New ES vs old stock S10

[ATMoto]

I'm about to take the plunge and buy my first S10 and the only question I have is do you guys think the new ES version is worth the cash? There are quite a few new (old stock) S10s in my area that have advertised prices just over $10,000. Is the ES version worth the extra coin?

I'll be riding two up about 10% of the time loaded close to max capacity, occasionally tear up some 2 track, do plenty of big mile days solo and 2 up.

Opinions would be appreciated!

 

[twinrider]

It really depends on the individual and I might use ESA if I had it, but I never really felt the need to mess with my suspension settings other than crank up the shock preload. The bike handled and rode well as is. But cruise control might be a compelling reason to buy the '14 if you do a lot of super slab.

 

[avc8130]

I'm about to take the plunge and buy my first S10 and the only question I have is do you guys think the new ES version is worth the cash? There are quite a few new (old stock) S10s in my area that have advertised prices just over $10,000. Is the ES version worth the extra coin?

I'll be riding two up about 10% of the time loaded close to max capacity, occasionally tear up some 2 track, do plenty of big mile days solo and 2 up.

Opinions would be appreciated!

Get 2 "Out the Door" numbers so you can compare apples to apples.

At FACE value you are telling me you are looking at a $6k difference!

For that I would buy a 2013 leftover S10 AND a 2013 leftover WR250R!

ac

 

[adventurelounger]

I debated 2014 vs 2013. And winded up getting a nicely priced '13 in white (if the 2014s were offered in white, I may have sprung for it!) I never monkey with suspension, so that didn't rate. The cruise is the only desirable 2014 change to me.

If you're curious, here was my whole "deciding/buying process": http://wp.me/p3QZZ5-bh I've had the bike for two months and it's unqualified love.

 

[BravoBravo]

Being the "frugal" rider that I am, I would opt for the new old stock bike, as opposed to the 2014 with all the bells and whistles. Neither electronic suspension nor cruise control would be deal breakers as far as I am concerned. Both are "nice to have" items, but I have gotten along well for years without either, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The prices you are quoting are phenomenal. You can purchase a lot of farkles with the money you will save by not buying the 2014.

-Bruce

 

[Rasher]

I would get the older model, the money left over woud get a serious suspension workover / ECU Flash and leave a whole load of cash to spend on riding ::008::

I had my forks re-worked and a Top of the Range Wilburs shock fitted to mine, took all of about 60 seconds to change the settings for two-up, and good aftermarket suspension will way outperform the cheap and cheerful OE kit, not saying the ES is not a handy feature, but I would rather have better quality suspension and about $4500 dollars in my pocket over a button that changes the suspension for me.

 

[jgon632]

If you plan on long distance touring on the highway a 14 model with cruise control is the way to go. I rode all day yesterday on back country roads and got on the highway and used the cruise to make it home. I have an ES and I am glad I got it. I also like the the electronically adjustable suspension.

 

[ATMoto]

Awesome replies guys!

 

[fredz43]

They are both good bikes, but the deal Yamaha has right now on leftover 12 and 13's is incredible. $1200 in free accessories, plus an extra year of warranty on top of the bargain selling prices right now would be hard to pass up if I were buying my first Super Tenere.

 

[yukondood]

Older NO question, I have 30 000 KMs on my ride and only issue I have had is a couple spokes breaking loose. That is my fault for not checking more regular and doubt 6k and a 14 fixed it.
cruise and ESA are not a big deal to me.

 

[chr1s]

I'll echo most comments in that I've just bought a left over '13 and saved 4.5k over a '14. Yes, the cruise is nice but solved by $19.99 Go-Cruise ;D
I plan on doing the ecu flash later on anyway so that makes up for the '14s mapping improvements. Plus, I absolutely detest the colour grey and I that's the only colour my dealer had for the '14.

 

[Bug Dr.]

I had the same problem two weeks ago. I went with a 2013 model with $1200 in free accessories and an extra year warranty instead of a 2014 model. Cruise control would be nice but not worth what I saved in the 2013. Im loving the bike so far.
Mike

 

[ATMoto]

Any documentation on the $1200 in free stuff and extra warranty? I can't find anything.

 

[Bug Dr.]

Any documentation on the $1200 in free stuff and extra warranty? I can't find anything.

It is a standard Yamaha perk that comes with the new 2013 models. Some dealers are knocking off $750 from the MSRP and not offering the free stuff and extra year of warranty. Yamaha apparently pays them $750 for the accessories.

Most of the very low prices I checked on CycleTrader did not include the free stuff. Those are the $9999 specials that didn't last long. If you can still find one of those deals, I wouldn't hesitate to take it. I was grasping at what to get in my $1200 of Yamaha stuff. My bill came to $1181 so I got pretty close. I did have to pay $100 in taxes on the accessories.

I figure $3K off of MSRP, $1200 in accessories and an extra year of warranty was a pretty good deal. Also, I would have had to travel a ways to pick up a 2014 since there weren't any in the state that I could find.

Can't go wrong with either the 2013 or the 2014 as best as I can tell. I'm still new to the S10 so my opinion doesn't count for much.
Mike

 

[Donk]

Having just bought the '14ES I think its a great bike and the upgrades are worth the cake. Yamaha did a lot of little things to get the bike sorted, windscreen adjuster, sidestand, tune, cruise all worth it to me. That plus if I sell it in a couple of years I figure the "14ES will be easier to sell and have better value. That being said its the same basic bike and you can save a chunk on an older one, tweak it a bit, and you'll be smiling just as much as I am. I don't think there is a wrong answer. It comes down to what works best for YOU!

 

[Jalsip]

New to this Forum. Im glad this subject was brought up. After reading the responses Im glad I went the route I did. Picked up a 2013 S10 with 8 miles on it at a dealership in NC. paid a little over 11,000 and included extended warranty and 1200 in accessories. Basically paid for the boxes. My Tenere replaced a well used and well loved 2000 Concours. I had an aftermarket cruise control on it and loved it, but not enough to pay full price for a bike that will be last years model in 6 months. I'll pick up some grip heaters for christmas. I LOVE THIS BIKE!!

 

[Mzee]

If you plan on long distance touring on the highway a 14 model with cruise control is the way to go. I rode all day yesterday on back country roads and got on the highway and used the cruise to make it home. I have an ES and I am glad I got it. I also like the the electronically adjustable suspension.

Plenty of aftermarket throttle control including the Excel Throttle Control http://www.excelthrottlecontrol.com/ for very little money.

 

[ride1st]

For that I would buy a 2013 leftover S10 AND a 2013 leftover WR250R!

ac

I almost did this exact thing. The only difference is I bought a 2013 leftover Suzuki DR650 to go with my 2013 leftover Tenere.

 

[oldbear]

Plenty of aftermarket throttle control including the Excel Throttle Control http://www.excelthrottlecontrol.com/ for very little money.

+1 on the Excel. It's not electronic cruise control but it is the best throttle control I have EVER used. Highly recommend. The owner is a great guy to do business with as well. Works a BUNCH better/easier than the old twist type cruise controls. easy on/easy off, simple installation. Can't beat it. Yes, in hills you'll lose or gain speed . I've ridden since '67 and find that even when a bike HAS electronic cruise control I don't use it much. Rest the hand for a minute and I'm back on the grips. The excel works for me very well!

 

[twinrider]

That plus if I sell it in a couple of years I figure the "14ES will be easier to sell and have better value.

I doubt it. I'm guessing that in 2-3 years a new improved S10 will be out then with more ponies, better brakes (cornering ABS) and probably semi-active suspension. And your ES will be worth a couple grand more than the older one IF there are good solutions for replacing the worn ES shocks.