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!
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!