A Super Tenere Story

[Salmon Sam]

Okay, I am non-owner that has been “voyeuring” this site a non-member for months. Affectionately: “You lucky bastards!”

Here’s my story. Live in the Seattle area (dual US-Canadian citizen). Got back into bikes about 3 years ago after giving them up for college, family, career, etc. Decided to go on an epic trip to Scotland with a college buddy - on motorcycles. Both of us had been away from them for a long time and even had to get our endorsements. Learned all the new versions of bikes: cruisers, crotch rockets, toruing bikes, sport bikes and this new thing called: adventure bikes? Anyway, ended up renting a GS in Scotland and loved it. Great feel. Great concept of a bike. Epic trip. Had a blast and we both got bitten by the bike bug again (why did we stray?). Been renting ever since and trying all sorts of bikes trying to figure out what to purchase. Always been partial to Yamaha. ::022:: Learned to ride on a 250 DT1E, waaaay back. Had an RD350 in college. First bike I rented when I got back into bikes was an FJR. Wow - best handling bike that I have ever been on.

Anyway, I kept getting drawn to adventure bikes and love the “go anywhere” concept. I do own an old CanAm dirt bike and ride it quite a bit in the forest roads of Ontario when I go back to our family cottage every summer. Not a huge BMW fan. Prefer Japanese manufacturing. I guess, to sum up what might be a projected observation: most other bikes feel like a bunch of parts while Jap bikes, especially: Yamaha just feel like tight, cohesive units. So, after coming back from Scotland and pining over the GS but not really liking the Beemer idea, I read in a magazine that Yamaha was coming out with their “GS-version”! Was very excited until it said that it would only be available in Europe. Bummed until it was announced that it was coming stateside. Been following all the reviews and all your comments on this forum ever since . Got to test ride a couple (from PDP cancellations) in the area. Fell in love within the first mile. Then, found a place in Tennessee that rents a Twisted Throttle decked-out ST and lets you (encourages you) to take it off road (www.gsmmotorent.com). Same buddy came up from Miami and we spent a weekend in the Smokies doing 500 miles of forestry roads and twisties (including the Tail of the Dragon). He was on a GS and we switched back and forth. Highly advise anyone thinking of a Super Tenere to go down to Townsend, TN and give this one a shake down. Ended up wanting one more than ever!

Decided that I am going to buy one this fall (just going to beg for forgiveness from the “Fun-Police” when she sees it in the garage. She will get over it!). Waiting to see if there are any significant updates for 2013 or maybe get a nice fall clearance deal on a 2012 (seems like most dealers in the area have at least one). WA Back Country Discovery Route – here I come. Looking forward to joining the club!

 

[bahill]

::012:: ::012:: ::012:: ::012::

Congratulations ahead of time!!!



.

 

[limey]

::004:: from Ontario.

 

[snakebitten]

Great story.

I picked up my PDP bike just hours after it arrived. Then just a few short days later I packed it with a duffel bag and set off for the Dragon.

When I arrived, there were so many amazing bikes there. But my Tenere was THE first one anyone there had seen. So amongst all that erotic iron, the S10 drew a huge crowd. It was an unexpected moment. I basqued!

The next 3 days I rode every mile of the great smokies that I could fit in.

Then I headed back to Texas the long way.

So I guess I experienced exactly what you described. And it is good.

Of course, I took mine all the way back to my house. I'm hoping you get to do the same Salmon!

 

[Salmon Sam]

Limey and any ST Ontarions: in the Ottawa Valley for the last two weeks of August if you are riding by! Message me and I will give you an address and have a beer waiting. Love to see a ST ride up to the lake!

Snakebitten: Nice! Yes, I thought WA State had some great riding (and we do), but the Smokies were amazing. Every ST owner should do the "Mecca".

Just some other bikes that I have sampled to tell you what I had to consider: FJR (2nd choice); Concours; Gold Wing; Ninja 14R; Ducati Diavel; H-D Ultra Glide; Beemer RT1200; GS 1200; Vaquero; Versys. For me, the feel, versatility and reliability of the ST was preferred (although I found out that there really isn't any "bad bike". Even the Harley - after a day or so - was sort of fun).

 

[cosmic]

Way to go! If you really gonna wait, wait for the white ones. they're better off road.


©

 

[20valves]

::008:: ::26:: ::004::

Ok, well, you got a lot of catchin' up to do and the ST is a great bike to do that on. Maybe we'll see a white color option in the US tomorrow? Or that awesome cadmium yellow.

 

[briang123]

My Tener seemed to like Washington roads just fine. You have some of the greatest roads in the world up there (rough and twisty).
Im looking forward to the Hurricane ridge next summer.
Enjoy

 

[Rasher]

Can't see them bringing out a new model, or at least nothing more than a basic face-lift so grab yourself a bargain ::008::

 

[r1d1]

Decided to go on an epic trip to Scotland with a college buddy - on motorcycles...................Had a blast and we both got bitten by the bike bug again

Someone shoulda warned you about our bike bugs before you came >

At least Tenere-itis is a benevolent kinda bug to have ::008::

::004:: and enjoy the bike when it arrives ::012:: ::012:: ::022::

 

[MidlifeMotor]

Great story. Put a tear in my eye. :'(

I am willing to bet you will have the bike by Fall, but you will have purchased 3 mods before it arrives. ::26::

 

[PNWSuperbeast]

::004:: Salmon ditto on what everyone else has said, you absolutely will not go wrong with the S10. There are a few of us from the area that are getting ready to go on the ride that AltRider is doing in the Hoh Rainforest if you haven't seen that yet. Fall is going to seem like forever away ;D

 

[Salmon Sam]

Thanks for all the sentiments. Getting even more stoked to count myself as one of you priveledged-types.
Going to exude real patience until I hear what the 2013 updates are (if any). Sept. 12? Yamaha continually refined the FJR through the years, so I figure there has to be some of the ST glitches and annoyances addressed that you guys have been talking about. The way I look at it: 1) the bike has been out for 3 years (counting Europe); 2) Yamaha has lept into the big-bore Adventure market which is getting extremely competitive. They need to keep the ST ahead of the game. So, if there are changes to be made for 2013, why not wait. Of course, I wouldn't pass up a 2012! Can't be that unrefined if Nick Sanders can do his America's ride with no mechanical problems whatsoever and immaculate transmission at the end of 50,000 miles! Every ST owner (or wannabe) should purchase his "Incredible Ride" DVD.

As for some of the talk about Yamaha's commitment to the ST ::022:: Here are my thoughts: despite European (esp. British) seemingly biased press against the ST (vs. the GS), I think the acceptance of this bike in Europe is strong. The pricing they did there hurt sales, but the pedegree from things like Dakar and the original Tenere (concept which BMW copied for the GS, I might add) certainly brings positive buzz for the bike. I saw some sales figures for Belgium and it is the third biggest selling motobike of all makes and models, just behind the Beemer's GS and RT. Don't know how that translates to other EU countries, but from what I hear, Yamaha is very pleased with the reception to the ST and is committed to the bike for the long term. In the US, adventure riding is catching on - not as big as in Europe - but still growing (faster than any other segment)? So, my guess is that Yamaha will really put some resources into this model and we will see some nice honing of it in subsequent years.

So, I will patiently wait until the fall (unless there are any dealers out there WA state that want to "make me an offer I can't refuse") and go back East with my family and bide my time riding my vintage CAN-AM Qualifier (when Bombardier made real motorcycles instead of those snow-mobiles on wheels that you see around now) through the forests of Ontario, Canada.

 

[r1d1]

despite European (esp. British) seemingly biased press against the ST....

This week's edition of MCN (Motorcycle News) has a "first ride" report about the World Crosser, with little in the way of negative comment. The reviewer even mentions that that two of his friends own STs, and have nothing but praise for the bike. ???

I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that Yamaha is slowly pulling it's advertising from the mags owned by Bauer Media, due to their bias against the S10 and other Yamaha bikes? There are no Yamaha ads featured in this week's issue of MCN, suddenly a positive review of a Yammie bike appears. Suspicious, or what ? :exclaim:

(post edited to mention to those from abroad, that Bauer Media {whose parent company is German owned} own seven of the largest selling motorcycle magazines/newspapers in the UK)

 

[Salmon Sam]

Interesting, R1. You don't think bike mags are so shamelessly biased do you? Nyuk. Nyuk.

By the way, here are the Belgium sales statistics from "Global Rider", and online magazine that - I think is from Belgium - and is translate (I assume from French). They listed the top 7 selling bikes in Belgium from January through May of 2011 (yeah, a little old but ...).

1. BMW R 1200 GS - 339 sold
2. BMW R1299RT - 226 sold
3. Yamaha Super Tenere - 115 sold
4. Ducati Multistrada - 92 sold
5. Honda ST 1300 - 85 sold
6. Honda NT700 - 82 sold
7. Kawi 1400 GTR (Concours in NA?) - 69

If this is similar this year and across Europe, I would be very encouraged if I was Yamaha. Anyone have any other sales statistics?

 

[JaimeV]

Welcome to the club!
The Seattle area looks wonderful to ride with this bike!!

 

[Rasher]

This week's edition of MCN (Motorcycle News) has a "first ride" report about the World Crosser, with little in the way of negative comment. The reviewer even mentions that that two of his friends own STs, and have nothing but praise for the bike.....

(post edited to mention to those from abroad, that Bauer Media {whose parent company is German owned} own seven of the largest selling motorcycle magazines/newspapers in the UK)

I noticed the amount of group tests BMW win, and there is always a double page BMW advert in any mag reviewing a BMW bike.

My mate rides for the CSS and in the UK uses an R1, but when he visits the states they use S1000RR's, he tells me the Yamaha is far better out of the crate on the track, and the BMW is very peaky so probably even further behind on the road. And as he can ride pretty damn quick, certainly a lot faster than any Journo I would take his word over the Journo's who are typically 10 seconds a lap slower.

Bike magazine is the worst, best bike of last 25 years according to them is the R1200GS - Where were they when the RC30, 888, 916, R7, Fireblade, Hayabusa, ZZR1400, MV etc appeared, don't get me wrong I love my Tenere and apart from the (lack of) reliability I loved my GS, but best bike of the last 25 years FFS :exclaim:

A bit like saying a Mitsubishi pickup is the best car of the last 25 years, I'd take the Veyron thanks all the same.


Still if there saying something nice I may buy it for a change