Hoping to tour cross country on a Tenere

[IslandTractor]

Hello. I'm a 66yo former motorcyclist who is interested in getting another touring bike and doing a meandering cross country trip from Seattle to Boston. I've owned a couple of BMWs in the distant past and did a Boston to San Francisco on an R60 trip back in 1972. Owned a R100RT in the 1990s too but haven't had a bike since then. I'm now retired and starting to work on my bucket list. I need a bike for solo touring 95+% pavement. Prefer to buy used recent reliable touring bike that I will likely keep for several years but not forever. The Tenere seems to fit the bill.

I've considered BMW GS (maintenance costs and reliability concern me but it's still in the running). Considered more touring focused bikes like Honda ST1300, Goldwing, various Japanese baggers but my neighbor who owns an adventure bike (2014 R1200GS) has convinced me that he finds that bike more suited to road travel than his earlier touring and cruiser bikes. Having owned BMW before, I'd rather have a less finicky and less expensive to maintain bike this time around. The Honda Africa and VStrom 1000 are interesting but it seems to me that the Tenere would be better for a mostly highway touring bike.

I'll plan to alternate camping and motels on my trip. One up only. I'm 6'5", 230lb, 35" inseam. I do like the Goldwing type seating position (sitting upright and watching scenery).

Looking forward to asking some more specific questions. I've been lurking for awhile. (My rather odd avatar name choice comes from participation in a tractor forum...)

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome aboard
::004::


With your size and experience, the Tenere sounds perfect. I prefer long distance on it over the FJR1300s that I had previously, and any more wouldn't even consider a chain drive for long distance or commuting.

 

[snakebitten]

My opinion?

The original ADV genre was outright defined by the bikes you have mentioned in your past. BMW invented this class of 2-wheeled transportation.
And as far as I'm concerned, the GS (And GSA) are still the poster bikes for that original mission statement.

In that regard, the Tenere is simply the Japanese GSA. And there are quite a few fine gents on here that moved in exactly the same direction as you are pondering.
For the same reasons too.

I suspect you are the ideal Super Tenere candidate. I wish you luck too.

 

[IslandTractor]

Welcome aboard
::004::


With your size and experience, the Tenere sounds perfect. I prefer long distance on it over the FJR1300s that I had previously, and any more wouldn't even consider a chain drive for long distance or commuting.

I did look at the FJR1300 too which seems like a very nice bike but I simply don't need or want that type of power and, even more, don't like the idea of 5000 miles in the "sport touring" sitting position. I appreciate that the FJR is popular amongst the ironbutt crowd but I'd prefer a more upright sitting position so long as the seat is supportive. I looked at the Honda CTX1300 which though rather a market bust seems like a pretty comfortable road bike. Why Honda left off cruise control makes no sense though.

 

[IslandTractor]

My opinion?

The original ADV genre was outright defined by the bikes you have mentioned in your past. BMW invented this class of 2-wheeled transportation.
And as far as I'm concerned, the GS (And GSA) are still the poster bikes for that original mission statement.

In that regard, the Tenere is simply the Japanese GSA. And there are quite a few fine gents on here that moved in exactly the same direction as you are pondering.
For the same reasons too.

I suspect you are the ideal Super Tenere candidate. I wish you luck too.

Yes, I have always admired the BMW GS/GSA. I was initially focused on finding a good used example but whether fair/exaggerated or not, the reports of ABS and final drive failures just reminded me of other ownership experiences with high performance German motor vehicles. Only safe to own while on factory warranty. As I am likely to keep my next ?last bike for a few years I am unwilling to absorb the depreciation associated with new Beemers. The depreciation over three years on a new GSA would completely cover the purchase of a used Tenere and I suspect the Yamaha will be very desirable as a six year old bike if well maintained. And, an equivalent cost used GS/GSA would not only be off warranty but would be from the previous oilhead generation which is missing nice features like ABS and cruise control for long distance highway travel. That said, if someone dropped a new GSA in my garage I would hop aboard and my search would be over.

 

[klunsford]

::004:: from Oklahoma. you will like the Tenere, because it will do everything you are asking it to and much, much more. Makes a great cross country rider.

 

[snakebitten]

Totally understand!

Emotionally, I'm a GSA bull's-eye. It sings to my soul.
Logically, and at 60 years old my logic has more influence than when I was young and invincible, I'm a Tenere owner.

It really is far less of a compromise than the emotions might argue. And with the $budget heavily in favor of the Tenere, especially used, it makes throwing a little cash at the Tenere far from painful. I have mine exactly as I want it. And I have been everywhere I ever imagined on it. All road and weather conditions.

It's an amazing platform for using EXACTLY the same travel intentions as I would on the GSA, only with the added peace of mind that being a Yamaha affords.
Again, good luck to you sir.

 

[Davesax36]

This spring I bought a tenere with 38k miles on it. Rode it home 1700 miles. I had the valves checked, added my traveling bits, and went on an 11.5k mile trip. Zero problems. Get your seat situation settled and head out.

 

[IslandTractor]

Totally understand!

Emotionally, I'm a GSA bull's-eye. It sings to my soul.
Logically, and at 60 years old my logic has more influence than when I was young and invincible, I'm a Tenere owner.

It really is far less of a compromise than the emotions might argue. And with the $budget heavily in favor of the Tenere, especially used, it makes throwing a little cash at the Tenere far from painful. I have mine exactly as I want it. And I have been everywhere I ever imagined on it. All road and weather conditions.

It's an amazing platform for using EXACTLY the same travel intentions as I would on the GSA, only with the added peace of mind that being a Yamaha affords.
Again, good luck to you sir.

You hit the nail on the head: "the added peace of mind that being a Yamaha affords". Precisely.

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, IslandTractor, go for a test ride and you will be convinced.....

 

[IslandTractor]

This spring I bought a tenere with 38k miles on it. Rode it home 1700 miles. I had the valves checked, added my traveling bits, and went on an 11.5k mile trip. Zero problems. Get your seat situation settled and head out.

Getting the seat right is critical and also somewhat of a challenge for me. I am hoping to buy a used Tenere somewhere West of the Mississippi and drive it to Seattle to visit my sister before looping up to Banff and down through the big US national parks before heading east (by whatever seems the most interesting route). Not a lot of time to fiddle with seat trials or even to be in one place. I'm hoping to find a bike that has a pretty good aftermarket seat and will likely bring along an air or gel pad in lieu of a perfect custom fit. Perhaps I'll have time to make an appointment with a seat specialist in Seattle before heading back East. I suppose the alternative is to buy the bike here on the East Coast and get it sorted before heading out but the idea of driving across Kansas/Central Plains more than once doesn't appeal.

 

[Brick]

Welcome! At 70 I've put 110,000 miles on the two Tenere' that I've owned. I love it for travel. Over the years I've crossed the USA many times on ST-1100, Kawasaki Concour, FJR's not a problem. This year I have www.ridemsta.com's national Rally in Colorado Springs June 11 - 15th planned and www.SC-MA.com's Three Flags Rally planned in September. I would love to do the Tenere' rally but that depends on the timing... it's all about the timing! Plus as many other trips I can do! I hope to hit 38,000 miles this year! ::008::

Hope to see you out riding somewhere!

 

[bob dirt]

I'm on my second Tenere. I also have a 2012 Goldwing. I would much rather ride my Tenere on long or short trips than the Honda. Way more comfortable for me...6' 240ish. My wife wants me to keep the wing for 2 up rides. Only problem I have had was getting the seat dialed in. Almost any aftermarket is better. My longest trip was 8900 miles in 3 weeks. Couldn't wait to get up every morning and ride. Good luck!

 

[IslandTractor]

a simple hello, IslandTractor, go for a test ride and you will be convinced.....

Thanks for the welcome. I am envious that you are in Alberta. I've been sitting in front of my computer for the past couple of days using satellite photos/Mapquest to work out a big loop up from Seattle to Jasper/Banff and down to Idaho/Wyoming. I think that will be the scenic highlight of my planned trip. Hope the weather is good for touring in Sept/ and early Oct.

 

[RIDEMYST]

I spent 46 days last summer touring on my Tenere. It's less than 2 years old and I'm approaching the 50K mile mark. I also do around 95% on pavement traveling. I previously owned 2 Honda ST1300 and put over 250K on the two.
That said, both are great touring bikes.
However a couple of considerations are the weight factor, the Tenere is about 150 lbs less than the ST1300 and the ES model comes equipped with cruise control which is a very nice feature for LD travel.
I'm 63 and 6' 2" and both bikes fit me fine.
Hopes this helps. Safe travels. -JEP-


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Davesax36]

Instead of swapping bumpers, I just cut the seat bracket down by the correct amount in the back. Now any seat I want to try will be pretty level. I taped one bumper up under the metal tab that the seat tongue has to fit under.

 

[EricV]

Welcome to the forum. We have a '16 GSA Low/Low (hers) and a '12 Super Ten (mine) in the garage. Both are fine bikes. The GSA has more bells and whistles, but most of them don't get used. The Super Ten just works. I'm getting my valves checked at 108k right now and it will cost me <$400 for the local dealer to do it. She needs a valve check service as well on the GSA, just the oil change part was quoted at $150! I'll be lucky if her service costs less than $700, but I don't feel lucky. And that's after we told them not to do the oil change and other things that I can do myself. The GSA only has 12k on it now, but she sold a '11 F650GS twin with 103k when she bought the GSA, so we have plenty of experience with BMW maintenance costs. We're hoping for a better experience this time around, but you pay your quarter and take your chances. Typically BMW issues start showing up about the 35k mark when the warranty is about to, or has just expired. We bought an unlimited mileage aftermarket warranty for $$$$.

Something to be aware of on your search for a Super Ten. The YES Yamaha extended warranty is fully transferable. If you find a used bike under warranty, the YES can be added for 1 to 4 years as long as the bike is still under the original one year warranty. If it's already in the YES warranty, that can be transferred to you (and extended to 4 years if a shorter term YES was first purchased). 4 Year YES warranty can be purchased for ~$400 from D&H Cycles in Cullman, AL (over the phone will get you the best price, by far. They don't advertise that price online). Also, even after 5 years of warranty on my '12 and a major claim, Yamaha offered me another 2 years, so my YES warranty is still in effect until July of 2018 and is unlimited mileage. I guess Yamaha believes in their machines! BMW doesn't even offer extended warranties. You have to buy aftermarket ones.

 

[AVGeek]

When I had an opportunity to do a SaddleSore 1000, I had both an FJR and the Tenere in the garage. I took the Tenere.

Also, if you do buy somewhere on the west coast, both Bill Mayer and Seth Laam are in California, if you decide you need to go the custom seat route.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thank you guys for all your advice and encouragement. As I noted earlier I've been lurking and educating myself regarding the Super Tenere and alternatives for a couple of months now with the goal of acquiring a bike to do a solo cross country tour late this coming summer. Last night I put a deposit on a nicely equipped Tenere being sold by a forum member. The bike is in Seattle which is where I wanted to start my tour (sister lives there) and the seller has agreed to drive the bike over to put in her garage. It may be a bit odd to buy a bike unseen but in this internet era and digital photography as well as a phone call and plenty of experience avoiding Nigerian princes, I am comfortable doing it remotely. I don't think I'd be comfortable doing it that way for many bikes but seeing how thorough the seller has been in farkling his bike I'm comfortable that it has been well maintained. It also comes with a couple of years left on a Yamaha extended warranty. The other consideration is simply that instead of spending a week or more getting a bare bones bike setup properly for me (6'5" 230), I'm buying it from someone who is almost the same size. I should be able to pretty much start my tour after a brief shakedown.

I'm excited to ride my new to me steed cross country. Despite lots of world travel during my working career, I've never managed to get to Vancouver, Banff, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. Those will now be checked off my bucket list in Sept/Oct. My previous cross country motorcycle ride on my BMW R60 in 1972 was on a northern route so I think I will aim to return East via NM, TX, OK, AR, TN and take in the Blue Ridge mountains on my way back to New England. We'll see. I'll add that planning routes with the aid of Google Maps and satellite/continuous street photography is SO much more informative than just looking at an atlas or map.

In any case, thank you all for the encouraging words. Much appreciated. I look forward to participating in the forum as a former lurker.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Great that you and Munsterlander could connect on his bike. It looks really well set up.


If you are riding to Banf, you definitely want to do the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, which is bucket-list material. And once you are there, it's a pretty easy ride to Hyder Alaska, where outside of town is a beautiful glacier with bears and eagles. It's also one of the easiest border crossings anywhere.