Help Choosing Please! Moving from a BMW

[DonB]

Hello All!

In need some quick help. I am one of the "lucky" BMW 14 RT owners who cant ride it. I am looking to move from BMW to a Tenere. Seems like there are some good deals out there on a 12 or 13 leftover.

I have read about the clutch basket issue (how much to fix?) and would really like to hear from anyone that moved from a BMW to Tenere how the move is treating them.

Also is there anyone in the SW Ohio area that I could meet up with in a hurry to chat with about the bike? I live in Springfield.

Sorry for the immediacy but I have a trip I need to get ready for and this bike seems like it may be a good choice.

Thanks!

Don

 

[ThreePutt]

I would compare it to the hexhead RT. Great ergos and enough power to get you in trouble but you're probably not going to lose your license because of it.

 

[Motowalt]

I went from an 09 BMW F800GS to the 2012 Super Tenere and couldn't be happier...

I put a bit more than 10,000 miles on the 800 and it was fine overall, and great offroad, (even up on Engineer and Cinnamon Pass in Colorado), I loved the motor, but it just didn't have enough power or comfort for cross country trips fully loaded.

The 800 quit on me several times, once along the Mexican border...turns out it was the electronic fuel pump, replaced under warranty. Cracking plastic fuel tank replaced under warranty too. Wish the Tenere had an underseat side-fill tank so I wouldn't have to remove the tank bag at each fill up...

Other than that, the thing I really didn't like about the 800 was the annoying "service" icon which had to be reset by the BMW shop...

Have ridden about 20,000 miles on the Super Tenere so far with no problems.

I haven't even heard about the "clutch basket issue", guess I need to read up on that! LOL

What do you mean you can't ride your RT?

 

[DonB]

Hello Motowalt,
Earlier this summer (1st week of June) BMW issued a do not ride order followed by a NHSTA recall stating that the rear shock could fail causing an accident. Because of the complexity of the rear shock their is no third party vendor with a replacement currently available. All worldwide units with this rear shock are affected.
I am done with BMW.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Sorry to hear of your problems. We have a lot of ex-Beemer owners here and the commiserating will start shortly.
:
The Tenere is very similar to the last generation 1200GS or 1150GS. If you know how one sits, you know the other. Power delivery is roughly about the same till at high rpm. Getting the ECU flashed (see threads by AVC8130, cost about $110 plus shipping) is a common mod and makes the Sport mode power delivery a LOT of fun. The Beemer will still pull away at high rpm, but if you need to live there then you want a sport bike anyway. The ABS brakes are among the best anywhere.


Clutch baskets have bugged a few people but not most, and I would consider it more of a potential nuisance. If you get the shudder by the end of warranty period, Yamaha is excellent about honoring their warranty.


There are all sorts of threads here about farkles and the site search engine works very well.


Otherwise, gas,oil, tires, repeat. It's an SUV kinda bike that you can live with.

 

[Brick]

As a TWO Tenere' owner I definitely say go for it!

I bought a 2012 Raven and loved it... apparently since I put 64,808 miles on it... IT is for sale on the duhhh... for sale page! $7,999.

I bought the new 2014ES because well... I wanted the new stuff. So far I have 8,989 miles on the new ES and love it too.

I'm not sure it is all that much better than my 2012 Tenere'. The cruise control is VERY... VERY nice, the new windscreen is just right for me but then I really liked the stock windscreen. I had a freak issue with my 2012 in that the ECU stopped putting out the signal or ground or whatever that told the headlights it was ok to turn them on. New ECU warranty life is all good! I did the headlight sub harness myself before the recall and so I paid for it myself and couldn't get Yamaha to reimburse me. No other problems in all the miles I've ridden my Tenere' (that is singular and plural... right?)

BTW: I am originally from NW Ohio and retired from OSU (central Ohio) and now live in Western NC! ::012:: ::012:: ::012:: love it here!

BTW... it is all personal choice. I've ridden a LOT of bikes in my 45 years riding and this is my over all favorite hands down. I have an SV650 and sold all the rest of my bikes. Don't need any other. I'm 5'9 1/2" 190 with a 30" inseam and do NOT have the short seat... I do have the stock seat in the low position and can pretty much flat foot this bike. I love the music it makes and how it pulls like a freight train out of corners!

I took some accessories off the 2012 to put on the 2014ES but it's still nicely done. Obviously I think you should buy my 2012 Tenere' and all will be right with the world. I could probably arrange to bring it up or part way up to Ohio... hmmm... I have two sisters who still live up there and well I should go visit them??

 

[RED CAT]

Me too. Went from a GS1200 to an S10 and there is no way I'd go back to the GS unless somebody gave me one. Love my Yammie so much I want another newer one. 55,000kms and never misses a beat. Was always worried about something going wrong on the Beamer. Great bike. You wouldn't be disappointed. As an added bonus. Its the king of grunt in Adventure bikes.

 

[oldbear]

Did the BMW thing a few years ago, bike was OK, but got thoroughly hosed by the only two dealers within 150 miles and left the tribe. I've ridden a bunch of different machines over the past 47 years and my new '13 ST is far and away my favorite (albeit few miles thus far). I got a killer deal on a new '13 and have added the Yamaha bags, "side shields" , ADV crash bars, ADV rack, Excel throttle control and PIAA driving lights. Could not be more pleased. There are great deals out there on remaining '13's and if you're not demanding electronic cruise and/or electronic adjustable suspension then that is, to me anyway, the way to go. I'd say go for it! Good luck! ::022::

 

[oldbear]

You might check with Niehaus Cycles in Lietchfield Illinois. They've got a pretty good deal right now of '13's.

 

[DonB]

All,
Thank you so much for all of your help. I am now looking to move on a new Tenere! I would prefer a new 12 or 13 with the 1200 in parts and 2nd year warranty. Not sure if the 13s are being offered with that? Will consider low-mileage used but needs to be close to Ohio.
Please send any deals my way!
Thanks and I look forward to Tenere ownership! ::014:: ::022::

 

[adventurelounger]

Hey DonB--I made a similar jump from a BMW (F800GS) to the SuperTen on my motoblog. The entry is called Horse Trading: http://wp.me/p3QZZ5-bh Hope you enjoy it!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TXTenere]

All,
Thank you so much for all of your help. I am now looking to move on a new Tenere! I would prefer a new 12 or 13 with the 1200 in parts and 2nd year warranty. Not sure if the 13s are being offered with that? Will consider low-mileage used but needs to be close to Ohio.
Please send any deals my way!
Thanks and I look forward to Tenere ownership! ::014:: ::022::

2013 has the $1200 incentive.

 

[XtreemLee]

I owned a 2000 R1100RTSE. For six years I fiddled with it. I finally reverted it back to eurospec to get rid of the o2 sensor. The tb balances and valve adjustments took a bit of time. But I learned NEVER AGAIN!

 

[Bug Dr.]

I just sold my 2012 RT in order to purchase a left over 2013 Tenere. Since I've never owned a Tenere before I figured I would know what I was missing (if anything) with the 20104 upgrades. Plus, $3000 off of MSRP, $1200 in accessories and an extra year of warranty kinda sealed the deal.

I never had any problems with my BMW had had a great dealer experience in Bentonville BMW. So, I count myself as a fortunate former BMW owner.
Mike

 

[Guls]

I am coming from BMW K1200R sport, it was a perfect bike with power and balance. I went with Yamaha because I want to get into Adventure touring and Yamaha was good price with great reputation.
Additionally there is no BMW dealer support in my area.

 

[Podman]

Rode BMW's for 18 years and time for a change. If you had a 2014 RT I say get the 2014 Tenere ES. Why give up cruise and heated grips and ES............ If you could afford the RT the ES is still cheaper so why short yourself. I replaced my beemer with a KTM and a Tenere. The KTM has 14,500 on it and the S10 13,300. If I only could have one it probably would be the S10. The KTM is about a 150 lbs lighter then the Tenere. The KTM is more flickable but on the other hand the S10 is more stable and comfortable. The S10 you just can't beat.

Mike
Dublin, Ohio

 

[Frog4aday]

Hey Don B,
As stated by another member, the 2013 models come with the $1200 in accessories and the extra year of warranty. I bought one from LAKE HILL MOTORS in Corinth, MS, at the end of May and just couldn't beat the price and extras.

I can't speak to BMW ownership. My riding buddy in AR says the initials stand for "Bikes Made Weird". He has a point! They seem to 'out-clever' themselves at times, putting so much gadgetry on a bike that it just makes them more complicated rather than 'better.' Sorry to hear you bought one of their bikes only to be told to 'park' it due to a defective shock. That's a bummer. But I can say that you will be a happy man on the Super Tenere. I ride with MOTOWALT and know BRICK (from being in the MSTA) and those two guys put in a LOT of miles and have owned a ton of bikes, and they LOVE their Tenere's! To me - and personally knowing those two guys - that is about the highest testimony you can get! They are FAST riders and HARD riders and they can pretty much buy and ride anything they want. And they've settled on the Tenere. That's saying something.

But there is a reason for that - it is the best all around motorcycle I've ever owned in 25 years of riding. The mass is centralized incredibly well and makes the bike "feel" lighter to me than my 2005 DL1000 (even though a scale says otherwise.) That fascinates me. The Tenere is much better in the dirt than either of my DLs (I had a 650 and the 1000.) The Tenere has good power, is very comfortable, handles the twisties like a sportbike, doesn't need a valve adjustment until 26,000 miles, and is pretty much a ride it and forget it bike (no chain!) Plus, you can find a dealer anywhere you go when you own a Yamaha. Not that you'll need one...
Patrick in Aurora, CO (2013 Super Tenere)

 

[DonB]

UPDATE!!!!

Wow! What a blast! The most fun I have had on a ride in years. Yep, I picked up a new blue 12 today and rode it 80 miles home. This bike is truly more than the sum of its specifications. Exceed all the expectations that I have. I have the 1200 in accessories ordered and this stuff should round out this bike nicely.

Thanks to all here that provided input and to those that contacted me directly. I look forward to contributing here on this forum. Pics to follow.

Now to get those 600-700 miles on!

Don

 

[BravoBravo]

Congratulations, Don! Welcome to the wonderful world of the Super Tenere!

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[clint64]

Congrats on the bike Don. Look forward to your riding impressions as you rack up the miles.