Replacing Wing with S10...or another

[VStarRider]

Hello,

I have been riding Wings since 2015, covering 50k miles. Great bikes, everything you have heard is true. In October 2021, I bought a Royal Enfield Himalayan and fell in love with the adventure bike seating position. Adding the Seat Concepts Tall seat and increasing the seat height to 33" only made it better. As a 6'1" guy with a 34" inseam, sitting on the Wing after owning the RE feels like sitting in a bathtub. This winter, I have had the realization it is time to sell the Wing and move on to a road-biased adventure bike for my longer trips. I have contemplated keeping the Wing and lowering the pegs and adding height to the seat, but I think I am just done with a 900 pound bike that is focused on long distance touring on the slab. The days of the full fairing, integrated GPS and stereo are no longer for me.

Replacements, not in any order, because I keep changing my mind:

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 (2023 model)
Kawasaki Versys 1000
Super Tenere
Moto Guzzi V85TT
Tracer 9 GT

None of these bikes has everything I want. Honestly, the closest one is the 2023 V-Strom 1050 base model. I do not want to buy new, however. I have not kept a bike longer than 4 years and I will probably move on to a different one 3-4 years from now. Buying new is not off the table, but a big factor because in four years, I will lose thousands selling it, compounded by the irresistible urge to farkle it out and lose even more.

Why the '23 Strom? Cruise, quick shifter, heated grips, cast wheels (19/17), cornering ABS, manual suspension adjustment, heated grips. The '22 and older 1050 base models don't come with some of these things, so the '23 hit the spot. If it had a shaft drive, I may have ordered one by now.

I am looking at a used '19 Versys 1000 this weekend. Don't have to buy new and lot of the features that the Strom has are included.

I am also looking at a new Moto Guzzi V85TT this weekend. Simple to maintain, shaft drive, cruise, heated grips, unique bike and lots of aftermarket accessories available. Problem is my nearest dealer is 300 miles away, parts availability makes me nervous, and the V85 may be a little too small. Will see this weekend. Owners love them.

The S10 is in the rotation as well. In my opinion, the lack of a quick shifter is the biggest drawback, followed by no cornering ABS and not many used units. It does have windscreens and seats from my favorite aftermarket providers and is arguably as reliable as the Suzook and Kawi, maybe to a greater degree because it's been essentially the same bike for so long.

I do have a history with Yamaha as well. I have owned two V-Star 1100s (hence the username), last one sold in 2016 after I bought my first Wing. I have also owned three Yamaha snowmobiles and one ATV. Love the fit and finish and use of high quality parts across the lines.

So, I continue to research threads on this forum, watch YouTube videos, etc. I have not put my '16 Wing for sale yet. I am waiting to at least sit on some of these bikes before taking the next step. Versys and Guzzi are first. There is an S10 in stock at a dealer 50 miles away and my buddy ordered a Yamaha ATV from them. I will go with him to pick it up and take a test sit, maybe ride.

I am posting here because I am interested in anything you have to share based on the above. Thanks in advance.

 

[Fpalbrecht]

I thought my 2016 Tenere was more comfortable to ride all day than my 2008 Wing. Not the same for passenger. I had them at the same time. About 4 or 5 years. Wife doesn't like to ride on the back anymore. Still have Tenere, now with sidecar. She loves it.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

[Bill_C]

All the bikes you've mentioned are fine bikes. I'd simply test ride them all and see what fits you best. That's how I ended up on a Tenere when I was certain that I was going to buy an Africa Twin. Funny how test rides can put everything in perspective.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

 

[TenereGUY]

Well... you don't know, until you know!
Buuuutttt, I am 6'3" with a 34" inseam. This Tenere came along and the deal was so good I couldn't turn it down. I kept saying no because I wanted an African Twin... may still get one but this Tenere is a nice bike and I have to ride it to be sure. I have been riding wings since 85. Had all the sizes. Your 2016 with a suspension upgrade and a seat made for you will get rid of the feeling. It will also corner like you wouldn't believe until you do it and then you believe. I also ride long distance on my CBR 1100XX Super Black Bird. I understand about the more upright seating. I am surprised to not see on your list the African Twin or a BMW GS model.
I just went through my entire bike and it is documented on a thread I started. (Search my name)
As you said you were more road oriented then you may want to check out Russell Day Long saddles as they are as good as their name implies. It will also get you higher if need be. I just got my bike out of the refit mode and went for a ride. Corbin seat in the high position was quite nice on the legs. I have a 24" tall touring VSTREAM windshield and I have it in the lowest position. I look over it perfectly. But if I was buying it (came with the bike) I would buy the slightly shorter one and then be able to use more of the adjustment range. For hwy touring I would want bars to bring back the grips or put on some riser setbacks. Then it would be a long day machine and fairly comfortable at the end of the day. Plenty of choices for panniers too. Are you riding two up? Better have the 2nd person there for test rides then. If you change bikes every 4 to 5 years and buy used then whatever you buy it won't matter that much if in two years you sell it for about the same money and get the other bike you also thought about. The difference would probably be much less than if you rented a bike for a two week vacation each year of those two years. But I think the Tenere can check a lot of the boxes you want. Coming from the wing you are going to miss the torque/grunt of the 1800 so you'll problem want to go with flashing your ECU in the future and ride in sport mode.
Good luck in the hunt... sometimes it's the most fun!!
Guy
First ride tonight since the 10 mile test ride 6 or 7 weeks ago. Yes, I dumped some farkle money into it. Details if you want on thread. "What TenereGUY has been up to."

 

[sheikyerbooty]

I also considered both the Honda and the Suzuki. Both nice bikes, but I ride a lot of gravel and was fed up maintaining chains every 500 or 1000kms so I bought a superten. Very happy with it.

 

[Streethawk]

Hello and welcome to a most awesome forum

I've ridden all the bikes on your list. I've also ridden a 2008 and a current gen Goldwing. Based on your height, inseam and desire for good adv bike ergos, being as objective as possible, I'd opt for the Super Tenere. I imagine it would bring together much of what you appreciate about the Wing and the Himalayan.

Fwiw, I'm 5'11", 32" inseam, approx 205 lbs, semi athletic build (maybe quasi). My street riding style is super spirited. For trackdays, I'm in the faster groups. I also ride very light off road when adv touring (unless BDRing on a lighter bike) My strengths are not off road. Light off road to the campsite is all the adventure I need. I purchased my used 2016 Super Tenere ES in 2020. It had 1,800 miles on it and I'm now at 20k miles. I also own a 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 and a 2009 Kawasaki ER-6N.

Like you, I'd like a quick shifter for the Super Tenere but imo, it, as well as cornering ABS are not critically missed or showstoppers for me. The bike is a footpeg scraping blast in the twisties!

All the other bikes are amazing and were great rides! "Finalists" for me though, would be the V-Strom 1050 and the V85 TT.

Love love that V-Strom man! Especially in the twisties! The engine is a Multistrada for the masses! But ultimately, to me, not as versatile as the Super Tenere. V-twin valve maintenance is not enticing either. Chain maintenance can be a mile munching "distraction" too.

The Guzzi is great! Lots of character and pure fun to ride but the cockpit was ultimately too cramped for me (full disclosure, I've got joint issues that necessitate tall as possible, upright ergos). Even if I could tolerate the ergos, as a DIYer for all servicing, the parts availability and potential dealership tethering gave me pause. The Guzzi was probably the most tempting though; mainly for the lighter weight, shaft drive and ease of access to its engine valves.

If you'd like input on the other bikes feel free to ask and I'll do my best. Wishing you all the best whatever you decide to do!

 

[Boris]

I’ve had my Gen1 bike for almost 7 years now and really enjoy it. It’s taken me to lots of places, without issue and without worry. It’s economical, handles surprisingly well and just does everything well.

From your options I’d shortlist the Super Tenere and V Strom, but likely settle for the V Strom. There’s a lot of old school in the 1050, with a smattering of modern tech and a well proven engine. The chain, although a slight downer, isn’t really an issue these days.

 

[TenereGUY]

"The chain, although a slight downer, isn’t really an issue these days."

This is true as long as you put quality chain and sprockets on it when the stock chain wears out and then put an auto chain oiler on it. I love the Cameleon Plus automatic chain oiler and their oil. I put a DID Gold chain with this oiler on my CBR 1100XX and I ride the thing like it should be ridden and that chain gets cleaned oh... somewhere between every 4 to 8,000 miles. It's never that bad either. Chain hasn't had to be adjusted. I change the rear tire about every 6 to 8,000 miles. Adjust it back to the same place every time... but shaft is easier no matter how you look at it.

 

[audiowize]

That's a pretty nice list of different choices. I have 2.5 Moto Guzzis in the garage, and you could look at a 2013+ Stelvio rather than the V85TT if you want something a little bigger and a little faster, but they won't be as easy to own as a Goldwing. I loved my 2008 Versys, and the V-1000 ought to be great!

As it warms up, you may find some of these available to rent on Riders-share.com if test rides aren't available.

 

[VStarRider]

First, I have belonged to a lot of forums over the years, and I rarely have seen more thoughtful, insightful, and helpful replies to a thread than this one. I would like to reply to a few posts:

@Bill_C ... your reply was great - there are multiple reasons to own each of the bikes I have listed, so it comes down to how they fit. Reading that really put things into perspective.

@TenereGUY ...great to hear from a Wing owner's perspective - I have upgraded my Wing's fork springs to Traxxion with thicker oil, made the front end handle and ride noticeably better. A higher seat and lower pegs would help, but I still feel like a smaller, lighter bike is in order with more versatility. That being said, if the Wing was still in my garage in July for whatever reason and I am taking it on my planned upper midwest trip, no big deal. Africa Twin and BMW come and go from my list - AT for DCT, dealer network, Honda reliability, 87 octane gas. BMW because a GS probably gets closer than any other bike for what I am looking for, but I do not want that much tech, the nearest dealer is 200 miles away, and every third adventure bike seems to be a GS. I like to be different. There aren't many of the bikes on my list around, at least where I live. That's one of the reasons the Guzzi is on my list. No pillion - I ride solo 99%+ of the time. I agree with the Russell Day Long. Great point about buying used - it does not matter if I change my mind three years from now and buy something else.

@Streethawk ... your top three is similar to mine - VStrom, Tenere, Versys 1000. V85 probably #4 and not a distant one. The VStrom base (2023) checks a lot of boxes. I especially like the manual adjusted suspension and fairly basic TFT screen. Problem - no used models - the 2022 and down are missing cruise control (I believe), the TFT and quickshifter. I have not ridden ANY of the bikes on my own list - I appreciate your input. I like the Tenere, despite missing cornering ABS and a quickshifter because it is a tad more off-road than the Strom. The most I do is a dirt road, maybe ride down a short trail (where legal) to a lakeshore or to get to a waterfall, etc. Probably 100 miles per year off-pavement. I once took a road that turned into a bumpy two-track...on my Wing! Came upon a pickup truck in the opposite direction - can only imagine what he thought. The low end torque of the Wing - great for off-road!

 

[MonkeyBut]

Good luck with your search. As someone mentioned earlier, researching and searching is half the fun. I don't know exactly where you are in Western NY but Im a little south in Middlesex County, NJ between Exit 9 and 8A on the Turnpike. You're more than welcome to a test ride on my 2017 Tenere. I've made the offer a few years ago on this forum to anyone that wants to try out a Anthony Flashed Tenere. This is the only modification to the motorcycle. I've had it since new and now have 41,000 trouble free miles on it. PM or continue on this thread if you or anyone is interested. And since I like to ride so much I have no issue with riding and meeting halfway or wherever. Have fun reading and watching all the Youtube videos you can, on all the motorcycles you listed.

 

[TenereGUY]

Where do you plan to ride in the upper Midwest in July? Northern Illinois isn't far from there at all!

 

[Donk]

Your list is of all good bikes. Sort of like going to the ice cream shop and asking what flavor to get. For LD riding I'd take the S10 by far the best of the bunch. If you want something a tad lighter maybe the V1K. But those are just the flavors I like

 

[hulkss]

I traded a 2018 Gold Wing for my 2021 Tenere. I'm very happy with the change.

 

[Highwayman]

All great bikes.... Honestly if shaft drive and long distance touring isn't an issue, I'd go with what is easiest on budget and fits you best for a local runner....

For me the biggest pro for the S10 was shaftdrive and the largest dealer network for repairs or parts when far away from home when touring.... Every small town has a Yamaha shop.

Any of those bikes should easily fill your needs

 

[Big Bill 51]

Like everyone else has said it is best to try each one if you can get test rides lined up. I had a 2016 Tenere Base model that I loved, for some reason I still cant figure out why I sold that bike. After being bikeless for two years couldnt stand it and got another Super Tenere, it was the first and only choice I considered for me it is the perfect bike. I still wish I had the 2016 but I know the 2023 will be just as awesome.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . I still wish I had the 2016 but I know the 2023 will be just as awesome.

Yup. Because this one is an ES. Nothing wrong with a "non", but "I" prefer the ES. All the yellow ES models went "down under".

 

[Highwayman]

Like everyone else has said it is best to try each one if you can get test rides lined up. I had a 2016 Tenere Base model that I loved, for some reason I still cant figure out why I sold that bike. After being bikeless for two years couldnt stand it and got another Super Tenere, it was the first and only choice I considered for me it is the perfect bike. I still wish I had the 2016 but IView attachment 100163View attachment 100164 know the 2023 will be just as awesome.

Uggghhh, now to farkle it up all over again....

Thats why though I'd love to have a second gen, I have way too much into work and farkles making my 12 perfect and wont sell.