Tenere vs FJRh

[McBride]

I own a 2013 FJR, and seriously thinking of trading for a Tenere 1200. I think that I might miss the smoothness and power of the fjr. I'm 68 years old and blessed with good health and pretty good shape. I like the ideal of being able to get off the beaten path and ride some dirt roads. I have plans to do some serious traveling this summer, southwest states , along the California coast, Oregon, Washington, Glarciar National park, Yellowstone national park, and the Rocky Mountains. I know a lot of the super Tenere riders at one time had an FJR, and I was looking for some feed back as to which bike they would prefer on that type of trip.
I also wanted to know just how much difference there is in the amount of power between the two when trying to pass slower traffic on the highways. I will be on two lanes more so than interstates. At least that's my plans so far. I really would appreciate any help I could get with this

 

[snakebitten]

It still has 100HP. It's not a wimp.

Loaded down like a pack mule and the wife on the back, we still lead the pack across West Texas with posted 85mph limits.

But having said that, it's no FJR. Especially up top.

 

[sportrider]

I came off an 05 fjr. I love the 6th gear, more leg room, lighter feel and dirt road capabilities. I loved my fjr, but have no regrets switching to the Tenere.

 

[sportsguy]

I came off an 05 fjr. I love the 6th gear, more leg room, lighter feel and dirt road capabilities. I loved my fjr, but have no regrets switching to the Tenere.

Exactly the same for me!

You will notice a difference, but the benefits will outweigh the things you might miss easily!

...and aren't you supposed to be slowing down at your age anyway?

 

[McBride]

I keep hearing that, but I don't feel like slowing down just yet. lol

 

[talonboy]

The FJR is a great bike. In my opinion, a little smoother, a little more comfortable, a bunch faster than the Tenere. If you never plan to go off payment, keep the FJR. But, there is this whole other world out there called dirt. If you want to venture out on it, the Tenere is just the ticket. The Tenere will do everything the FJR will do on pavement, and nearly as well.

 

[mingo]

Evert time I rode my '13 FJR I enjoyed it but not as much as the S10. I prefer just about everything on the S10. I'm trading in my FJR on a 14 S10. The superten is more comfortable, noticeably lighter and for me a more enjoyable ride.

 

[barkingllizard]

Just go off road with FJR1300 ... LIKE THIS CRAZY WHACKADOODLE

http://youtu.be/XWng5pEtgkg?t=3m

All the kids are doing it these days...

 

[longride]

I test rode the 2013 FJR and Tenere. The Tenere is 90% of an FJR on the road and 300% better in the dirt. It was really a close decision, but I wanted to do dirt roads and have a more versatile bike. If it was road only, it would be a tossup.

 

[mcrider007]

I also wanted to know just how much difference there is in the amount of power between the two when trying to pass slower traffic on the highways. I will be on two lanes more so than interstates. At least that's my plans so far. I really would appreciate any help I could get with this

While the FJR is much faster than the S10 on the open highway, that difference is not apparent unless the speeds are over 90mph. If you can't easily pass in 4th gear (at highway speeds) then you probably should not be making the pass....and I can't remember the last time I had to use 4th to make a safe pass. As to which bike is the best for a tour, I think it depends on how much off pavement riding is involved. The FJR is my clear favorite for smooth and moderately smooth paved roads but I bought the S10 to ride on rough broken pavement and the occasional excursion off pavement.

 

[Ydtrack]

I seriously considered the FJR before I pulled the trigger on the S10. It all came down to how I wanted to ride it, since I am surrounded by fire roads and lots of places to explore in the dirt.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome to the other side of the Yamaha house, McBride.
::003::
Yes, there are a lot of here who came from the FJR, as well as the other sport tourers. I had a Gen1 then Gen2.


At first you miss the turbine-like acceleration and maybe the great styling. (Mary Ellen called mine "Fugly" )


The Tenere is a bike that grows on you fast and for me has been capable of longer days, what with the more upright seat and an aftermarket windshield. It also isn't as squirrely off of pavement and when it has fallen over, I've used a bit of Rustoleum on the aftermarket crash bar, rather than looking at the expense of fixing fairings and replacing mirrors. If you continue to miss the FJR power, the Tenere ECU can be flashed for more power.


You'll appreciate the aftermarket support too. Plenty of options for luggage for example, rather than sticking with the 35L bags and your choice of top box. The bike was designed for aftermarket goodies, so there are already mounting points for lights, bags, etc. In the right side cover is space provided for a power distribution block close to the battery.


If you ride 2-up, my partner liked the FJR but definitely prefers the rear seat on the Tenere.

 

[mhoy]

I love both machines, ive rode a few of them, and was considering FJR or Tenere, my choice was for the versatility of the Tenere and my wife stated she prefers the pillion on the Tenere over the FJR, both machines are fantastic, but it comes down to the type of riding you prefer and the Tenere is the best for me.

 

[escapefjrtist]

I've got both and probably always will. Tenere is no FJR...but depending on the mission, I've got two of the best tools out there. ::022::

You will miss the outright roll-on [smooth] power of the FJR!

YMMV

--G

 

[Nathan Wiley]

I'm trying to decide between these two myself. Test rode the Tenere last year, loved it. Engine felt like a big powerful single, which I like. Nice seating position. Bike seems really well built and solid. Would have to add luggage and heated grips and maybe change the screen.

I test rode a 2013 FJR this Saturday. Love the engine, tons of torque. Seems just as well built as the Tenere. Has everything I could ever want in a touring bike. Great bags, electric windshield, cruise, etc.

I keep going back and forth between the two. Price wise they are very similar. Deals to be had on both, but the Tenere would require a few add-ons to be tour ready, where the FJR is outfitted nicely as is. I somewhat lean towards the FJR because of the electric screen, fairing, and stonking motor which might make it better for high speed travel. Then I lean back towards the Tenere for it's better suspension over rough stuff and it's more all-round nature. Seems like I could have more fun on the Tenere when I ride solo too.

I don't have much to add to the conversation....mostly just thinking out loud. I might just close my eyes and pick one. ::010::

 

[squarebore]

I've never ridden an FJR but I've also never lacked for power when passing on the S10. Only a few years ago this would have been a superbike.

 

[cakeboy]

the S10 will take you to places you cannot reach on a fjr ?

 

[imrubicon]

I dont think I could compare .
Two completely different bikes for different styles but either one will carry you and gear at highway speeds all day long .
Comfort would be the biggrst loss or gain depending as I was used to my ST1300 and the goldwing so moving to a Tenere was different at first but now I can go just about as far , unless raining or cold as the last year those bug me more

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'm trying to decide between these two myself. Test rode the Tenere last year, loved it. Engine felt like a big powerful single, which I like. Nice seating position. Bike seems really well built and solid. Would have to add luggage and heated grips and maybe change the screen.

I test rode a 2013 FJR this Saturday. Love the engine, tons of torque. Seems just as well built as the Tenere. Has everything I could ever want in a touring bike. Great bags, electric windshield, cruise, etc.

I keep going back and forth between the two. Price wise they are very similar. Deals to be had on both, but the Tenere would require a few add-ons to be tour ready, where the FJR is outfitted nicely as is. I somewhat lean towards the FJR because of the electric screen, fairing, and stonking motor which might make it better for high speed travel. Then I lean back towards the Tenere for it's better suspension over rough stuff and it's more all-round nature. Seems like I could have more fun on the Tenere when I ride solo too.

I don't have much to add to the conversation....mostly just thinking out loud. I might just close my eyes and pick one. ::010::

The FJR just plain looks sexier and the motor is that smooth turbine powerhouse.

In really bad cross winds, the FJR is less affected.

But from there,

Most FJR owners who do more than a little highway replace the windscreen, just like on the Tenere.

The FJR bags are 35L. The Tenere can be bought for a lot less and you pick the size bags you want, plus the style you want. For roughly $630, I hung a set of black top loading 41 L boxes on SW-Motech racks (MuffinTop is now Wendellcase at http://wendellcase.com/products.html) These are a LOT more rugged than what is on the FJR, easier to use with the top load, carry more internally, and have loops on top to tie on more cargo.

The 1200 in the Tenere can push me and a month's worth of travel stuff along the western highways at 115 mph with throttle remaining. Then I can slow to a walk, stand on the pegs to go off-road, and find a camp site.

I find the more upright position of the Tenere easier to do 18 hour days on. The seat took a couple of mods for tilt and padding/cover ($156), as had the FJR.

Both need an aftermarket GPS mount and tunes, so it's even. But getting power was easier on the Tenere.

The Tenere has mounting points for aux lights and a ready-made place for the power distribution block near the battery. On the FJR the power block goes in the tail or beneath the seat, taking potential space for regularly used tools, gloves, etc.

On frost heaved roads, my kidneys prefer the Tenere's longer suspension.

 

[Abercrombie tenere]

I own a 2013 FJR, and seriously thinking of trading for a Tenere 1200. I think that I might miss the smoothness and power of the fjr. I'm 68 years old and blessed with good health and pretty good shape. I like the ideal of being able to get off the beaten path and ride some dirt roads. I have plans to do some serious traveling this summer, southwest states , along the California coast, Oregon, Washington, Glarciar National park, Yellowstone national park, and the Rocky Mountains. I know a lot of the super Tenere riders at one time had an FJR, and I was looking for some feed back as to which bike they would prefer on that type of trip.
I also wanted to know just how much difference there is in the amount of power between the two when trying to pass slower traffic on the highways. I will be on two lanes more so than interstates. At least that's my plans so far. I really would appreciate any help I could get with this

If you can swing it, you should have one of each. Life is short and you have a lot of riding to do, so enjoy it and don't compromise.

I rode my Tenere almost exclusively last summer saving the FJR tires for a late summer trip. Over the summer I grew to love the Tenere and thought it was sort of selfish of me to have both. Then I spent 12 days out on the FJR in September attending a couple of FJR Rallies. I attended a three day rally in LaCrosse WI followed by a three day rally in Maggie Valley NC. It was a pure twisty road dream trip of 4400 miles on that bike and made me remember why I’m on my third one. My last day of that trip was an 1100 mile sprint back to ND and it was effortless.

Sure the Tenere will do twisties, and the FJR will do gravel but why compromise. We never know when our last days of riding will get here so enjoy it now.