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

[MikeBear]

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

You can write. I'll give you that. On everything else I have to disagree . Where you see cheap plastic , I see light weight and easley reparable material. Where you see studder and lack of power , I see excellent start on loose gravel. Where you see lack of soul, I see reliable engine performance with no surprises waiting for me. We all know BMW soul. It's pocket draining, nerve wrecking evil soul.

 

[hANNAbONE]

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

"....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)!..." Waiting --

Yo Waiting - that is a perfect summation of the true fact of the Supa10.

Funny as hell too - wow am I chuckling just now. ) )

 

[Rasher]

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

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.

Awesome, despite all of Yamaha's F*** Ups they got your bucks ::025::

Seems they know more about what you need than you do ::008::

I have to agree you make some fair points about the Yamaha with regard to standard plastic bash plate, but they do offer a tougher option.

Having said that you have discovered at least as many failings with the BMW, probably more as you had to get rid of it for one of these crap Yamaha's.

I bought a ZZR1400 as a two-up Sports Tourer, the suspension was awful (Cue £1,000) luggage non existent (Another £1,000) seat uncomfy, bars too low, screen too low, no power socket (Another £500) I am sure Kawasaki could have built it far better with all this stuff but would surely have put it out of everyones price bracket.

I spent £1200 on my GS Suspension, and quite a bit more on a load more stuff that suited me and the Mrs.

I will spend about £1,000 on the Tenere's suspension- on top of the £1200 for luggage, £120 for a screen and I may do something with the seats, probably get an ECU flash later on etc.....

The Tenere is a great starting point to make of it what you want, as are most bikes, some guys are actually happy with them out of the crate, but the bottom line is for me a bike needs three things to start with- a good engine, a capable chassis and reliablility - as you have discovered many bikes fail at number three.

Start modding and post up pictures ::008::

 

[MOTOGONIA]

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

I have owned 44 motorcycles in the last 8 years, more than 30 were BMW, and half of them were GS of some kind 1150's, 650's and 1200's.

Not one of them was stock. Every bike needs some personalizacion, if nothing more to your own riding comfort.

Today I only own one bike: a S10. and it has some farkles.

A sport touring bike (I had a few of those as well) will not do the dirt very well, we all know that.

I think that for $ this bike its a great value, and it is at least $8K lower than a 1200GS and even more than that from a HP2.

So if after 2K miles you still don't favor the S10, you can buy back the KLR with savings and keep them both!

That is if your wife will let you.... )

 

[20valves]

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

Gosh Pete, I'm gonna go ahead and do anything I want with my bike since your weird opinions don't rate squat. WTF, did you really think we were really all just waiting for you to weigh in here? : I didn't need to change bars, seat or anything else. Your personal ergo issues don't amount to sh*t when it comes to oem set up. It doesn't mean Yamaha screwed up, it just means you can't adapt.

PETE HAS SPOKEN, NOW WE KNOW THE TRUTH. Good grief.

 

[HoebSTer]

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

Hey Whiner-Boy (original poster), I just got back from doing a ride throughout Washington here as some of it was rough rocky sections where it was quite technical and challenging! I rode my Tenere while other riders were on their DR650's. The bike did great on some tough crap, and was six times better on the long road sections than the DR's for comfort. I got a real opportunity to ride at low speeds using the whole low end smoothness while feathering the throttle to go over rocks on a narrow uphill trail with a 1000' drop off and the bike provided me with confident grunting CHARACTER you say where it has none. Go ride your new bike several thousand miles then come back if you still don't like it. I know now I can ride this bike in any way my capabilities and mindset would allow even if I was on a DR or KLR!

 

[Scoop47501]

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

This Troller has hooked alot of fish.
Let this thread die for crying outloud

 

[mcbrien]

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

This Troller has hooked alot of fish.
Let this thread die for crying outloud

::026:: ::007::

 

[wfopete]

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

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Moving on; I want to get a plate to mount a top box in the future. I'm looking for a large plate with plenty of tie down points.

Any recomendations?

 

[whisperquiet]

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::

I have to agree with this post.............I like the ridng position/ergonomics of my 10 KLR650 way better than my S10. The KLR has a Corbin flat seat and the S10 has been modified to reduce the forward tilt. The handlebars on the S10 are a far reach with a weird, uncomfotable bend that put my hands to sleep even with risers.

That said...........I "like" the S10, but love riding a KLR (YMMV). The same thing with the ST1300s I owned...loved riding them. Each bike is different to each owner and I just can't excited about my S10. I have 11,500 miles on it and will keep/ride it for a few years, but it does not connect with me like others have on this site. Just my personal opinion.

BTW, I bought the S10 as a street bike as I am 6'4" tall and needed a roomy bike.

 

[EricV]

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

Thanks for all the feedback guys. Moving on; I want to get a plate to mount a top box in the future. I'm looking for a large plate with plenty of tie down points.

Any recomendations?

Check the AltRider and Touratech options.

yeah, it's a heavy girl. No real surprise there, eh? Soul? Oh yeah, that's what shit for bikes and cars have, soul. You know, the bikes you give names to so you can cuss and swear at them when they don't run. Yep, that BMW has soul all right. ::008:: Nope, the S10 doesn't need a name. It just runs. No 'soul' because it does 90% of stuff better and with no drama than the competition. Ducati's have soul. Triumphs have soul. BMWs have soul. Moto Guzis have soul. Yamaha's just run mate. Get used to it.

 

[Rasher]

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

I have to agree with this post.............I like the ridng position/ergonomics of my 10 KLR650 way better than my S10. The KLR has a Corbin flat seat and the S10 has been modified to reduce the forward tilt. The handlebars on the S10 are a far reach with a weird, uncomfotable bend that put my hands to sleep even with risers.

I don't notice the forward tilt and if anything would prefer a longer reach, barrisers I would rather they were an inch further forward and an inch lower - but that's just me.

Ergonomics are never gonna work for everyone, admittedly some bikes are a better fit than others for "most" people, and sportsbikes are cramped compared to Adventure bikes. I have even come across people who like BMW indicators :exclaim:

I prefered the Yam seat to the GS one, but the GS bars felt better positioned, the pegs are better on the Yam because of the narrower waist of the bike, but the GS had better operation of the clocks (i.e. no reaching from the bars to operate anything) but the BMW indicators switches were crap, but the Yams bolt-on heated grips look very after-thought.

I would also like the GS' sharper steering but without losing the Tenere's stability, the GS lower weight, but with the Yam's lower centre of gravity, GS bar position, Yam foot peg position, BMW's switchgear (except indicators) and the BMW's lack of fork dive with the Yam's better ride quality and the BMW's single sided swingarm, but with the Yamaha's reliability, the extra top end rush of the BMW, but with the extra low down torque of the Yamaha, the BMW's better luggage, The Yamaha's better quality bodywork.

And if they could fit extra sticky tyres that allow knee-down cornering wet or dry and excellent performance on the dirt with a life of about 30k per set that would be fabulous and a list price of £4,995 fully kitted with a 20 year warranty and 50,000 mile service intervals.

Then again I doubt my ideal machine would have any character

 

[mcbrien]

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

A friend I ride with has a GS and we switched last week .I failed to find this top end rush your referring to .
Seemed dead to me . Shifted well but thats about it . My father had several late 70's / early 80's and they
were dead too. I've always admired BMW's with all the features but when I ride one its just not for me .
My friend was dissapointed I didn't have a gear indicator ...It's just different circles .

 

[reverend12]

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

Troll... probably doesn't even have a bike..

 

[creggur]

My friend was dissapointed I didn't have a gear indicator ...It's just different circles .

Can he not count to six?

Seriously though, I've never had a gear indicator so I don't know what I'm missing.

 

[DinX]

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

Counting ?

Just look at your rpm and the speed, should tell enough

 

[Waiting]

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

I never know what gear I'm in...I just know if it's the right gear or not.

 

[RIGS]

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

I came over from a 2010 Concours 14, talk about lack of Soul......but......there was something about WARP speed that made her very interesting!
From that background, I think my Super Tenere has gobs of soul and I find her much more comfortable and far easier to ride.

I've owned BMW's in the past, nice bikes BUT both of them had there issues...
The 02 R1150RT Servo Assisted ABS brakes were horrible and failed on me in Vermont.
The 02 R1150GS, well I miss Helga but she was unable to jump the Sonata that got in my way.

Keep riding her, she will grow on you and if not, get ride of her and try something else....

 

[MidlifeMotor]

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

I came over from a 2010 Concours 14, talk about lack of Soul......but......there was something about WARP speed that made her very interesting!
From that background, I think my Super Tenere has gobs of soul and I find her much more comfortable and far easier to ride.

I've owned BMW's in the past, nice bikes BUT both of them had there issues...
The 02 R1150RT Servo Assisted ABS brakes were horrible and failed on me in Vermont.
The 02 R1150GS, well I miss Helga but she was unable to jump the Sonata that got in my way.

Keep riding her, she will grow on you and if not, get ride of her and try something else....

That's the perfect description of a C14- lots of power and speed but no soul. I ride a C14 as a PD duty bike and really like it, but really love the soul of my ST!! And you are right the ST grows on you.

 

[JaimeV]

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

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

.... Maybe after riding the S10 for another week I’ll have a fresh perspective, shoot, I only have 250 miles on the bike.

Probably this is the problem: only 250 miles on the bike.

The S10 is an amazing dirt bike for its size, only the KTM990 could be better in dirt.
Heavy? Yes but you know that when you bought it, isn’t it?. And for its weight it's incredible easy to ride in very difficult places.
Try it well, give it an opportunity and you won’t regret.

Some proof of its off road skills:

Fuet2

Piedras y más piedras

Superenduro VS Supertenere

Mirador piedras

Yamaha Super Ténéré off road

Do you need more???