How can I make my Tenere comfortable for distance riding?

dragonaut

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2021
Messages
34
Location
Akron, Ohio
I purchased a Super Tenere (2012, non-ES) in April after dreaming of one for years. I have to say, overall I've been pretty disappointed in this bike vs. what I had expected it to be - most of all I had thought it would be a comfortable and capable highway bike and a real "mile muncher" as so many people say it is. Instead, I find it to have a very rough/coarse engine character, not easy to find a "sweet spot" for cruising speed/RPM, and my throttle hand gets vibrated and numb pretty quickly. The seat is uncomfortable after an hour or so, and the leg position I find oddly cramped for such a big machine. Worst of all, the wind blast, noise, and turbulence is very, very fatiguing. It's tolerable on 55 mph roads but after more than 20 or 30 minutes on the interstate I get really tired of the wind and when I get off the bike for a much needed break I feel like I lost a fight. The bike even came with a National Cycle tall windscreen and the side wind deflectors so I had really expected this bike to do pretty well with wind protection. I have fiddled with the height adjustment on the windscreen with little success.

It's disappointing since I had thought the S10 would be a bike I could really travel and cover some distance on - the lack of comfort combined with the dismal fuel efficiency and extra-jerky throttle makes me wonder how it's really an improvement over my previous bike (Honda NC700X - not what I would have considered the best highway bike but I rode the heck out of mine, and it certainly wasn't any worse on wind protection). My question for those of you who do find the Tenere a comfortable tourer, what am I missing and what can I adjust, change, do differently with mine before I give up on it and trade it for something else?
 

Bill_C

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May 22, 2021
Messages
492
Location
Central Valley California
Hmm, if you lived close by I'd have you ride mine for a few hours to see how you like it.

I'll admit that the seat is an issue. Butt numbing to say the least, but I have never had a stock seat that I liked so I go into every purchase assuming I'm buying a seat. I have a Russel Day Long and love it. 4 hours easy before I need to stretch my legs and give my butt a break.

Not sure what's up with the vibrations though. Tune up? Mine is smooth but I also added ROX risers to get them where I want them. Plus I came from Harleys and other cruisers so maybe it vibrates and I don't notice.

The windscreen is hit or miss with these depending on your height. I have a fully adjustable windscreen and it took a lot of playing with it to get it just right. I like a little air hitting my helmet as long as it doesn't buffet. I need the airflow on our heat. You might also consider mirror extensions to kill the buffeting.

Finally, if you have crash bars, consider adding highway pegs to allow you to change foot position.

Ultimately, you shouldn't keep the bikenif you're not happy with it and it sounds like it may cost more to get it right than you're willing to pay. No judgment, I've sold bikes for that same reason and I don't regret it at all. Some bikes fit people better than others.

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Sierra1

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Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,817
Location
Joshua TX
Not trying to be mean, but maybe it's not all the bike's fault. The bike can only be so comfortable. To go long stupid distance(s), it takes a bit of intestinal fortitude. I don't have it. I can only ride an hour or so, maybe, before my well-padded butt needs a break. The "twitchy" throttle is well documented as are the fixes. Distance riding without cruise adds to the mix.

Bill's right, this might not be the right bike if you have to make a lot of costly changes to get it to where you need/want it to be. Good luck.

Apparently I got the last perfectly built Tenere.
 

sheikyerbooty

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Joined
Dec 12, 2021
Messages
539
Location
Dunedin, NZ
For an 'adventure' bike the s10 is right up there in terms of long distance comfort. Sounds like you desire next-level. FJR1300, R1250RT etc?
 

lund

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Joined
Jul 8, 2019
Messages
809
Location
Okanagan Valley, Canada.
In general motorcycles are nothing near the comfort of a car.
Hauling long distances on an ADV bike of any brand doesn't happen overnight and the Tenere is no exception.
Guys that run 500-800miles in a day regularly did not start there, it takes time to develop the aptitude and muscle's, I think your asking too much from your self and expecting too much. Being sore is part of the curve and development, even with addon feature creatures.
Yes the S10 is a "mile muncher" as you said but that depends on your expectation, the S10 is not a Goldwing or a cruiser but an real fat dirt bike.
So in its DNA it acts and feel rougher just like most all other ADV bikes out there.
Sounds to me maybe you purchased the wrong type of bike.
When I got into the ADV scene I purchased a BMW GS 1200, never rode a on the street before or even owned a street bike. 6 month later headed south for 4 month. Boy oh Boy was that a painful experience, I remember waking in the morning and hardly able to walk, shoulder, wrist and back pain were intense. It really made me rethink the trip at the time and so did my buddy, also going through the same experience. I sure happy that we stuck to it. By the time we headed north again we both could rack 600-800 painless miles, even 3-400 of them on dirt.
BTW, sold the GS for the S10 and some differences but in general they're over grown dirt bikes not street cruisers or GW.

FYI, today when I bring the bike out of winter storage I kind of go through similar soreness for the first few rides. At first the first couple of hour can be tough and I will break a lot then but generally after abit of time of 4-5 long distances(day rides) the discomfort goes completely away and by late June and July I can easily ride 6-7hrs and rack the mileage. Then fall comes and back to storage to start the whole process in the spring.
I always say, Its about the ride and not the mileage, start small and the next thing you'll know is you will get there.
 
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Boris

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Joined
Dec 21, 2013
Messages
2,051
Location
midlands. UK
You mention that it’s a 2012, therefore Gen1 bike, the vibration/coarseness may well be down to the clutch basket, which was a well known issue with some Gen1 bikes. The fix is easy, but not cheap, although much more reasonable with part prices in the US. This change on my bike made a huge improvement.

Comfort, difficult one as only you know what is comfortable for you. Wind blast/turbulence, I found that one of those screen top visor type thingys made a significant improvement. Cheap and easy.
 

Tenman

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Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
2,102
Location
Natchez Ms USA
I have to agree with a lot of your thoughts. Stock I was uncomfortable after 50 miles. Leveling the seat will do you all the good. Get rid of the gripper cover. Clutch update for vibes. A flash for the jerks. Madstad windshield bracket. Rox risers and a McCruise I’ve been using an airhawk cushion a couple of years and really like it. Helps with the moist cheeks.
 
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Muybig

Active Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Messages
233
Location
Montreal
Drago - Madstad/Madstad/Madstad for the shield, had one on my 2019 Vstrom and it was awesome - placing an order today for my 2022 T10 ES ! Do your research on this product, Cruise control this is one of the main reasons i got rid of my Strom WOW what an amazing option to have moving forward I would not consider any bike without this option ! As far as the seat is concerned - rode nearly 300 Km on Sunday and I find it relatively comfortable, a lot better than my previous ride again there are my options but this is probably going to be a trial and error exercise, not everyone's rear end is the same !

Good luck
 

cyclemike4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
815
Location
ky
I purchased a Super Tenere (2012, non-ES) in April after dreaming of one for years. I have to say, overall I've been pretty disappointed in this bike vs. what I had expected it to be - most of all I had thought it would be a comfortable and capable highway bike and a real "mile muncher" as so many people say it is. Instead, I find it to have a very rough/coarse engine character, not easy to find a "sweet spot" for cruising speed/RPM, and my throttle hand gets vibrated and numb pretty quickly. The seat is uncomfortable after an hour or so, and the leg position I find oddly cramped for such a big machine. Worst of all, the wind blast, noise, and turbulence is very, very fatiguing. It's tolerable on 55 mph roads but after more than 20 or 30 minutes on the interstate I get really tired of the wind and when I get off the bike for a much needed break I feel like I lost a fight. The bike even came with a National Cycle tall windscreen and the side wind deflectors so I had really expected this bike to do pretty well with wind protection. I have fiddled with the height adjustment on the windscreen with little success.

It's disappointing since I had thought the S10 would be a bike I could really travel and cover some distance on - the lack of comfort combined with the dismal fuel efficiency and extra-jerky throttle makes me wonder how it's really an improvement over my previous bike (Honda NC700X - not what I would have considered the best highway bike but I rode the heck out of mine, and it certainly wasn't any worse on wind protection). My question for those of you who do find the Tenere a comfortable tourer, what am I missing and what can I adjust, change, do differently with mine before I give up on it and trade it for something else?
Hello Dragonaut. Sorry to hear you are not getting along with your new ride. I also have a 2012 Super T. I have the stock wind screen set low on the bike and it works for me fine. I am pleased with it. I have done 1000 mile days on the stock seat but it was not something I can say I liked at all. haha. I did put a Sargent's seat on there but I also had to take all but the front two rubber bumpers out from under it so that it would work better for me. Seats are really individual preference though. Just a try it and see kind of thing. I am about 5'10" but I also prefer smaller ergonomics. The Super T was just too stretched out for me. I narrowed the bars by over 2" and moved them back about a 1 1/4" maybe a bit more. I did change the clutch basket to the 14 model unit. that was a worth the price for the change. As far as it not finding a good sweet spot to run interstate. You didn't say how many miles was on it but it may need plugs and coils and the throttle bodies synchronized. I have opened my bleed screws on the throttle bodies 1 3/4 truns ( most on here only go 3/4 though) I have also added a unit that fools the ecu to thinking it is colder outside than it is. Both have helped tremendously but I hear getting a good flash is the way to go. Mine is smooth and strong out on the road and will cruse smooth at any speed with out effort. you may check the tune on the bike to make sure all is good and try some things from there. Good luck sure hope it is a easy change to get it the way you want it. I know it can be frustrating buying something and not live up to what was expected.
 

Twintens

Member
Joined
May 29, 2022
Messages
65
Location
London UK
I Thought the same thing after I rode my new to me 2016 back from the place I bought it. Mine was even worse because the former owner had fitted arrow decat headers, K&N filter and an Akrapovic. It had the small screen on it. As i thundered down the motorway sounding like a couple of Ducati’s and getting wind blasted, I did wonder what I had done. Since then I’ve fitted deflectors, a Madstad bracket and a Givi airflow screen and things have improved. It’s still noisy, jerky and a rabble rouser in s mode but is going in for a reflash with CJS racing in Bristol soon and i will update the effects of that. Hopefully they will smooth things out and I can enjoy what is at the end of the day a fabulous bike that is very capable at different things.
 

gunner

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Founding Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2010
Messages
419
Location
Lucas, TX
Start with balancing the carbs and put the seat in the tall position after you get a better one.
 
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dragonaut

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2021
Messages
34
Location
Akron, Ohio
It's true I'm feeling some frustration with this bike and I know that colors my post from last night. To be sure, seat and windscreen are the number one complaints with pretty much any motorcycle ever and it seems like both are pretty subjective for everyone (and the subject of endless forum discussion.) So whether or not I want to go chasing those in search of the goldilocks solution, I don't know yet.

But to be clear, I am not new to motorcycles or touring. Nor do i expect car levels of comfort from a motorcycle. I rode my first bike, a bone-stock EX250 Ninja, on a couple of week-long trips including end-to-end on the Blue Ridge Parkway in a motley group that included a 1200GS and a Street Glide among others. So while 300-mile days were punishing on that bike, I could do it. Not as fast as the other guys, but I got there in the end. And I did a 6000-mile, month-long, cross country trip on my NC700X loaded with camping gear. When I got the Tenere, I expected more of an upgrade for touring comfort than I have found it to be. It does have the chutzpah for passing on the highway that the Honda didn't but other than that I don't feel like I've extended my touring range - which is what I'm trying to get my head around. It may well be that the Tenere is just not the right fit for me. If I could get the windblast issue improved, it might be enough to keep me on this bike a while longer.
 

Bill_C

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Joined
May 22, 2021
Messages
492
Location
Central Valley California
Just a thought, but a relatively cheap upgrade to address both seat and wind would be to pick up the Madstad adjustable windscreen system and an Airhawk seat cushion. I have the Madstad windscreen package and it is incredibly adjustable. It took time to dial in but I have completely removed all turbulence.
I have always relied on Airhawk seat cushions while researching custom seats and, with a few bikes, found it to be all I needed for long days in the saddle (600-700 mile days). With the seat level mod (remove two rubber bumpers) and an Airhawk, you might find the comfort you're looking for.

Best of luck. Whether you keep the bike or sell it, I hope you find what you're looking for.

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robp

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2021
Messages
112
Location
Driftwood, Texas
I ordered a Madstad bracket and windscreen immediately after riding my new S10 home from the dealership - I knew the stock windscreen would not cut it for me. I also added the Yamaha wind deflectors. The combination of these accessories has really made a difference in cutting down wind noise and buffeting.

I do not find the stock seat all that uncomfortable, but I added a sheepskin fleece pad from eBay and that helps a bit.
 

holligl

Find the road less traveled...
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
2,212
Location
IL/AZ
Mine is a 2014. Prev owner did a Bill Mayer Saddle, tall screen, and winglets. I added 1" risers and most recently added highway pegs. Mine does have some vibs, but I suspect that is from the Mitas E07+ Dakars. Saving grace is the Gen 2 cruise control, which let's me loosen the grip. The first year or two with the bike I kept the seat in the low position. Once I started riding longer distances, I figured out the high position is much easier on the knees. Wind for me is only an issue with strong cross winds.

The highway pegs offer good relief and a change in position. They are easily removed when I leave pavement behind. The BMS seat is better than stock, but if I were starting from scratch, I would likely bite the bullet on RDL.

I agree with what others have said, if you are going to just ride long distance pavement, there are going to be better alternatives. My joy with the S10 is munching miles to get to the "good stuff".

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