Looking in Illinois

[Topgear]

A great forum and site so far. I've been digging through the threads and learning a lot. I'm leaning toward a new bike and I'm feeling kinda "done" with the cruiser life. If I wasn't in the boring flatlands of IL, I probably would have made the jump long ago. I currently have 3 Yamahas in the stable.

2007 Stratoliner S (This is obviously my current commuter and 2-Up bike)

2007 V-Star 1100 (This bike started life as a full dresser. I put over 40,000 miles on it before buying the Stratoliner and stripping this down to a solo bike.)

And an XS650 I just finished building.

I'm looking to sell the Stratoliner and the V-Star and move to a Tenere. I used to have an FZ6 and I miss the nimble handling, but I want something that's versatile. Something I can use for commuting, long trips cross country on the highways, camping trips, and hopefully some dirt and gravel trails. My 2-Up riding has been a bit more limited now that we have a little one running around, but she does still go along on some trips. I'm fairly confident that I could be comfortable with a Tenere. My real concern is that my wife will still be comfortable on the Tenere after spending time on the back of the Stratoliner. Thanks for any input and advice!

Kent

 

[snuffcityrider]

Love the 650! Can't help ya on the two up comfort. I have a Gold Wing for the two up riding. Welcome to the site!

 

[jajpko]

Very nice bikes,, and welcome to the forum. I think I would let my wife sit on the Tenere before I sold the liner. ::025:: She may not like the comfort package as much as the other...

 

[Topgear]

Love the 650! Can't help ya on the two up comfort. I have a Gold Wing for the two up riding. Welcome to the site!

Thanks! I just don't have enough garage space to keep all these bikes. She really doesn't ride on the long trips too often. The last trip we did was about 325 miles away and we took the bike in the back of the truck and rode around while we were there. I'll put on the miles when I'm by myself, but she's not quite the same road warrior since we had our son.

Kent

 

[Topgear]

Very nice bikes,, and welcome to the forum. I think I would let my wife sit on the Tenere before I sold the liner. ::025:: She may not like the comfort package as much as the other...

Thank you! I probably only need it to be comfortable enough for good day trips and local runs. The main concern is fixing up some kind of backrest that makes her feel well supported.

Kent

 

[jajpko]

Thank you! I probably only need it to be comfortable enough for good day trips and local runs. The main concern is fixing up some kind of backrest that makes her feel well supported.

Kent

You can buy this backrest on flea bay. It is a copy of the Bacup backrest and works very well with some mods. I have mine mounted to the middle luggage rack, but you could mount it to the rear if you have a luggage rack there.
This is just a suggestion, as it looks like you able to make what you want.

 

[rem]

Welcome on, Kent from Illinois. Those are some nice looking bikes. I know they'll be difficult to part with. A lot of us went from cruisers or touring bikes to the Tenere, and have never looked back. My ST1300 will likely be for sale next spring as I just don't ride it anymore. The Tenere does it all. I hope it all works out for you. ::004:: R. ::022::

 

[Topgear]

Thanks for the pics of that backrest, Jim! Looks like exactly what I would need for her. Was that marketed toward the Tenere on eBay or as a universal or ??? Just curious what I should search for.

Kent

 

[Topgear]

Welcome on, Kent from Illinois. Those are some nice looking bikes. I know they'll be difficult to part with. A lot of us went from cruisers or touring bikes to the Tenere, and have never looked back. My ST1300 will likely be for sale next spring as I just don't ride it anymore. The Tenere does it all. I hope it all works out for you. ::004:: R. ::022::

Thanks, and yes it will be hard, especially the 1100. It was my first bike and I've seen a lot of miles and states on that bike. Hoping I can make the move!

Kent

 

[jajpko]

Thanks for the pics of that backrest, Jim! Looks like exactly what I would need for her. Was that marketed toward the Tenere on eBay or as a universal or ??? Just curious what I should search for.

Kent

The one I used was made for a BMW and I modified the mounting bracket. The cost was 138.00 and the Bacup version is around 400.00.
This is a fully adjustable backrest, so it was worth the money.

Just did a search on Ebay and could not find them. If you are really interested I can find my receipt and track them down.. lol

 

[Topgear]

I'll let ya know if/when I get that far. Thanks again, Jim!

Kent

 

[The Rotund One]

You've got some good looking bikes!

My wife and I traded our Royal Star Tour Deluxe in for the S10 and she actually prefers the S10 seating position over the RSTD. Of course, everybody is different.

I agree. Find one and both of you sit it. We went to the dealer and popped the S10 they had on the center stand, and mounted up. We sat there for a good half hour. It looked goofy but, we didn't care. We started telling those that asked that it was "performance art".

I love the riding position of the S10. It's about as neutral as you can get. From my passenger's perspective, the gripes are: height off the ground to get on, and reduced fore-aft space. Remember though, the RSTD is one of the largest bikes ever built so, that's still fresh in her mind. We rode our Guzzi the other day and she remarked that the S10 had more room and a better riding position. Bear in mind, we're both over 50 and not so nimble anymore...

We have no regrets... ::013::

 

[Topgear]

Thanks for the compliments and input, Dave! My wife is 5'9" so she shouldn't have too much of a problem getting up on the perch. The seat I have on the Strat right now is aftermarket, but not really any wider than stock (and certainly not a road couch). I just recently put the trunk with wrap-around backrest on, so she really hasn't had time to get too used to it. I was using the stock backrest before, and that seemed to be fine with her. As I've said before, she really doesn't do the long rides with me any more, but I don't want it to be so uncomfortable back there that she gives up on riding all together. Thanks again for the advice!

Kent

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, Topgear.....

 

[autoteach]

if you cant get a deal, wisconsin is not far away and the dealer by me has them for 12,499 plus tax, title, license. No freight.

 

[Topgear]

I see there is a dealer in Moline, IL that has one on eBay right now. $11,900, no freight or setup, just tax, title, and license.

Kent

 

[tomatocity]

I see there is a dealer in Moline, IL that has one on eBay right now. $11,900, no freight or setup, just tax, title, and license.

Kent

That is the best deal, for a new Tenere, I have heard of.

 

[autoteach]

that is pretty ridiculous. It wouldnt change where I bought mine, but wow.

 

[fredz43]

That was their starting price on an auction and they did get one bid a few minutes before it ended today. Good deal for somebody.

 

[Scoop47501]

Welcome Home !!
As far as Star Cruisers . Been there done that. Three Royal Stars, Two Star Ventures, One Stratoliner, and a road star for good measure. Wife still has a 1300 v-Star after a Royal Star Palomino and a 650 V-Star.
Now running a FJR and Tenny.
Not Going back anytime soon !!!
Again welcome to all the roads you been missing