S10 as a touring bike?

[havighurst]

Hello all, first time poster. I am looking at upgrading from a Versys 650 to do longer tours that may have a bit of travel on Interstates. I really want a shaft drive to avoid the chain maintenance. The big touring bikes seem much too heavy. I want something reliable with good dealer support. So, this has led me to the S10. I understand that it will be discontinued in the near future, but how does this bike perform as an on road touring bike? Any concerns? Any positives?

All feedback is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Panman]

IMHO it does well at a lot of thing's, style of tire you run can change the whole attitude of the S-10.

 

[havighurst]

I would use street tires. I am not planning on any off road adventures. Maybe a dirt roads, if I needed to, but nothing major.

 

[Fennellg]

I have ridden both. FJR is long in the tooth with tech. The gold wing is not as frugal with gas and price, It all depends on what you are looking for. Dct, price, range comfort. I find the super tenere more comfortable than the FJR. The gold wing is very comfortable at the expense of weight and gas milage.

 

[Bill_C]

I have done 10+ hour days on the S10 with no issues. I don't like the stock seat for touring, so I have an after market seat for touring, otherwise the bike is great for long days. Ergonomics are about perfect for me.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

 

[Longdog Cymru]

Hello and welcome to the Forum. My S10 is a fantastic touring bike, I usually do 2 longish tours, 2000 - 2500 mile each, a year in addition to the usual day to day rides. I only ride on road so I only ever used road tyres. Plenty of information available on here regarding reliability, etc. My advice to you is go for it, you won’t be disappointed.

 

[havighurst]

The price of a new Goldwing is a bit more than I want to spend and the weight is a concern as I am not getting any younger.

What type of aftermarket seat so you have? Any issues with finding panniers or a top case? I thought I read that the aftermarket route s becoming more difficult for the S10.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . I am looking at upgrading from a Versys 650 to do longer tours that may have a bit of travel on Interstates. . . . .

Welcome, from Texas. If you were happy with the Versys, you will absolutely love the Tenere. She has nowhere the tech that some of the other brands have, but she doesn't have their price tags either. Plenty of power, comfort, and most important . . . . durability.

 

[Banditryder]

I've ridden cross county, or in excess of 3,900 miles, on both the FJR1300 and the S10. For burning miles, the my 2013 FJR was, as noted, a bit long in the technology tooth, but reliable as hell and comfortable with an upgraded seat over 9 days and 4600 +miles from Pittsburgh to Cheyenne to Albuquerque to Charlotte to Pittsburgh. Even an 875 mile day was tolerable. My longest day on my 2019 S10 with a Seat Concepts seat last September was 625, but it was also very comfortable and it carries more than the FJR did. An important plus for the S10, and the reason I bought it, is that I'm going to Canada/Alaska this/next year and I wanted the "sturdy bike" chops and tire variety of the S10. Cruise control is key, as is the shaft drive, which you recognize. Pics of the S10 from last year's trip and the FJR on the day I set out.

 

[Banditryder]

And welcome to the crowd, too!

 

[havighurst]

Great looking bikes. I have never been a tech guy. I think ABS and TC is all I would want. All the other stuff just seems like something else that will fail and cost a lot to fix.

What aftermarket windscreen is recommended? I know I would need to get the winglets.

 

[Banditryder]

Great looking bikes. I have never been a tech guy. I think ABS and TC is all I would want. All the other stuff just seems like something else that will fail and cost a lot to fix.

What aftermarket windscreen is recommended? I know I would need to get the winglets.

I'm a fan of Madstat since I got one on my used S10. I lowered the size to 22" from what was installed by PO. It was around 24", which was too tall for every day but I kept it for winter use.

 

[Boris]

I have a Gen1 bike and have done numerous tours on it, ranging between 1500-5000 miles, without any bike issues whatsoever. It’s mostly comfortable (stock seat not so much), good wind protection in standard trim but with winglets, good fuel economy and range, good handling, good luggage carrying capacity, although personally I can’t stand the factory panniers, preferring a dry bag on the rear seat. It’s very dependable, push the button and go.



IMO though, get a Gen2 bike, it’s a bit more refined.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . I have never been a tech guy. I think ABS and TC is all I would want. . . .

You sound exactly like me. (I special ordered my Jeep with no bells/whistles/tech) But I bought the ES version of the Tenere. Mainly for the heated grips, and adjust on the fly suspension. But the cruise control is what I use the most. Daily. If you're going to do distance traveling, cruise is mandatory. Unless you plan on traveling only during the summer months, heated grips will be mandatory. And unless you travel solo exclusively, or all of your roads are the same, ES is mandatory. I'm pretty sure that after 2019(?) all Teneres are ES.

 

[WJBertrand]

I was surprised how good a tourer the Super Ténéré is. I didn’t buy it thinking I’d use it that way as I also owned an ST1300 at the time. Unfortunately my 150,000 mile+ ST13 developed a problem I was not able to solve in time for a 4000 mile trip I had scheduled. This forced me to push the Ténéré into use for this duty. When I arrived after a couple days travel I thought to myself, wow, that was easy and comfortable. I sold the ST1300.


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[havighurst]

I love all the responses. So far, an upgraded seat and windscreen sound like must haves. Any recommendations on panniers and top case? Givi, SW-Motech, other brand?

 

[audiowize]

I really enjoyed the 2008 Versys I owned and I commuted on it for a few years. It was a horrendous bike on the interstate though, and not much fun over 60 MPH for long stretches.

I've also had an FJR for quite a while and now have an S10. The S10 will feel a lot more like a big Versys, but the FJR may end up being the better choice for what you're looking for. If at all possible, take a test ride on both. The FJR is a smooth rocket ship with a quiet pocket of air for the rider. The Tenere feels like a much smaller bike with more character but doesn't have that sport bike feel to it.

 

[robp]

Any recommendations on panniers and top case? Givi, SW-Motech, other brand?

I have BUMOT panniers and love 'em. It's hard to imagine any other brand being better-constructed than these. Also running with a Madstad 22" bracket/windscreen and the Yamaha winglets. If I was going to do all pavement and interstate I would definitely look at the FJR.

 

[Wallkeeper]

I am with Bill C. Once I found a seat I could live with only my bladder and my gas tank would take me off the road

we have been hearing about the Super T being discontinued for 5 years…..it is still here

 

[Cycledude]

The price of a new Goldwing is a bit more than I want to spend and the weight is a concern as I am not getting any younger.

What type of aftermarket seat so you have? Any issues with finding panniers or a top case? I thought I read that the aftermarket route s becoming more difficult for the S10.

A major difference between the Tenere and a Goldwing is even though the Goldwing is heavier the center of gravity is much lower . The Tenere is much taller and a lot more top heavy.
I have tried Seat Concepts, Corbin and Rider Day Long. Even though it’s a little to tall my preference is the Rider Day Long.
I have the wind wings installed and highly recommend them.
My windshield is the medium sized VStream, also tried the tallest VStream but didn’t like it much, just to big.