Just got back from test riding the Triumph Explorer 1200 and the Tenere back to back.
Hands down the Explorer is a better bike...cruise control, more power, gear shift indicator, etc., etc.
BUT is it a better machine for me?
I'm looking at $9k for my FJR (10350 miles, '09) on trade, plus another $9100 out of my pocket for an Explorer XC.
The 2011 Tenere on the floor is priced about $6k less...
So, there you go - no clue what direction I'll end up going in, if any, but I can assure you I won't buy a Ducati Multistrada... ::015::
Hands down the Explorer is a better bike...cruise control, more power, gear shift indicator, etc., etc.
BUT is it a better machine for me?
I'm looking at $9k for my FJR (10350 miles, '09) on trade, plus another $9100 out of my pocket for an Explorer XC.
The 2011 Tenere on the floor is priced about $6k less...
- The Tenere is, for my rear end, more comfortable. The Explorer seat was very cushy, but held me against the gas tank and limited movement. The Tenere left me loads of room to move around, on the other hand.
Loved the sound and feel of the Tenere engine - no clue what the moto-journalists are on about saying it has no character - dumbasses.
The Explorer would creep along at 6 - 7 mph in 1st gear with zero lugging, bucking, etc. The Tenere needed to have the clutch feathered at those same low speeds. Just more usable, low-down torque at play in the Triumph. (Or I was misreading the feedback from the engine in the Tenere and should have just lugged it along more.)
The Explorer is simply in another class power wise. Gear is irrelevant: grab a handful and you hit warp 3. NOW!
The downside here is you tend to find yourself exceeding the speed limit ALL the time.
The Tenere is quiet-ish. The Explorer is silent unless you open it up, then it sounds simply wonderful!
The Tenere felt better between my legs while standing on the pegs.
The Tenere is, for me, a more comfortable seating position. The Triumph has my knees bent more - similar to my FJR, only a bit less. The Tenere is more like sitting on my KTM Enduro R, which I like.
Wind management for me was very good on the Tenere and excellent on the Explorer (up to 80 mph). I'm 6' tall, 30" inseam - so taller torso.
Both bikes were noticeably lighter than my FJR and you can really feel the difference in lower speed handling. The FJR needs higher speeds and a bit more force to really play in it's sweet spot in the twisties.
Vibration was a non-issue on both bikes.
People complain about heat - well, neither of these bikes has an issue for me. It was 83 degrees while I road. Neither baked any part of me. I've read people complaining about the cooling fan on the Tenere - yes, you can hear it, but its hardly an issue. And the heat being pumped out slips past me instead of hitting me, so it works for me.
Not a huge fan of those stock signal lights on the Tenere up front - they just flap around out there, so those would be close to the front end of any build if the Tenere comes home.
The Explorer windscreen is easily adjustable, the Tenere, not nearly as much.
Love that the Tenere has an actual 12v outlet in our standard North American size, instead of the Euro-sixed unit on the Triumph.
Its clear what the mags are talking about when they say the Triumph is more onroad oriented, and when they talk about the Tenere being solid offroad.
Traction control and ABS 100% defeatable on the Explorer, though it does reset to engaged when you cycle the keys - could be a PITA on the trails.
So, there you go - no clue what direction I'll end up going in, if any, but I can assure you I won't buy a Ducati Multistrada... ::015::