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

[Dmcleane]

I dig the tuning fork logo.

 

[Just Bob]

Reliability and a company that stands behind it's product (So Far). Can't say the same for BMW, 4 final drives on last GSA was final straw.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I dig the tuning fork logo.

::025:: ::025:: ::008::

 

[tomatocity]

I picked my S10 in 1993 and it is a Chevy. Still have it. Bought my 2012 Super Tenere August 2011.

Why did I pick the Super Tenere vs GS... Cost, Dealership, Japanese... in that order.

 

[Andylaser]

My bike is my primary mode of transport. I need dependability, reliability and low cost maintenance. BMW doesn't offer the level of confidence that I need.

 

[XTZELEE]

Because it's

"bend over I have a BMW"

 

[Defekticon]

Never had anyone ask.... seems like the only place I ever see the question is on the internet.

GS was never even a consideration when buying the tenere, as I've never been a fan of BMW's over-hyped brand.

 

[GearheadGrrrl]

Twice the reliability, half the price!

 

[zoomang]

I bought the S10 because I wanted a bike that I do not have to worry about. The cost was also a factor. Travelling 2up away a long way from home I just have more confidence in the Yamaha.

 

[stomp347]

Twice the reliability, half the price!

Same here!!

 

[EricV]

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.

Curious where you are meeting these people that ask you that? Typically I get questions like "where are you headed? Or "Where are you coming from? That looks like fun." Even in my home state, people usually assume I'm on a trip when they see my bike.

 

[AVGeek]

People see my pictures more often than they see my bike (the challenge of being self employed, and building up my business is that I don't get to ride as much as I would like), and usually the first question is "Is that a BMW?". I explain that it is Yamaha's competitor. I was looking at the GS early on, as well as plating a WR450 (since I had the FJR at the time), and really wanted the XT660, but when the ST was announced in the US, I put my deposit down. While I do look at other brands, Yamaha earned my brand loyalty long ago, and I have not yet had cause to question my decision to stick with their products.

In all fairness, I was hoping BMW would have a demo fleet at the IMS. I really wanted to ride the GS for myself, but the best I could do was sit on one on the show floor. It had some features I liked, but the one thing I didn't like right off the bat was the relation between the seating position and the tank; I didn't like sitting behind it, rather than over it.

 

[Big Blu]

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....... , but the one thing I didn't like right off the bat was the relation between the seating position and the tank; I didn't like sitting behind it, rather than over it.

You are not alone, many other, including some of the BMW faithful, have made commented on the seating new position on the LC models. Initially I to noticed it moved me bake away from the steering head and I felt it added a bit of reach to the bars, but it didn't take long to adapt to that position. The bike has a large handle bar sweep and a very small turning radius so the extra space in front of the rider is welcomed. I think moving the rider weigh back a bit shifts the weight distribution to the rear resulting in a lighter, quicker handling. Many riders moving from earlier GS/GSA's to the LC's are at first uncomfortable with the quick, light handling of the new design. Perhaps another factor that may have influenced seat location is the the new LC motor moves the intake valves from the rear to the top or the motor and repositions the air box directly above the intake valves for better flow. Perhaps the seat was shifted to the rear to make room for the new larger air box and the fuel cell.

You may want to check your local BMW dealer to see if they'll let you take a test ride. Many of them do that, it's almost common practice in my part of the world. Dealers know that riders may have a hard time convincing themselves to spending the big $$$ for a BMW when there are many other good bike on the market. When a serious shopper presents them with the opportunity to make a sale most sales folks are happy to offer a demo ride and let the rider decide if the differences between the BMW and the others in the market place is worth the $$$'s.

Paul

 

[TimLaw]

first off, I'd own a BMW if I had more expendable income. Even with the known issues, the bike is fantastic. But, many issues are at hand. Germany is constantly changing the bike and with that, new issues arise. Having lived in Germany for years, I know how the system works. They spend a lot of time and money working on ideas and improvements. The quality control is top notch and extremely rigid. I do believe at times they have taken an air filter and said, "guys, build a bike around this and make sure that only certified BMW guys can get to it after 2 hours of shop time to even see it. lol

What I don't like is the over inflated prices on EVERYTHING related to the bike. Take Touratech for example...typical German system. Extremely overpriced, many parts made in 3 world countries and you typically can't just buy what you are looking for...you have to buy other parts sold separately to get it going on some items.

I don't mind paying for quality. I do mind buying something new and worrying about it breaking down....even if it is under warranty, it's a pain in the ass.

I've had my Tenere since Oct 2014. To date, not one issue. I'd rather my bike be in my garage then at the shop.

 

[kgfire]

Questionable reliability and BMW can't make the GS's fast enough and sells every one of them for over $22k! Almost equal performance and great reliability for thousands of dollars less yet there are still '13 and'14 and '15 model Super Tenere's sitting in Yamaha dealerships listed way below MSRP. Before anyone accuses me of being a BMW troll I've owned several ST's and drank the Yamaha kool-aide back in 2012.
I absolutely think the Yamaha is a fantastic bike I just wish I'd see more of them on the road.

 

[tenbob]

Questionable reliability and BMW can't make the GS's fast enough and sells every one of them for over $22k!

Obviously its a good bike, but still think it was that Sci-fi comedy The Short Way Round with Charlie Mcgregor thats to blame for the wannabe masses buying em. Then with a great headstart on the competion there was no looking back. One decisive marketing hammer blow. N peeple being people, tend to want a slice of this success pie.. so rightly or wrongly, part with shed loads of their spondoolies £$, All media supported n promoted of course. :

 

[dietDrThunder]

First off, I'm a new guy; in fact I haven't even picked up my ST yet (deal made last night, gotta go get it). But I did ride a 2015 model and a new GS on the same day, and I have to say, trying to go for the 'almost the same performance' thing is a bit of a stretch. The GS is much faster and punchier feeling in the motor department, and it 'feels' lighter (and is lighter). Now, that said...

Why a Super T and not a GS? Well I bought my 2012 for $6500 with about 2k worth of stuff on it (heated Corbin, crash bars, skid plate, heated grips, Givi trunk, more). When you read threads about recurring, troublesome and ongoing problems with the bike all around the Internet...oh, wait...there aren't any. Well, there is one on the adv forum, and the main beef is that no matter what people try, they are continually having to put more gas in every few hundred miles. One guy said that one time he changed the oil and checked the tire pressure, in the same day! You get the idea...the thing is stone axe reliable, very cheap (relatively) to buy and own, and is a ball to ride. I get that the GS has more power, and more sophisticated electronics, but at this point I have to think the majority of buyers just can't stand the thought of not having the roundel on the tank. It's increasingly hard to see the value in the GS when the price is so high and the reputation for reliability is in tatters.

Also to be clear, I'm not a BMW hater by any stretch. If it weren't for a couple of design features that I don't like, I'd probably have already owned an R1200RT by now.

 

[Andylaser]

Questionable reliability and BMW can't make the GS's fast enough and sells every one of them for over $22k!

True, but how many of those are on PCI lease schemes and get handed back after 3 years and just before the extended warranty ends.

 

[trainman]

True, but how many of those are on PCI lease schemes and get handed back after 3 years and just before the extended warranty ends.

exactly, the one thing they have sussed is brand loyalty, still seen by loyal fans as a premium brand much like the cars, if you always have warranty cover and upgrade the bike 3 yearly then no worries, a lot I meet are lets say more senior in years and the bike is a hobby item, not something vital for getting to work,

whilst my BMW's never let me down, my thought process was certainly around needing a commuter machine, must be reliable and build quality good enough that with a bit of ACF 50 spray it can withstand the road salt without me washing it every week and come out the other side rust free, so far so good (unlike my last GS' engine cover!!)

 

[Dogdaze]

Unlike my last GS' engine cover!!

" They all do that sir" ............................. it's called patina ::025::