Future 2013 ST Owner

[CowboyJim]

Hi, I have been looking through the site while evaluating the super T. I currently own a 2002 BMW R1150GS and wanted to upgrade to something more modern. After test riding the 2014 R1200 GSA and 2014 Triumph Tiger Explorer, both of which were awesome, I decided that I was just too pragmatic to drop $20K on a motorcycle when I can pick one up that is almost as good for almost half the cost. The ST is not the most sexy, but I believe it has what I am looking for: value, reliability, low maintenance, low TCO, good gas mileage, etc. The boutique bikes are definatly sexy, but too rich and needy for me.

So, I put a deposit down on an ST that I will pick up next weekend. My only concern with the bike is boring performance but you guys have convinced me that the ECU flash will wake her up. I may do that after I install the other requisite farkles.

Anyway, I am glad to be part of the cult and look forward to meeting many of you. I hang out in the NC mountains on the weekends and camp to minimize costs. It is great to see that may of you camp as well and who are as pragmatic as I am.

--CowboyJim

 

[escapefjrtist]

::004:: from metro Seattle CJ!

Enjoy the new Tenere, you won't be disappointed!

--G

 

[creggur]

Congrats and welcome to the fray.

I think once you spend a bit of time on the Tenere, "boring" won't be the word that comes to mind.

For me the flash would be a must - it's how the bike should've come from the factory to begin with - makes a huge difference IMHO...

Enjoy your new ride!

 

[Brick]

Welcome Cowboy Jim!
If you hang out in the NC mtns and live in Huntersville you must ride right past my house. I live in Morganton. Give me a shout and let's ride. Too bad you don't have you Super T now as a few of us are riding today, Tuesday!
I look forward to meeting you!


Brick

 

[trikepilot]

I live and ride in the mountains of Western NC. Gimme a shout if you wanna hook up for a little backcountry tour or just a tour of the Asheville brewpubs.

I don't get where "people" call the SuperTen boring. Maybe if you came from some high-performance bike, it might be conceivable. But the SuperTen in sport mode is a rocket compared to a huge swath of bikes out there and I wager compared to the 1150GS. The reflash gets alot of attention here and I guess "fixes" any "problem" people have with the SuperTen's performance, but maybe just ride the bike for awhile before you decide to pull the trigger on the reflash.

 

[clint64]

Welcome and congrats on the bike. I too ride in the N GA, NC mountains pretty much every weekend. Hope to see you about.

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple whatever, CowboyJim, put some miles in and then comment on "a motorcycle that is almost as good, not the most sexy, the bike is boring performance".

 

[snakebitten]

It's boring if you don't ride it. A LOT. Everywhere.

Some get sold after a few months. But almost always with low mileage. Pretty rare to find one for sale that's gettin ridden.
That says something.

 

[creggur]

Wow, even got BL off his welcome script. Coming in with a bang CowboyJim - lol.

While I'm a firm believer in the flash, and wish I hadn't waited a year to get it, I do have a couple of questions:

Have you test-ridden a Tenere?

How many miles were on your demo ride?


Reason I ask is that a Tenere with 5,000 miles on it is a completely different bike than one with sub break-in miles - flashed or not. You'll see that as you pile on some miles - it's pretty cool to get on your bike at 5,500 miles and think, "Damn, this thing just keeps getting better!"

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I disagree with your comments about our beast not being sexy... One does not need a beak to garner a second glance when you're passing her in the garage...

Sexy streeter:

Sexy Dirter:

Sexy tourer:

Doesn't matter what dress you put on her, she wears it well. And will take you there and get you back, pretty much wherever "there" is...

Again, enjoy your new ride.

 

[Donk]

Not sure if its cool for the guy who owns an Explorer to chime in but....got to tell you CowboyJim, IMO the Super Tenere is MUCH better looking than both the BMW GS and the Explorer! Good luck with your new bike. Enjoy!

 

[snakebitten]

Yea, what's not sexy?
Mountain Sun and Desert Night.
Gorgeous in both settings.

 

[CowboyJim]

a simple whatever, CowboyJim, put some miles in and then comment on "a motorcycle that is almost as good, not the most sexy, the bike is boring performance".

I plan too ::26::. I have about 370 miles to ride home from the dealer after a fly and ride but I will break her in properly.

There is theory and reality. It might not take much to impress me given my current ~80HP tractor motor. I have indeed test ridden the ST but it didn't blow my socks off at the time (2 years ago). I was coming from a Honda ST1300 that had a turbine rocket motor so maybe my expectations were too high.

BTW...I think the ST is a cool looking bike or I wouldn't have bought one! Maybe I can inflame a few more folks by saying that I think my matte grey is the best looking color.

 

[snakebitten]

I have the Blue. But I agree on the grey. So un-inflamed still.

 

[PNWSuperbeast]

::004:: from the Pacific Northwest.

 

[Donk]

CowboyJim I too owned a ST1300. Couldn't be rid of it fast enough. I will give you the motor was nice once you got past the whining noise. That should make you LOVE being on the S10. That is unless you like heavy, hot, and ponderous!

 

[CowboyJim]

CowboyJim I too owned a ST1300. Couldn't be rid of it fast enoughI will give you the motor was nice once you got past the whining noise. That should make you LOVE being on the S10. That is unless you like heavy, hot, and ponderous!

The Jetson whining noise was unique but boy did I like that motor in the twisties...I used engine braking the whole time...but talk about HOT! That motor dumped heat on my left leg in a serious way. I had to remove cowlings in the summer to dilute the heat in the flow stream. I know the Yam ST is portly (sorry, but relative to other bikes it is), but the Honda ST was real portly and the old GS is no skinny prom queen so I guess I am used to plus sizes.

I fly up early tomorrow to pick the bike up. I am excited! This is my first new bike. I like Jap engineering and I know Yamaha is one of the better. Hopefully, I can turn a wrench one this bike too..

 

[creggur]

I fly up early tomorrow to pick the bike up.

I am excited!

This is my first new bike.

Sweet! Enjoy the ride home! Can't wait to hear your impressions.

I'd be excited too.

Congratulations!

 

[True Grip]

Congrats CowboyJim the ST is the sturdy girl of adventure bikes. Lots of fun alittle on the chunky side but lots of attractive features. It's built for comfort and more reliable than most. It's one of the easiest bikes I've wrenched on. 28 months of ownership and not once at a shop. That may change soon valves are coming up on inspection. Hope you enjoy it!

 

[Donk]

Congrats on the new bike! How far is your ride home? Ride safe bro

 

[CowboyJim]

I picked the bike up on Friday, rode to my uncle's house for the night in KY, I made it home in NC on Saturday...480 miles of twisty back roads total. I must say, the girl has grown on me! I liked the looks when I saw her in person, but after spending some "quality time" with her, she is growing on me. The ride was the longest demo ride I have every had. I had several hours of monsoon rains and morning temps in the mid 40's w/o heated gear or grips.

Here are my initial impressions:

Power - much more than my R1150GS...I like it even if I am keeping the RPMs low to break the motor in
Comfort - stock ergos are much nicer than the GS but I have some farkling to do
Engineering - very cleaver. I really like the packaging and simple elegance of the bike
Engine - very torque but a bit buzzy at certain RPMs. I prefer turbine engines but hey, it is a big dirt bike
TCO - Outstanding! Beats the pants off of BMW TCO
Dealership Experience - Mitch at I75 Yamaha in Richmond KY is an awesome guy! He is the owner who picked me up from the airport and carted me 30 min south to the dealership. He loves motorcycles and even races them at 60 years old. We had a great time talking bikes. The deal was no nonsense and no games--perfect. I may buy all my bikes from him!

After my long demo ride, here are the first things I am doing to the bike. I have already ordered most parts

• Heated grips - my hands froze! I purchased the Oxfords
  Madstad bracket - I have been using these for years and love them! I worked with Mark from Madstad when he only supported Stroms
  Yamaha Tank Bag - I like the size, looks, and fit on the bike
  Rocky Mountain ATV 80mm bar risers - I am a tall guy
• Fenda Extenda - the tire threw all sorts of road grime on the motor

Overall I am very happy! The family thinks the bike looks cool and so do I now that I have cleaned her up after her long trip home. Now I am thinking of the 600 mile service since she has about 540 miles on her. I am partial to Shell Rotella T synthetic and Bosh or Mobil 1 filters. I know lots of guys take them to the dealers, but I think I will handle this one myself. Like many of you, I trust myself more.

--CB