Convince me to Super Tenere - Greetings from Malaysia

[2daMax]

Hello S10 owners,

I am from Malaysia and am strongly thinking of the MT09 Tracer initially but the S10 got my attention lately. The Tracer is not available yet, and the S10 are really difficult to find in dealers and even if I find one, it cost a bomb (I can buy 2 S10 for Malaysian price; my government takes the other half). My only sensible,but still an expensive option is to purchase a Re-Conditioned bike (slightly used that falls under a lower import tax bracket). Riding a 2011 Versys 650 currently but felt that it wasn't that great on super highways when fully loaded with luggage and pillion.

I have not rode a S10 or even handled one or sit on one (that's how rare the S10 are in my area). My only concern is the weight when pushing the bike or reverse push the bike on flat surface. Also of concern is lane splitting, particularly the handle bar height, if it can pass over most cars side view mirrors.

Well, I do appreciate information on the S10. Any ex-Versys 650 riders input will also help a lot.

 

[groundhog]

Hello Max

In my opinion the S10 wins over the Tracer and I have had both. I bought a new Tracer back in March and owned it for a month before moving on to a 2013 S10 - there's a clue there !. I too had been thinking of a Tenere but was sidetracked by the Tracer !

Plus points for the Tracer - Very good value for money light and easy to push around, great motor with nice sound particularly with the Ackropovic can, narrow ish for lane splitting.

Negative - Harsh suspension, nervous/skittish handling, even harsher seat, screen and hanguards cosmetic rather than functional, no off road capablility, bad fueling, not really suitable for loads of luggage long distance touring

Plus points for the Super Tenere - Comfortable, versatile, great motor, good road handling, good off road handling, reliable, looks great, perfectly designed for tons of luggage long distance touring, I could go on, just read on here what others like about the bike.............

Negative - Struggling here - Heavy (but in a good way) stock handlebars too much sweep back, stock seat not too comfortable, can't come up with much more !

Conclusion:

Tracer - Jack of all trades master of none

S10 - Jack of all trades Master of Fun ( borrowed from another thread )

That's just my personal opinion and it depends what you yourself want from a bike, but having owned both bikes for me the S10 wins on every level.

I hope that is of some help and good luck which ever way you go ::008::

 

[Roge]

::026:: what he said

 

[2daMax]

thanks groundhog. The input is most valuable as you were in my shoes and have seen the 'light'.

I am keen on the 2014 and upper models, somewhat I like the little improvements Yama made. There's a re-conditioned 2010 Silver S10 available if I want it but the paint and trimmings just doesn't go well with the S10, but I have travel 400km away to view it.

Question: When fully fueled up, how easy or hard is it to straighten the bike from its side stand? My Versys is top heavy and when fully fueled, I feel a little imbalance pushing the bike or moving it by hand.

 

[2112]

::004:: from the UK. The S10 is heavy but it handles light on it's feet. Very reliable too ::008::

 

[Checkswrecks]

First off - Welcome to the group. The area around KL is lovely. We had an owner member in Singapore and had people in the KL area asking questions, but no Malaysian members have been active for nearly a year. As you mentioned, your tax situation is brutal.

 

[groundhog]

thanks groundhog. The input is most valuable as you were in my shoes and have seen the 'light'.

I am keen on the 2014 and upper models, somewhat I like the little improvements Yama made. There's a re-conditioned 2010 Silver S10 available if I want it but the paint and trimmings just doesn't go well with the S10, but I have travel 400km away to view it.

Question: When fully fueled up, how easy or hard is it to straighten the bike from its side stand? My Versys is top heavy and when fully fueled, I feel a little imbalance pushing the bike or moving it by hand.

I would say it's fine. Most of the weight is low down so it has a low centre of gravity. you can feel the weight when you straighten it up from the sidestand, but I personally don't find it a problem, and once your rolling you hardly notice the weight except to say it feels solid and planted. That's what I meant when I said it was heavy in a good way and yes apparently the improvements on the 2014 onwards are good

 

[2daMax]

Thanks for the welcome checkswrecks. I'm not a real fan of KL as the traffic conditions that is frustrating. Although bikes are allowed to lane split which is great but some highways, bikes are required to use the specific bike lanes and it is a problem for bigger bikes as sharing with the mopeds can be dangerous. I live in Penang, about 400km north of KL and is a nicer city with more charm, beaches, hills...and livable traffic conditions.

groundhog, wow...I am 95% convinced. The other 5% is if I can get a good deal and find a dealer that is willing to import one. I am going to see a few dealers and see if they can give me a good deal.

since my daily commute can experience traffic jams, and being in a warm/hot climate country, how is the hot air blast from the radiator? My versys, I can feel the blast from the fan on my right leg, between the knee and ankles. I know the S10 radiator is on the left side, but am curious if the rider will feel the direct hot air blast.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Penang sounds nicer than KL, if just because of the size of KL. There was a lot of trouble when I was there a few years ago and wanted to drive to the north shore beaches. Being American my hosts very much did not want me to just drive around the countryside, as I would have loved to do.


For heat, the Tenere is better than the borrow Versys I rode. The Versys cooked my leg, like you wrote. The Tenere is a 1200 and as such also makes a lot of heat, but it blows it out the left fairing. At certain speeds I will feel it on my leg but not usually and certainly not as much as the FJR, Honda ST13, or a lot of other 1000cc+ bikes.

 

[2daMax]

Thanks Checkwrecks for the feedback.

 

[2daMax]

I am convinced. Pull the trigger on a 2012 White (with red stripes) S10. It is brand new and imported from Australia (UK specs). My Versys 650 will be up for sale and already got a potential buyer. Bike will be delivered to me in a week or 2 which is going to make me feel weird waiting for the bike.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Congratulations Max and really welcome aboard now.
::001::

 

[groundhog]

Well done Max Enjoy your bike !!! ::008::

 

[barkingllizard]

congrats, 2daMax, enjoy your new ride.....

 

[Melly Senior]

another convert.....enjoy the bike ::012::

 

[2daMax]

Thanks fellas.

Now a new problem starts. Since the S10 is rare in my country, accessories are hard to find. My local Givi store can't promised me the date for the S10 items they ordered. I may have to purchase from Italy via eBay....particularly the rear rack, SRA 2101 which my Givi top box is eager to make that special connection.

Our currency is sliding down like Niagara Falls due to multiple scandals committed by the government. (Our prime minister got US$700 transferred to his personal account from someone from the middle east, and he says it is a Donation for his political party, and is a reward for helping to fight ISIS. LAME reasons and Malaysia never send a single soldier to fight ISIS). This makes things more expensive now from a $$ exchange perspective.

 

[r1d1]

::004:: from Scotland.

 

[2daMax]

OK, got my bike. It was delivered by my dealer who is 400km away. Free of charge. Great dealer.

First thing I did was put it on a double stand. It wasn't too hard. Next roll it off the double stand.

Next, do a hard break-in. Rode it to a nearby dam where there are less traffic. Here's a picture after the break in. Tried Touring mode but quickly switch to Sports mode.


I have so far, moved the screen upwards (those well nuts are a pain to remove and worst, to put them back), and put on a tank pad. Did wash and wax all the smooth painted surfaces. The ride characteristics is different than the Versys 650, so I am still getting used to it in the corners.

 

[BravoBravo]

::004:: from London, Canada, and congratulations on your new Super Ten!

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Dogdaze]

Congrats ::008::
Just buy another set of well nuts and put them in the spare holes, that way you can move them anytime you want, I also replaced the stock screws with M5 x 20mm thumb screws, that way I can change height of the screen on the move without tools.