Potential BMW ship-jumper in Seattle

[Gobius]

Greetings S10'ers,

I've been lurking around here for a few weeks now, and figured at this point I'm officially interested enough to say hello. I've been riding an F650GS (thumper) for the past few years, and it has served me very well, including a trip up the Dempster last summer. But now I've got my eye on something bigger, with less buzz, better suspension, and a sixth gear. Been considering all the bigger Bavarian machinery, but the more I research it the less confidence I have in the reliability of their bigger bikes. And then there's the cost....

Anyway, I have a CRF250X for all the really gnarly stuff, and a Kawi ZX6R for the racetrack - so I'm looking for something that I can use for everything in between those two extremes, on and off road. So that's why I'm here. Seems like there are a few others here from the Pacific NW, so I"ve got that going for me.

If nothing else, thanks for all the info!

Duane

 

[PNWSuperbeast]

::004:: Gobius, I will tell you in terms of maintenance and all around fun you absolutely cannot go wrong with the S10 and there are a load of folks here that have already made the jump from the Bavarian side of the house that can get you specifics. "When" you pull the trigger on the S10 ;D you won't regret it. Great people here so ask away on the questions.

 

[Rasher]

The Bavarian rubbish is cheaper than the S10 this side of the pond, and them doubts of yours are well founded from my experience. Plus with a new bike due from BMW I can see the used value of the outgoing models tumbling quite quickly.

The Tenere is a great motorcycle in isolation (like most are) and even by comparison stands up very well, I certainly thought as a long term, do ownership proposition it was the best choice, does everything well, nothing badly and looks most likely to last a 100k.

 

[howie ronic]

I'm in So King Co. Come on down and I'll make you a believer and heal you! I can get you a hook up too. For the price of an equipped BMW you can get a Tenere and a KLR. For me, it was a no brainer.

 

[rem]

Welcome on, Duane from Washington. Your consideration of the Tenere is well founded. Awesome bike. Good luck with your contemplation. I hope you go that way. Welcome to the Forum. ::004:: R. ::022::

 

[razcob]

Greetings, this is my first post, although I have been visiting this site often, looking for a replacement for my BMW GS. I recently bought a 04 GSA, w/11K miles, that was dealer maintained at the suggested intervals, to take a trip across the US. I was going to take this trip and sell the bike when I returned, so what could possibly go wrong!! I frequently heard about $1000 road side repairs (final drive, etc.), so I knew that my middle class salary would be a challenge to satisfy any problems that occurred. Well, the bike got me home after 5500 miles, but the engine is running rough and missing under acceleration (coil, spark, etc.), there are two BMW pannier hinges that need to be replaced, i am missing a $5 BMW bolt that costs $1 at the hardware store and it is due for its 6000 mile maintenance routine, all this will cost me a mere $700. The one small hinge is $50 !?!?! Don't look for the spark plugs at your local auto store, you won't find them, it requires two NGK plugs and two Bosch plugs. WTF??? I need one new $50 front signal light because the bike fell over in the parking lot, after I filled the 8 gallon fuel tank. I had to carry a block of wood to place under the kickstand and skillfully drop close enough to the kickstand, so I could move it with my foot and then with the skill of a circus performer, balance the bike and pick up the block of wood, when I was ready to leave. If you let go of the handlebars, at 20 mph, to adjust a glove, etc., the handlebars develop a violent shake. Having said all this, I am ready to replace my BMW with any of the S10's problems.

 

[barkingllizard]

a simple hello, Gobius.....

 

[RED CAT]

I went from an 08 GS12 to a 2012 S10 and couldn't be happier. Don't miss the GS at all. Only thing I liked better about the GS was the -50lbs and the shift on the fly Traction Control. Everything else about the S10, I like better. ::008::

 

[HoebSTer]

Welcome Gobius!! I just sent you a private message mentioning some things. There are over 13 of us from the Seattle area on here and we have met up for a BBQ already this year and may do so again by fall.

Jeff

 

[Swagger]

Hi Duane and razcob.

Git shot o them there bimmer things and let's get crackin' .... Tenere all the way ::015::

 

[Gobius]

Well, it's been almost 6 years since I posted this intro, and it looks like I'm finally getting around to buying a S10! Since my original post, I have owned a Stelvio (very briefly), a V-Strom 650, and a Versys 650. All were great bikes (though I think the Stelvio had a defective ECU). I finally took a test ride on a S10 yesterday, and was very impressed. I was shocked at how light it feels and handles for a 600 lb bike. Honestly I didn't think it felt any heavier or more ponderous than my V-Strom 650, and certainly lighter than the Stelvio. And everything seems so smooth and effortless. I was rolling down the highway at 65 mph thinking that is was pretty smooth, and then realized I was in 5th gear. Clicked into 6th and it felt like the engine was gone and I was just floating, and this was on a 0 mile bike. On my Versys things start to get a little frantic at that speed in 6th.

I hate to admit it, but the thing that drew my attention back to the S10 was the desert sandstone color. Well, that and the $4k off MSRP. Hopefully I will be picking it up later this week ::012::

 

[tomatocity]

Good to hear you like the Tenere. Is yours an ES or not? Love my 2015 ES and just turned 37,000 miles this weekend. Add that to the 52,200 miles on my 2012 makes me like the newer version better. Spent the last four days enjoying the roads of Northern California with a good friend. Fantastic motorcycle.

 

[Nikolajsen]

::004::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Congratulations!


You can not fight the force.

 

[Sierra1]

....I was shocked at how light it feels and handles for a 600 lb bike....I was rolling down the highway at 65 mph thinking that is was pretty smooth, and then realized I was in 5th gear. Clicked into 6th and it felt like the engine was gone....

I too think it feels lighter than it is. It also took me some time to remember that I had a 6th gear. (it had been awhile since I'd had one) My favorite bike ever. ::001::

 

[2daMax]

I too think it feels lighter than it is. It also took me some time to remember that I had a 6th gear. (it had been awhile since I'd had one) My favorite bike ever. ::001::

I was doing 118 mph on 5th gear and didn't realized I wasn't on 6th. Actually didn't even realized I was on 118 mph because it was so smooth. This was after a month of ownership and the first high speed ride. Coming off from a 650 Versys that really needs a 7th gear.

 

[escapefjrtist]

::004:: from the east side foothills and congrats on the [soon-to-be] new Tenere!

Great bike, you won't be disappointed.

--G

 

[Gobius]

Just to put a bow on this thread:

 

[Checkswrecks]

Congratulations - it looks great.
Happy farkling
::008::