250,000 Mile Super Tenere Writeup

[WJBertrand]

How often do you change oil and filter?
I relate a lot of oil consumption problems to high milage oil changers.

I change oil and filter every 5,000 miles, mostly because that’s easy to remember. I run full synthetic Castrol and a variety of filters. I’ve run it up past 6,000 miles a couple times, once because I zoned and just forgot and again last summer when I ended up doing more miles on my summer tour than I expected.

 

[RCinNC]

I have to confess to a level of attachment with this bike that I've never felt with any other one. I never get sentimental about mechanical things like cars or motorcycles, and I've never missed any of the vehicles I've sold or traded in over the years. It's been different with the Super Tenere, perhaps because this is the first bike that I really began to log serious miles on. Even though I did two cross country trips on my Harley, I didn't have any attachment to that bike, and sold it after a decade without looking back. I can tell it's different with this bike, because when I'm working on it and something isn't going right, I don't start cursing at it.

 

[Fennellg]

Speaking of attachments, I went and helped a friend install Bumot panniers his 2023 new to him GS with 1500 miles on it, also got to test ride. All I can say is wow!!! the only negative I could tell you about this bike as it seems a little top heavy at dead slow speed otherwise one hell of a nice handling machine.

I played with the quick shift. It seemed to work fine changing up the gears couldn’t seem to figure out how to make it go down gears as the bike was new to me did not push things.

That test ride complicates things for me. Want to try the Africa Twin next.

I do feel that our Super Tenere is a better looking bike.

 

[cyclemike4]

Speaking of attachments, I went and helped a friend install Bumot panniers his 2023 new to him GS with 1500 miles on it, also got to test ride. All I can say is wow!!! the only negative I could tell you about this bike as it seems a little top heavy at dead slow speed otherwise one hell of a nice handling machine.

I played with the quick shift. It seemed to work fine changing up the gears couldn’t seem to figure out how to make it go down gears as the bike was new to me did not push things.

That test ride complicates things for me. Want to try the Africa Twin next.

I do feel that our Super Tenere is a better looking bike.

I have rode the 1250 GSA and that thing is extremely top heavy. Partly because it was so tall and it had a huge gas tank but you are right once rolling it really felt great. the things it did that I liked it did very well and the things it did I didn't like I really didn't like. I will say on the interstate that was the best riding most comfortable bike I have been on probably ever. I can not imagine taking that thing on anything other than dirt or gravel. But I really try to not take my Super T any further off road than just dirt or gravel roads.

 

[Drif10]

I loved my 07 GSA but bmw priced me out of their brand. The out-the-door price is almost double now, compared to what I paid new for that one. I can get a low mile sooperten for a quarter of that price. That's a lot of tires, gas, and hotels.

 

[Rusty Needles]

Thanks for the write up.

 

[Niterunnr]

Extremely useful write up!
I read the entire post because it was cleanly presented with zero fluff. A little of great maintenance items to think of.

 

[ZigZag]

I have to confess to a level of attachment with this bike that I've never felt with any other one. I never get sentimental about mechanical things like cars or motorcycles, and I've never missed any of the vehicles I've sold or traded in over the years. It's been different with the Super Tenere, perhaps because this is the first bike that I really began to log serious miles on. Even though I did two cross country trips on my Harley, I didn't have any attachment to that bike, and sold it after a decade without looking back. I can tell it's different with this bike, because when I'm working on it and something isn't going right, I don't start cursing at it.

Sounds like your enjoyment comes from the journey and not necessary your machine. I'm always attached to the bike I own until I don't own it anymore.

The "Repairing Motorcycle Curse-ometer" is always a good indicator of when the love for said motorcycle is fading. If the cursing starts immediately there is an inkling of mechanical trouble I start thinking new motorcycle time. I had a friend who loved his Italian cars. Fiats and Alfa Romeos. A ride with him was always mixed with verbal threats to his car including liberal doses of cursing. He figured the car performed better with regular threats than words of encouragement. Regardless he spent a lot of time under the bonnet cursing and threatening.

 

[ZigZag]

Very impressive long distance riding and longevity of your motorcycle Wera688. I am in awe.

 

[Javier's Chandelier Emp.]

Wow. Just got a 21 with 10k miles. Really do love this bike

 

[Pdrhound]

Well if you get 200k miles with no valve adjustment your ahead of the game for sure. 200,000/26000 7.6. 7 x $600 for us casual not wanna mess it up mechanics is $4200. Some pay much more. My first tenere was $5,500 with 25k miles. I say ride it til it dies. It's getting very hard find a non-ES these days and $5,500 dollar low milage teneres are a thing of the past.

 

[Little Joe]

How often do you change oil and filter?
I relate a lot of oil consumption problems to high milage oil changers.
I for one can't stand dirty oil and I change usually no more than 4,000 miles.
Guys can say what they want about my often changes but with 383,000 miles on one of the known oil burners [12 and 13] I'll keep on changing it.

Not related to oil changes, but did you ever have to replace throttle cables on these high mileage bikes?


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[wera688]

Not related to oil changes, but did you ever have to replace throttle cables on these high mileage bikes?


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No, I've never replaced throttle cables on any of my bikes.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Not related to oil changes, but did you ever have to replace throttle cables on these high mileage bikes?

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These cables don’t have the stretch and break problems because they are only connected to a potentiometer, not actual throttle bodies.

 

[mybackhurts]

Wild amount of miles. Nice read.

Valve adjustments are the only pita with these it seems. Kinda dreading it.

 

[RCinNC]

Wild amount of miles. Nice read.

Valve adjustments are the only pita with these it seems. Kinda dreading it.

In all my miles and years of ownership, that's the one maintenance task I've farmed out to a shop. Even the shop complains about what a pain it is, especially when it comes to refitting the valve cover and gasket.

 

[Treeman]

Fair play.My friends in the UK thought i had done serious miles putting 86.000 on a 2006 Honda Fireblade.I knew the bike was capable of a lot more than that.But 250.000.WOW that's an achievement.and proof what a work horse this bike is if cared for.