super Ten's in the UK

[OneOff]

I've just returned from 6 weeks travelling in the UK with the missus.

We drove from Lands End to North west Scotland. we seen hundreds of Triumphs, dozens of V-Stroms, and a total of 2 Super Teneres.

Where were you guys????

It would appear that our favourite bike is as rare in the UK as it is here in Aus...



By the way, bloody nice place you've got there...

 

[RandG]

I'm kinda delighted there aren't that many. When I rock up to a car park full of gs's it's quite satisfying I don't have the same as everyone.

 

[viewdvb]

You're right, they are a bit thin on the ground here in the UK. They were (are?) a bit overpriced and didn't sell well initially which led to dealers not wanting to stock them - Catch 22 situation. Also, Adventure riders are constantly brainwashed by the motorcycle press (the Tenere is rarely included in back to back tests) into believing the bike to have is the BMW GS despite its many shortcomings including a still woeful gear-change and rear drive reliability issues not to mention the arrogance of the dealerships and the company. Could that be the number of BMWs the company puts out as freebie long-termers to the press? Yamaha must take some blame for not pushing the Tenere either in the press or at the dealers and for their initial stupid internet only launch. We valiant few who can see past the press hype are invariably happy with our choice which is more than I can say for some BMW owners. Sad thing is that they will bitch about their bike, about how BMW have treated them and then go buy another. Even dogs learn! Just be happy that you aren't one of them.

 

[Dogdaze]

I'll add to Viewdvb, there are a lot of BMW Motorrad dealers conjoined with main car dealers, so it's easy to rack up the number of dealerships, and nearly all are owned by large corporations or BMW UK (Park Lane)............. I wonder how many Yamaha dealers are part of Yamaha UK network?
Having owned many BM's over the years, I bought the S10, because it was NOT a BMW. I've lost faith in BMW having owned early 1100 and 1150 GS's and then two later 1200's you really notice a few things...........

 

[RED CAT]

From what I remember from past posts on here is that the cost of the S10 in Europe is more than a new GS12 while here in N.A. the S10s are a lot less expensive than GSs. Almost $10,000. less expensive here in Canada. On my 2nd S10 now and I wouldn't even dream of ever going back to a GS. So nice to get back on a Jap bike.

 

[2112]

It's taken a while but the S10 is slowly selling in the UK, I think a combination of price and the varied competition has kept sales a bit sluggish. Makes it easy to spot in a car park though.

 

[Rasher]

Yep,

Slagged by the press for not weighing 155kg's / having 166BHP / doing 150MPH / running sub 10 second quarters / being slower than a CRF450 around an MX track etc.

Then priced above BMW, although like for like spec the price is fairly similar to a GS - but Yamaha have nowhere near the marketing / press bribing budget of BMW, or the perceived "quality", or snob factor, between those who:-

Those genuinely love the GS warts and all, those who think they are superior for riding a BMW, them who believe the press are always right and those who went to look at cars / have their car serviced and bought one the GS does very well - and at least it boosts biking numbers.

The KTM and Ducati probably steal more sales from Sportsbike than other Adv bikes, and those on a budget buy the Kawasaki or Suzuki.

In a way the Yamaha loses out by being so good at what those in the know (Us) realise are the genuine qualities an Adv bike should possess. Enough performance, decent handling, good comfort, some off-road ability and totally indestructible.

 

[gruffydd]

Hi - Have just joined this small but growing number of UK riders and I agree with comments regarding the attitude of the UK media towards the bike.

However, I am really enjoying my first week with the SuperTen and am so far very impressed with both the build quality and its surprisingly good handling. Certainly delivers everything I need from a bike

Incidentally, another ex-BMW owner here (1100GS, 1150GS and 1200GS at various times, some models twice), but got fed up with niggling faults with the later bikes (earlier ones were much better).

Looks like a great forum - lots to read, learn and absorb!!

Cheers
Griff

 

[ady]

;Dhi all
this is my first post as you can see. ive just ordered my s10.iwas so near to ordering a new gs.adv.only because i have also had 4 in the past.thought it was the only real choice out there but started reading the gser uk forum found out just how many problems the water cooled version was haveing i cancelled my test ride the very next day to a very disgruntled salesman.then found this site and that was me hooked a very underated bike. so roll on dec 17 when it arrives ::015::

 

[AVGeek]

;Dhi all
this is my first post as you can see. ive just ordered my s10.iwas so near to ordering a new gs.adv.only because i have also had 4 in the past.thought it was the only real choice out there but started reading the gser uk forum found out just how many problems the water cooled version was haveing i cancelled my test ride the very next day to a very disgruntled salesman.then found this site and that was me hooked a very underated bike. so roll on dec 17 when it arrives ::015::

Welcome to the board! Please be sure to post a new thread over in the intro forum so you don't get lost amongst the other posts here.

 

[Andylaser]

t started reading the gser uk forum found out just how many problems the water cooled version was haveing i cancelled my test ride the very next day to a very disgruntled salesman.then found this site and that was me hooked a very underated bike. so roll on dec 17 when it arrives ::015::

A wise move. The UKGSer forum is a scary place. I pop oer there occasionally to gloat and feel smug with myself. ;D

 

[2112]

See my post about BMW woes (which caused all sorts of hassle !) where I was talking to a feller with a new water cooled GS who was waiting for his second cylinder head in 1,500 miles...

 

[Didg]

Even dogs learn!

Brilliant!!! I shall think of that every time I meet a BM rider. ::025::

 

[frez]

I passed a GS on my way into Bristol the other day and I could see his head twist round to check out the bike. He must have thought, "What the f*ck is that, I've not seen one of them before".

 

[tenbob]

Well I seen 5 on Saturday... Mind it were a Tenere meet!

 

[Yamaray]

TenBob
That made me laugh ::012::

yamaray

 

[cakeboy]

the trouble with most brit bikers is they believe what they read in the press and in this country they can kill a bike off before its even hit the road. they would be a lot better off going onto bike web sites [ like this ] and read about the people who really do live with there bikes week in and week out , not just flown over to spain for a quick 100 mile thrash then come back and do a full in depth review. you have only to look close at there tests like one mag said " i had it in "T " for TOWN MODE ? and it had no power ....well if the prat had looked in the book "T" mode stands for TOURING MODE ? ::025::

 

[Dogdaze]

the trouble with most brit bikers is they believe what they read in the press and in this country they can kill a bike off before its even hit the road. they would be a lot better off going onto bike web sites [ like this ] and read about the people who really do live with there bikes week in and week out , not just flown over to spain for a quick 100 mile thrash then come back and do a full in depth review. you have only to look close at there tests like one mag said " i had it in "T " for TOWN MODE ? and it had no power ....well if the prat had looked in the book "T" mode stands for TOURING MODE ? ::025::

Agreed! Problem is, you're assuming these jornos are of average intelligence and not some ego-maniacal demi-god wannabe. At least read the blurb sent to you on the flight over, let's face it, not much else to do on a 2 hour flight other than eating a stale sandwich........ ::009::

 

[Tyke]

Agree with the above posts

It aint difficult really...take a PROPER test ride before you buy...I did ,....and I love my S10.

Most Journos talk crap and are over opinionated and probably over paid