Is the Super Tenere an "Old Mans" Bike?

[RicoChet]

So I'm at the office putting away some groceries in the very handy panniers on my bike when a guy comes by and goes "That's an old mans bike!" a short while after a completely different person who works at my company who rides an R1 (That got stolen last year) says "How you enjoying that thing? It's an old mans bike"

I get cracked up over it!! I am only 35 years old. I've never seen this as an old mans bike. My last 2 bikes were a Rocket III Roadster and an ST1300, neither of which are bikes young people ride anyway... I just think they don't know what they're missing! I've got over 20 years riding experience and have owned every type of motorcycle you can buy and only after that many years you know what kind of bike is the type that blows all the others away as far as reliability, performance and versatility. I love my Yamaha Super Tenere!

 

[Bryce]

ya, it kinda is.

I think the big displacement ADV bikes all are. style and price put it out of reach for younger riders.

 

[Checkswrecks]

LOL - I get the same thing now and then, usually from some kid on a crotch rocket. Or since mine has the trailer hitch, they ask what kind of tractor it is.


About then I ask if they want to race and they ALWAYS say yes. That's when I point to the Iron Butt license frame and tell them it's a race to New Orleans, which is about 1,000 miles away. It always ends in a laugh.

 

[snakebitten]

In their defense, I would like to translate.

Old Man, in this instance =

1. Learned. As in did substantial research because nobody could possible know the amazing virtues of this machine by simply looking at it. And the press actually argues AGAINST it. Hilarious.
2. Experienced. As in likely to have vast hours (decades even) of seat time on motorcycles. usually, anyway. (Some guys like Ricocet are just old-souls)
3. Wise. Yea, it's a bit egotistical, but I've found amazing collective motorcycle-savvy amongst the Super Tenere crowd
4. Humble. In that they are far past their concern with posing.

There. Feel better? I got your back 24\7 on this. lol

 

[sjh]

I'm in the 30-35 bracket and absolutely love my Tenere. Bikes are my sole form of transport, and pretty much every holiday I take is a few thousand miles of riding.

I've had that comment a couple of times, from people who ride many many less miles per year and don't have bikes as their sole form of transport.

 

[wtwill]

I would say, "It's a mature man's bike". Which old or young have nothing to do with. It is the bike for the man who is more interested in function than form. I am 34 and my first two street bikes were SV650 and VFR800. I had them because I thought they looked cool. I think the S10 looks cool but that's not why I bought it. I'm much more interested in comfort, ability to hit some dirt, carrying groceries, and of course still being able to carve corners better than most guys on a sport bike. ::26::

 

[Pterodactyl]

Define old.......

You 35 year olds are old men to some folks. :-\

 

[RicoChet]

I myself went through a phase for the last 10 years enjoying really chromed out and spiffy looking cruisers... but now, All I care about is reliability and versatility. The S10 is not as pretty as some other bikes, but the fact I can cruise for hundreds of miles on the highway, pick up the groceries and ride the dirt road back home on the same bike is something that cannot be compared to most other bikes. This is why I don't care what other people say, they have absolutely no freaking clue what these machines are for, and what they are capable of. All people care about is "How fast is it?" and "How much chrome can you put on it?" lol

 

[RicoChet]

Define old.......

You 35 year olds are old men to some folks. :-\

I can only assume when some one says "Old mans bike" they are referring to men probably in their 50's and 60's who can afford bikes like K1600's and Goldwings

 

[snakebitten]

Well in all fairness, I think Super Teneres are $cheap\affordable. But then, I'm 60.

 

[Gobear]

An old mans bike is a Burgman 650 which is was what I rode last year ...and every time and I mean every time I saw someone I knew ...the first thing out of his or hers month was " isn't that an old mans bike "

Never thought I would experience pier pressure at 63 ... However I've like the Super T ever since I rode it the first time in 2014 at a Yamaha ride day.

So I decided to use it as part exchange on my new 2017 ....gone but not forgotten...it did make me smile when I rode it...think the ST will do the same.

I ask the salesmen when I pick up the ST what the lever on the left handle bar was used for ..as on the Burgman it the rear brake..got a laugh...he said if he didn't know me , he would have been worried.

Oh and I drive a soccer moms car..Subrau Forester

 

[k woo]

I think large adventure bikes and especially the Tenere appeal to older, experienced riders. I enjoyed sport bikes in my younger years and couldn't care less about them now. 8)

 

[RicoChet]

Well in all fairness, I think Super Teneres are $cheap\affordable. But then, I'm 60.

Regardless of age, I think the Super Tenere is priced right enough that anyone can afford one with some hard work. GS and Other bikes are way too expensive for my taste.. and needs.. I have a kid on the way!

 

[RicoChet]

An old mans bike is a Burgman 650 which is was what I rode last year ...and every time and I mean every time I saw someone I knew ...the first thing out of his or hers month was " isn't that an old mans bike "

Never thought I would experience pier pressure at 63 ... However I've like the Super T ever since I rode it the first time in 2014 at a Yamaha ride day.

So I decided to use it as part exchange on my new 2017 ....gone but not forgotten...it did make me smile when I rode it...think the ST will do the same.

I ask the salesmen when I pick up the ST what the lever on the left handle bar was used for ..as on the Burgman it the rear brake..got a laugh...he said if he didn't know me , he would have been worried.

Oh and I drive a soccer moms car..Subrau Forester

I've stopped caring a long time ago what people think... I drive an almost 20 year old Toyota Camry. Best car I've ever owned. Costs nothing to own. When my kid arrives in July, I have no shame whatsoever considering buying a used minivan. Those buggers are seriously versatile and comfy at the same time. I care not what others think!

 

[IslandTractor]

I've stopped caring a long time ago what people think... I drive an almost 20 year old Toyota Camry. Best car I've ever owned. Costs nothing to own. When my kid arrives in July, I have no shame whatsoever considering buying a used minivan. Those buggers are seriously versatile and comfy at the same time. I care not what others think!

If I could have just one car for the rest of my days it would be a minivan. Toyota or Honda probably but the Chrysler products are cheaper to maintain on big stuff like transmissions. I have a Honda Element now which is pretty great too but only seats 4.

The way I see it, you need to have really big ones to drive a minivan.

 

[magic]

I was told that Harleys were old man bikes, especially Electra Glides and Road Kings. Problem is this, at 60 years young, I had Harleys already now I own an S10. I guess I got the order mixed up. You younger guys remember this; "There are old riders and there are bold riders, but there are NO old bold riders".

 

[trainman]

never had that comment - usually they ask what it is, lack of tank badging and rarity causes confusion

 

[mrpete64]

I'm 70 and have a 2014ES. I have had about every kind of bike one can own since 1960. I wanted something that I could sit straight up on and be...comfortable. I drove it from New York to California last September. The cruise was great. The electronic suspension was spot on. It was a nice ride. I looked at the new water cooled GS and could not see the difference after owning four BMW's in three years. The new Ducati's looks like nice bikes but the price of tune ups, etc., just did not set well with me. I rather spend the money "going" places.
Is it an "old man's bike" that is up for debate. As I have commented on previous posts...if this bike and 148 HP bike reviewers would be saying it was the best bike made for the money. Everybody is horse power crazy. I just enjoy putting along at seventy and enjoying the smells...sights...and enjoy being alive and able to see America on two wheels.
At this point of my life I "really" do not care what people say/think. I always believed that one should drive what one likes..not what people think you should like. Life is too short...go ride a Vespa across the Sahara if that is what you want to do.
Spring is here and I will take my "old man's body" and do ten or fifteen thousand miles zig zagging around the U.S. My Tenere is "much" younger than I am!

 

[RCinNC]

The proper response is "I'm enjoying it just fine. By the way, what kind of bikes do dickheads ride, because I'm guessing that's what's parked in your parking space".

Seriously, where do some of you live that random strangers walk up and make casual insults about you and your bike? About the only thing anyone ever says to me about mine is "hey, is that a BMW?", and "wow, that looks nice....I bet you could ride that around the world".

 

[gv550]

I've never had anyone say it's an old mans bike, but I do get a fair bit of ridicule about my riding costume. My younger brother (Harley rider) jokingly calls it a jump-suit, my cruiser buddies say I look ridiculous, my wife tells me to get rid of that old suit.....
It's Olympia Air3, well worn and faded but oh, so comfortable.
What say ye?