Giving up the Tenere? The nearly incoherent ramblings of a 9 year Tenere owner.

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ballisticexchris

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There is a place here in CA called "Monster Miata". If you want sick performance then this is the place to go!! I have had my share of riding super bikes and they are not enjoyable at all. Off road the CR500 was and still is king of the hill. Again not fun to trail ride but a blast with a 10 paddle in the dunes.

The Ducati and 1190/1290 KTM's have your inner legs and nuts feel like they are roasting over a BBQ. The heat management sucks on both of them. The Ducati has a very odd feeling ergos. Even adjusting the brake pedal did no good. I rode well over 100 mile demos on both the 21" and 19" front wheel KTM super bikes. Both the KTM's and Ducati's are way too much bike for everyday riding.

I knew right away on a long demo with the Gen 1 Super Tenere that it was more than enough power. And boy oh boy very comfortable!!
 

Dirt_Dad

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So, where are you getting any real use from the extra power? Are you choosing to ride whack a throttle style? (not a slam, it's a choice) Or are you just shredding the rear tire on the back roads/dirt roads and enjoying the moments?

You're certainly suffering from a bout of New Bike Fever, even after buying the KTM. But what are you really going to get from that new bike?
I actually think the new (to me) KTM makes it more likely I'll go lower power rather than higher. The KTM scratches an itch I haven't been able to reach for a long time. I again have snappy response and wheelie-abillty. That reduces the need for me to have to roll all of that into my long distance bike.

I've had super fast before (FZ1). 0 to 90MPH in about 3 seconds in 1st gear. Blindingly fast, and the most boring bike I've ever owned. Not doing that again. I have to keep my license. And it's dull to ride a bike that doesn't need 2nd gear.
 

jeckyll

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In the end, you gotta do whatever makes you happy. It's not about the bike, it's about the experience.

People get so stuck on one they forget about the other :)
 

Sierra1

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. . . . but I was getting tired of the weight for what I was doing, and bought a Tiger 900. An impressive bike so far, both on the road, and off-road. . . .
. . . . The Ducati and 1190/1290 KTM's have your inner legs and nuts feel like they are roasting over a BBQ. The heat management sucks on both of them. The Ducati has a very odd feeling ergos. . . .
Norman Reedus has his series about riding in cool places. On the very first episode he was riding the Ducati Multistrada. From episode two, to present, he's been on a 800/900 Tiger. On this season, it was a different bike, so I assumed it was the latest version. Ryan Hurst (actor) was one of the guests. Ryan's a big boy, so they put him on the 1200 Tiger. I'm also assuming that Norman isn't going to ride something he doesn't like. Hence the switch. Especially with y'alls input.
 

JJTJ2

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Norman Reedus has his series about riding in cool places. On the very first episode he was riding the Ducati Multistrada. From episode two, to present, he's been on a 800/900 Tiger. On this season, it was a different bike, so I assumed it was the latest version. Ryan Hurst (actor) was one of the guests. Ryan's a big boy, so they put him on the 1200 Tiger. I'm also assuming that Norman isn't going to ride something he doesn't like. Hence the switch. Especially with y'alls input.
In one of the episodes he said the Tiger 800 was the best motorcycle he has ridden.
 

Blind Squirrel

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I'm still surprised at my reaction to DM's little 750. Somethings are just hard to explain. For some reason, that one intrigues me. I really was looking forward to riding the 850 in the Alps this year. Then I would have known for sure if it's the right one to give a parking spot in the garage.
Morton's does test rides.

The thing I like about BMWs is that every BMW I have ridden just seems to disappear from under you when the wheels start rolling. I really like my S10. I loved my RT. If money was not an object I would be on a lowered GSA.
 

Don T

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Life is too short to ride a bike that doesn't put a smile on your face.
The T12 is a brilliant bike, but only one of many.

If you replace your T12 with another steed and regret, you can always buy another T12 - and maybe a Gen III is available then...
 

bmac

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I would suggest taking a GS on an all day test ride. You should be able to find a BMW dealer that will let you do that. But, while your at it take the 1250 for an extended test ride as well. I was far more impressed with the 1250 than I thought I would be and far less impressed with the 850GS than I thought possible. Sales of the 850 have been a bit slow particularly considering the price point. The incentives have been pretty strong to support sales. After 3 Super Tenere's (2012,2014, and 2016) the bike I ended up with is the 1250GS, I am amazed how good it is and like it more everyday I ride it. It is as comfortable as the S10 and has quite a bit more power. It is noticeably lighter and far more flickable than the S10's. So far it has been trouble free but I still wish it was a Yamaha. No company builds more reliable bikes than Yamaha and that peace of mind is worth something.

BUT, before you buy anything, be sure to take the 700 Tenere for a test ride. I ride all of the Yamaha street bikes on a regular basis and it is the bike I am most impressed with after several test rides. It is an amazing bike. The 700 engine is a gem and the Tenere platform with this engine is fantastic. I ordered one in February and expect it to arrive this week. It is a way better road bike than I thought possible and can't wait to play with it off road. I think Yamaha outdid BMW with this one.
 

EricV

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I actually think the new (to me) KTM makes it more likely I'll go lower power rather than higher. The KTM scratches an itch I haven't been able to reach for a long time. I again have snappy response and wheelie-abillty. That reduces the need for me to have to roll all of that into my long distance bike.

I've had super fast before (FZ1). 0 to 90MPH in about 3 seconds in 1st gear. Blindingly fast, and the most boring bike I've ever owned. Not doing that again. I have to keep my license. And it's dull to ride a bike that doesn't need 2nd gear.
I both agree, and disagree. :D I totally get the first paragraph and that makes a lot of sense in the context of what you've been saying in this thread. And I hear you about a bike that doesn't need second gear too. But I also owned a FZ1 and I toured on that, including Alaska. It was a price point purchase for me after buying my first house and I got a smoking deal on it as a left over model when the new models had been out for a couple of months. The dealer wanted to dump it, and I beat him up a little more on the price too.

The FZ1 was an easy bike to ride well. Very good ergos for me, one of the few bikes I've ever sat on and everything just FIT. And yes, realizing it would wheelie in second gear on throttle alone was a wake up call. (The nice officer was laughing so hard after our talk that he gave me a warning) But I didn't buy it as a thrill machine, I bought it as a tool to take me places. Eventually I moved to the FJR to get better weather protection, hard luggage and shaft drive. The bonus of a 5 speed trans and all that torque was nice too, no more rowing up and down the gears as I came into small towns with 25-30 mph speed limits.

One of the most helpful comments made to me when I had the FZ1 and was trying to decide if I should get the FJR or just pimp out the FZ1 was "Don't try and make it into something it's not."

Will you be happy with a lower displacement "travel bike" that lacks some of the things the Super Ten does so well? In terms of bike to bike movement and how it feels or adjustment period we notice, I get that. Moving from the Super Ten to the WeeStrom was like WTF, no brakes! And No Power! :eek: But then you get used to it and ride it differently to adjust to what it has. I'm riding a FZ6 now and it's lighter and I can flat foot the thing w/o issues, but it's still a 100 hp bike, just inline four characteristics. No power to miss, coming from the S10, and brakes are good, but I don't miss the weight and bulk of the S10. I'm not doing the same kind of riding I used to either, so haven't missed the weather protection and luggage too much. (oddly, I miss the hydration system the most, so am making a smaller one up for the Fizzy.)

We're all different. I've ridden the older F650GS twin (798cc), many times and while it's ok, it never spoke to me and always was lacking on brakes. Fully kited out it weighed as nearly as much as the S10 did in equal trim and didn't carry it as well. Much more of a difference stripped to fully loaded than I felt with the S10.

Take the 750GS out for a long day. At least 300 miles. Stop and write down the things you notice that you like and don't like every now and then. Write a little summary at the end of the ride about you're over all feelings about riding it, compared to riding the S10. Then forget about that stuff for a couple of days, ride the KTM, etc. Now sit down and read over what you wrote about the GS and that might give you the perspective you need to decide.
 

Checkswrecks

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I don't remember the size of that KTM Adventure you and I rode that one demo day, but I do remember how great it felt. . . . .
I believe those were 1090s.

I recently was talking to a Yamaha NA person and asked directly if she could say when Yam will announce the Gen3 bike. She was very coy in responding. Forgetting the exact words, it was something like:

". . . an updated Super Tenere? Hmmm - Well we are just introducing the 700 and I don't have exact details on an update for the big bike yet and we still have new bikes to sell. . . "

She said nothing directly but the words "an update" twice caught my ear that there is indeed an updated model in the works.
fwiw - Last year they started announcing new models in September and added at the big October shows.
 

Sierra1

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". . . an updated Super Tenere? Hmmm - Well we are just introducing the 700 and I don't have exact details on an update for the big bike yet and we still have new bikes to sell. . . "
Daaaamn. . . . she has a future in politics. :D
 

Dirt_Dad

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One of the most helpful comments made to me when I had the FZ1 and was trying to decide if I should get the FJR or just pimp out the FZ1 was "Don't try and make it into something it's not."
That is exactly the reason my DR650 did not get upgraded and there is now a KTM in the garage.

I put the first 600 miles on the 750GS the week we bought it. Everything about the ergos are too small for me, but I still got off it the bike that 4th of July weekend and was really impressed. Not positive I'd find the 850 to be even better, but it is the same frame and engine, so seems logical.

I actually like the idea of a 21" front. Makes the bike less automatic. The reason my FJR lasted about three weeks before putting it up for sale was the ease at which it was to ride. Damn thing didn't need a skilled pilot to take it through the twisties. I need adrenaline when I ride in curves, and the FJR had to go way faster than I wanted to get any adrenaline out of it. I don't need to be riding that fast. I can see an argument that to competently get a 21" front through the twisties it takes more rider skill. I know I've already done a lot of twisty pavement on the KTM 21" front and I'm having a blast doing it. It's never been about speed with me, it's always been about that happy feeling of a well executed run. I have no problem if that feeling arrives at lower speeds.

The T7 to me looks to be a good replacement for another dual sport bike. Just don't see it as a touring bike for me. I still need full stability, weather protections, deer striking survivability, and 700+ mile comfort.

An upgraded Tenere would definitely be considered. I suspect at Yamaha's pace, that may be two bikes away for me. Although, still not in a huge rush.
 
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