Dirt_Dad
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Yes, time to stop calling it The Replacement. For one reason or another I've had very little opportunity to really exercise the 2015 ES. Only have about 1850 miles on it so far. Today was really the first chance I had to take it out and ride like me. No more gently breaking it in, or making sure the wife is comfortable with this or that road, or doing little 2 hours loops from home. Today was just me taking the bike out and wringing it freaking neck for 275 miles. >
Okay...I probably only hammered the thing for 180 of those miles, but they were good miles.
The bike is really different from the 2012 bikes I've ridden. I did love my 2012. I was sorry to see it go they way that it did. But I have to say the 2015 ES is clearly better, and I'm now happy stop calling it The Replacement. It is my bike now, and it really is pretty awesome.
Still some stuff to do on it. The seat must be addressed. Planning to order a Seat Concepts this evening. I have not gotten around to installing the E07s, but am doing my absolute best to destroy the Battlewings off pavement The back is spinning so much faster than the front wheel I just don't see how it can survive very long. Any other remaining changes are minor.
For those curious of the differences...
The 2015 pulls harder than the 2012. It's really noticeable. I passed someone today as was pretty surprised (pleased) and how quickly the bike accelerated. Dare I say it reminded me of the acceleration on my old FJR? 3rd gear in the twisties, the arm stretching exercises between 4900 up to 7000 RPM are an absolute evil grin inducing activity.
For the first time ever on a Tenere I intentionally put the bike in Touring mode on a dry sunny day. I was going through a small resort town with a lot of foot traffic everywhere. We're talking a safe speed of 15 MPH. Sport mode in that situation is just so extremely responsive that it's much easier in Touring. That's new to me, but I like the responsiveness, just have to learn to switch modes when appropriate.
For those wondering about cruise control...yep, pretty fantastic once you get used to it. As far as the ES suspension, took some trail and error. Fred gave me the idea to try two helmest. I believe I've found two helmet Standard 0 is close to the 2012 stock setting. So for now I'm using two helmets, soft -3 on the smooth roads and hard +3 when the going gets rough. Think I'm pretty good now (thanks, Fred).
So my verdict on the 2015 ES, a bike I was not ready to acquire when it happened...it's a great bike, and yes, it's an unquestionable improvement over the 2012 I loved so much.
Okay...I probably only hammered the thing for 180 of those miles, but they were good miles.The bike is really different from the 2012 bikes I've ridden. I did love my 2012. I was sorry to see it go they way that it did. But I have to say the 2015 ES is clearly better, and I'm now happy stop calling it The Replacement. It is my bike now, and it really is pretty awesome.
Still some stuff to do on it. The seat must be addressed. Planning to order a Seat Concepts this evening. I have not gotten around to installing the E07s, but am doing my absolute best to destroy the Battlewings off pavement The back is spinning so much faster than the front wheel I just don't see how it can survive very long. Any other remaining changes are minor.
For those curious of the differences...
The 2015 pulls harder than the 2012. It's really noticeable. I passed someone today as was pretty surprised (pleased) and how quickly the bike accelerated. Dare I say it reminded me of the acceleration on my old FJR? 3rd gear in the twisties, the arm stretching exercises between 4900 up to 7000 RPM are an absolute evil grin inducing activity.
For the first time ever on a Tenere I intentionally put the bike in Touring mode on a dry sunny day. I was going through a small resort town with a lot of foot traffic everywhere. We're talking a safe speed of 15 MPH. Sport mode in that situation is just so extremely responsive that it's much easier in Touring. That's new to me, but I like the responsiveness, just have to learn to switch modes when appropriate.
For those wondering about cruise control...yep, pretty fantastic once you get used to it. As far as the ES suspension, took some trail and error. Fred gave me the idea to try two helmest. I believe I've found two helmet Standard 0 is close to the 2012 stock setting. So for now I'm using two helmets, soft -3 on the smooth roads and hard +3 when the going gets rough. Think I'm pretty good now (thanks, Fred).
So my verdict on the 2015 ES, a bike I was not ready to acquire when it happened...it's a great bike, and yes, it's an unquestionable improvement over the 2012 I loved so much.
