My quandary

[GrahamD]

I see it as this.

The S10 is better everywhere, but nothing in particular leading to the same RELATIVE feel. Just works. No RELATIVE advantage. No SINGLE big improvement to hang a hat on. Just IMPROVEMENTS everywhere. Over what I remember the Wee to be like. So until you jump back on the Wee you just get the feeling it's not much different.

When I jumped back on the Vee after riding the S10 for a while it was really obvious what I was taking for granted. Suddenly the brakes, suspension, refinement, handling were all a bit off, (The handling not so much, just different) but all by similar amounts.

All I could say from Memory was the Wee was easier off road than the Vee and the S10 is easier off road than the Vee, but as the terrain became worse the Wee suspenders would start to protest rather loudly, The Vee not so much much but it couldn't cope with the really rough stuff like the S10 can.

All fairly pleasing considering the increase in weight.

Sorry Triman I posted this before I read your last post.

 

[EricV]

You guys are great and really nailed what I was asking. I'm looking for improved performance without any drama.

Define drama. If shifting down a gear or two is "drama", you're missing out on some of the fun of riding a motorcycle, imho.

I want to sit behind a truck and not think about the buffeting.

Not going to happen. Dirty air is dirty air. No matter if you're on a GL1800 or a WR250R, it's still dirty air, and you have no business sitting behind trucks, get the hell out of there!

I want to be able to pass on a country rode and not need 5 seconds to do it.

The S10 has more power, but it's not a time machine, or a FJR.

I want to be able to stop on a pot hole street in Manhattan and not have the ABS get confused.

This one you do get with the S10.

I want a more supple ride in an upright position

Err, no, that's not describing a S10. Longer travel does not mean plush and supple, it's a firm ride and designed to take the bigger hits of a heavy bike.

and be able to carry half my house with me so I'll be comfortable when I arrive after a 500 mile day. That's all. ;D

Buy better gear. Learn to pack light and WTF? You can put luggage on any bike. And what are you planning on doing the other half of the day?

Sorry, but you're rationalizing. Yes, the Super Tenere has a better ABS system, but everything else is about how you're riding, not about what you're riding.

I have friends that have ridden 12,000+ miles in 11 days on Weestroms. I regularly traveled with a good friend that rides a DL650 and has big honkin Jesse bags on it with a top box. Upgrade the shock, put on a better screen, perhaps a Maddstadd bracket, go to REI and pick up some travel/hiking pants with zip off legs and order some LDComfort gear to wear under your riding gear.

In the end, you're spending a hell of a lot less than buying another bike, which will need farkling done to it. That's even more money.

There is nothing wrong with the bike you have and it meets your needs better than the S10 will in many ways. It's more tossable, gets better mpg and only needs some minor money spent on it to be even better for you. Yep, it's always going to be a 650. Shift!

 

[MurphCO]

Explorer vs Tenere

I rented an Explorer for a trip in Germany - top speed 166mph
My Tenere with a large windshield - top speed 140mph

Elevation difference between the two "tests" is about 3,000 feet.....Tenere at a much higher elevation with less oxygen here in Colorado


The Explorer is more of a street bike that can go offroad if you want

The Tenere is built as an Adventure bike/dual sport-ish and you can seriously tell the difference in the low gears when crawling, the triumph isn't as capable here

I test rode a GSA and before I ever rode the Tenere I was completely set on getting one, I even bought some BMW gear, but after test riding the Tenere and realizing the cost difference not only to purchase but especially to maintain, it was a no brainer.


I still really dig both other bikes, but for my 100 mile a day commute and it's ability on dirt, plus price point the Tenere was the bike for me

 

[triman11427]

I really like my Wee. I have a madstat bracket and Givi screen. Also put in Sonic springs and a Seat Concepts seat , handle bar risers and a lot more to make this a perfect fit. I'm looking at a pre owned S10 which has a Calsci windscreen, mods for 15 extra hp, heated grips and Pelican boxes. It's at a very good price and that's why I'm thinking of changing. I'll be taking a hit on selling my bike so that's the real quandary. I know the S10 has a bigger engine and better brakes. Just wondering if it's worth the effort. So far I'm getting some mixed reviews here.

 

[MurphCO]

the only thing I can complain about is the seat, and the position of the seat as it comes stock


I had a wicked case of sleepypeepee until I ordered a Corbin seat. Since the new seat, not a single problem



used Tenere's are few and far between

 

[GrahamD]

I know the S10 has a bigger engine and better brakes. Just wondering if it's worth the effort. So far I'm getting some mixed reviews here.

That's the trouble it's up to you whether it's worth the effort. I waited till I had two years on the Strom then it went. That to me was definitely worth it. It just took the extra year to get pissed off I suppose. ;D

I also bought second hand, almost took the plunge on a new one but just before I did....

It is great improvement but it's the same as all this stuff, the value tends to decrease as you go up the scale. I wanted a bike I was going to keep for a while. It just took 2 tries and the S10 to come along to get there.

I am a very happy camper, but it is really hard when you are spending someone elses money if you know what I mean.

I'll leave you with this
Bike Build - Yamaha Super Ténéré XT1200Z

 

[markjenn]

As others have stated, I don't think there is any doubt the S10 is a more capable bike than a Wee - it has better components, is faster (although not as much as the displacement difference might suggest), is somewhat more comfortable with better weather protection and less stock buffeting issues, has a more sophisticated ABS system, has traction control, has spoke wheels (which most but not all find more desirable), and has the shaft.

Having said all this, I find many of the pro-S10 comments are in the "bigger is always better" vein. There are a lot of us who appreciate the "built in" virtues of a lighter bike. The Wee manages somehow to marriage the comfort and performance of a much heavier bike in a more manageable package, while offering desirable features like ABS. And do it for a price that quite possibly is the best bargain motorcycling has ever offered. This makes it a compelling choice, even if you think the S10 is overall a better motorcycle.

If you're ready to move up into a bigger segment of adventure bike, there is no doubt the S10 is a great choice. But you are moving up into a different class of bike and while there are a lot of positives to doing this, there are negatives too. There is no way I'd ever characterize the S10 as "simply better at everything". Simply by inspection, a hundred extra pounds and $6201 extra cost say otherwise.

Getting back to the OP's first post, my main comment was that if one is moving from a Wee to a bigger adventure bike for more highway comfort and power, I'd certainly consider leap-frogging the S10 to something like the Explorer.

- Mark

 

[GrahamD]

I'd certainly consider leap-frogging the S10 to something like the Explorer.

- Mark

No No No Mark. Bigger is not always better. You mean "settling for a less versatile bike like the Explorer for more money" ::024::

 

[Aggie85]

Hi all. New to the forum as I'm in the market for a new ride. I sat on a Tenere at the NY MC show last year and I really liked it. I already have a couple of bikes so the price held me back. I'm commuting on a V Strom 650 which is done to the hilt. I just did a 1700 mile loop through WV and VA and really enjoyed riding the Strom in the twisties. It's the long rides on the interstate that aren't too much fun. So I've returned to the S10. Sat on the Triumph Explorer and 1200 GS as well. I like to do my own maintainence and it looks like the Ten would be much easier to wrench. The problem is I can't seem to get a test ride on any of these bikes. Obviously any forum you read will espouse how wonderful their bike is. Of course all the reviews on the Internet are biased in some way. My other bike is a Harley Road Glide which weighs over 800lbs so saying the large Adventure bikes are heavy is a relative term. Just like reading a bike has a lot of vibration. If you're coming off a Goldwing everything has a lot of vibration. I rarely go off road so this bike will be used for commuting in stop and go traffic as well as 400+ mile days. Anyone have any constructive words of advice or personal experience to help direct me in this decision? I realize this is a very common dilemma. Try not to be too harsh.

triman11427,

Up until early May, I had 3 bikes. A Honda GL1800 ABS for riding with the wife, a 2009 BMW K1300GT, and a Super Tenere.

Since my wife decided to get out of teaching, I decided to sell the K1300GT and Super Tenere since I thought I would never get to ride much by myself anymore!

To make a long story short, selling the K1300GT went smooth and QUICK!

The Super Tenere I thought I had sold 3 times and I finally gave up (apparently having $9k worth of accessories + extra 4 year warranty warranty wasn't enough incentive to sell at $15K)!

I included the above information to say that I AM SO HAPPY IT HAPPENED THAT WAY!!! Sandi (wife) told me to keep the ST and go put some mileage on it! I put 4,000 miles on the bike in the first 11 months and I now have 8700 miles and adding!

The Super Tenere is the BEST bike I have owned! While it doesn't have the power of the K1300GT, it is more comfortable and a lot more fun to ride! When I use to come up to a road sign that said:

1) Loose Gravel
2) State maintenance ends here
3) Road construction next # miles

my ass would tightened up and my arms would go stiff just thinking how much $,$$$ I would have to spend if I went down on the K1300GT! With the ST, the journey just continues with a BIG SMILE!

I guess what I am trying to say through all my ramblings is the Super Tenere is a GREAT bike and it will bring you YEARS of enjoyment!

Safe riding!

TCR

 

[snakebitten]

My quandary

triman11427,

Up until early May, I had 3 bikes. A Honda GL1800 ABS for riding with the wife, a 2009 BMW K1300GT, and a Super Tenere.

Since my wife decided to get out of teaching, I decided to sell the K1300GT and Super Tenere since I thought I would never get to ride much by myself anymore!

To make a long story short, selling the K1300GT went smooth and QUICK!

The Super Tenere I thought I had sold 3 times and I finally gave up (apparently having $9k worth of accessories + extra 4 year warranty warranty wasn't enough incentive to sell at $15K)!

I included the above information to say that I AM SO HAPPY IT HAPPENED THAT WAY!!! Sandi (wife) told me to keep the ST and go put some mileage on it! I put 4,000 miles on the bike in the first 11 months and I now have 8700 miles and adding!

The Super Tenere is the BEST bike I have owned! While it doesn't have the power of the K1300GT, it is more comfortable and a lot more fun to ride! When I use to come up to a road sign that said:

1) Loose Gravel
2) State maintenance ends here
3) Road construction next # miles

my ass would tightened up and my arms would go stiff just thinking how much $,$$$ I would have to spend if I went down on the K1300GT! With the ST, the journey just continues with a BIG SMILE!

I guess what I am trying to say through all my ramblings is the Super Tenere is a GREAT bike and it will bring you YEARS of enjoyment!

Safe riding!

TCR

That's not "rambling".

That's another Super Tenere story of TRUTH!

Go hug that wife.