Super Tenere or FJR? Trip planned

[saddletramp]

On Monday, I depart to a business meeting in Eastern Idaho. 650 miles each way. The weather is suppose to be in the mid-80's so why not ride a motorcycle?

Even though I bought an FJR1300 last fall & know from previous FJR ownership that's it's the ultimate touring machine I'm considering taking the S-10. True, the FJR sports a smooth engine with oodles of power, clean airflow, & nice hard locking saddlebags. I love FJR's!

But...since I'd be going solo I'm thinking of taking my Super Tenere. Why in the world you might ask. Two reasons:

1. I've never ridden the Super Tenere further than 500 miles in a day & I'd really like to bond a bit more with it. It sounds silly but I've yet to really grow fond of the bike. Don't get me wrong...it's a great machine but I've always made excuses for its ugly looks but utilitarian abilities. Kind of like a Chevy Suburban (4 x4) of course.

2. The riding position and leg room are actually more comfortable to me than the FJR. The handlebar width & seat height are almost perfect.

Since I'm not fond of aluminum side cases. I think they are ugly. I understand the ruggedness & usefulness of the big boxes but to me they aren't the least bit appealing. So I have Givi quick release racks & gray Firstgear soft saddlebags. The FJR's hard cases would be much more secure & weatherproof even though no precip is forecast for my journey.

So when next Monday rolls around I'll decide which bike to roll our of the garage,

I'll post some pictures of my trip.

Sorry if I rambled a bit I've consumed a bottle of WA state Riesling tonight! Just be thankful if's not a scotch night!

Cheers!

 

[timothy.davis]

I own a 2012 Tenere and a 2013 FJR. During the last week in April and again in the first week of June I did a round trip from Bloomington Indiana to Norfolk Virginia. I took the Tenere both trips and was glad I did. First trip included two full days of riding in forty some odd degree weather with constant rain on I 64. This was the same week end as the Romney event. The Tenere was rock solid through all this weather. At one point on the trip the rain was so intense semi, s were pulling over, the bike handled superbly. The second trip was a four and one half day affair in which I covered a distance of 2000 miles. One really good thing about the Tenere is you can stand up on it and stretch. I used the OEM side cases, a Givi 55 Liter top case, Givi tank bag, and the Wolfman Expedition Dry Duffel - Medium. High lights of the trips were Hwy 250 from Waynesboro VA to Wheeling WV, to Lawrenceburg IN via the Ohio river. Also the WV Hwy 60 section through the New River Gorge area. The Tenere was the perfect bike for these trips. I do not know how comfortable the FJR would be during a thirteen hour day.

 

[Yamaray]

You calling my bike Ugly ::019:: ::020::

yamaray

 

[ace50]

1. I've never ridden the Super Tenere further than 500 miles in a day & I'd really like to bond a bit more with it. It sounds silly but I've yet to really grow fond of the bike. Don't get me wrong...it's a great machine but I've always made excuses for its ugly looks but utilitarian abilities. Kind of like a Chevy Suburban (4 x4) of course.

2. The riding position and leg room are actually more comfortable to me than the FJR. The handlebar width & seat height are almost perfect.

I've read this so many times about this bike or something similar, including myself. It's odd because this bike does so many things really well, even I can't put my finger on why this is so.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[billyp]

Got a 08 FJ and a 13 tenere and don't think you loose either way.Nice to have a choice.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Tramp -
After having 2 FJRs, I find it easier to do long distance days on the Tenere. The FJRs were special and great mile munchers, but after each had aftermarket windshields the Tenere is more comfortable.

I've read this so many times about this bike or something similar, including myself. It's odd because this bike does so many things really well, even I can't put my finger on why this is so.

Hope you have a great trip.

Ace -
In a couple of ways I was underwhelmed when I came from the last FJR to the Tenere and know what you mean. It took a 1,000+ miles before the bike broke in and I realized I was doing things that made my butt suck the seat up on the FJR, or to get off after a ride to Florida from Maryland and realize I wasn't stiff anywhere. I have zero hesitation about taking off on gravel or dirt, where on the FJR I'd be thinking about the pipes under the engine or the front street tire slipping. And the FJR would be way past freeway speeds in 3rd gear, making me feel too much like Valentino Rossi where I shouldn't.
I just suddenly realized one day that between the two bikes I wasn't riding the FJR and it was the one that got sold.

 

[Mark R.]

I won't weigh in on the bike selection, but I find the ST to be a very nice looking bike. I think it has a very muscular look, and I especially think it looks much better than other big ADV bikes.

 

[Yamaray]

I won't weigh in on the bike selection, but I find the ST to be a very nice looking bike. I think it has a very muscular look, and I especially think it looks much better than other big ADV bikes.

::026:: ::018::

yamaray

 

[NickBrewer3]

Why don't you purchase a set of GIVI Hard cases to fit your GIVI racks, then you can use whichever bike suits your desires at the moment...

On my 2013 Super Tenere I had the Hepco-Becker racks and the Hepco-Becker 42L Journey Recon side cases, thought the bike looked great with them on, so I don't know why a set of GIVI hard cases would not look good...

 

[Bigbore4]

I own both. On a trip where I know it will be nothing but decent weather (not cold) and asphalt, FJR hands down. A better mile muncher does not exist. If I think I might want to get into the back country a bit and there is a chance the asphalt will go away, Super Tenere hands down. I have done a ton of gravel on the FJR with my butt puckered. The geometry on the Super Tenere alleviates that.

I have multiple Iron Butt days on both bikes, either excels.

I have Pelican Storms from Twisted Throttle, they have locks.

 

[Bappo]

Regardless of which bike you choose to ride the route is easy. 12 to 93 then south to Arco. Or maybe the McGruder Corridor there and Lolo Motorway back? haha.

 

[MrVvrroomm]

I have both. The electronic cruise control on my Super Tenere trumps my FJR these days.

 

[saddletramp]

Regardless of which bike you choose to ride the route is easy. 12 to 93 then south to Arco. Or maybe the McGruder Corridor there and Lolo Motorway back? haha.

I may do that on the way home. Great ideal!

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

Should I take the Tenere or FJR on a trip? God damn you have got some serious problems dude! Sorry, I'm just busting your balls since I have had a few and I feel your pain.

 

[copb8]

I owned a '13 FJR and '13 ST10 at the same time for about a year. Second FJR I owned after owning an '04 for 9 years. Thought I'd keep both. Finally fond the flexibility of the ST outweighed the speed and smoothness of the FJR. Stopped using the FJR. Much prefer the riding comfort of the S10 over the FJR for my 6'2"/235 frame. I'm not sure the S10 is 'all that' but I think it's a very nice, flexible bike.

 

[saddletramp]

Should I take the Tenere or FJR on a trip? God damn you have got some serious problems dude! Sorry, I'm just busting your balls since I have had a few and I feel your pain.

Holy Hell! It appears you have purchased more bikes than me! I guess buying bikes is better than drugs or hookers.

 

[groundhog]

But...since I'd be going solo I'm thinking of taking my Super Tenere. Why in the world you might ask.

Why in the world not :question:

Either way have a good trip ::008::

 

[Goldwing]

I owned a 2008 FJR...................I say TENERE ALL THE WAY!!!!

 

[copb8]

It's always surprising to me how many folks here have owned, or still own, an FJR along with their ST. I'm guessing the demographic of the buyer for both bikes is very similar and Yamaha brand loyalty is pretty strong.

I rode my FJR's for 11 years and there's zero doubt to me that the riding position of the ST is FAR more comfortable. I've upgraded my windshield on the ST which has made the airflow very nice. Enough to keep you ventilated and not so much to beat you up. I also put Sargent seats on all three bikes which helped both my comfort and my passengers.

Only thing I REALLY miss about the FJR is its turbine like power. I LOVED twisting that throttle and holding it while the bike just kept pulling and pulling.

 

[Bigbore4]

<snipped>

Only thing I REALLY miss about the FJR is its turbine like power. I LOVED twisting that throttle and holding it while the bike just kept pulling and pulling.

Oh yea, that's it right there. And that right there is why I still have the option.