Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

[wfopete]

That’s about what I come away thinking after a few days with this bike. I know, I know, a few days?! You don’t have a right to pass judgment on this bike pal. I can hear it now. Also, I don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings in this little rant so don’t take anything I say as personal. Ok?…Ok!

Anyway, it’s too bad the cheesy marketing guys won out on this bike. It reminds me in many ways of what I faced with my HP2 or my KLR650. When I first got on the S10 I saw big, vulnerable, switches, mirrors and levers. The same controls Yamaha puts on their pure street bikes. And plastic, I saw lot of plastic. The crappy hand guards…er, wind deflectors & plastic skid plate are a joke…or a marketing plan. The Tenere is starting to smell like a KLR, only bigger. Even more insulting is that Yamaha’s & many aftermarket skid plates are such a stupid design (bolted to the cases), but don’t feel singled out; my HP2 had the same no-brain engineering with it’s skid plate. The marketing guys should feel ashamed leading folks to think that this bike belongs near the dirt. The S10 engineers should have taken a queue from KTM and angled this bike more for the dirt. A 21” front wheel would have been a great start; shoot even my HP2 came with one. Speaking of the S10’s rims…let’s not, what a waste of time and money. My BMW had a few things going for it that I miss on the Tenere. One, the simple maintenance; oil changes, valve adjustments access to stuff was EZ, but the biggest thing I miss is the soul. The Tenere doesn’t know what soul is. It’s covered up in sanitary plastic mask with a motor that you can hardly see. Almost like Yamaha was embarrassed to show it. Now the BMW HP2 has soul, that big twin talks and while the Tenere whines and ticks the Beemer thumps. BTW what is that buzz that comes from the S10’s engine around 3000-3600 rpm? Is that its soul trying to get out or what? To be fair the S10 does make nice power. I had less than 50 miles on it and I kept wondering why it stumbled and was erratic off the start. Then I did the airscrew adjustment and all was good (see I do read the forums).

One of my definitions of a dirt bike is when you fall the bike stays pretty much intact and the rider can remount and continue on. Dude, the S10 weighs well over 500lbs; when it gets out of shape and goes down things get broken for rider and bike alike. Face it, that much weight in the dirt sucks. In my book that’s WORK not fun. I didn’t like my HP2 off road either; too much weight and those damn cylinders sticking out just waiting to bust open in a get off or on an Arkansas rock; that’s even more scary. Now my KLR650 can get though some nasty terrain as long as you ride around it’s weak points and let it’s advantages work for you, which meant that you didn’t push it too hard, just try to keep a little momentum going, try to flow with the trail and the bike would reward you with decent performance. Don’t try to go too fast; just maintain. With the S10, I suggest you not try and ride around its weak points, just ride away from the terrain that brings out its weak points. Yamaha was successful in seducing many Tenere owners into the off road world only to have them discover that they will need all sorts of devices if they are to survive a real off road encounter or in a get off. I can’t believe all the aftermarket crap that is pawned off to the owners of these bikes. Seem like one out of every three aftermarket manufactures make something correct for this bike, the rest give you some piece of junk as if to say “This won’t help much but it looks cool.” And then charge you like you are a BMW owner. I like to kick the guy who came up with the handle bars design and his buddy who figured out that if you change the bars you will have to probably change to longer brake & clutch hoses too. Jeez, just to set the ergo’s for the handlebar and controls will set you back $300. Sorry guys, that just ain’t right. I just get tired of seeing S10 owners and the aftermarket trying so hard to get the S10 to think it is a KTM990. I don’t think it’s possible. So why didn’t I get a KTM? Two things: Reliability & fuel mileage; two areas where the S10 rules over the KTM. Thank god I bought this bike more for my wife rather than myself so it fills that niche adequately. The S10 is a reliable, reasonably comfortable, powerful Japanese version of a BMW…just without the soul. Maybe after riding the S10 for another week I’ll have a fresh perspective, shoot, I only have 250 miles on the bike.

 

[snakebitten]

Pretty thorough personal assesment.

But begs a couple of questions.

Most of your complaints are about things that would be known about it even while it sat on the showroom floor. Why buy it?

Since you did choose to purchase it, then even with the long list of dissapointments, it still is the best bike available? Again, if not, why buy it?

I have a KLR. Has 24,000 miles on it. (not a garage ornament) i don't compare it much to the S10. At least not favorably. It's lighter? It's cheaper? That's about all I can favor. And it's been farkled every bit as much as any S10. Hell, what KLR hasn't?

I have never had an HP2. But I lusted for 1 a couple of times.

 

[spasm]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

i didnt luv my bike for at least 3 months when i bought her, now a year on i wouldnt change her for the world, amazing bike ::008::

 

[GrahamD]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

The S10 is a reliable, reasonably comfortable, powerful Japanese version of a BMW…just without the soul. Maybe after riding the S10 for another week I’ll have a fresh perspective, shoot, I only have 250 miles on the bike.

Could you please tell me what is this soul you are talking about? All I get out of BMW's is a BMWish feel. Like I get a Ford feeling from Fords and a Holden (GM) feeling from Holdens.

So regards the Marketing guys...

1) They determined that the majority of owners were probably going to do lot's of Roads. So they made that easy to do. Dirt, gravel, Tarmac, etc.
It so so happens if you want to spend as much on the bike as a BMW you can get a very good off road machine, for its size.

2) There are two things that don't go down well with the buying public. A YAMAHA that costs as much as a BMW, Ducati,etc. Ask Honda.
See the GTS1000 as a reason why YAMAHA probably baulks at trying to sell premium techno bikes.

3) The R&D spend gets spent on reliability and safety.

4) While Expensive European brands can get away with frames falling off, really noisy clutches, oil leaks, back brakes that don't work and all is forgiven, Japanese brands are not allowed to do that for some reason no matter how interesting the bike is. The grief Suzuki got from a Chuddery sound on the DL1000 was amazing. They all know this.

The motor works in the real world at real speeds. Can't see the issue. Saves me buying a set of Leny's sprockets.

They are not embarrassed about the motor, its an upright job. If they did a Boxer everyone would say they just copied BMW and go and spend a whole lot more on a BMW anyway.

6) Look a bit closer at how things are placed around the bike. I don't get the plastic comment. Most BMW have a lot of plastic. What's the problem? It's light. Would you prefer pressed metal everywhere and a 300Kg Base weight? You can always take the plastic off. Then the radiator won't work too well. But WTF. In fact I don't know why they didn't do a plastic tank as well. Would have saved a couple of Kilo's. Some of it is there to offer some protection as you ride down the road.

 

[Scoop47501]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

"I only have 250 miles on the bike"

You lost me right here.
Can't take your post seriously at all until you have ridden the thing for a spell.
Your rant smells troll all over.

 

[creggur]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

How can one appreciate anything about a bike, short of aesthetics, at 250 miles. The soul of this engine starts making an appearance at around 2,000 miles and, from what I've read, is in full bloom somewhere between eight and nine thousand.

From your post is seems that fuel economy and reliability were more important than pure off road ability (the reason you didn't get the KTM) - so it's odd that you complain about the bike's off road ability. You had to know there was plastic on the bike before you bought it, right? And I'm not sure what kind of off roading you are planning to do, but I don't think anyone is under the illusion that this bike was built to run nasty single-track right out of the crate (although, many with far greater talent than me have) - but I've had no issues on the dirt roads I like to play on. Some with some pretty deep sugar sand, and I haven't been on a dirt bike in 25 years...

You keep referring to it as a dirt bike, and I can't remember any marketing that portrayed the Tenere as a Dirt Bike... It's an Adventure Touring bike which means compromises...maybe the Tenere simply compromised in the wrong areas for your tastes...

 

[Rasher]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

Interesting post, I roiginally wondered why you bought the bike as everything was clear to see in the showroom :exclaim:

I don’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings in this little rant so don’t take anything I say as personal. Ok?…Ok!

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, although if it disagrees with mine it is obviously wrong

The marketing guys should feel ashamed leading folks to think that this bike belongs near the dirt.

This comes up a lot, what do you mean by dirt, I took my ZZR1400 two-up across unpaved roads in the Alps, and if you lookup Nick Saunders you will see he took an R1 on a round the world trip - probably across more extreme terrain than most of the owners of these far superior KTM's would ever venture.

I never felt that my GS was particularly an off-road bike, but compared to a GSX-R it is extremely capable, but if you really want to ride off-road get a proper dirt bike, nobody claims the Tenere is an Enduro bike so why knock it for not being one :question:

The S10 engineers should have taken a queue from KTM and angled this bike more for the dirt. A 21” front wheel would have been a great start; shoot even my HP2 came with one. Speaking of the S10’s rims…let’s not, what a waste of time and money.

Yamaha know 99% of owners will never go much beyond a dirt track or unpaved road, the same 99% will do far more road miles, sure they could build it just for you pal, but spending millions on designing a bike that is only like to sell to one bloke is not a fantastic business plan.

My BMW had a few things going for it that I miss on the Tenere. One, the simple maintenance; oil changes, valve adjustments access to stuff was EZ, but the biggest thing I miss is the soul.

Yes, but the BMW needed easy access, as it had to have the Valves cecked four times as often as the Yamaha, and the TB's sync'd, and in my area the BMW dealers charge 50% - 75% more than other outfits for labour, so over a 24k cycle of four services on each bike the yamaha is about 40% cheaper for maintenance - excluding all the stuff that will go wrong with a BMW over 24k.

The Tenere doesn’t know what soul is. It’s covered up in sanitary plastic mask with a motor that you can hardly see. Almost like Yamaha was embarrassed to show it.

Soul :question: In the UK old timers used to refer to old British bikes as having Character - this meant breaking down a lot and constantly pissing oil everywhere.

I assume by Soul you mean vibrating like a jack-hammer, shredding Final Drive units more often than a Jap bike needs the chain adjusted and regularly stopping due to some electrical Gremlin.

I look forward to driving past the BMW's broken at the side of the road with their Final Drives Melted, FPC's frazzled, clutches burnt out, I wonder who will be most embarrassed, me with my souless (but running Yamaha) or the guy in the BMW Twat suit and entire Touratwat catalogue adorning his stranded motorcycle.

One of my definitions of a dirt bike is when you fall the bike stays pretty much intact and the rider can remount and continue on.

Again who said the Tenere is a Dirt Bike

Dude, the S10 weighs well over 500lbs; when it gets out of shape and goes down things get broken for rider and bike alike. Face it, that much weight in the dirt sucks. In my book that’s WORK not fun. I didn’t like my HP2 off road either; too much weight and those damn cylinders sticking out just waiting to bust open in a get off or on an Arkansas rock; that’s even more scary.

Get the hint, these are not Dirt Bikes, Yamaha do make Dirt Bikes and one distnguishing feature is they weigh a lot less than half a ton.

So why didn’t I get a KTM? To things: Reliability & fuel mileage; two areas where the S10 rules over the KTM. Thank god I bought this bike more for my wife rather than myself so it fills that niche adequately. The S10 is a reliable, reasonably comfortable, powerful Japanese version of a BMW…just without the soul. Maybe after riding the S10 for another week I’ll have a fresh perspective, shoot, I only have 250 miles on the bike.

Exactly, a reliable do-it-all bike that can hustle in the twisties, take you and the Mrs comfortably with all your gear for thousands of miles and allow you to explore tracks and trails that would bugger a street bike.

To be honest I did like the "feel" of the GS, the inferior peaky power delivery made it a bit more fun sometimes, on the flip side on a recent 150 mile run in pissing rain I was so glad of the smoother Yamaha motor. I also liked the quick steering of the GS, felt far more sporty, but on the saim rain lashed ride we also had gale force winds and the Yamaha's superior stability made the GS seem like a paper bag in such conditions.

I am sure the bike will grow on you once you realise it is not a dirt bike, and Yamaha were not tilting at the KTM, you will also see neither have Honda, kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati, Moto-Guzzi, BMW or Triumph - in fact the Yamaha has more off-road potential than everything bar the KTM's and I suspect this is because the manufacturers know the market is saturated with guys wanting a good all round road bike, and the "Adventure" Styling adds cred to what otherwise would be nothing more than an unfaired sports-tourer.

I loved my BMW (When it was not going wrong & costing a fortune to keep running) and I equally love my Tenere for being able to put a smile on my face on any ROAD, something few bikes can do, and it will go places I really would not want to take a streetbike (or would have to ride very much slower)

Now bugger off to some great mountains for a week with your good lady and report back ::008::

 

[coastie]

Yep troll, and this bike does outstanding moving between street and dirt. Should have done research before you bought. It's not going to handle the twisties like an R1 or the dirt like a YZ 450F, but it handles the in between with ease.

 

[Tremor38]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

WFO Pete. Take the time to get used to bike and understand its actual purpose. If that purpose doesn't suit you, let your wife decide if she likes it, then you might want to think about getting a bike that meets your needs...and for heavens sake, make sure the there's no plastic anywhere on that bike! ??? Additionally, you might actually do some reading and take some test rides, so that you actually know what you are getting when you spend your next 14K on another bike.

I'd also suggest you look past the outer wrapper and do plenty of riding on the S10 before you post your next long-winded blast...that way you'll have more than a 250mi ride to base such lengthy post upon.

 

[wfopete]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

Naw guys you got me wrong or maybe I wrote all that too late at night. First I'm sorry I said dirt bike, I meant ADV bike. Semantics, really! Regardless of what you call it, the thing weighs a lot and it gravity will have it’s way with it. I don’t mind the bike for what it is: a pretend ADV bike, I just don’t think it comes close to filling the bill as a true ready-to-ride off road-able adventure bike. The KLR and the Tenere are very similar to me. They are both compromises (but all bikes are to some degree). But these two bikes are big ones (compromises). What bothers me is how they are billed (marketed) and the real thing. Example: The plastic skid plate, crash bars and tail rack all misleading. If you really need these to protect the bike or carry a load they will in all likelihood; fail and when they do, it won’t be pretty. To me that stuff sez: Hey dude, if you want to look like a big adventure riding guy, by this bike; but don’t stray to far from Starbucks. Kind of reminds me of the foo-foo On/Off Road bikes of the ‘70’s. Remember those? When you got off the road those bikes struggled and were out of their element.

Ok, the soul thing. Yep a little subjective here for sure, but I’ll try to explain. For the most part, the HP2 is a minimalist machine; the Tenere is much more the opposite. The BMW shows off it’s motor, two big air cooled cylinders and the rest of it is plain to see. Then start it up. The sound is…unique. You feel, the horizontal twin rock back and forth with a blip of the throttle and the design is just…a classic. It’s simple. When you ride it you feel the motor working. I like that. The Tenere motor in comparison; is hidden. I see some engine cases but where is the induction system and the cylinders? Buried under plastic shrouding. It’s a sewing machine motor with a throaty muffler. You don’t feel it working under you because it’s so smooth and electric (except for that strange buzz I spoke of earlier). I guess I’ll have to just wait for its soul to appear in a few thousand miles. By the way, is there an indicator light on the dash that tells me that the soul is engaged or what? Sorry guys, I couldn’t resist.


Ok now for the “Why in the hell did you buy this bike?”

My KLR was to small for two up riding and the Beemer frustrated me both on road and off. Off road I smoked a clutch and when you do that on a BMW it isn’t a simple or inexpensive matter to fix. I can’t tolerate an off road bike that won’t take a little abuse. Dry clutches; no thanks. Also, I couldn’t relax on the bike off road knowing that a fall could easily mean a walk home and an expensive engine repair. So I bought BMW’s Super Moto wheels that they offered to HP2 owners exclusively and figured it would make a neat street ride. Well, that didn’t work out well either. With the jerky EFI throttle response, the drive shaft moving up and down and the motor rocking, going through corners, I was constantly correcting my line. I tried to adapt but I guess I’m not good enough. I really wanted to like the HP2 but it seemed we were not a match. Then my wife sez: When do we get to go on a long bike trip like our friends do? Er, honey, um, you see…the bike isn’t really made…for that.

She said: For sale.

So I started looking around for a two up bike that I wouldn’t mind getting a little dirty once and awhile. Heard about the Tenere, a friend of mine bought one and I asked to ride it. Hmmm. This is the most neutral bike I’ve ever ridden. There was no having to get used to anything. I just got on it and rode. Clutch worked great, throttle response and power was good. The handling, suspension and brakes…no surprises. The bike was just too easy to ride. Came back and had my wife jump on. Same thing; no surprises and she really liked the comfort. I’ll take the black one. Really, the Tenere is fine for me as I don’t intend to do nasty off road stuff with it. Kind of like my KLR650 BGP (Big Green Pig). I told my buddies” If I ever find myself in a place with this bike where I need bark busters, I’m in the wrong place and need to turn around”. My problem is I usually don’t.

 

[rem]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

So I started looking around for a two up bike that I wouldn’t mind getting a little dirty once and awhile. Heard about the Tenere, a friend of mine bought one and I asked to ride it. Hmmm. This is the most neutral bike I’ve ever ridden. There was no having to get used to anything. I just got on it and rode. Clutch worked great, throttle response and power was good. The handling, suspension and brakes…no surprises. The bike was just too easy to ride. Came back and had my wife jump on. Same thing; no surprises and she really liked the comfort.

It sounds like you got the perfect bike for your needs. Good luck with it, and let's be careful out there. ::021:: R

 

[hANNAbONE]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

...sounds to me like someone that is stuck in love with the silly KLR (*which I had 2 of / a 2005 & 2009*) The '09 version couldn't go over 5000 rpm's or it would drink oil ... *they all do that* ...

This Supa10 is NOT a funky KLR big brother. Throw some miles under your belt, and farkle the things you like to farkle, and ride this thing like a sport bike with 10 days worth of clothes and tent and supplies strapped on the back and tell me it's a KLR.

you're new to all of this, right??

Go for a ride on your silly Killer, and do report back on the oil usage and "killer" ride comfort.

funny, dat --

 

[snakebitten]

That's pretty funny. What a difference a good night's sleep makes?

Last night you were honest enouph to admit you had spent less time driving it than you had documenting how much you didn't like it.

But this morning we find out you actually bought it because you AND your wife were so impressed with it AFTER riding it!

I can't 100% guarantee that you will become another S10 happy long term owner.
But if you DO put a few thousand miles on it WITH your wife, I suspect your posts on this forum will have quite a contrast with the one that started this thread.

Sorry that Yamaha didn't pre-farkle for you though. I'm kinda miffed about that too.

 

[jettcity1]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

Thanks for venting and basically bashing our favorite ride. Yamaha designed the bike for us and our style of riding, Its clearly the choice that best fits us. Enjoy the bike or go get something else. Let another rider buy it and enjoy it as much as we do.

 

[wfopete]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

I wasn’t going to say this in my previous post because it wouldn’t be fair, but right now, I like my KLR seat better than the Tenere. Handlebars position too. You would think that the manufacture would give the bike enough cable and hose length so something that should be as EZ as changing bars would not require $300, hours of time and parts. I’m really peeved at Yamaha Corporate Marketing more than anything else and how they approached the build of this bike. I think that there is a corporate conspiracy between the manufactures and the aftermarket people that says: “We’ll market a bike to be an ADV bike and you guys market all the stuff they will need to try to get them close to it”. Between the two buying groups we’ll sell a bunch of bikes and you’ll sell a bunch of parts. Win-win.

Sigh…time to go for a ride. ::021::

 

[MNs10]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

Hey WTF wfopete,

Anybody with the complaints you have that has the inability to summarize from spec sheets, inspection on the showroom floor and after reading about this bike on forums must have trouble living with all kinds of day to day choices. You should probably make a poll before your next big purchase.

 

[troll]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

wfopete, you are toooo f**king funny. Did you spring from the womb a fully formed adonis capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound :. Quit your whining and go ride. I am sure your wife could give us a list of your short comings as compaired to some of her other rides. All things in life fail to meet our idealized image of perfection :-* ::017::

 

[Combo]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

I'm

 

[Mikef5000]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

I don’t mind the bike for what it is: a pretend ADV bike, I just don’t think it comes close to filling the bill as a true ready-to-ride off road-able adventure bike.

The S10 is second only to the KTM in the adventure bike segment in this regard, and third isn't even within sight. But what do I know, I've only put 10k miles on mine on every type of terrain possible, bone stock.

I think the main problem here is your definition of adventure bike. It doesn't appear to align with reality.

 

[Waiting]

Re: Super Tenere; Yamaha’s 1200cc version of the KLR650.

Get back with us in a couple thousand miles....please. The engine loosens up quite a bit and becomes much more willing to display her "soul". That wobble around 3100 RPM smooths out considerably. And you begin to appreciate what a dependable, fun, and inexpensive to maintain ride the Tenere is. She may not kiss you on the first date (Triumph Explorer)....but she won't kick you in the balls after spitting out 3 kids either (BMW when you get the repair bill)!