Lust for the Machine-XT1200Z

[Chris-KH2PM]

Hello fellow Tenere fanatics! Here's my intro.

I've been riding motorcycles since the 1980's, starting out on dirt bikes (Honda XR75, CL100, Suzuki RM125X) and
Several years of street riding (Honda 650 Nighthawk, Yamaha FJ1100, Kawasaki ZX11D & ZRX1100). Currently in my
garage are two motorcycles I've owned for several years. A Kawasaki KLX650C that I've been riding since 1996 and
a 1984 Honda V65 Magna that I bought and restored in 2003. I've been anticipating getting a Kawasaki Concours
14 for the past couple of years, test ridden a couple of em too, but never really had that "Gotta Have It!" urge
that I now have for the Tenere. All thanks to flipping thru the Feb 2012 issue of Cycle World on an airliner last
week. Now I "Gotta Have" a Super Tenere!

I put about 30 miles on a demo Super Tenere the other day. About 10 highway, some dirt roads and a dirt lot, and the rest on county
two lane roads. I'm very impressed after the demo and I love the looks. I have a buyer lined up for my V65 Magna,
but I'm not sure if I'll be able to part with the KLX. I've done a lot of DS riding on it over the years, and it's still a
very capable machine, but the Tenere easily takes the place of both my current bikes overall.

I think that I've read every online test, watched many YouTube videos (love the "EDOG200" videos!) that I can find.
Now to clear garage space and get some ca$h for a down payment. My local dealer has a couple black Tenere's. I like the
blue and silver, but the overall black is becoming more appealing to me each time I look at it.

Here's a post-ride report with pics from a DS ride I went on with some friends a few years ago. I'm the one with the red
KLX 650 and green helmet.

http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=19545

Pics of the new Tenere as soon as I get it!

-Chris

 

[TNWalker]

Welcome to the Forum! You will not regret the Super Tenere should you decide to purchase. Loving mine more every time I ride. ::022::

 

[GrahamD]

Welcome along Chris From Down Under.

Pretty good chance you will love the bike. about 99 -1

Tough odds

::003::
Graham

 

[markjenn]

You've done your homework, sounds like a very good fit. It won't have the F16-like whoosh of the C14 and I'd rather be on your KLX if it is snotty, but if you're going to kill these two birds with one stone, the S10 is about as good as it gets.

I would keep the KLX if you can; its getting to be an unusual bike and quite capable. There's probably a KLR in my future, sooner or later, although if Yamaha would import the Tenere, I'd probably go towards it instead.

- Mark

 

[dcc46]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Sent from my Evo on Tapatalk

 

[Firefight911]

Welcome to the party! Never to late, settle in, hold on, and enjoy the ride!!!

 

[barkingllizard]

DON'T let the 'black' grow on you, BLUE is better, with a simple hello.....

 

[colorider]

Welcome aboard Chris! Sounds like you are on the right track and have your sights set just about perfect!

Good luck!!

Rod

 

[Tremor38]

DON'T let the 'black' grow on you, BLUE is better, with a simple hello.....

No, no! I'm simply supporting Blue. It is simply the best.

 

[Poohbear]

DON'T let the 'black' grow on you, BLUE is better, with a simple hello.....

You should stick to your simple hello, you clearly have no idea about colour! :

 

[Twitch]

Hey, welcome aboard Chris. One of my best riding buds has a 1984 V65…absolutely loves it, I think it’s the last bike he’ll ever own. Too bad we can’t keep ‘em all.

 

[rem]

Welcome on, Chris. I see you are JAFSTO. Just another future Super Tenere owner, but so are they all. The pics were great. That's the kind of stuff we like to see. I'd show you some pics, but it's all snow right now. Good luck with your pending purchase. Keep us posted. R ::004:: ::022::

 

[barkingllizard]

You should stick to your simple hello, you clearly have no idea about colour!

I would simply expect nothing less from a Poohbear.....

 

[HoebSTer]

Welcome Chris to the forum!!! Don't let the BarkingLizards or Poohbears scare you away!!! They hardly say anything!!!

 

[troll]

welcome to the forum, black is the sum of all colors. buy one and come up to our first SupaT gathering in Whitehorse this summer.... ::26::

 

[HoebSTer]

welcome to the forum, black is the sum of all colors. ::26::

And if all else fails, find a rattle-can and paint it!!!! I did!!!

 

[Chris-KH2PM]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!

I arranged another test ride today. This past week I downloaded a copy of the owner's manual and learned how to change the traction control, ABS and power modes. My local dealer still has a demo XTZ and was glad to have me ride it again. This time I took a few pics and (click this link GoPro HD videos! ::022::

What a sweet machine she is. I love the broad powerband, and how willing the engine is to 'lug', making torque down low, with smooth power delivery from idle
to redline. She sounds sweet, very much like a V-twin, with little vibration. Wind protection is very good at speed. My test ride was a clear, cool 50F day and
I never felt cold after the 45 minute test ride. Found some curvy dirt roads, and tried the traction control and ABS out. Very nice implementation of technology from
Yamaha! I had quick, controllable stops under hard braking, and controlled wheelspin while accelerating on the dirt. Very controllable during high speed gravel
curves. I had to be careful due to the blind curves, having two meetings with vehicles going the opposite direction on the narrow dirt road. No flat out running
or I'd be a hood ornament on a pickup truck. Changed the seat height, and since I have long legs, the higher position is fine for me.

My local dealer sold one of the Tenere's in stock but has another one coming next week. Still working out the details with financing and insurance.

Here's a few pics from my test ride today. My favorite road signs are "Pavement Ends" and "curvy road ahead"!

 

[Chris-KH2PM]

I sold my 1984 Honda V65 Magna that I bought in '03, trailered home, and restored. It was a great machine but I'm ready for a change. Keeping my KLX650 for the really rough stuff, and I've had it since 1996.

So now I'm saving up for a down payment, hoping to have one in the garage next to the KLX by spring. ::022::

::26::

 

[oregon-rider]

My dealer had a black one also but I just couldn't do it > I waited to long and he sold the black one but was able to get me a Blue one coming from the warehouse. I can't wait for it to get here in march ::022:: This is a great site ::004::

 

[rem]

It's okay. Blue is very, very close to being as good as black. ::012:: ::012:: Yessir. R ::025:: ::025:: ::025::