New to Adventure Bikes/Riding - What should I know?

RicoChet

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I just bought my 2016 Super Tenere ES in November and have not even had a chance to ride it for more then a couple of minutes (From the dealership to my house) because of the harsh winter environment we live in here in Canada. ::009::

I have always had a cruiser background, my first back was a cruiser and I still currently have a 2012 Triumph Rocket III, the absolute king of all cruisers.

What should I know about Adventure Bikes / Riding that I may not have considered? I've always been terrified of riding on anything other then smooth roads because cruisers have terrible stock suspensions and very rarely get ridden on anything other then pavement. What are some things I should know or consider about this new type of bike that I just bought? Limitations, tips for beginners? I don't plan on riding anything more then road and unpaved roads for now, I am not willing to tackle anything more extreme until I am more comfortable on this bike.

Thanks!!
 

hogmolly

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First thing? I guess just ride it on the tarmac until you're comfortable with the bike. Second thing? learn to ride standing on the pegs and be comfortable with that. Third thing? on loose material like dirt roads and especially sand lean back to take weight off the front and keep your speed up (but not crazy) so you don't plow with the front tire. Riding on loose stuff is always best learned with a lighter/smaller bike.

I think the hardest thing to learn/overcome is using the throttle to get out of trouble instead of the brake. If the frontend jukes right, spin the rear tire to bring it back in line with the front. Stick to nice gravel before sand....sand sucks.
 

tomatocity

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Welcome to the world of Super Tenere. I do mean world. This motorcycle is good on any surface... any surface you are confident on. Like you I am not confident on some surfaces but I know the Super Tenere can handle them. How to get better or confident... Ride Ride Ride. Get comfortable with "your" suspension settings and tire pressures. I went from a 2012 to a 2015 ES. World of difference for me. You will find the Tenere rails in the twisty's, flies through the smoothy's, smooth's the rough sections, and is confident in hard pack / gravel. Some say it is good in the sand but I suck so bad in the sand I couldn't tell you. The Tenere hauls loads with ease. To get all of these you need to test the limitations. I ride with other Tenere riders that are very fast in all types of riding. I ride to my limitations. You will find the Tenere has ALL the brakes you will need. How much power do you need... the Tenere will easily exceed 100 mph. Comfort is up to you and this forum has more information than most... Read Read Read and ask others.

... better windshield
... wind wings
... windshield bracket
... seat (maybe)
... luggage
... additional lighting
... body guards
... clean and lube your shifter
... tail light that strobes
... fuse block
...
 

HeliMark

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Will add, after getting comfortable on the bike on pavement, see if there is another rider with experience near you that can ride with you on basic dirt stuff. If not, hard packed dirt is really not hard, just a little different than you are use to. Loose dirt, sand ( ::010::), and gravel takes time. If you can find a place that teaches dirt riding on these bikes, so much the better. It is easier to learn on a lighter bike, but if you take your time and slowly push yourself, you can do it. I did.

One other thing that will help. On the loose stuff, I really like the "T" mode, as it helps reduce the jerky throttle you will do going over rough stuff.

Oh, and the most important thing. Get the crash bars and belly plate. You WILL be dropping this bike if you do any off road. Expect to drop it. If you have problems with that, don't go off road. Like some here, I have dropped mine, and dropped it, and dropped it. No real damage that a rattle can hasn't fixed. She is a tough girl.

Mark
 

snakebitten

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Welcome!!!

Sorry to here all you can do is LOOOOK at your brand new beast, for now.

Just know this: The Tenere CAN make the rider look like he knows what he is doing. ::013::
That traction control and ABS system makes a big difference while you are learning to ride this amazing machine.

Oh, and if\when you finally do try your first taste of off-tarmac, might I suggest Traction Control Setting #2, instead of #1.

John Wayne quote: Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway
 

RicoChet

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I'm definitely going to have to try getting used to that "Standing Up" thing you guys are talking about. As you know, cruisers with their foot forward position never allows you to stand up, your always stitting right on your tail bone... Damnit I Wish spring were here already!! ::009:: ::009::
 

The GYMMY

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ricochet - I have been riding a cruiser for a loooong time. I have been all over north America on two wheels but now I have gone to the 'other side", dirt that is!

A mentor of mine a long time ago preached practice, practice and more practice. with traction controls and 2 driving modes, this makes it a little easier, in my opinion.

Have fun, be safe and get out there and practice......when the season changes! ::013::
 

WJBertrand

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A good way to learn the advantage and usefulness of standing on the pegs is to run back and forth over some speed bumps. Try it both sitting and standing (knees bent). Let the bike rise and fall under you while you try to keep your upper body in the same position, in other words use your legs as an extra pair of shocks.
 

bigbob

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I second the statement, when it gets sideways add throttle. My two worst drops were slowing down to figure a line and down I went.

Rotator cuff is almost healed!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

tman

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Davesax36 said:
Standing up is so great. You'll start doing it for no reason especially in traffic. Just don't do it in parking garages.
Okay, this is hilarious!
 

Xclimation

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Congrats on the new bike! I came from a cruiser myself and still have it (2005 Honda VTX 1300C) Nice part is when customizing ....practicality and functionality takes precedence over style!
 

chwhnd

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King of all cruisers is debatable, My opinion is the that the v65 magna is the king but again thats my opinion, congratz on the s10 , you will love it..
 

Gobear

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lose the death grip on the bars..with practice you'll find holding the bars a little looser on dirt and gravel help with how the bike tracks..in essence you're letting the bike kinda chart its own course...giving input when required.

Get a good pair of solid boots to wear ... High ones for protection and armoured pants and jacket for e same reason.

....don't ride tired..off road riding requires more concentration


At least you can look at yours..my 2017 ES is still in a crate somewhere


Cheers

Gobear
 

magic

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Congratulations on the new bike. There really is a lot of good info on this forum. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned tires on this thread. The stock Battle Wings are decent road tires, but not very good anywhere else. If you find yourself going off road more than occasionally, consider a more off road tire. A good off road tire will make you a better off road rider. I have a set of K60s that I put on if I know I will be off road.
 

snakebitten

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Gobear said:
lose the death grip on the bars..with practice you'll find holding the bars a little looser on dirt and gravel help with how the bike tracks..in essence you're letting the bike kinda chart its own course...giving input when required.

Get a good pair of solid boots to wear ... High ones for protection and armoured pants and jacket for e same reason.

....don't ride tired..off road riding requires more concentration


At least you can look at yours..my 2017 ES is still in a crate somewhere


Cheers

Gobear
Excellent post.
Excellent advice!

Definitely applies with this HUGE dirt bike.

However, you can clearly see the OP is just messing with us. His Avatar reveals such. ::013::
 

yoyo

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I do little to no dirt riding but if I can one bit of advice, coming from a cruiser the S10 is going to feel very top heavy, compared to other adventure bikes it actually carries it's weight very well but I'd still practise moving the bike (pushing it around) and slow control in a parking lot, it'll give you confidence when riding both on and off-road, the S10 has excellent fuelling so riding is slowly is easy but it takes practise, also good to practise standing too. Hope the weather breaks for you soon!
 

limey

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However, you can clearly see the OP is just messing with us. His Avatar reveals such. ::013::
[/quote]
I'll be surprised if that's him our Backroad's have been wet since November and ice since December.
 
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