Future Ten Rider?

[ladyknieval]

Ladyknieval here, I joined this forum to check out the plus and minus' of the Super Tenere. I am considering it compared to a Triumph Explorer. What I am looking for is a comfortable bike, because if I get a job I applied for, I will be riding to work 60 miles round trip whenever there isn't ice on the roads. Then I will take my Ural sidecar, can't fall over! ::008:: I stopped at a dealer today and seen a 2014 ES model, noticed it had Cruise, TC, and ABS, which Explorer has also. But also ESA and heated grips, the latter which is a must for me. Throwing a leg over, I noticed the weight more low slung than the Explorer, and the height about the same as my DR650. I am short, 5'4", but don't mind a little tall, as long as I can plant one foot flat. I will do some gravel roads around where I live and may get more gutsy off road after I take a training course or something. Been riding street for 25+ years. Next summer the hubby and I plan on a trip to the Canadian Rockies near Jasper, Alberta and points surrounding, so I want a bike for the long haul. I have rode the Explorer, and maybe next week I can get back in and take a Ten for a ride. Anyway, that's why I am here!

 

[Dmcleane]

If you haven't joined the Explorer forum already, I'd check it out. I spent some time over there (as I did here) before I made a decision. There's a recurring theme going on over there, and they don't use the term "bullet proof" like they do here. Good luck in your search.

 

[ladyknieval]

I have been in the Explorer forum for over a year.

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, ladyknieval.....

 

[Ramseybella]

Coming off a 1998 and 2010 Triumph Tiger I have to say I love them.
Issue is finding a Mechanic to deal with them and the little issues along with them.
I rode the 800 TigerXT and the 1200XT and thought they had a lot of speed and grunt (Triple heaven) and handled brilliantly..
The 1200 is a monster big bike the 800 was great except the seat was a bit short for me but I can't see dealing with the issues, my 1050 had very little.
I picked the Tenere for it's dependability, nice low gravity level, drive shaft and the most of all the price..
Did I mention after my 1050 premature death by Volvo I was itching to get back on two wheels again not to mention the Price of the ST went down since they first introduced them.
Tough decision but it's up to you to decide, for folks big and small this bike works it's like a two wheeled truck.

Hope you stick around and Welcome.. ::018::

 

[Checkswrecks]

I like riding Triumphs, had one, and my brother has an 800 Tiger. HOWEVER, satisfaction with a Triumph depends a LOT on the parts and service departments at your local dealer. The only Triumph/Yamaha dealer within reasonable distance to me carries virtually no parts and is an extremely small family owned shop. Nice folks but they could not get me in for a month to do even a simple 30 minute headlight harness recall. I kept trying to take them my business (as mentioned, they are good people) when I had a Sprint and ended up buying parts online to do work myself over and over. Somebody I know left them his bike for a straightforward tuneup and because they carry so few spare parts they had it for three weeks when discovering it needed something. (an ignition coil iirc) We've had two other dealers in the Washington DC market carry Triumph and drop them due to Triumph's requirements on the dealers for what the contract says they need to carry.


As for the difference between bikes, obviously the TEX is more of a road bike with more HP, and is more top heavy. How you fit it is up to you. The guy who introduced me to Teneres claims to be 5'2" but I think he stretches for that.

 

[clint64]

Welcome to the forum. Both are great bikes. Given that you will be using it to commute to work, I would evaluate the reliability of both and see if you can test ride each.

 

[ladyknieval]

I immediately noticed the difference in the weight distribution between the two bikes. When I test rode the Explorer, I was real careful doing parking lot manuevers low speed, lest I tipped over. Had no crashbars on it. Broke it, you buy it right? It reminded me of the '91 Electra Glide Harley I used to own. But I do agree that the triple is an awesome engine. ::008::

I have had a parellel twin before, The Super Ten isn't buzzy is it? I haven't seen any complaints about it, so apparently Yamaha-ha has got the crank balancing and timing down.....

My very first bike was a Yammy, an '82 Seca 650, 4 banger standard. Ah the memories! Big bike to start on though, and heavy to pick up! But for $500, why not?

 

[tkad]

Ah, the 650 seca, my second bike...still lovely to look at, sure was buzzy though.
Sent from my Nokia 920 using Tapatalk

 

[Squibb]

Coming from the UK, you might expect me to favour the TEX, but no. The Triumph feels huge & seems to carry it's weight too high for my taste. Then there have been reliabilty issues - no warranty in the World protects you from the grief that you may have to endure with an unreliable bike. Believe me, I have been there - thanks BMW.

So it was the XT1200ZE for us, no contest. It does what is says on the tin. Just get yourself a test ride, preferably a good few hours or maybe all day & soak up the quality ride. You won't be disappointed.

Keep safe .............. ::001::

 

[BarkSlayer]

Welcome to the forum! While I loved my Triumph Tiger, the Super Tenere is an excellent bike with plenty to offer. Can't go wrong IMO.