Now I own a FJR, looking to Super Tenere - Have questions

[sportrider]

I had 05 fjr 19k miles well farkled with wilburs 641. Loved my fjr, did a couple 700-800 mile days, but was always looking for 6th gear and wanted more leg room for my 34" inseem. So far, no regrets. Love the wider riding position, love the 6th gear, less buzzy. I also wanted to extend my riding season and did not want to risk throwing the fjr down the road from hitting ice. I feel the s10 would have less damage if this were to occur. I have no regrets sellling my fjr for the s10, but I miss my KTM 950SE.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I own a 2010 FJR and a 2010 Tenere .... different bikes for different purposes. The Tenere is definitely a better package and perfect for my loutish style of riding. The FJR is my main mile muncher. 800 miles in a day and I could still walk. Most outta the Tenere has been 500 miles end to end ... my a*se was a bit frazzled ... not bad enough change the seat ... I'll get used to it. Wifey don't like either ... prefers her horses :

I just got back from a 2500+ mile week and did 1160 miles the first day. I have a tall windshield and did the seat mod that makes it a bit flatter. No stiffness and not sore anywhere. I'd rather take the S10 on a long ride than either of my FJRs.

 

[HoebSTer]

What are some key reasons why you all went with S10 not GS?

For me, the Yammie, is the closest thing to a Honda, representing fine Japanese Quality and reliability hands down. I have known many guys with Japanese Sport-Touring bikes whom have driven hundreds of thousands on each bike and no issues. I know they all aren't like this, but the GS has had waaay too many stories of failure and costly fixes and or pricey regular maintenance. You won't find as high of costs associated with a Tenere unless you abuse it and lack the normal common servicing. I have said it before, but even if I had a truck-load of Franklins at my disposal, I would still hesitate to buy a GS, again just my opinion.

 

[Scoop47501]

My wife likes the Tenere better than my FJR. I think it all boils down to more leg room and the sense of adventure now that we are checking out all those new dirt roads.
Today I added a 36 liter Coocase so she could have a backrest and a place to lock her purse.
When moma is happy I'm happy.
I'm lucky enough to be able to keep my 2004 FJR too.
Later
Scooper

 

[reverend12]

I gotta 2009 FJR and a S-10 two different worlds, had a 2004 FJR I have over 100K on FJ's, the S-10 is a different, but extremely fun ride!

 

[GoNotShow]

For me, the Yammie, is the closest thing to a Honda, representing fine Japanese Quality and reliability hands down. I have known many guys with Japanese Sport-Touring bikes whom have driven hundreds of thousands on each bike and no issues. I know they all aren't like this, but the GS has had waaay too many stories of failure and costly fixes and or pricey regular maintenance. You won't find as high of costs associated with a Tenere unless you abuse it and lack the normal common servicing. I have said it before, but even if I had a truck-load of Franklins at my disposal, I would still hesitate to buy a GS, again just my opinion.

::026::
Also had quality worries with the BMW. Most are problem free, but the few that have mechanical/electrical gremlins are nightmares and money pits.

Also:
- Comparably equipped Yamaha was less expensive.
- Spoked wheels on the Yamaha.
- Service and spare parts will be cheaper.
- Conventional fork. I rented an R1200GS for a whole day and did a 300mi test ride prior to getting my S10. BMW handles well, but the dynamics of the paralever (?) front end would take some time for me to get used to. I'm a trail braker and like compressing the front on corner entry in the twisties and the BMW had poor front end feedback, which I didn't like. At a leisurely pace the Bimmer would be fine, but for more spirited riding on a curvy road I really wanted the feedback of a conventional fork.

 

[fredz43]

I had two FJRs, a 2003 and a 2009. Put around 83K miles on them. I had ridden them on gravel but I felt they didn't belong there. I wanted something a little lighter than the FJR that would handle gravel roads. The S10 fit that description.

Very happy with the S10. Passenger likes it better than the FJRs and she really liked the FJRs.

As stated before it does not pull as hard as the FJR but I am getting used to that.

I had Ohlins rear shocks on both FJRs. I have an Ohlins on the S10. Makes a big difference to us.

I don't regret trading the FJR in on the S10.

Hope it works out for you.

Hi William,

I am a couple hours south of you in IL. Where did you get your Ohlins?

Thanks.

 

[Swagger]

..... Conventional fork. I rented an R1200GS for a whole day and did a 300mi test ride prior to getting my S10. BMW handles well, but the dynamics of the paralever (?) front end would take some time for me to get used to. I'm a trail braker and like compressing the front on corner entry in the twisties and the BMW had poor front end feedback, which I didn't like. At a leisurely pace the Bimmer would be fine, but for more spirited riding on a curvy road I really wanted the feedback of a conventional fork .....

I'm kinda with this comment. I didn't much like the way the GSA presented itself in corners but it's something that you'd get used to. I rode hundreds of miles with three GSA's for company and I can tell you the lads riding those were as confident as a very confident thing running 'em into corners at high speed ... even with TTKC80 hoops.
I also didn't really like the weight distribution .... I don't know what that was but it could have been to do with a low CoG.
That said I would own one .... but then I'm a tart and would actually own pretty much any bike

 

[Scottie Boy]

Currently I own a '12 Super Tenere and a '97 Honda ST1100. I know your FJR is more modern than my old ST but they are similar bikes. If you are looking to do several hundred mile days its hard to beat a fully faired sport tourer with a silky smooth four cylinder engine. However, if you are tall like I am you can seriously get spoiled by the S10's upright seating position and generous legroom. Plus its fun to go exploring down roads I could NEVER take that Honda. Living in Atlanta, I routinely ride several hours north to the mountains to have fun in the twisties and turn around and ride back home. The ST is better at super slabbing and the Tenere is much, much better on twisty roads. I've often joked that I wish I could ride the ST to the mountains but ride the Yamaha while I'm there. If your finances and spouse are agreeable, my recommendation would be to keep the FJR and park a nice shiny new Tenere right next to it. They're both phenomenal but very different bikes.

 

[AVGeek]

I'm another FJR/Super Ten owner. I've had an 04 (Gen 1) and still have my 08 (Gen 2). The FJR is effortlessly fast, while the ST is busier, but will attain plenty of speed. The FJR has better weather protection, since its a fully faired bike (and I like the electricaly adjustable windscreen better). My wife said she also liked the ST better as a pillion, but didn't really say why. I'm glad I don't need to choose, bu if I had to, I'd keep the ST over the FJR, for most of the same reason already posted here.

 

[HoebSTer]

I wonder if we answered his question why Tenere over a GS? Sounds like we answered some thoughts why a Tenere over an FJR OR ST!

 

[markjenn]

I sold my 2005 Gen1 FJR this spring to reduce the stable before getting the S10. Great bike and a friend is riding the wheels off it now.

The S10 will easily do the same missions as an FJR, but quite differently. Ergos of the S10 actually seem superior to me: more upright/neutral/less-committed riding position, wider handlebars, a LOT more legroom (one of the weaknesses of the FJR). But there is definitely less weather protection, you don't have the electric windshield to match up to the weather, and the S10's engine will seem agricultural and gutless compared to the turbine in the FJR. That doesn't mean it won't get you down the road just fine, but there is a big difference between a 90-hp twin and a 125-hp four-cyl, especially if you like the very high-speed stuff. The FJR is like a Corvette; the S10 is like a Range Rover. For absolutely pure pavement, I'd rather be on the FJR, but for very tight pavement and, of course, any gravel or dirt, the S10 will handle it in stride.

I'm a minority on this forum in thinking that the GS is a slightly better bike overall compared to the S10. It's significantly lighter, makes a little more power, has better sorted factory accessories, and I'm a fan of the telelever front end which gives wonderful stability and does a better job of separating steering and braking. But..... the S10 is clearly a better value and there are nagging aspects of BMW ownership that I wanted to avoid, like the fragile and difficult-to-service clutch/final-drive system of the BMW, clunky ABS system, and general lower-reliability overall. Having said all this, the GS is a great bike and is serving an awful lot of people very well.

If I was in the market right now but didn't need to move right away, I'd stay on the sidelines until the new 1200 Triumph hits the market next year and we get a read on what the wasser-boxer is going to be. There's also the big new Honda to think about. Both this new Triumph and the Honda will be closer to a FJR than a S10/GS, so if you wanted to tilt more towards smooth, big-horsepower, multi-cyl characteristics but have a little more suitability for gravel than a pure road bike, they'd probably be good choices.

- Mark

 

[William42]

Hi William,

I am a couple hours south of you in IL. Where did you get your Ohlins?

Thanks.

Fred,

Got the shock from www.fastbikeindustries.com

Spoke with Dave. He took the time to find out what we needed from the shock and set it up for us. He nailed it. We are very happy with him and the Ohlins.

 

[plugugly]

I think I can +1 to markjenn said about the FJR to S10 comparisons, while adding that my wife says its more comfortable than the FJR, too. I came from having a perfectly set up 2005 FJR and a motarded KLR in the stable, to the S10. That choice was made for me when a cager totaled my FJR turning left directly into me. I had looked at the S10 before that, but didn't feel like pulling the trigger. Now, I couldn't be happier. Sold the KLR, the stable is down to the S10 and an 08 Ninja 250, which is a hoot to ride. I think I'll be keeping the 250 for track days and pestering bigger sportbikes, and use the Tenere everywhere else.