Lurker in Arizona

[Danno]

Hello to all,

I'm Dan in Tucson, AZ. I am retired and anxious to get away from the computer and TV and hit the road. I'm sorry to say I am only a lurker at this point. Trying to make a decision between two very different bikes. I am old, coming up on 64, and thinking comfort is the way to go. So I go look at the Honda Goldwing. Ahhhh, nice seat, good ergonomics, cruise control, audio all set up, lots of storage, the list goes on. Then I spot the Super Tenere. Hmmmm........... I like the way it looks. I like the concept. I like what the salesman is telling me about it. I get on this forum and I read and read and read. Then I think to myself, idiot you just sold your 2009 KLR with only 900 miles on it because you couldn't stand the wind noise with the dinky windshield and it wasn't comfortable enough. But still....... the ST can be farkled to make it comfy.........uhhhh........like the Goldwing. Well not quite. So here I am going back and forth. I am 6' 6" tall 225 lbs. so I don't fit well on much of anything. Anybody else out there my height or taller riding a ST? I've owned lots of bikes over the years. First was a Tohatsu 50cc in high school (yeah that was embarrassing). In that last 15 years, a Honda 750 Nighthawk, Honda ST1100, Cagiva Gran Canyon (probably the best bike I've ever had and reget selling it), and the KLR. I'm getting close to making a decision but find as I get older decisions are more difficult. Thanks to all on this forum who provide so much information.

Dreams are useless if you never do anything to make them come true.

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, Danno, with, where do you want to go? that might help you decide.....

 

[Danno]

Thank you for the reply barkinglizard. I imagine myself riding all over the USA with about 90%, maybe a little more, on pavement. I would like the ability to go down a dirt road every once in awhile and that would IMO not be wise on a 900 lb Goldwing. I have two friends who are retired and wanting to buy Goldwings and tour the Pacific Northwest to begin with. I've lived in the desert so long I marvel at the site of a tree, or a lake, or the ocean, or a river that actually has water running through it. Thus I want to go along with them. I can imagine the hard time they will give me as I gingerly climb off the ST soaking wet and shivering with my old bones creaking while they in turn uncurl from their heated seats and full coverage fairings bone dry and warm. Then again, I can see myself waving goodbye to them as I explore down an old logging road to the beautiful view they will never get to see.

 

[limey]

Most fun I have ever had on a bike.

 

[Danno]

Those two pictures say a lot Limey. Thank you.

 

[azokie]

Dan. I sent you a PM.

 

[azokie]

Dan. Not so fast. You say: "I gingerly climb off the ST soaking wet and shivering with my old bones creaking while they in turn uncurl from their heated seats and full coverage fairings bone dry and warm". The ST has a pretty good fairing and with a good windscreen that can be adjusted as well heated grips and heated jacket you will also be warm. I am sure you could get a heated saddle and the ST has the alternator to handle the load. Set up with CB so you can communicate with the Goldwings, you would be just fine.

 

[Danno]

Thank you Azokie. Looking forward to meeting you.

 

[1reddawg]

Hey danno,just to give you a heads up.I too am kinda tall,6'3"230 lbs, and the tenere is not the best bike for me seating wise,after about 30 minutes my neck and shoulders are killing me.Feels like i am getting poked with a knife in neck & shoulders.I have adjusted the seat ,bars, bar risers,no bar risers,still kills me.i am gonna try a aftermarket seat next.Besides this issue,i am loving this bike.hope it works out for you with whatever you decide.

 

[pteppic]

Hi Danno, and welcome.

Ergonomics are very personal, so YMMV just like everybody else's. I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam. When I wear a dress shirt, I need a 35" sleeve. I weigh about 225. My longest day on the Tenere so far is only about 250 miles, but I really haven't had any comfort issues yet. I ride with the seat in the high position and I've done the seat mod. I have the factory tall windshield shimmed out 3/8".

I used to ride a Honda ST1300 with a Goldwing group. I bought that bike new and sold it at 77000 miles. Like you, I've considered the Goldwing, but every time I sat on one, my left knee hit the fairing. I just couldn't see spending that kind of money and then having to fight the ergos the whole time I owned it. Besides, I like the idea of being able to explore the occasional dirt road.

There, that's my $0.02.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

 

[merchant]

Dan, First off - welcome to the forum. At 64, you're not old. You're well seasoned. My dad is 72 and still riding his GS all over God's green earth - although he is thinking of downsizing to something smaller/lighter in case he has to pick it up. But he's a bit more vertically challenged than you.

I have an aftermarket sheild that blocks nearly all wind. I also plugged in a CB, iPod mount, GPS with bluetooth, heated gear, aux lights. It kinda sounds like I'm emulating a Wing, but a Tenere will go where no Wing would ever dare. If you have any desire to leave the pavement, I cannot recommend the S10 enough. It is inherently a comfortable ride that can be tailored with whatever bells/whistles you'd like.

Side note - I love riding in your neck of the woods. Love that desert scenery! ::008::

 

[Danno]

Thanks to all for the great replies. I keep going back and forth between the ST and the R1200RT. Have to say I'm leaning toward the ST again after having read a few more unsettling stories about the BMW. For me this is turning into a tough decision.

 

[civilsid]

I'm also lurking in Arizona; Kingman to be exact. I am 37 and currently own a '05 Kawasaki Nomad and I am seriously thinking about going to a Super T as they seem to be comparable to the BMW R12GS for less money. This July I went from here to Florida, then up to New York and came home via the northern route through Cleveland, Omaha, Denver, etc. and piled up about 6,000 miles. I am sick of wearing earplugs.

There does appear to be lots of loyal owners that just rave about this bike so I will keep lurking and see what happens. I guess I just have to find one for a bit of a test ride. Also have to sell the KAW to buy something else in any case. Anyone riding around the Hoover Dam area, give me a jingle and I will put the coffee on for you. Sid 928-718-7777.