First Ride Impressions - Super Tenere vs. Tiger Explorer

[Venture]

Well, I've finally gotten to ride both the Super Tenere and the Tiger Explorer. Not quite as I planned, but I have at this point ridden both bikes. I managed to get a bit of seat time on the S10 about a month ago, when Yamaguy55 let me take his for a spin when we were out for a group ride. Just this past weekend I was on a weekend overnighter and stopped off at a local Triumph dealer to test ride the Explorer.

I'm still on the Tiger 1050, that's no secret. With all the riding I've managed to get in lately getting a new ride hasn't been a priority, but like all things I steadily work towards the end goal, sometimes it just takes a while. That's just me. A fool and his money as easily parted, so I try not to be a fool. With that said, even though the Super Tenere looked to be the "total package" when it was announced a while back, now that I'm ready to actually plunk down my moolah I figured I had to at least survey the competition. Hence I've been waiting to see what the Tiger Explorer would be all about. So off to the impressions...

As I said, I took off on Yamaguy's S10 with the traction control set on high and the touring mode enabled. My very first impression was the lack of sensitivity on the throttle. Now, if anybody here has ever ridden a Tiger 1050 you'll know what I mean when I say the Tiger 1050 is "twitchy." The S10 throttle was almost too insensitive. I'm not sure how much different the sport mode is, but what a difference from what I was used to. Not good, not bad, just different. I recall the brakes being adequate but not overwhelming as I tested them out.

As I revved the S10 up and took off I immediately noticed what I knew I would - the engine. Now, if anybody has ridden a Triumph triple, you know what I'm talking about. They are smooth, torquey, and rev to 10k RPMs. They are an amazing combination of a twin and a four, somehow combining the best of both with seemingly none of the drawbacks. The S10 engine, as we all know, is a big twin with that 270 degree firing order. So to me it felt rather lumpy and frankly, quite lacking in power for what I felt it should have. Nonetheless I started off and started thwacking through the gears and putting her through the paces. The road I was on wasn't the best, and since I was on somebody else's bike I was taking it pretty easy. What become very apparent was just how planted this bike is. The Tiger 1050 weighs in at something like 500lbs wet vs. the S10's 570 pounds, with the 1050 carrying the weight high up, and the S10 carrying it down low. I learned something that day - that weight is not necessarily a bad thing. The S10 felt as if I could just point it anywhere and it would go there without drama. It was really an amazing feeling, and I would describe the Tiger 1050 as "skittish" compared to it in the rough-road handling department.

Downshifting at one point produced a nice chirp from the rear tire, taking me back to the last shaft driven twin-cylinder bike I'd owned and reminding me that twins have immense engine braking. Not something I actually care for, to be honest. The transmission is good, nothing unexpected or enlightening, just a good transmission.

So being a month ago, and with the ride being rather short (only a few minutes) all I recall from there was riding back up to the rest of the guys (on a gravel road) and wanting to jump the S10 over a little bump in the road! I actually had quite a grin on my face when it was all done and honestly I wanted to keep going. After I dismounted and took a few seconds to gather my thoughts, I realized what the S10 really is...AN OVERSIZED DIRT BIKE. Yes, it felt exactly like somebody supersized my KLX! The feeling that I could roll over anything was there, and I finally understood some of the professional reviews I'd read. Yamaha has built an awesome off-roader, or at the very least biased it towards dirt.

So fast forward a month, and I'm riding out on a demo Tiger Explorer 1200. Again, a rather short ride (about 9 miles worth). Right out of the gate, I noticed the engine - it is, in a word, superb. It was different from the 1050 triple, less triple whine, more triple growl. The thing just pulls like a mule in any gear. What the S10 was lacking in the engine department the Explorer had. The transmission worked very well, a major upgrade from the one in the Tiger 1050. Smooth, and no chirping on sudden downshifts that I ran into on the S10.

The road surface that I rode the Explorer on was very different from the road that I tested the S10 on, so this is not a fair comparison, really. With that said, the Explorer exhibited very much the same stability that the S10 did, again, a much welcome change from the Tiger 1050. I don't recall too much about the S10's suspension, but I vividly remember how nice the Explorer's suspension flowed through the transitions. Again much improved from the Tiger 1050. I can't say how it truly compared to the S10 without a back-to-back ride, but it definitely stood out to me on this test ride. The brakes on the Explorer were fantastic. Great feel and stopping power. They're not linked like the S10, which would limit offroad braking a bit (have to utilize foot brake, which is rather tough in motocross boots sometimes).

So as I stepped off the Explorer I did NOT have the "it's a big dirt bike!" impression that I had when dismounting the S10. Intuitively I think that the "feeling" you get when riding these bikes is indicative of the design approaches each manufacturer took. The S10 clearly has the dirt bias, and as we all know it shines off road. From a design sheet perspective the Explorer has more of a road bias, and you can feel the difference when you ride both bikes.

So what does it all mean? Well, it means that if you're like me and you're considering both these bikes you need to really step back and assess what you expect to do with the bike. I've had enough chats with S10 owners to know that even though the S10 is capable, it's not a 250cc bike when going off-road. Some folks do use their S10s as true off-roaders, but will I? Will you? I can only see myself doing mild dirt roads, not single track or anything real technical, I have a KLX for that. So does that mean I should go with the more road-biased bike? It's tough to tell. The price tag on the Explorer is extremely tough to swallow, EXTREMELY tough. The price of it really doesn't hit home until you find yourself actually considering buying one, then the S10 starts to look REALLY attractive.

So anyways, I'm still undecided, and I want to do the back-to-back test riding that I originally intended to do back in May. More than a ten minute ride is needed to truly assess each bike's character, but one thing is for sure, either bike is an upgrade to what I have now and either bike I think is superb. The local dealer carries both bikes, and has already told me to stop on in when I'm ready. Knowing me, I'm not sure right now when that will be. I used to think people sold their bikes when they had kids because of their risk-tolerance, now I know that it's because the little buggers eat up all your time!

 

[colorider]

Nice report! I'd welcome the chance to test ride the new Explorer, but then "WHY"? I'm quite pleased with my Tenere!!


Thanks!!!

Rod

 

[Kidder]

You did yourself a disservice by not trying out sport mode on the S10. There is a huge difference between the Touring and Sport including less than direct throttle response in touring mode.

 

[Cykel]

Yup. Though I've no doubt in the world that the Explorer motor is fantastic and probably a bit quicker (esp at higher speeds), you need to try Sport mode (and maybe clutch-bypass special mode) before you make any decision.

I'd like to test ride the Explorer, though. My father's Speed Trip is a blast.

 

[Venture]

You did yourself a disservice by not trying out sport mode on the S10. There is a huge difference between the Touring and Sport including less than direct throttle response in touring mode.

I had that same thought afterwards. The next ride is going to be in sport for sure.

 

[GrahamD]

I finally decided to go with the s10 because of the amount of dirt / off road / gravel that CAN be involved on a ride.

Thought for a while that since the Adventure class was a "European" thing that I would have to go DR650 etc. to get a bike setup for dirt and put up with thumpers.

Nope. ;D

But as you say, if you don't do much dirt you may as well get something more road focused like the T12 or the CT. You should also try the CT.

 

[Tontos]

I always am amazed when the S10 is described as a dirt bike , Yes I know it can and does do dirt well , but as a road bike it is superb.

I came from an FJR and managed 95000 miles on it before I decided ( not true health decided I needed a smaller bike) and I had a short stint with a 650 Versys , which was great fun but boy did I have to work hard to stay with all me mates on FJRs.

Then I took a test ride on the S10 and knew that this was the one for me . I have had the S10 for just over a year now and due to a bout of illness only put 13000 miles on it. Boy have I had fun doing it , mainly road riding and the bike is superb at it , twisties are so much fun and you tend to leave a lot of other bikes behind in your dust . Getting somewhere fast and doing it on motorways(UK) is no problem while going through towns are dead easy because the bike just slots into gaps in the traffic , easy peasy. Then of course you get onto roads with gravel and grassy bits and all the others say well your bikes made for this ,and yes it is but it does all the other things with total aplomb.

I recently tried the clutch switch mod and woohoo , I now have a hooligan bike as well., can it get any better ?
::018::

 

[eemsreno]

When I got my Tenere I didn’t think I would ride true off road with it ether, I have other bikes for that. What I have found out though is I can ride to distant scenic locations and be perfectly comfortable riding tough off road trails with this bike, It can do anything and I don’t have to miss out on stuff because I have a less capable bike. I figure the Explorer is a great street bike but with the Tenere there is no limitations. Steve

 

[MikeBear]

I look at my Bird like I look at Jeep Wrangler. You are going to have to compromise on some things. Choose you horse carefully. ::001::

 

[Rasher]

Testing an S10 in T-Mode is pretty pointless, it restricts power noticeably and reduces the throttle sensitivity - the whole point of the mode :exclaim:

Not ridden the Triumph 1200, tested everything else - GS (Owned one) GSA, Ducati MTS, Honda X-Dresser, Tiger 1050.

After riding the Honda I realised the true advenmture bikes (GS / Tenere) had about the right performance, the Honda was tall geared and very fast, enough to put my licence on the IUCN red list, the Ducati was even worse and I just guessed with the way the reviews for the Tiger 1200 came cross that it was a fast sportsbike in Adventure clothes.

I think another 10BHP may compliment the Tenere so will probably get a flash later, but really don't want anything any faster, on fast roads it goes plenty fast enough to get me a ticket (but not so fast as to get me banned like the triumph might, or locked up like a sportsbike can)

The Yamaha performs and handles great up to 100MPH, which is all I need and easily embarrasses badly ridden superbikes with surprisingly agile handling, and I feel like I am riding the bike, unlike many fast bikes where you never get flat out in any gear above 2nd I can run the Yam up the revs in the first 4 gears without hitting 150 mph (and encountering all the problems that can bring) in may ways it takes me back to my youth with Yamaha LC's where you could give the bike a good thrashing.

I am sure the Triumph will get a lot of riders of sportsbikes, but I am 90% happy with the Yamaha, the other 5% is a Diapson remap and Wilburs shock which will make it the perfect do-it-all motorcycle for me ::013::

 

[Venture]

When I got my Tenere I didn’t think I would ride true off road with it ether, I have other bikes for that. What I have found out though is I can ride to distant scenic locations and be perfectly comfortable riding tough off road trails with this bike, It can do anything and I don’t have to miss out on stuff because I have a less capable bike. I figure the Explorer is a great street bike but with the Tenere there is no limitations. Steve

This is really good advice. My desire to ride off road 3 years ago was zip, zilch, nada. Now I own a dual-sport and am looking to get a bigger dual-sport.

 

[Mellow]

I love having the S and T modes. I use T when in dirt/gravel/city riding/stop-go traffic, nice and smooth... S mode for the fun twisties.

I've ridden thousands of miles with just one of them selected then switching over for thousands to see if I really noticed a difference, haven't detected any real MPG difference.. It's just zippier in S mode and will pass a bit faster because your roll-on is better.

 

[bahill]

Yes I know it can and does do dirt well , but as a road bike it is superb.

Yes, I agree with this totally! I believe the S10 has such unexpectedly good “dirt manners” that’s what people are the most impressed with and the S10’s road manners gets overlooked at times.

.

 

[eemsreno]

My real advice is Forget the Bikes and spend all your time with your WIFE AND KIDS They will be gone before you can blink, there will be time to ride when they get there motorcycle license and can start riding with you.
Steve

 

[Yamaguy55]

You did yourself a disservice by not trying out sport mode on the S10. There is a huge difference between the Touring and Sport including less than direct throttle response in touring mode.

Not on mine, the one that he rode: I can barely tell the difference between Sport and Tour. Seriously. I just leave it in Sport. It is a very early two digit SN, so for all I know, there may be quite a difference between mine and another. I have done the TB sync and Exhaust Gas setting, but no other engine mods. It makes enough power, although I may do the ECU mod one of these days.

As far as the engine power delivery: When I picked it up, I took back roads that I was very familiar with on the way home. I wanted to get used to the bike, and didn't want to play with traffic while doing it. So I'm going along thinking: "Nice grunty engine, good but not remarkable power, seems to be a nice mild mannered beast, which is probably good if you go on less than stellar traction roads...well, I didn't buy it to be a road racer anyway." Then I looked down at the speedo: I thought/felt like I was doing 55 +/-, but was in fact doing an indicated 75 on a 40 MPH back road. We know the speedo accuracy thing, but that still puts it at 60-65+! ??? Holy Serious Speeding Ticket, Batman!. So my take on the power is that the power/torque band is almost completely flat, no sudden surge like my old FZ. This tends to mislead into thinking you're not going very fast; quite the contrary, you're moving right along without making much of a fuss at all. It feels like the power delivery of an old big-block American V8: you just go, no sudden burst of power, more like sustained thrust. My '67 GTO was like that: it seemed a lot slower than it really was: about the time you shifted into fourth, you realized you had long since passed the speed limit. Now that I've gotten used to it, I am aware I'm moving right along, without feeling like it. When I get on my WR250R, it feels like a toy in comparison.

The brakes: Just like the power, it doesn't have that feel that the stoppers on sport bikes have, but I notice I don't need very much room to stop, so they obviously work well enough.

I think the size, wheelbase, weight, suspension and the rest of the package make it fell slower/less intense than it actually is. I notice I can get up to speed on an on ramp just fine.

 

[Madscots]

I had a look at the new Triumph few days back and looks like a BMW GS which isn't a compliment. How ever would like to get a test run on one to see the difference.



Great report fella was a good read ::008::

 

[JHKolb]

So anyways, I'm still undecided, and I want to do the back-to-back test riding that I originally intended to do back in May. More than a ten minute ride is needed to truly assess each bike's character, but one thing is for sure, either bike is an upgrade to what I have now and either bike I think is superb.

Just send a PM, you can give mine a thorough beating evaluation sometime. We are only like 15-20 min. away, and I can open my schedule pretty easily. As long as it's not raining (I hate riding in the rain) or a million degrees out (like this week) I'm up for a ride over your way.

John

 

[Yamaguy55]

I had a look at the new Triumph few days back and looks like a BMW GS which isn't a compliment. How ever would like to get a test run on one to see the difference.



Great report fella was a good read ::008::

I couldn't agree more on the look: for whatever reason, I absolutely hate the "beak". ::007:: It would most likely be a deal breaker: that's how much I can't stand that look. I'm 'fflicted, (afflicted in Southern) as my cousin used to say, so what do I know? There's some current styling concepts that just make me what to hurl, and that's one of them, although why that is is beyond me.

The rest of the bike looks ok, but is even bigger and taller that the S10. I'd say the S10 is at the peak of weight/size if you are even remotely considering off-road. With the cast wheels, I don't think Triumph is truly looking for the off road group, or even the really nasty pavement group. I took some pretty big (unintentional) hits on my FZ's rims, and they made it fine, but I wouldn't try the same thing in this weight class with anything but wire wheels, and even then would avoid what hits I could.

 

[GrahamD]

My real advice is Forget the Bikes and spend all your time with your WIFE AND KIDS They will be gone before you can blink, there will be time to ride when they get there motorcycle license and can start riding with you.
Steve

I just ride with the kids.

My biggest camping trip to date was with my son. Was hard work though and a bit slow. They have a lot of energy after all the stops for ice cream. ;D

Only thing is I can only take one at a time where I live.

It's all the house farkling that is a real bummer. No camping trips for the last year.

 

[Paulvt1]

The Tiger 12 is a great bike for us Sports / Touring refugees. Comfy and Fast. Engine is as sweet as a nut. I may look at one next spring - but it would be a wrench to get rid of the Ten.