Hey guys, the Yamaha Demos are in Asheville, NC this weekend. I had a 30 minute test ride on a Super 10 this morning. I'll post a report when I get back home and have more time, probably Sunday. 8)
Test rode a Tenere today
- Thread starter k woo
- Start date
pqsqac
Bike Name: Blue Spirit
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Awesome K Woo I'm sure you had an awesome ride. Give us a report as soon as you can.
MotorcopBBQ
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looking forward. Hopefully you took some pictures
ARGGGGGGGGGGGGG
I am in Richmond Virginia today, the demo ride fleet will be at Richmond Yamaha on Hull Street (#360) Next weekend.
RATS
So any Virginia guys, get after it!
I am in Richmond Virginia today, the demo ride fleet will be at Richmond Yamaha on Hull Street (#360) Next weekend.
RATS
So any Virginia guys, get after it!
The Yamaha Star Demo truck was at the Asheville NC Bikefest this week (Thurs-Sun) with a FJR1300, R1, R6, FZ1, FZ8, FZ6R, Super Ténéré, V Star 950, V Star 1300, Raider, Road Star, Roadliner, Stratoliner, Warrior, Raider, and VMAX to test ride.
I had 2 turns at the Tenere. Each test ride was the same 30 minute loop of slab with a good mix of interstate and twisties. This bike had 2000+ miles on it so I considered it to be broke in. I rode only in sport mode. As of Friday the Tenere was the most ridden bike. It went out every time while some of the others sat there all lonely. The Yamaha/Star staff was very professional and friendly.
The Good:
1. Guys, this bike is BALANCED. I immediately noticed it's excellent balance and low center of gravity as we idled around the parking lot heading out. It is easy to not have to put your feet down during short stops.
2. It does handle on asphalt like a much lighter bike.
3. The Tenere gracefully falls into the curves, recovering on switch-backs requires no manhandling.
4. I felt no vibration in the handlebars and foot pegs up to 98+ mph
5. It eats up 4 lane slab with absolute ease and comfort, I see no issues with high speed 10 hour rides.
6. Super stable at speed.
7. It is plenty quick/fast for it's class, the 2 R6's on the 2nd ride couldn't get me by that much. One R6 rider commented on how well I kept on his tail.
8. Very good torque, a passenger and luggage should not kill it.
9. Did I say how well it is balanced?
10. Very good brakes, I got on them hard twice, not too much nose dive.
11. The factory wind screen worked surprisingly well for me. I already have an adjuster and will most likely get another screen but for my height (5'9") with an Arai XD3 I didn't think the buffeting was that bad.
12. It sounds better than I thought it would. Not the authoritative note of a triple but O.K.
The Questionable:
1. The transmission is butter smooth, BUT under hard acceleration the throw between gears seems long to me. Shifting from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th required a looong upward pull. I missed twice. This could be me being used to the solid "klachunck" of my KLR's gearbox but I don't think so. This was not a problem at all during regular acceleration and shifting.
2. I did experience the mid range lull when accelerating between 3 and 5000 as some have reported but HOLD ON when it hits 5 grand. ??? I only noticed this rolling on the throttle without shifting. No lull nailing it going through the gears.
3. At idle/slow speeds I found the throttle to be VERY jerky. No problem at speed, again I only rode in sport mode so I cannot say how it would do otherwise. This could be me being used to a KLR, a minor issue at very the most.
4. The factory crash bars are poorly designed. No news flash here. The demo bike had been dropped on both sides. The side panels were not cracked but took a beating. The factory bars leave the radiator far too exposed. If the bike goes down on anything but a flat surface the panels and underneath will catch hell. k woo HIGHLY recommends after market.
Summary:
This is an exceptional motorcycle, I mostly concur with previously written reviews. The Tenere will easily perform it's designed task. Does it fits my needs as a comfortable long range world crosser with back road capability? Absolutely. Does it make me grin all the way back to my molars?? No, not that type of bike. The KTM 990 Dakar I test rode did that.
Hope this helps. Sorry, no pics that would really add to the review.
k woo, 8) 5/15/11
I had 2 turns at the Tenere. Each test ride was the same 30 minute loop of slab with a good mix of interstate and twisties. This bike had 2000+ miles on it so I considered it to be broke in. I rode only in sport mode. As of Friday the Tenere was the most ridden bike. It went out every time while some of the others sat there all lonely. The Yamaha/Star staff was very professional and friendly.
The Good:
1. Guys, this bike is BALANCED. I immediately noticed it's excellent balance and low center of gravity as we idled around the parking lot heading out. It is easy to not have to put your feet down during short stops.
2. It does handle on asphalt like a much lighter bike.
3. The Tenere gracefully falls into the curves, recovering on switch-backs requires no manhandling.
4. I felt no vibration in the handlebars and foot pegs up to 98+ mph
5. It eats up 4 lane slab with absolute ease and comfort, I see no issues with high speed 10 hour rides.
6. Super stable at speed.
7. It is plenty quick/fast for it's class, the 2 R6's on the 2nd ride couldn't get me by that much. One R6 rider commented on how well I kept on his tail.
8. Very good torque, a passenger and luggage should not kill it.
9. Did I say how well it is balanced?
10. Very good brakes, I got on them hard twice, not too much nose dive.
11. The factory wind screen worked surprisingly well for me. I already have an adjuster and will most likely get another screen but for my height (5'9") with an Arai XD3 I didn't think the buffeting was that bad.
12. It sounds better than I thought it would. Not the authoritative note of a triple but O.K.
The Questionable:
1. The transmission is butter smooth, BUT under hard acceleration the throw between gears seems long to me. Shifting from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th required a looong upward pull. I missed twice. This could be me being used to the solid "klachunck" of my KLR's gearbox but I don't think so. This was not a problem at all during regular acceleration and shifting.
2. I did experience the mid range lull when accelerating between 3 and 5000 as some have reported but HOLD ON when it hits 5 grand. ??? I only noticed this rolling on the throttle without shifting. No lull nailing it going through the gears.
3. At idle/slow speeds I found the throttle to be VERY jerky. No problem at speed, again I only rode in sport mode so I cannot say how it would do otherwise. This could be me being used to a KLR, a minor issue at very the most.
4. The factory crash bars are poorly designed. No news flash here. The demo bike had been dropped on both sides. The side panels were not cracked but took a beating. The factory bars leave the radiator far too exposed. If the bike goes down on anything but a flat surface the panels and underneath will catch hell. k woo HIGHLY recommends after market.
Summary:
This is an exceptional motorcycle, I mostly concur with previously written reviews. The Tenere will easily perform it's designed task. Does it fits my needs as a comfortable long range world crosser with back road capability? Absolutely. Does it make me grin all the way back to my molars?? No, not that type of bike. The KTM 990 Dakar I test rode did that.
Hope this helps. Sorry, no pics that would really add to the review.
k woo, 8) 5/15/11
pqsqac
Bike Name: Blue Spirit
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Could you give me more detail I live in this area and never knew we had a Yamaha dealer so close to us on Hull St?
Thanks
Thanks
Bigbore4 said:
eemsreno
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K Woo
Very good report, I just wish there was a schedule out there of where the bikes are going to be. Does anyone know of any bikes coming to the midwest?
Very good report, I just wish there was a schedule out there of where the bikes are going to be. Does anyone know of any bikes coming to the midwest?
colorider
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Thanks for the write-up K Woo! I needed a "SuperT Fix" and that took care of me (for a while, at least)!!!!!!!!
;D
;D
MotorcopBBQ
New Member
very nice write up indeed 8)
kwoo, thanks for the writings!! after riding the KLR for a few weeks, anything can seem long shifting compared to the clunk shifting of the KLR. THe Super 10 will be smoooth like buttery crisco in my fingers!!!
Great report. After I demo'd the Tenere I also walked away without the big grin on my face. There is something though about the Tenere. I not sure if it's a sense of dependability, confidence or what. It just feels right!k woo said:
Claim they are going to be in Shawnee Mission Kansas this coming weekend. Not sure if they have more than one demo fleet.eemsreno said:
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/mcy/demo.aspx
I already have a wedding and a grad party on Saturday the 21st. I am gonna think about burning vacation Friday and running down. Only if I can reserve a ride slot tho. Plan to call em Mon or Tues. Its aboot 8 hours from the Minneapolis area, leave early, hit em in the late afternoon for a ride, haul back, or overnight and haul back early in AM.
......... AgreedBrntrt said:
pqsqac
Bike Name: Blue Spirit
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Bigboar thanks a lot now it makes sense this is the Honda dealer not far from my house. They never sold Yammi there before only Can Am and big H. This is awesome the demo truck is coming so close to me because it is not on the schedule on the Yamaha site. How did you end up in Richmond being from Minn that is a long way off but I'm glad you did. I could have very well never heard this news and missed it completely. I will be up there first thing Sat and ride all day man great news. Thanks again for posting.
Bigbore4 said:
Was down on business and my buddy / colleague lives a tad off Hull street in Midlothian, we were going into town and I spotted a banner hanging oot in front of the dealer and Googled it.pqsqac said:
I talked to a sales guy named Aaron, seemed like a good sort. I am now contemplating an 8 hour ride to Kansas City, they also are supposed to have a demo ride.
<edit>
Woulda bought ya a beer had I planned a little better!
pqsqac
Bike Name: Blue Spirit
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That's where I live in Midlo off of Bailey Bridge Rd this dealer is like 5 minutes from my house. I know 8 hours is a long drive but I think it will be worth it for you to at least ride the XT one time. I have been blessed with a demo in Roanoke, VA in April now this one by my house then I'm going to Baltimore in June right by my folks house to ride again then again in June in West VA to ride at a dealer. Honda House 360 is ok but they don't budge on price much I ended up going to a dealer 1.5 hours away for my XT deal. My best to you on your plan to go demo one I hope it works out that you can go.
Vince
Vince
Bigbore4 said:
Thanks k woo!k woo said:
The bike should be able to handle "mule", duties well. I'm figuring the bike is a decent handler in the twistie's, has acceptable torque and can buck Western winds. Gravel and dirt two track isn't a problem. I've been running those for over 35 yrs.
I think the S10 is a good bike for the kind of riding I do. I'm hoping the S10 rides better (when compared to my DL 1000), on rougher stuff.
Having said that, I seriously doubt that the S10 could be competitive with my V Strom on the street. YMMV.