New member from SoCal

[Cypress]

Yes another one... ::025::

In the market for a new bike (my current ones are all dirt KTMs) and I think I've got permission from the boss....when she rolls her eyes at me when I talk about getting a new motorcycle that's a good sign right???

I've narrowed it down to an ST (14 ES most likely) and F800GS. I've spent weeks agonizing the decision and gone back and forth several times. They are fairly different bikes, and I'll probably love either, but I hate regrets and want to avoid a costly mistake. Reality is I foresee riding dirt more often (great trails all around me) so the 800GS makes a little more sense, but there's just so much value in the ST and a bigger bike could open up doors for different types of riding I'm not anticipating.

Hopefully I get it sorted out soon...

 

[True Grip]

If your patient there may be a 700 Tenere soon. It will be. Cheaper, lighter and more reliable than the GS and just as dirt worthy.
Just my opinion of course. I love my 1200 just can't consider it a trail bike. Great all surface road bike though for covering lots of ground comfortably. Good luck on the hunt. Fall shows are coming up.

 

[Cypress]

If your patient there may be a 700 Tenere soon. It will be. Cheaper, lighter and more reliable than the GS and just as dirt worthy.
Just my opinion of course. I love my 1200 just can't consider it a trail bike. Great all surface road bike though for covering lots of ground comfortably. Good luck on the hunt. Fall shows are coming up.

Yeah I'm not really looking for a plated trail bike, that's what my current EXC is for. Looking for something that's versatile that's going to allow to me branch out of my local riding areas. Something that can handle canyon duties, some off / fire road use, decent for occasional 2 up, and some possible long ride adventuring in the future. I like what I see so far in the future smaller tenere but I'm a bigger guy, 6'3'', 220 so I'm not sure scaling down would be wise. I'm also not a fan of waiting for the next best thing. If you do that, you may never ride. Life is short, and there's always something better just around the corner. At any rate, thanks for the input.

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, Cypress, plus I wouldn't hold my breath for a smaller Tenere, the XT660 Tenere has been available for awhile,
BUT not in the USA or Canada...
there's dirt bike riding and everything else,
the Super Tenere handles everything else with aplomb.....

 

[True Grip]

Yeah I'm not really looking for a plated trail bike, that's what my current EXC is for. Looking for something that's versatile that's going to allow to me branch out of my local riding areas. Something that can handle canyon duties, some off / fire road use, decent for occasional 2 up, and some possible long ride adventuring in the future. I like what I see so far in the future smaller tenere but I'm a bigger guy, 6'3'', 220 so I'm not sure scaling down would be wise. I'm also not a fan of waiting for the next best thing. If you do that, you may never ride. Life is short, and there's always something better just around the corner. At any rate, thanks for the input.

That description sounds like you'd love the Tenere. Thats why I bought mine for the long distance comfort and dirt road exploring. Its a very versatile bike.