event, the basic bike is the same and you'll love it. Let us know. Again, welcome. R. ::022::

 

[RED CAT]

I believe the Standard Model has Cruise Control also. So the difference is really Heated Grips and ESA.

 

[rem]

You are correct, RC. I just checked the Yamaha Canada website. Damn. OK, so for what it's worth (very little), I'm changing my story. I'd go with the regular model. Damn. Pshaw. R. :'(

 

[Scoobynut]

Most likely OEM heated grips will be available on the standard (Non-ES) 2014. The standard Canadian model shows heated grips available as an option in the 'features' section of the website. Their standard model appears to be identical to the U.S. one. As stated in the other 2014 thread, the grips on the ES integrate with the bike's computer and the instrument display, so the hardware is probably already there for a quick OEM heated grip install. I have a standard 2014 on order and am hopeful (and somewhat confident) that this is the case, even though the U.S. website does not yet show them as an option.

 

[scott123007]

Can't tell you which one is better for you, but I can tell you 80MPH is right around 4k RPM in sixth, and she likes running there - nice and smooth on mine in that area...

Just an FYI, "Real" 80mph is more like 4500 rpm.

 

[jaeger22]

I got to tell you I am confused as to weather the cruise control comes on the basic or only on the ES. If you look on the Yamaha site, under the ES features section you will find:
Cruise control adjusts speed via a single push to the switch or, for larger adjustments, by continuously pushing the switch. Application of the brakes, clutch or throttle automatically releases the cruise control function. There is also a resume function that returns the cruise control to the most recent setting.
But under the basic features CC is not listed. So from that I would conclude that CC is only on the ES. However, at Daytona they had both on display and BOTH had the switches for CC. ??? So either they made both with the same switch cluster to save money even though the basic does not have the CC, or the basic really does come with CC.
Something here does not make sense to me. If they have the switch cluster, it seems the only difference would be the code in the ECU. So why not include it in the basic? It would be zero cost to them. If it is included on the basic, why is it only listed in the ES features?
I hope the answer is not that Yamaha choose to withhold it just to push people to the ES. And on top of that, kept the same switch cluster with no-functional CC switches. That would disappoint me.

 

[snakebitten]

Just an FYI, "Real" 80mph is more like 4500 rpm.

Why you gotta go and ruin my perception of speed?
I look down and see 80. It feeeels like 80. And I look around and everybody is going 80. So I go 90!
I'm going 90. Don't tell me I ain't.

 

[Hipshot]

From the product page:

The ultimate adventurer now with more powerful inline twin; electronic cruise control; 6-speed transmission; YCC-T and 2-position Drive Mode; traction control; ABS brakes; and adjustable seat.
MSRP $15,090*

 

[jaeger22]

From the product page:

The ultimate adventurer now with more powerful inline twin; electronic cruise control; 6-speed transmission; YCC-T and 2-position Drive Mode; traction control; ABS brakes; and adjustable seat.
MSRP $15,090*
Report

Yep, good eye. I missed that, but I still wonder why it is not on the features page like it is for the ES. :question: It is listed under "New for 2014" on the ES but not a word for the basic. It could just be that they missed it.

 

[SUPsurfer]

As soon as I get an S10 I will do a formal into. Thank you all for the info. 80-85 at 4.5k is a little taxing but not too bad as long as it is smooth and stable. A change from a 600cc sports bike.
I was too very concerned about the fork maintenance with the es. I am not crazy about more electronics with small gears and parts to fail.
The cruise is standard on both so issue there.
Is there a difference in the rear rack on the us models? The two demo bikes looked to be identical.
Has anyone tried the lower seat?
Lastly a word on power, I find this to be a subjective topic but I will venture this. The S10 is not the quickest off the line, nor the fastest, but do you want the bike to do one thing well? You have to compromise everywhere else. The most appealing point of the S10 is how versatile it is. Most modern bikes do 100, as long as it has enough power to pass in the fast lane for all but the absurd, and can handle twisties it works.

Thanks again.

 

[creggur]

80-85 at 4.5k is a little taxing but not too bad as long as it is smooth and stable. A change from a 600cc sports bike.

I understand where you're coming from, but in reality, it's not taxing at all. It just lopes along there nice and smooth. And the nice thing is in that rev-range if you need to overtake someone she's ready to go with a little wrist-twist.

Different than a 600cc inline four? No doubt. Definitely different from the 800cc V4 I came from on my VFR. No better, no worse, just different. It'll take you about 10 minutes to adjust...

 

[antiwaki]

In Mexico the only one you can get is the YAMAHA SUPER TENERE XT1200Z 2014 (Blue or Grey) and the diference with the American model ES is that It does not have:
-Center stand
-Passenger handles.
-Large top rack
-Heated grips
-ESA
Everything else is included CC, ABS, UBS, TC, GEAR INDICATOR, D-MODE. etc.

 

[XtreemLee]

I'm going 90. Don't tell me I ain't.

You ain't... ::26::


So any who i wonder who filled out a credit app for a 2014 Supa Ten???

 

[XtreemLee]

Im going for the ES model, how could I have ever turned the knob by hand???

 

[kevinw]

I always thought ESA was a gimmick until I bought a GSA with it on. I use it all the time - Comfort on the bumpy motorways (interstates), back to Normal when we're off the motorway and into Sport when we're having fun. It makes a big difference to how the bike feels and our comfort. There are Enduro modes as well for those who venture off road more than we do.

People will say "Ah, but you can get xxx shocks and have it set up perfectly for less than the cost of ESA" but conditions change so what's perfect in one scenario isn't necessarily so in another and I'm not a good enough rider to need 'perfect' suspension in any circumstance.

ESA and cruise control will definitely push us towards the 2014 model when the coffers are a little more full.

Kevin

 

[Sparafucile]

Interesting writeup of how the BMW ES system works. Does the S10's system have "modes" (sport, normal, etc) or must you pick specific values and remember them? Can you pick values and assign a designation to them for quick selection?

http://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/bid/85846/BMWs-Electronic-Suspension-Adjustment-ESA-Review-Its-Great