Newbie - Tenere for me?

[Edbo1960]

Hi All, new to this board. Been riding about 8 years, about 6-10K miles a year, all street, mostly under 150 miles a trip but a couple 2 or 3 days trips a year maybe 1,000 to 1,500 miles. 6'4", 34 inch inseam and 220 lbs, 58 YO. Moved to North GA area about two years ago from Chicago - such great riding, all year!!

Been riding my 2008 FJR and bought the 2005 SV650 to compliment it for shorter rides and twisties. Both bikes farkled to near perfection (upgraded suspension, heli bars, lights, RDL seat etc). I'm a buy and hold kinda guy.

Time marches on and not sure I need two bikes (do most maintenance myself), with so many great new bikes out there now I thought it may be the time to consolidate. Enter the Tracer GT or Tenere. I'm a serious rider (not crazy!) ATGATT, and like the idea of ABS (SV doesn't have it) and traction control and cruise control. I like that the Tracer is now longer wheel base than the FJ but was impressed by a recent demo ride with the Tenere (shaft drive is nice), carries it weight well.

Anyway thinking the Tracer because of light weight but Tenere due to my size and shaft (the bike's shaft!) but weighs much more - have any of you gone thru this mental exercise? Local dealer has a demo ride in Oct where hopefully I can ride the Tracer and Tenere again.

Looking for the elusive "do it all" bike!

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome aboard!

Try them both for more than a half hour if possible. I found the Tenere seat won't lock your ass in one place like the smaller bike. After the ABS saves you the first time, you'll be sold on that feature, and I'll never buy a chain bike for commuting again.

A lot of us have a Tenere to replace a sport tourer after finding the Tenere is easier to do long miles and is comfortable on gravel which would be uncomfortable on the FJR/ST13/etc.

 

[richarddacat]

Cheers!
Also a former FJR rider who went with the ST, little tall for me but loving it.

 

[Juan]

Greetings from Malta and welcome to the forum

 

[barkingllizard]

a test ride will sort things out, Edbo1960, with a simple hello.....

 

[Nikolajsen]

Welcome

 

[Sierra1]

Also a former owner, still rider of the FJR. My son bought the FJR, so it's still available. The Tenere has most of what is great about the FJR, but with a roomier cockpit. I'm a couple inches shorter and much heavier than you; no regrets with the Tenere. The Tenere also provides you the option to leave the pavement behind without beating up you or the bike. The Tenere will do whatever you ask of it; only one bike needed. IMHO the only choice YOU have to make is ES or not ES.

 

[Talltourer]

I currently own a FJ-09 with shad luggage, Top Sellerie custom gel seat, taller windcreen, etc.. etc... I'm shopping to replace it with a S10 within the next week or so, negotiating with 2 dealers to see who is going to give me the best deal for trade-in/price/warranty/etc...

A couple of my observations. I'm 6'4", 33 inseam and 275lbs, I ride solo 100% of the time, wifey has her own Versys 650. I've been riding for 20+ years, on and off road.

Since you are coming from a FJR, I hope you tried the 850cc triple. While it's a blast to rev and makes good power, it's lacking torque down low when cruising around with buddies(who all ride cruisers and Spyders except one on a C14). I feel like I gotta keep it over 4.5k rpms and shift way more often than my buddy on his C14 who can be lazy and just roll the throttle while cruising the backroads at 45 to 70mph.

I hope they improved the seat on the Tracer GT. The OEM seat on the FJ-09 was poo. I could not ride more than 80-90 miles before having a sore ass, a 10 minute break would give me another hour before I would need to stop again. The Top Sellerie seat made that people need to stop for stretching before I do now, 100+ miles easily between breaks, regardless of speed ridden.

Ergos are much better on the S10. Just sitting on the showroom floor I felt at home right away hopping on the bike. I will do a set of Knight lowered pegs and that's about it. Maybe a seat but that's more personnal comfort/opinion than anything.

Wind protection SUCKS on the FJ. Even with a bigger windscreen it's not that good. Also note that the mounting system for the windscreen on my 2016 sucks and I went back to the stock windscreen to have cleaner air in my helmet instead of turbulence. I also have lots of wind on my knees, cold autumn mornings are not your friend unless you wear an extra layer until it gets warmer.

Suspension is inadequate for anyone over 200lbs. I was looking into upgrading it(2k$ Canadian) but at the end of the day it would nto fix the other flaws of the bike, well, those that are an issue for me.

That being said, I still thing Yamaha knocked it out of the park with this bike, for the average 5'10-175lbs rider, it must be even more of a blast to ride and i'm sure suspension and wind protection works better. I have a friend who swear by his, I had bought mine on his recommendation and while it's not the bike for me, i'm happy I rode one for a year. It has been trouble free for 6k miles so far and it did put a smile on my face every time I rode it.

Happy shopping!

 

[Edbo1960]

I currently own a FJ-09 with shad luggage, Top Sellerie custom gel seat, taller windcreen, etc.. etc... I'm shopping to replace it with a S10 within the next week or so, negotiating with 2 dealers to see who is going to give me the best deal for trade-in/price/warranty/etc...

A couple of my observations. I'm 6'4", 33 inseam and 275lbs, I ride solo 100% of the time, wifey has her own Versys 650. I've been riding for 20+ years, on and off road.

Since you are coming from a FJR, I hope you tried the 850cc triple. While it's a blast to rev and makes good power, it's lacking torque down low when cruising around with buddies(who all ride cruisers and Spyders except one on a C14). I feel like I gotta keep it over 4.5k rpms and shift way more often than my buddy on his C14 who can be lazy and just roll the throttle while cruising the backroads at 45 to 70mph.

I hope they improved the seat on the Tracer GT. The OEM seat on the FJ-09 was poo. I could not ride more than 80-90 miles before having a sore ass, a 10 minute break would give me another hour before I would need to stop again. The Top Sellerie seat made that people need to stop for stretching before I do now, 100+ miles easily between breaks, regardless of speed ridden.

Ergos are much better on the S10. Just sitting on the showroom floor I felt at home right away hopping on the bike. I will do a set of Knight lowered pegs and that's about it. Maybe a seat but that's more personnal comfort/opinion than anything.

Wind protection SUCKS on the FJ. Even with a bigger windscreen it's not that good. Also note that the mounting system for the windscreen on my 2016 sucks and I went back to the stock windscreen to have cleaner air in my helmet instead of turbulence. I also have lots of wind on my knees, cold autumn mornings are not your friend unless you wear an extra layer until it gets warmer.

Suspension is inadequate for anyone over 200lbs. I was looking into upgrading it(2k$ Canadian) but at the end of the day it would nto fix the other flaws of the bike, well, those that are an issue for me.

That being said, I still thing Yamaha knocked it out of the park with this bike, for the average 5'10-175lbs rider, it must be even more of a blast to ride and i'm sure suspension and wind protection works better. I have a friend who swear by his, I had bought mine on his recommendation and while it's not the bike for me, i'm happy I rode one for a year. It has been trouble free for 6k miles so far and it did put a smile on my face every time I rode it.

Happy shopping!

 

[Edbo1960]

Thanks for your detailed reply! Are you riding a S10 now, does the suspension work for your size? Thanks, Edbo

 

[loftybob]

Welcome from Aus mate, I am the same height and weight as you, and I fell in love with the S10 after a 15,000 km around Australia trip.

You will require some bar risers and a taller screen, but they are a awesome riding companion.

 

[Talltourer]

Thanks for your detailed reply! Are you riding a S10 now, does the suspension work for your size? Thanks, Edbo

Not picked up yet, going to see a 3rd dealer who called me back Wednesday after work, we'll see what magic number this one come up with...

Still heavily debating the FJR or a Versys 1k instead of the S10 also... I have this slight fear the S10 might not be sporty enough for when I want to turn up the wick a little. But I know i'll be at home on it 90% of the time if not more when cruising those backroads.

Wish I had room and budget fro 2-3 bikes I would not make compromises.

 

[AVGeek]

As far as the FJR vs. ST, there is a difference. I had 2x FJRs (04 & 08) and still had the 08 when I got the ST. I rode the FJR less and less until I finally let it go...Sure, I missed the turbine like acceleration occasionally, but the ST is plenty fast enough when the roads get curvy, and you can keep on going when the pavement ends.

 

[twinrider]

I have this slight fear the S10 might not be sporty enough for when I want to turn up the wick a little.

The S10 can rail twisties with the best of them if the rider is up to the task.[/QUOTE]

 

[twinrider]

Hi All, new to this board. Been riding about 8 years, about 6-10K miles a year, all street, mostly under 150 miles a trip but a couple 2 or 3 days trips a year maybe 1,000 to 1,500 miles. 6'4", 34 inch inseam and 220 lbs, 58 YO. Moved to North GA area about two years ago from Chicago - such great riding, all year!!

Been riding my 2008 FJR and bought the 2005 SV650 to compliment it for shorter rides and twisties. Both bikes farkled to near perfection (upgraded suspension, heli bars, lights, RDL seat etc). I'm a buy and hold kinda guy.

Time marches on and not sure I need two bikes (do most maintenance myself), with so many great new bikes out there now I thought it may be the time to consolidate. Enter the Tracer GT or Tenere. I'm a serious rider (not crazy!) ATGATT, and like the idea of ABS (SV doesn't have it) and traction control and cruise control. I like that the Tracer is now longer wheel base than the FJ but was impressed by a recent demo ride with the Tenere (shaft drive is nice), carries it weight well.

Anyway thinking the Tracer because of light weight but Tenere due to my size and shaft (the bike's shaft!) but weighs much more - have any of you gone thru this mental exercise? Local dealer has a demo ride in Oct where hopefully I can ride the Tracer and Tenere again.

Looking for the elusive "do it all" bike!

I went through the same decision process. In the end I chose the S10 for its roomier ergonomics, shaft drive, bigger, gruntier motor and ability to handle dirt roads. Have several friends happily riding the Tracer though so it boils down to personal preference.

 

[Sierra1]

....I have this slight fear the S10 might not be sporty enough for when I want to turn up the wick a little....

Twinrider is right. Don't worry about turning up the wick. I'm 300lbs, and this bike has PLENTY of go; especially in "S". It handles like a sport bike. My son has an R6, and the only time he has the advantage is when we lean WAY over....I run out of tire. I expected just a bigger version of the KLR; what I got was a sport bike that goes off road.

 

[Talltourer]

The S10 can rail twisties with the best of them if the rider is up to the task.

Twinrider is right. Don't worry about turning up the wick. I'm 300lbs, and this bike has PLENTY of go; especially in "S". It handles like a sport bike. My son has an R6, and the only time he has the advantage is when we lean WAY over....I run out of tire. I expected just a bigger version of the KLR; what I got was a sport bike that goes off road.

That's very good to know... 90% of the riding if do now is with a bunch of buddies on cruisers and spyders, 200-300 miles a day around the area here, low end torque and comfort is king for that...

But when i'm alone, the hooligan comes out a little... sometimes

 

[Edbo1960]

Update - just bought 2014 ES near Tampa and road up to Atlanta area. Comming off an 2008 FJR so miss the power but love the comfort, cruise control etc. Very well farkled - alt rider crash bars and smash plate, tour tech panniers, TPS ( don't know if I want that), Seth Lamm seat (think need to go RDL), Rigid lights, Madstad (need taller shield), knobbies that have to go, Eager Beaver electrical gismo, back off light.

So some re-farkleing need to be done along with general maintenance (speed bleeders etc), he did have service manual and warranty, 4800 miles.....a new day! You'llbe hearing from me.

Anybody want to buy a well farkled 2008 FJR with 54K miles? Thanks, Ed

 

[Sierra1]

Congratulations! Another member to Team Tenere! You won't be disappointed.

 

[stutrump]

Welcome from the UK. Enjoy the bike