Another foreign press review....

[Firefight911]

Whilst not favorable to our S10, perspective should prolly be dolled on some. Review is done by 'Fast Bikes'.

Have a read and you decide. (This is a PDF.)

http://www.fastbikesmag.com/files/2011/02/Longest-Day.pdf

 

[colorider]

Whilst not favorable to our S10, perspective should prolly be dolled on some. Review is done by 'Fast Bikes'.

Have a read and you decide. (This is a PDF.)

There you have it!!! We all ordered a POS.
(and I'm still very happy with my choice)

 

[markjenn]

If you're going to be upset by not being at the top of road tests, the S10 may not be your bike. For the most part, the reviews have been mixed at best.

One thing that seems glaringly incongruous about this test is complaining that the Yamaha was dog slow and behind the BMW, where every piece of objective data they provide shows them essentially in a dead heat and so far behind the Duc, you'd need a microscope to detect the difference.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - the S10 is a Japanese GS, for better or worse. The two bikes, while very different in execution, are shockingly similar in performance and spec. I like BMW's and if the costs and reliability were equal, I'd probably get the GS. But they're not, not even close.

- Mark

 

[Firefight911]

Perhaps I should have been a bit clearer;

I have had 8 BMWs. The last three have spent more time than you would ever imagine in the shop. One was bought back and another is under review for this.

I am so thrilled to be in on the PDP for the S10! I could care less who "wins" a test. I want a bike to function, bring me enjoyment, and be a workhorse that I can trust. Though I have 4 wheeled entertainment, 2 wheels have always been my primary mode of transportation. Hard to do that from the dealership.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I'm actually encouraged by articles like this. I've rarely agreed with the magazines. They all loved the FZ1 and FJR. I owned and found both bikes boring for my riding style. They also usually disliked the DL1000, which has been the best bike I've ever owned. So I would be much more nervous if they praised my future bike. So far, so good.

 

[ptfjjj]

My experience with BMW's has been that they are great to drive, but the frustrations of high maintenance cost and frequent repairs ruins it. I'll take a bike that is a second or two slower with a slightly higher base price but has more included technology any day. I know that I'll get many more miles of smiles per year on the Yammy simply because it is not sitting in the shop getting scheduled maintenance or repairs.

 

[motocephalic]

Surprised? Not. Lets face it, folks that are infatuated with their unending love for a BMW will consistently praise the bike. The GS is over-priced, over-rated, considering the amount of troubles people have had in the past. After riding it a couple of weeks ago, I am sure it will be an incredible bike. With Yamaha's reliability, it will take me long and far.

 

[switchback]

If anyone expects a magazine like fast bikes to appreciate the Tenere then they truly are buying the wrong bike. They took none of the bikes off pavement, put road tires on the bikes... Enough time wasted.

 

[rem]

Fast Bikes is a British magazine. Need I say more? They will never put a Japanese bike over the sacred BMW, in my opinion. Just ain't gonna happen. Don't worry about it. You're gonna love it. If you want to spend your time competing with BMW's, go for it. I'll be stopping too often to take pics or catch some grayling to be bothered with it. It's not about who gets there first. It's about who gets what getting there is all about. But that's just me ...... R

 

[colorider]

It's not about who gets there first. It's about who gets what getting there is all about.

Well said - perfect!!!

+1

 

[Wulfgar]

While not the overriding factor, I felt like list price was an issue in this test. Hard to believe the Yamaha was actually higher in base price than the BMW! My agreed price on the S10 was at least $ 8,000.00 cheaper than a GSAdv in the States. I was/am disappointed in the performance figures (the 0-120 time was atrocious) but that isn't what we are buying the bike for. I look forward to developing my own road test opinion in due time

 

[Combo]

BetterMasterWALKING

;D

 

[Combo]

(the 0-120 time was atrocious)

0-100 was .74 sec. difference
0-120 was 12.45 sec. difference. Thats 12.45 sec. more to get to 20 MPH more. I don't think so!

 

[Wulfgar]

I noticed that and wondered if it was really 1.2 odd seconds slower. 12 seconds slower is really hard to believe.

 

[Combo]

I noticed that and wondered if it was really 1.2 odd seconds slower. 12 seconds slower is really hard to believe.

If they made a typo which one would you think it would be against after reading the test. :question:

It's like when banks make an error why is it almost always in the favor of the bank? )

 

[Koinz]

Interesting about the MPG on the Tenere - What are you guys across the pond getting for mileage?

 

[Waspworks]

Seriously guys????

I read no further than the first few lines of this report, and then saw the road tires used as a "control".
Oddly, but perhaps not surprisingly, there are no off-road pics in the test yet there are comments on how they believe the bikes would fair off-road????
This was enough to convince me that there was nothing to be gained by reading further.

In typical male fashion I glanced over the pictures to note that the BMWGSA was reported as (UK Pounds) $12980 while the S10 was (UK Pounds) $13499... Really? - Boxes and all?
If that's the case then I am surprised anyone would buy an S10 in the U.K - Shame on you Yamaha U.K

The icing on the credibility cake can be seen below when you look at the 0-120mph time for the BMW listed at 24.1seconds, yet the standing mile takes 35.3seconds to achieve the same 120mph... Am I missing something here?

To all the guys anxiously waiting on the arrival of their machines, don't place too much (read any) truth in what you see in these reviews.... Just enjoy the pictures ^-^

Greg.

P.S - Koinz..
I have done 11000kms on my bike and I generally stop to fill (around 17>18lts) at about 320 > 340kms

 

[markjenn]

I was/am disappointed in the performance figures (the 0-120 time was atrocious) but that isn't what we are buying the bike for.

Guys, no bike that has a top end of 122 mph is going to have a decent 0-120 mph time. The 0-123 mph time is infnity. I think they maybe screwed up on the BMW's top speed - if it tops out at few mph faster than the S10, that would explain 12 secs faster to 120. In any event, accurate or not, it's silly data with no relevence.

- Mark

 

[roy]

I wouldn't put much faith in anything Fastbikes has to say about a bike. They are more sportbike oriented and even at that they seem to screw up a review. I am not buying a Hayabusa so the top speed of the thing verses the others means absolutely nothing to me. I owned two V-Stroms I know what bikes like this are capable of doing at speed. All of which is not good because they are simply not built for speed.

When I want speed and power I will just go get on my B-King and let her rip or go do a trackday on my GSXR. And by the way both suck at everyday road riding

 

[GrahamD]

SteveRed on ADV, who rides bikes off road to things like the Tenere Tragics event in outback Australia, where they bust things, wrote...

I might be one of the few ADV junkies out there with an R1200GS, an XT1200 and the new Ducati Multistrada in his/her fleet. For me the best road bike I have ever ridden is the Multistrada hands down. It has perfect position and the kick arse 1198 engine with 150hp.

The XT1200 is IMO like the bastard child of a KTM990 and a n R1200GS. More fun than the GS and who gives a shit if it is a second slower in a straight line 0-60? If I had to chose a bike to ride around Australia it would be the XT1200 every day of the week.

The GS is a stable bike. Predictable and I simply would rather be on the Yamaha or the Ducati most of the time.

Cheers

One persons opinion who does real off road events and has lived with all three bikes. I think that particular XT1200z is the one you see in the Altrider Videos as well.

Who ya gonna call?

What is it with these parts suppliers, Ducati's here S10's there...