Hellow from PNW!

Dadruns

New Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2019
Messages
4
Location
Portland OR
Hi, First I will introduce myself, My name is Charles, I joined the forum a few months ago to get more info on ADV riding and especially the Yamaha Super Tenere, I have been a cruiser rider for many years before I got interested in adventure motorcycling

I currently own a 2008 Yamaha Stratoliner (best bike I have ever owned) and now a 2012 Super Tenere (Maybe the best bike I will ever own, we’ll see)

2 years ago, I took a trip to the Baja peninsula, from Portland Or to Mulege in Baja, and yes I went through Cocos corner with my Stratoliner, that was a challenge but it was worth it! Anyway just seeing all the ADV bikes riding on those beat up roads like nothing got me thinking on exploring the possibility in riding something other than a cruiser.

I did ride a Suzuki DR 650 while in Baja for a few days and I quickly realized that I did not have to struggle in bad roads as I did with my Stratoliner but the DR cannot compete with the Stratoliner at all on good roads

So I started looking in to the Big adventure bikes since they all appear to do really good on the highway and can still go on gravel roads or on bad roads, I checked out Africa twin, it was big enough for me but I did not like the ergonomics, the Tiger 800 was too cramped, the GS1200 too expensive…also I have only owned Yamaha motorcycles so I was already biased towards the Tenere

Long story short, I bought a 2012 Super Tenere a few weeks ago and since then I have done roughly 500 miles and with minor adjustments it fits me pretty good, I will say I am impressed with its high speed handling on good roads but I am still getting used to it and still learning how to ride it.

I have not yet taken it to some gravel back roads but I’m looking forward to it!

These are some first impressions I can share when comparing the Tenere with the Stratoliner

Comfort: The Sratoliner just can’t be beat on long hauls but on twisties the Tenere is way less exhausting so it is a tie!

Ride difficulty: Hands down the Tenere is much easier to ride and inspires confidence

“Cool Factor”: This is my own opinion but there is something cool about cruisers that no other bikes have, so the Statoliner wins

Easy Maintenance: They both seem easy with good access to most basic maintenance tasks but the Tenere oil change looks like the easiest so far but I have not done it yet, we shall see!



Anyway, I hope to get some good riding in the Tenere as I continue to learn more about it, maybe in the next year I will decide which one to keep, it is a tough choice, maybe I will keep both!
 

jeckyll

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 11, 2016
Messages
651
Location
Lotusland
Welcome! Love Oregon, come down almost every year to ride there (though this year, likely will not).

Excellent roads that the Tenere will just carv up! OR242 being one of my favourites, but Aufderheide is great, tons of stuff in easter OR of course, love the Rattlesnake run, Hells Canyon, the cut over to Ukiah... ah man, so many memories, now I want to go south!

:D

Anyway, enjoy your SuperT
 

Old Scratch

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2020
Messages
92
Location
Northeast Alabama
Welcome! I rode a Harley Ultra Classic for 22 years. I do not miss it. IT was a good scooter but the Super Ten is better all the way around. But you are already riding a Yamaha. So the relaibility may not seem like a huge deal!! You mentioned cool factor....I never thought cruisers were cool. Just comfortable. I just finished the Natchez Trace in one day. That's a long way at 50-60mph. and it is totally comfortable.The Tenere with a few upgrades such as seat and windscreen make a huge difference. Have fun!
 

Mak10

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2018
Messages
2,567
Location
SE Idaho
Welcome from Idaho. A couple of things that will save you money, some kind of crash bars, and a skid plate.

Enjoy your new bike.
 

Stantdm

Active Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Messages
174
Location
Belle Fourche South Dakota
Welcome. I followed a similar path. Started with standards like a Triumph in the 60's and then to bikes like the Yamaha 850 TDM then to cruisers, all metric. I live where there is lots of gravel and dirt to ride so the ADV seemed logical and in looking at the various models I went with the ST 1200 and found a decent 2012 model locally.
 

bigbob

Well-Known Member
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
1,671
Location
Des Moines, IA
I had my Stratoliner Deluxe when I got my new 2014 Ténéré. Still have the Ténéré but the Strat was replaced by a 2016 Indian Roadmaster which went for a 2018 Venture Transcontinental.

The Ténéré is my toy hauler bike or if there is more than a couple miles of gravel. My wife sat on the Ténéré once for a minute. “There I sat on it. Leave me alone!”

So if two up we ride the cruiser! Went to Star Days in Salt Lake and Roanoke VA. Planning to hit Las Vegas this year.

Prior to cancer and the virus I was planning a camper Ténéré trip to Arizona and SE California ending with the rally that should have ended today. Then another trip to Idaho and the PNW again with the Ténéré in the toy hauler.

Whenever it is safe to travel again still want to hit the PNW and ride from Idaho to the pacific with my best friend. His old BMW is hard roads only and no camping. So which bike? Leaning to the Venture for more storage and electronics. But the ability to stand up makes the Ténéré appealing.

Probably will not decide until I start loading!
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
Welcome from Texas. Keep 'em both. I still have my '86 FJ. But, I can't remember the last time I rode it though. I've always liked sport tours for their versatility. They don't hold a candle to the Tenere. She's my favorite bike. . . . ever.
 

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
Hi, First I will introduce myself, My name is Charles, I joined the forum a few months ago to get more info on ADV riding and especially the Yamaha Super Tenere, I have been a cruiser rider for many years before I got interested in adventure motorcycling

I currently own a 2008 Yamaha Stratoliner (best bike I have ever owned) and now a 2012 Super Tenere (Maybe the best bike I will ever own, we’ll see)

2 years ago, I took a trip to the Baja peninsula, from Portland Or to Mulege in Baja, and yes I went through Cocos corner with my Stratoliner, that was a challenge but it was worth it! Anyway just seeing all the ADV bikes riding on those beat up roads like nothing got me thinking on exploring the possibility in riding something other than a cruiser.

I did ride a Suzuki DR 650 while in Baja for a few days and I quickly realized that I did not have to struggle in bad roads as I did with my Stratoliner but the DR cannot compete with the Stratoliner at all on good roads

So I started looking in to the Big adventure bikes since they all appear to do really good on the highway and can still go on gravel roads or on bad roads, I checked out Africa twin, it was big enough for me but I did not like the ergonomics, the Tiger 800 was too cramped, the GS1200 too expensive…also I have only owned Yamaha motorcycles so I was already biased towards the Tenere

Long story short, I bought a 2012 Super Tenere a few weeks ago and since then I have done roughly 500 miles and with minor adjustments it fits me pretty good, I will say I am impressed with its high speed handling on good roads but I am still getting used to it and still learning how to ride it.

I have not yet taken it to some gravel back roads but I’m looking forward to it!

These are some first impressions I can share when comparing the Tenere with the Stratoliner

Comfort: The Sratoliner just can’t be beat on long hauls but on twisties the Tenere is way less exhausting so it is a tie!

Ride difficulty: Hands down the Tenere is much easier to ride and inspires confidence

“Cool Factor”: This is my own opinion but there is something cool about cruisers that no other bikes have, so the Statoliner wins

Easy Maintenance: They both seem easy with good access to most basic maintenance tasks but the Tenere oil change looks like the easiest so far but I have not done it yet, we shall see!



Anyway, I hope to get some good riding in the Tenere as I continue to learn more about it, maybe in the next year I will decide which one to keep, it is a tough choice, maybe I will keep both!
Pleased to hear you are enjoying your Super Ten.
They call it the "Swiss Army Knife" for obvious reasons.
Good for everything best at nothing. I have a 2018 Es Tenere...it is a great ride...Africa Twin prior. Great bike ad well, all depends what you plan to do.
Sure, oil and filter changes are easy aling with the pumkin transmission change.
I recently changed my air filter...yikes! Lots of work.
Just leave it and change oil filter plugs and do a valve set at 40,000 km . 40 x .625 = 25,000 miles.
SHUMBA


Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk
 

Dadruns

New Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2019
Messages
4
Location
Portland OR
Thank you all for the welcome and advice! now I will keep working on making the bike fit me and make it my own, this is always part of the fun!
 
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