Not Feeling This Bike (Yet)

[Rynn Storm]

Cannot get out on the road yet with this bike because of finances so, just puttering around the neighborhood. Trying to get a feel for it. What's all the excitement about? It is "vibey", acres of plastic (my 1975 BMW never had it), and it is a noisey thing when that radiator fan kicks in. I'm a punchy, 59 yr old beer guzzler but, I do recall this much. That 1975 BMW 900, was smoother, just as quick, and most of all handled like a 350. I'm not so old and punchy to remember this. Maybe it will change. There must be something to it. You guys sure do love this bike.

Frankly, I didn't care too much my ST10 initially. With almost 600 miles on it now, it (the engine and riding) just gets better everyday. I was surprised how nice it rides on the highway (engine real smooth in 6th gear) and too easy to go fast. Would I buy it just for local roads? Nope, a 250 is better for that. But for my target goal of long distance "adventure" riding (including real dirt), I'm happy with the bike and would buy it again. Btw, I do commute to work on it. On a previous Ducati, it wasn't until some 3000 miles before the engine was really purring.

 

[SisuTen]

Hello Jim,

We have something in common. I had a 10 year pause in motorcycling, and also found myself having a hard time getting to like my S10. My previous experiences were a little sportier in flavor, with a majority of my miles being on a SV650S and a XX1100.

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I signed on for the S10. Maybe I watched the Long Way Round / Down too many times. My previous dirt experience consisted of riding 3 wheelers as a kid, which likely doesn't translate too well. I'm a little wary about trying that out. We'll see.

Some initial observations: I couldn't believe how uncomfortable I was on the bike. With the comparatively relaxed ergonomics, I figured that the S10 would be a 2 wheeled sofa. Not at all. The suspension felt stiff. My hands felt like they were falling asleep. The seat was hard and angled down, pulling the groin of my pants into my junk. My neck hurt. I'm a big guy, but I found the weight and handling ponderous. I couldn't gel with the throttle. Touring mode was too slow, and Sport was hard to modulate. In sum, I was questioning my decision.

I've now put around 400 miles on it. Mostly commuting to work, but have managed to slip away for a couple of joy rides, and am getting along with the bike a lot better. I think a lot of my initial discomfort was from me not riding for so long; tension from inexperience was messing with my posture on the bike. I also found myself leaning into the bars too much, trying to get into the old familiar sportbike mode. My groin is still smashed as I haven't performed the seat mod, but numbness is setting in, allowing me to overlook that. The ponderous feeling has also improved with my being more relaxed on the bike. I still feel a little wobly sometimes, but can pull off slow speed turns I'd never have attempted on the sportbikes. Not that they weren't possible with a better rider... The suspension seems to have loosened up, and I look forward to more compliance as the miles increase. I finally opened the throttle fully a few times, although I'm still keeping the rpms below 4000 for the break-in. It wasn't bad, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the upper 4000 has in store. I'm still on the fence regarding the throttle. I'll try the air screw and CO adjustments to see if that cleans it up.

I agree about the build quality / plasticy feel. Sadly, I think that's just the new manufacturing reality, with everything being so squeezed for profit. If you want a quality feel, you're either buying something old and dealing with the headaches that old things entail, or ponying up some serious bucks for the premium brand. JMHO.

I look forward to your observations after you get a few more miles on yours. Hopefully it will grow on you as well.

Welcome Aboard!

Great post and does explain why a lot of people used to street bikes may have a little trouble getting used to and learning how this bike works.

In my case, I come from the opposite direction, the dirt and specifically trials. There is NO comparison between an OSSA Mick Andrews replica and riding a 400 lb street bike. As a result I wanted a street bike that could do some of the things I was used to. The quest went on for a long time and the BMW did little for me. Recently I had a VFR, a Versys (which I liked a LOT) and when the S-Ten came along I went out on a limb and ordered it.

A long story, short. I have about 400 miles on the bike and it's loosened up, quieted down and once I got up on the pegs, I found it to have excellent balance in view of the weight. It's certainly not a trials machine, but standing up, it seems weightless. The bike moves well beneath you and once you understand the way it balances, you'll love it. Learn to unweight the saddle a little on rough terrain and the ponderous feel will disappear. Once your body weight is on the pegs and not the seat, the center of gravity drops and the bike lightens up. It's stable at speed and the stock screen works well for me. I ran it up to 110 with my face shield open and had no buffeting or turbulence. The bike corners well, not like a sportbike, but more like my old XL600. It leans in deep and takes a line without any effort or additional input. Carves is what I'd call the cornering sensation.

I can understand why people do not like plastic much and feel it cheapens the bike. The fact is, plastic can accomplish a number of design issues and complexities better than other materials, cuts labor cost and saves a tremendous amount of weight. At least the bike has a steel fuel tank, eh?

Ergonomics are very dirt oriented. I like that and find I get up on the tank like I used to on my other dirt machines in the past (my wife ends up with acres of room out back). I tend to get my arms up and out. I also used to get the equipment in a bunch, but have taken to a pair of nylon bicycle shorts and it helps a lot. I'm going to give the saddle a little time to get used to my ass and see where that takes us. Also, learn to loosen up on the grip, the numbness in the hands will go away.

In slow turns, trail brake the rear while you add a little throttle and you'll stabilize the bike a little better and it won't feel so wobbly.

Glad to see you've taken an analytical approach. You'll likely come to love the bike. Let us know what you find out.

Paul

 

[jaquima]

You can't ride it because of finances? Really? You bought a new bike but can't ride it yet? If you are having trouble with your finances, maybe a new bike is not in your cards? Maybe a solid, smooth older bike would be better at this time.

Not every bike is a perfect match for every person.....maybe the S10 doesn't "feel" you either.

 

[motocephalic]

Hey Jim, I know how you feel. I was a little unsure when I first bought it. But as soon as I ride something else and get back on the Tenere, I can feel how really nice this bike is. I took a friends R100 out last night, he thought it was the balls, I kept it too myself. The Tenere is a great bike, and I am sure that I will like it more with time. It has a bunch of tractoresque qualities, which are growing on me. I never had a bike grunt so much. I am used to really hearing the motor rev, but not so on this beast. I am changing the things that I feel will make it mine, and fit me perfectly, and when I do that, makes me like it even more. Give me about 5k with it and I am sure to have a solid fix on it then.

 

[Jim]

Hey Jim, I know how you feel. I was a little unsure when I first bought it. But as soon as I ride something else and get back on the Tenere, I can feel how really nice this bike is. I took a friends R100 out last night, he thought it was the balls, I kept it too myself. The Tenere is a great bike, and I am sure that I will like it more with time. It has a bunch of tractoresque qualities, which are growing on me. I never had a bike grunt so much. I am used to really hearing the motor rev, but not so on this beast. I am changing the things that I feel will make it mine, and fit me perfectly, and when I do that, makes me like it even more. Give me about 5k with it and I am sure to have a solid fix on it then.

Hi Clem,
My wife has been following me to a huge abandoned parking area the past couple of days where I can at least do a little with the bike and you know, you guys are right. She really does grow on you fast. Can't wait to legally get her on the road. As for the chump Jaquiem above who sounds like he has everything and everybody figured out in life, we were hit with some unanticipated costs in helping our granddaughter which has delayed me being able to afford the tax, tag, and endorsement fee on my license (if its any of your damn business). Anyway, thanks to others for the encouragement.

 

[Twitch]

Hey Jim. If you’ve got all that stuff tied down by the end of the month, we’ll swing over that way and pick you up on the way to Barber for Vintage Festival Weekend (CLICK).

Motorcycling isn’t just about big-blue sitting in my garage. It’s also about going places, seeing new things, meeting new people and having fun. I’ll bet if you can get out on some fun trips you’ll forget about all the bike's little quirks in quick order. ::012::

 

[jaquima]

Hi Clem,
My wife has been following me to a huge abandoned parking area the past couple of days where I can at least do a little with the bike and you know, you guys are right. She really does grow on you fast. Can't wait to legally get her on the road. As for the chump Jaquiem above who sounds like he has everything and everybody figured out in life, we were hit with some unanticipated costs in helping our granddaughter which has delayed me being able to afford the tax, tag, and endorsement fee on my license (if its any of your damn business). Anyway, thanks to others for the encouragement.

I haven't recieved the brunt of name calling in a while. I do not have everything figured out but I have earned everything I own (which is not much compared to others). I am sick of pepole who lived outside of their means and had evey concievable toy only to be bailed out later during the economy. Therefore, when people describe financial problems revolving around around a toy, I cry bullshit. This bike is my first (and probably only) new bike. Prior to my S10, I rode a 30 yr old Honda I saved and ressurected. I also cry bullshit on your ride around the block assessment. Why would you spend that much money on a bike you were not sure about?

Your granddaughter is fortunate to have a financial safet net and I hope she appreciated the sacrafice. I hope you resolve your issues and ride the bike the way it is designed to be ridden. I do not recall ever being called a chump.....I shall add that to my list.

 

[colorider]

Time for less name calling and more riding folks.....

::021::

 

[Jakeboy]

I've only got 1200 miles on mine and the difference in smoothness from new is quite noticeable. All those parts in there spinning around and slamming up and down have to get to know one another. After all, they just met a couple of months ago.... ::003::

 

[limey]

Time for less name calling and more riding folks.....

::021::

::026::

 

[Jim]

Hey Jim. If you’ve got all that stuff tied down by the end of the month, we’ll swing over that way and pick you up on the way to Barber for Vintage Festival Weekend (CLICK).

Motorcycling isn’t just about big-blue sitting in my garage. It’s also about going places, seeing new things, meeting new people and having fun. I’ll bet if you can get out on some fun trips you’ll forget about all the bike's little quirks in quick order. ::012::

I sure hope to be able to do that someday Bill. Thankyou.

 

[Jim]

I haven't recieved the brunt of name calling in a while. I do not have everything figured out but I have earned everything I own (which is not much compared to others). I am sick of pepole who lived outside of their means and had evey concievable toy only to be bailed out later during the economy. Therefore, when people describe financial problems revolving around around a toy, I cry bullshit. This bike is my first (and probably only) new bike. Prior to my S10, I rode a 30 yr old Honda I saved and ressurected. I also cry bullshit on your ride around the block assessment. Why would you spend that much money on a bike you were not sure about?

Your granddaughter is fortunate to have a financial safet net and I hope she appreciated the sacrafice. I hope you resolve your issues and ride the bike the way it is designed to be ridden. I do not recall ever being called a chump.....I shall add that to my list.

Yea, well, you need to. Like I said you know nothing about me. I've never been bailed out of anything financial or whatever. This bike is no "toy" to me. It is my sole transportation for the next 5 years so, excuse me all to hell and back for wanting to have confidence in this motorcycle (not that I need to explain anything to you).

 

[jaquima]

UNCLE!!! Jeez already.

Go ride and enjoy the bike and the weather.

 

[dcstrom]

Just for info a 1975 BMW R90 was claimed 60hp, the Tenere is claimed 110. The BWM is claimed lighter by 50lb or so, but that was dry weight vs wet weight on the Tenere, so my guess is they weigh the same or whithin 20lbs so a wash there, so you basically are 50hp up over the old bike at the same weight.

I had a '75 R90 - it was no lightweight but I don't recall it being over 500lbs - sure enough

Unladen Weight with Full Tank - 210 Kg / 462 lb

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/specpages/R90-6.htm


So a little over 100lbs lighter than the Super Tenere. Very different bikes though so not fair to compare.

Trevor

 

[yukondood]

I agree with those that say get some miles on it and then comment. I had the luxury of time and resources to spend significant time on my S10 the first 30 days, the last 20 have sucked. But the first 30 led to 8000km and a new set of tires. The more I ride it, the more I like it. I would agree to some of the feedback, does lack power but that is compared to last sport bikes I was riding- apples to oranges. Seat forward lean-trimmed the rubbers under seat-fixed! Does feel heavy in the garage and backwards duck walks out of a parking stall. the weight disapears as you use your right wrist and get some seat time. I am blown away with the things I have done in the dirt with a 600 pound bike, let alone the highway miles.

I will not be looking at other bikse for a long while

 

[PVC]

I've now arounf 5000km on the bike and I am wondering why.... all those years I've been fncking around with sporty naked bikes for! ) Really! ::005::
This bike has it all. Well, let me rephrase that, had all that I was looking for in a new bike.

Comfort, evenly spread powerband, torque, light steering, stability, ergonomic, it's finish, it's price, it's autonomy, it's.... blablahbla...

All I felt in the first km's during break in was... FEAR, sheer fear this bike would disappoint me later on... now that I'm opening up on throttle and mileage, this bike has started to grow on me.
I no longer feel tired hands, have no baffles around the ears nor have a sore arse from sitting to crampy on it. I get up on the pegs from time to time to enjoy the view and catch some fresh air instead... 8)

Next is the clunking when opening up 'pathetically' fluent at around 3000rpm has gone,... why? I now open up as from 4000 rpm and let it rip the soil underneath it to shreds! HAH! O
Then there was the fear of having too few power to keep me busy... coming from a Corsaro and before that a Speed Triple, it sure was an understandable fear. No problema (Yeah, problems are female), I have it on Sport all the time and ride in TCS-2... I haven't drifted Tokyoykysuckyfushima-style yet so TCS-2 is working for me... It GOES GREAT, believe me. I have been riding with racers in c-roads and they are no match for this donkey (and his S10). ::002::

Then there was the endurance... yep there's the endurance... it's wonderful, isn't it? ::012::

An finally, I have riden now in those 5000km more in the rain than with any other of my bikes... I hate rain since my crash with my Suzuki RGV250 Kevin Schwantz replica when I was dumb an 18, but getting on this bike like immediately gave me comfort and it's still growing...I hope it stops growing before I see the bottom of the odd cliff. :-X

Give the bike time, loosen up and ride it like you stole it... ::26:: but don't overdo it... ::025::