T7 vs S10? Or both

dhague

New Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2018
Messages
16
Location
Manitoba
well i just recently went through the same dilemma this past june. went on a 1 month trip to eastern canada on my 2018 super 10. ended up totaling my bike on prince edward island first week of the trip. no serious injuries so needed to get a bike to continue my trip. only thing i found on short notice was a 2022 t-700 from a yamaha dealer in charlottetown PEI. Bought the bike and continued on my merry way. Put 7000 kilometers on it by the time i got home. I had 57000 kms on my 2018 super 10 and must say of all the bikes ive had this was my favorite overall for sure. Plan was to sell the t-700 when i got home but the thing is so much fun to ride that i am having serious 2 nd thoughts BUT it cannot replace a super 10 when it comes to long range travel heavily loaded. Also great to have cruise control, heated grips, shaft drive as well as just overall comfort. Ended up buying a 2021 super 10 with 2800 kms on it. felt great to be back on the super 10.
Both bikes a great machines in my opinion but serve somewhat different purposes. Will probably end up keeping both.
 

mebgardner

Active Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
384
Location
Tucson AZ
I've owned an S10 since '16 new. During that same time, I've also had 2 ea Suz. DRZ400's, a KTM 690 Enduro, a Yam WR450F, a Suz. WeeStrom 650, and a Suz. DR650. The DR650 was the wife's ride.

The S10 and the DR650 remain, all the others have moved on. I mention this because for me, that they remain speaks to the strengths of these two cycles compared to the others.

I keep looking at the current crop of 1200 cc cycles, and read about the ownership experience, all encompassing. That is, the non-riding aspects are included in my view as I mull swapping out the S10. Some guys enjoy setting up new cycles with all the farkle stuff they desire to attach. I'm OK with doing that, but it does not bring me enjoyment to do it, only satisfaction that it's done. Thats part of the non-riding ownership aspect, and so is this social media and/or forum aspect. Thats part of the strength I'm referring to. This S10 forum is wonderful to me, and I'm kinda sad to see it become less popular. I understand the forces that are causing it, but it still saddens me.

I'm talking about this so the OP will understand when I say there is more to this business than just choosing the steed. You're gonna choose how to care for it. Either yourself, or a shop will do it. The consequences of not doing it / ignoring it (the maintenance) is severe. You go through a couple "riding experiences" that would not have occurred had the maintenance been done right / on time / at all, and you will change your mind and start maintaining the cycle. It becomes part of the cycle selection process, or the Darwin process, take your pick.

The S10 remains in my stable because it remains an *awesome* cycle compared to even the current crop of 1200 cc motorcycles, for my riding style. This forum remains a testament to why that's still true, to why it's still an awesome cycle.

On to the T7.

My riding still includes terrain that the T7, and my skill set, can manage. Desert or Mountain 2-Track, or graded forest service road, or sand up to 6" deep (which I call "medium" sand). Rocks baseball to baby head size. I will climb a 30 deg. slope containing any of the above surfaces, with embedded dog-legs. I dont ride single track anymore. I dont race motocross, or hare 'n hound. So, that kind of terrain. Call it Class "B to B+". 50/50 tires stuff.

I started the T7 discussion talking about my skill set, and the type of terrain I'm interested in riding. I notice the OP does not speak to this at all in his posts. But, he sure is interested in mid size to large cycles! Thats OK, I hope he does not kill himself. It tempers what I can tell him, or what I think he can hear.

I'm an older guy, I'm gonna age out sooner than later. But, I'm mulling replacing the DR650. The candidates become, for me: 1) the T7, 2) the Aprilia Tuareg 660, 3) the Ducati Desert X. There were many others in my selection, they have fallen out: The Triumph Tiger series. The BMW series (still looking at these). The KTM series. The Honda series (Just found out about a possible TransAlp 750 from this thread, and I'm interested in it. Thanks for the tip!)

The OP has already received a good deal of great advice from this thread, even without knowing what terrain he wants to ride, or his skillset. A Tall CG Matters. A High Seat Matters. One High Side and You Will Believe Me. So, I decided to speak about things not mentioned yet.

Like Horsepower and torque figures. Over the years, I have come to understand that *my* riding style dictates a HP and TQ limit. I can ride pretty well within an envelope of about 40-80 HP. If the cycle offers more than that on tap, then I look for a programmable mode that will peel off the excess for me. They call it "Enduro" mode now, almost all of the big manufacturers offer this program mode. Off road, any off road, and I need Enduro mode. My chance of severe injury or death, and I mean me dying, goes up exponentially with the increase in HP.

Heat matters to me. Quite a few of the current crop of cycles are eliminated from my selection based on how much heat the cycle will direct at my legs, or torso. The Tuareg 660 is barely hanging on my list because of this aspect. It can be solved with a very expensive "closed course" exhaust header. Read "very expensive" there. So, that Italian becomes closer to $16-17K OTD.

Aftermarket parts support, maintenance costs, blah blah blah.

You want us to tell you our opinion of what you should buy first, if anything? OK, tell us what / where kind of riding you want to do? Give us a couple sentences about your riding experience. If you do this, I believe you will find the results more beneficial to you, the feedback better for you.
 
Last edited:

magic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2015
Messages
743
Location
WISCONSIN
LOL, seriously? I think some wannabe motorcyclists just aren't cut out for bikes above a 250.
Take a look at some of the other forums. They are full of adjectives like jumpy, snatchy, jerky, choppy describing the throttle response on many Yamahas. This topic has been beat to death on this forum too. Many moto journalists have also pointed out this issue. Sure, it can be fixed with a reflash, but a potential buyer should be aware of this. The low speed fueling on the 2 T7s that I road was not good.
 

Stryker1979

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2022
Messages
72
Location
Tennessee
I've owned an S10 since '16 new. During that same time, I've also had 2 ea Suz. DRZ400's, a KTM 690 Enduro, a Yam WR450F, a Suz. WeeStrom 650, and a Suz. DR650. The DR650 was the wife's ride.

The S10 and the DR650 remain, all the others have moved on. I mention this because for me, that they remain speaks to the strengths of these two cycles compared to the others.

I keep looking at the current crop of 1200 cc cycles, and read about the ownership experience, all encompassing. That is, the non-riding aspects are included in my view as I mull swapping out the S10. Some guys enjoy setting up new cycles with all the farkle stuff they desire to attach. I'm OK with doing that, but it does not bring me enjoyment to do it, only satisfaction that it's done. Thats part of the non-riding ownership aspect, and so is this social media and/or forum aspect. Thats part of the strength I'm referring to. This S10 forum is wonderful to me, and I'm kinda sad to see it become less popular. I understand the forces that are causing it, but it still saddens me.

I'm talking about this so the OP will understand when I say there is more to this business than just choosing the steed. You're gonna choose how to care for it. Either yourself, or a shop will do it. The consequences of not doing it / ignoring it (the maintenance) is severe. You go through a couple "riding experiences" that would not have occurred had the maintenance been done right / on time / at all, and you will change your mind and start maintaining the cycle. It becomes part of the cycle selection process, or the Darwin process, take your pick.

The S10 remains in my stable because it remains an *awesome* cycle compared to even the current crop of 1200 cc motorcycles, for my riding style. This forum remains a testament to why that's still true, to why it's still an awesome cycle.

On to the T7.

My riding still includes terrain that the T7, and my skill set, can manage. Desert or Mountain 2-Track, or graded forest service road, or sand up to 6" deep (which I call "medium" sand). Rocks baseball to baby head size. I will climb a 30 deg. slope containing any of the above surfaces, with embedded dog-legs. I dont ride single track anymore. I dont race motocross, or hare 'n hound. So, that kind of terrain. Call it Class "B to B+". 50/50 tires stuff.

I started the T7 discussion talking about my skill set, and the type of terrain I'm interested in riding. I notice the OP does not speak to this at all in his posts. But, he sure is interested in mid size to large cycles! Thats OK, I hope he does not kill himself. It tempers what I can tell him, or what I think he can hear.

I'm an older guy, I'm gonna age out sooner than later. But, I'm mulling replacing the DR650. The candidates become, for me: 1) the T7, 2) the Aprilia Tuareg 660, 3) the Ducati Desert X. There were many others in my selection, they have fallen out: The Triumph Tiger series. The BMW series (still looking at these). The KTM series. The Honda series (Just found out about a possible TransAlp 750 from this thread, and I'm interested in it. Thanks for the tip!)

The OP has already received a good deal of great advice from this thread, even without knowing what terrain he wants to ride, or his skillset. A Tall CG Matters. A High Seat Matters. One High Side and You Will Believe Me. So, I decided to speak about things not mentioned yet.

Like Horsepower and torque figures. Over the years, I have come to understand that *my* riding style dictates a HP and TQ limit. I can ride pretty well within an envelope of about 40-80 HP. If the cycle offers more than that on tap, then I look for a programmable mode that will peel off the excess for me. They call it "Enduro" mode now, almost all of the big manufacturers offer this program mode. Off road, any off road, and I need Enduro mode. My chance of severe injury or death, and I mean me dying, goes up exponentially with the increase in HP.

Heat matters to me. Quite a few of the current crop of cycles are eliminated from my selection based on how much heat the cycle will direct at my legs, or torso. The Tuareg 660 is barely hanging on my list because of this aspect. It can be solved with a very expensive "closed course" exhaust header. Read "very expensive" there. So, that Italian becomes closer to $16-17K OTD.

Aftermarket parts support, maintenance costs, blah blah blah.

You want us to tell you our opinion of what you should buy first, if anything? OK, tell us what / where kind of riding you want to do? Give us a couple sentences about your riding experience. If you do this, I believe you will find the results more beneficial to you, the feedback better for you.
I’m not really sure how much serious off roading there is here in middle Tennessee but I lived in the Pacific Northwest and road a couple times with a veteran single track rider and I enjoyed it bit I was fine just cruising the fire roads. Where I live now there really isn’t that much but I already have the CRF300L and it’s modded with exhaust and reflashed ecu so it’s more the. Capable of the small middle weight. I had a WR250r and a couple fjrs. I guess it’s more of the Yamaha reliability and it seems like Yamaha hit it right with the T7. I probably will eventually get the T7 but am going to stick with the Honda and get the S10. I also agree this seems to be a great forum and a lot of great advice here. Thanks for the info and years of experience you bring to the table.
 

mebgardner

Active Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
384
Location
Tucson AZ
I’m not really sure how much serious off roading there is here in middle Tennessee but I lived in the Pacific Northwest and road a couple times with a veteran single track rider and I enjoyed it bit I was fine just cruising the fire roads. Where I live now there really isn’t that much but I already have the CRF300L and it’s modded with exhaust and reflashed ecu so it’s more the. Capable of the small middle weight. I had a WR250r and a couple fjrs. I guess it’s more of the Yamaha reliability and it seems like Yamaha hit it right with the T7. I probably will eventually get the T7 but am going to stick with the Honda and get the S10. I also agree this seems to be a great forum and a lot of great advice here. Thanks for the info and years of experience you bring to the table.
You are kind.

Now we know you are also capable, skilled and ready to graduate to a bigger cycle.

Good to know you, and thank you for your kindness.
 

lund

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2019
Messages
809
Location
Okanagan Valley, Canada.
I had both the S10 and the T7, the T7 ended up getting sold.
IMO the T7 is a mixed up bike, atleast you know that the S10 is on the big side for more venturous off road riding. The T7 is heavy IMO, too heavy for venturous riding and too small for comfort riding on long hauls.
Either stick with the CRF300 or get a light weight for off road, the S10 for long journey's. jmo
 

kjetil4455

Active Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2022
Messages
125
Location
Colombia
I had both the S10 and the T7, the T7 ended up getting sold.
IMO the T7 is a mixed up bike, atleast you know that the S10 is on the big side for more venturous off road riding. The T7 is heavy IMO, too heavy for venturous riding and too small for comfort riding on long hauls.
Either stick with the CRF300 or get a light weight for off road, the S10 for long journey's. jmo
I was considering swapping my xt660r for a T7, but now I think I won't after reading this. Thanks
 

cyclemike4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2016
Messages
815
Location
ky
Wow that says a lot for the man and the machine! I can't believe the T7 wasn't constantly over heating and the clutch held up. I can't imagine what it took to manage that bike at that altitude. he definitely was in shape!
 

siroco

Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2019
Messages
92
Location
Canary Islands
Im considering a second hand T7 because the traffic jams are growing. The aim is to own a second bike to conmute, to go working and why not "hard trail" My working center parking has no roof and leave the ST is a pain eight hours day under the african sun.

In my case I tried some demo T7 bikes, including de WR, for me is a light bike, no heat and no jerkiness, ideal for 4th category roads, trails and single tracks.
I liked the Ducati Desert X until I tried because the heat from the engine and high compression engine (reliabilty) and of course, the desmo service....

I tried the Touraeg too and didnt like it, ugly, jerkiness, and hard gear lever.IMG_20220729_172906.jpgIMG_20220707_174952.jpg
flir_20220707T175341.jpg
 

whisperquiet

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
728
Location
Southern Illinois
I’ll update this…….sold the T7 last fall with 21,000 miles on it. It has a great engine but is a parts bin motorcycle. I had to run a tall seat and lower foot pegs for a roomier cockpit. As others have noted, I found the T7 to be very top heavy, clumsy at low speeds, and just plain heavy. I had no problems with it at all……just never really bonded with the bike and ended up buying a used, like new 2021 Kawasaki KLX300 which is slower, more nimble and at least 150 lbs lighter with a lower center of gravity.
 
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