Question I get asked a lot: Why the S10 vs a GS. Whats your answer?

[default]

Just as the title says, I get asked a lot why I picked the Super Tenere over a GS usually once a week. My usual answer is price, reliability and cost of repairs.

What do you guys say when/if posed with that question? What made YOU pick the S10?

 

[jaeger22]

I think you nailed it. The GS is a very fine motorcycle but the S10 costs less, is about 3 times as reliable (Consumer reports survey), and cost less to repair. And the S10 is very close to the overall performance of the GS. IMHO Another big factor for those of us that do LONG trips, is the dealer network. Far more Yamaha dealers out there.
When I am 2000 miles from home, I care WAY more about reliability and support if needed than anything else.

 

[Don T]

For me the answer is:
"I find the S10 much better looking, I prefer the riding experience it gives me and I appreciate the superior reliability, long service intervals and general ease of ownership".

Besides that dealer support is much better for Yamaha than BMW where I live - not that much support is needed when riding a S10

 

[Bryn]

Funny thing is....in the UK at least the Super Tenere hardly gets a mention in the bike press , the GS on the other hand......:

 

[WJBertrand]

I just tell them I couldn't afford the pickup truck to go with...

 

[JRE]

For me it was $ and the fact that the closest BMW dealer is 150 miles away.

 

[EricV]

BMW dealerships are in decline, Yamaha dealerships are growing. That, and BMW can't make a reliable final drive and refuses to admit there is any problem, despite multiple re-designs, that all still have failures at a far greater rate than Japanese brands. If you tried to give me a GS, I wouldn't take it. I already have one of those POS in the garage. Can't wait to get rid of it, but have to wait until Honda builds something in the Adv/Touring class that's over a liter and under 500 lbs with shaft drive so I can finally talk the wife into dumping the Bring More Wampum, (her bike).

 

[West]

BMW dealerships are in decline, Yamaha dealerships are growing.

That's actually opposite of my experience here in Oregon. The area BMW dealerships have some well trained/experienced mechanics while the Big 4 dealerships have little to no experienced mechanics. Most folks that I know avoid the dealerships for service work because of that. Even finding a knowledgeable parts desk person is difficult.

"I like some 27mm Valve Shims please"
"Sir, the Valve Shim is attached to the inner tube"
"No, VALVE SHIM, for the adjusting the VALVES!"
"Sir, the Valve Shim on the tube is not adjustable"

 

[Tupperware]

For me, it was mostly price. Both bikes are ugly to the point of looking good so neither bike won that battle, though I wish my ES was available in some actual color, instead of primer gray/black! Both motorcycles represented a substantial leap forward in performance, safety, comfort and technology from my KLR, so no issues there.
Initially, I tried to buy the GS because I had never owned a German bike and wanted to try one. Then price negotiations commenced. Two BMW dealers, only sorta close to me, quoted msrp and wouldn't budge. Both offered useless in-store discounts off retail for accessories and gear I already own. A local Yamaha dealer, 10 minutes from my front door, showed me he was interested in earning my business by giving me a price I could not ignore. I have no regrets.
I have never personally witnessed a BMW final drive failure. I have witnessed a bashed sump on a Tenere. Every bike has it's issues. Owning the Yamaha started about $6,000 cheaper and will probably continue to be much less expensive to own in the long term.

 

[EricV]

That's actually opposite of my experience here in Oregon. The area BMW dealerships have some well trained/experienced mechanics while the Big 4 dealerships have little to no experienced mechanics. Most folks that I know avoid the dealerships for service work because of that. Even finding a knowledgeable parts desk person is difficult.

Define "Oregon". Troutdale has an excellent shop. Beaverton Honda has excellent techs, even if their sales dept sucks. I can point you to shops in Bend as well. BMW of Western OR..., so-so techs, crap sales dept. I lived in the Portland area up until 5 years ago.

 

[GrahamD]

Engine characteristics
Gravel / off road road handling.
Build quality.
Comfort
Peace of mind.
Better value.
Better standard suspenders.
(2011)

 

[hawk281]

The fact that anywhere I go, there is a Yamaha shop, the cost of purchase, maintenance and I never did get use to the weird front end of the GS. ::021::

 

[groundhog]

Just as the title says, I get asked a lot why I picked the Super Tenere over a GS usually once a week. My usual answer is price, reliability and cost of repairs.

What do you guys say when/if posed with that question? What made YOU pick the S10?

It's a better bike ::008::

 

[rider33]

for me this is primarily a long distance touring bike. As such, reliability and a strong dealer network are very important.
For this class of bikes in that application, it doesn't get much better than an S10.

 

[Propsoto]

I don't like the attitude that goes with owning a BMW. A lot like Harley riders. Also I prefer the styling of the S10.

 

[hojo in sc]

Because I had a GS and the master and slave cylinder went out within 12 months, and 4 of my buddies all had final drive failures within the same week while we were out on vacation. Got rid of my GS as soon as I got home.

 

[Big Blu]

Because I had a GS and the master and slave cylinder went out within 12 months, and 4 of my buddies all had final drive failures within the same week while we were out on vacation. Got rid of my GS as soon as I got home.

Wow, musta been a bad batch. Bet they were all built during Oktoberfest. ::003:: ::26::

Paul

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I usually tell them, "Because that's what I wanted." Then it usually goes into an explanation about price, maintenance, beak/no beak and reliability. I came from a Harley Sportster and had an absolutely horrific experience. So I was not about to go to another brand that required so much work...and I haven't looked back in 50k miles.

 

[HBLQRider]

Because I like Yamaha reliability and it will do everything a GS will do.

::022::

 

[gregp]

Despite the horror stories, I still have much lust in my heart for a GS. That being said I just couldn't justify the cost when the Super Tenere offered so much for literally half the price. Maybe one of these days I'll lose my mind and buy the beamer but for now I'm quite satisfied with the Yamaha.