I took my first test ride today

[bacon]

I got to take the demo bike out for a good ride today. I had a friend along with a BMW GS 1200. We rode hard and I got to put 115 miles on it and about 50 on the BMW comparing them.
My first impressions was I loved the bike them when I would switch I was not sure any more. The BMW was much smother and the motor did not have that whine just pure exhaust sound.
I also liked diving in deep in the corners jumping on the brakes and feeling the forks still soaking up the supple bumps compared to the ST that would be up in the stiffer part of the stroke.
Both bikes were stock and no accessories on them except for a different windshield on the BMW. It had better wind management of the two bikes. OK it sound like I like the BMW more but here is the thing when I got through each section we ran I always had a bigger smile on my face with the ST. A new exhaust will fix the sound A different windshield will fix the buffeting.
I think I am soon going to be a Tenere rider.

 

[snakebitten]

Both great bikes. Both the REAL thing.
Nothing wrong with liking something better on one and something else on the other.

I've stated a few times that my adoration of the S10 makes me want a GS!

But it is starting to look like loooooong term the S10 shows a lot of it's strengths.
Namely, cost of ownership and that motor gets sweeeet.

 

[MidlifeMotor]

You are already thinking about adding to your bike. You are surely a Tenere kind of guy. ::004::

 

[Rasher]

I too prefered the latest GS, but having owned the last model and thrown a huge amount of cash at servicing, repairs, extended warranties and never really being sure the BMW would actually get to where I wanted to be I bought the Yamaha.

The money I will save on not breaking down / paying £100 an hour for servicing etc. will be used to add Wilburs Shock, Fork Re-Work and ECU flash - and all worthwhile as the Yamaha will last for years whereas the BMW will be knackered at 3 years old / 20k miles (and if anything like mine needed £1.5k of servicing and £2k of repairs in that time :exclaim:

 

[RED CAT]

I was fully prepared to step down to an S10 from my GS12. What a surprise! I like the Yamaha better especially after the extra free 10hp with the clutch mod. The ABS and Traction Control both are better on the Yamaha, except for the Shift on the Fly Traction Control on the GS. My main gripe. Oh and the extra 50lbs I could do without. But I still like the Yamaha better overall. Never worry about reliability any more either. ::001::

 

[MidlifeMotor]

I was fully prepared to step down to an S10 from my GS12.::001::

You mean "step up"

 

[mcbrien]

I've got close to 8000mi on my S10 and the suspension has loosened up nicely
and the clutch mod fixed the power . Even started getting praise on how good
it sounds with stock exhaust .

 

[jettcity1]

Your first service or maintenance visit to your BMW dealer will surely "reawaken" your S-10 dream. Yamaha parts and accessories are actually alot more affordable and dealerships are easier to find out there.
I looked at them, they are nice.
I am very happy with the Yamaha Super Tenere. Since I first read the reviews and saw it at the show when it was unveiled, I liked them.
Its been a couple years since they made it into the states and I see alot of heads turn from all types of bikers that want to have a look at this bike.
It truly is the better choice, both financially and functionally.

 

[Mikef5000]

I've got close to 8000mi on my S10 and the suspension has loosened up nicely
and the clutch mod fixed the power . Even started getting praise on how good
it sounds with stock exhaust .

Agreed on both accounts! My suspension is very noticeably more comfortable now than it was new; it took at least 5000 miles to break in. And, while sitting on the bike produces plenty of engine noise, off the bike, the exhaust is deep and impressive sounding.

 

[snakebitten]

Its been a couple years since they made it into the states and I see alot of heads turn from all types of bikers that want to have a look at this bike.

I am pretty sure that most of us in the US of A are celebrating our 1 year anniversary as I speak. (go back and look at threads. Many were CELEBRATING the end of their 1 year wait. Others were screaming "Where is the truck?". Those were great times.)

Put my new license plate sticker on yesterday. 7/13

 

[Brntrt]

After 7000 miles or so the Tenere engine and suspension really smooths out. You'll also learn to appreciate the low cost per mile to ride. I do all my own maitenance and my only costs are GTO, (Gas Tires and Oil) ::013::

 

[jajpko]

I am pretty sure that most of us in the US of A are celebrating our 1 year anniversary as I speak. (go back and look at threads. Many were CELEBRATING the end of their 1 year wait. Others were screaming "Where is the truck?". Those were great times.)

Put my new license plate sticker on yesterday. 7/13

"Those were great times".
They really were, and thanks for reminding me.. I can't believe I've had the bike 1 year tomorrow. ::012::

 

[Don in Lodi]

I've got close to 8000mi on my S10 and the suspension has loosened up nicely
and the clutch mod fixed the power . Even started getting praise on how good
it sounds with stock exhaust .

Just the other day I had somebody ask who's muffler I was running.

 

[3putt]

I'm 26,000+ miles and must say the clutch/fuse mod plus .95 springs in the forks make the bike shine. I'm 180 lbs.

 

[Wanderer]

Hi,
One more thought, especially after coming off a Concours 14, is that the bike, as delivered, will be set up on the high side of taunt. If you are selling someone a bike capable of 100 mph plus it better feel "safe" at those speeds out of the box, if not the lawyers will have a ball. I'm assuming the GS was well set up by its owner so you maybe comparing apples to oranges though ever so slightly. As delivered my Tenere felt tight just like the Connie 14, played with the susupension settings and improved the ride greatly. Granted, if I do decide to push the envelope I know I'll have to adjust the suspension to eliminate the wallow. But, like most of us, that is not how I normally ride. I'm on my 41st year of riding and have been very impressed with the improvements in stock suspension over the last few years. Kinda reminds me of when they finally figured out tires. So don't be bashful about getting out there and making some adjustments.
Later,
Norm

 

[zedXformer]

New owner here.... this thread is making me giddy. Gotta go get another 4k on the odometer. Then maybe some K60s. Congrats to everyone on their one year anniversary and thanks for paving the way.

 

[snakebitten]

So true Wanderer. What we criticize today about OEM suspension and tires was a pipe dream for Moto-GP just a few years ago.

I can clearly remember what riding my 72 CB750 was like in the rain. Terrifying.
But everything was back then.
By 1981, my GS1000E was considered a world class handling bike. It was light years ahead of the CB.

Fast forward to 2002, my GSXR750 took it to another level. The old GS seemed like a pickup truck compared.

Now we buy these new modern BIG HUGE adventure beasts and we can literally jump on them one minute solo and then turn a few dials and screws and load them down like pack mules. Amazing what we get with todays engineering.

Even more amazing is you can make substantial upgrades even to that!

It's really a golden era for these things, in my opinion.

Just read the CW comparison for this class of bike. If you really think about it, if you went back just to say......2000, any 1 of these current adventure bikes would have been revolutionary. Straight out of the box.

Just for fun, imagine the S10, just as it is, being released in the 80's. Back when I got that brand new GS1000E. It would have been science fiction. Would have been heralded as one of the fastest and best handling motorcycles in the world. And the suspension pieces would have been like nothing ever seen before. But today we have guys who chunked that oem-junk-rear-shock in the trash and put a "good" shock on it.

I can't wait to myself.

 

[MidlifeMotor]

Great post snakebitten

 

[Combo]

snakebitten ,

Wow! You have taken me back a few years myself and you are spot on. ::008::

This big XT has turned me into a kid again. I love this bike and can't wait to get back on it. This bike does most everything well that I ask from it and every time I pull into the driveway I just want to turn around and go again.

Tomorrow is our first birthday and when she was born she knew more than I did and still does.