Thinking of hanging up the helmet

[Checkswrecks]

I would be wondering too if I had the day you described.

At the same time, you don't need to drop big money, just ride the bike where and how you want. A lot of Tenere owners have no skid plates and just run street tires. Some of us keep dirty bikes that are piling on high mileage regargless of the weather, while others ride the thing just a few miles a year to have fun. All good!

 

[Vanderwho]

I have no skid plate. I run street tires.

I tried riding mud and snow on my nearly-new '14 ES last month, and wound up falling twice. Bent the shift linkage rod on the first get-off; pushed the fan into the radiator and bruised some ribs on the second one. It had been a long, long time since I'd involuntarily parted company with a motorcycle. Unfortunately, I was with a bunch of skilled off-road riders, who got to see all this. (Hi, guys!) Thankfully, they helped me pick the bike up (and make minor repairs). One even rode my bike back through one of the nastier stretches for me.

I consider it a successful experiment. I learned that I like riding dry dirt at a moderate pace, but have no business wrestling a 600-pound dual-sport around on mud and snow.

As has been suggested, maybe you should try something new. Ever ridden a SaddleSore 1000? I have one (on a V-Strom 1000) logged, and will be riding my first one on the Ténéré next month. How about a long-distance rally? I rode 3,767 miles in 13 states in under five days last summer while participating in MERA's Five & Dime rally. That was big fun! Maybe participate in the Tour of Honor?

Maybe you need a little time away. I'd hesitate to sell the Ténéré, though, unless you really want to focus on gnarly off-road stuff. The big girl is so good at so many other things...

Good luck with your deliberations!

 

[squarebore]

As others have said, sounds like you need a different bike, not a break. Have you ever ridden a real dirt bike? See if you can a ride on a light enduro bike such as a WR250. I still ride a CR125 at times because they are so light. The S10 is not a dirt bike. I take it on trails and it does well, but we shouldn't get confused about its purpose. Cheers

 

[Beakless]

Hang in there E4R, Just chalk it up to a tough day.....you will be looking back and laughing about it soon enough. Even us old bastards get to live and learn along the way. I hope to hear from you posting about a great ride day in the near future!

All the best
Mark

 

[Tyke]

Sounds like you really love to ride, but the big beast is making you work too hard. Maybe with something lighter in the dirt you may enjoy more. Keep the Tenere for light off road and get something smaller to throw around.

Hope you didn't get beat up too badly. Heal well.

::026:: Agreed 100%

I started riding Trials bikes back in the mid 70s and I simply cant recall how many times I used to fall off, it was all part of the learning cycle

I'm now much older (and maybe a little wiser at 63) and stick to the roads which is safer for me with my ageing ailments

I was chucked off my WR250 in 2011 luckily I didn't break any bones but it did hurt...I was 60 years old back then and decided it was time I grew up, so the bike was sold

So Echo Four Romeo don't hang up your helmet just yet..keep riding and enjoy life to the full ::012:: ::021::

 

[stomp347]

Don't do it. You will have regret a month later. Once a rider, always rider......... ::008::

 

[timothy.davis]

Echo Four Romeo "Semper Fidelis" I also went a period of years without riding. When I decided to start riding again the first thing I did was take the beginning motorcycle course. I was surprised by how much I did not know. Next step was getting the motorcycle endorsement on my driver's license and procuring a 2009 KLR 650. I also started refurbishing my 1988 Harley FXR Super Glide that had suffered severe corrosion damage from a stay at K-Bay Hawaii. The KLR started teaching me that the bike does not make the man. The man can do severe damage to his self-esteem and bodily harm if he overextends his perceived capabilities. The one good lesson on the KLR involved a solo off road ride in freezing weather miles from the nearest human being. The crash was at slow speed but left me pinned under a running bike on a small incline. I was afraid I had fractured a leg and it took me a long time to get out from under the bike and an even longer time to get it back on its wheels. The ride in had been beyond my capabilities and the ride out was less than pleasant. It was a few weeks before I tried riding again and took over six months for the pain to leave. Traded the KLR in on the Tenere in 2012 and began a new learning curve on the limitations of one's judgment. There was the catching of the pant legs on the shifter linkage during rush hour traffic; with the old ladies jumping out of their cars to help. Then there were the ballerina splits that were the result of attempting to descend a hill too steep for my skills. Somehow when the bike went down it sped my legs way too far for a 57 year old man. This was another painful six month period of time to remind me of the consequences of misperceived skill levels. I am sixty now and would not even dream of getting rid of the Tenere. I have learned to better judge my capabilities and ride with in my abilities. I also learned that the 2013 FJR1300 is a lot more desirable bike for me that the 1988 FXR I traded for it. I would keep the bike, Echo Seven Delta retired GYSGT USMC.

 

[EricV]

@E4R - Some days we are in the groove, some days we aren't. Some days I really want that XT250 to poke around off pavement on, (wife wants two of them, one for each of us. We'll see). After my tour I started riding street and rode nearly everywhere, every day for 10 years. A few job changes and location changes and I found myself living and commuting in high density traffic. People were not just trying to kill me with their cars every day, but trying really, really hard! After to very close calls in the same week I just decided riding wasn't fun any more. I sold the bike and took 10 years off. Even during that time though, every spring had me watching the other people on bikes and thinking about getting one again.

After a decade, I got back into riding and found I enjoyed it just as much as before. But I don't commute any more. I don't let my riding devolve into droning to work and back home. I keep riding for fun. For going places. The S10 is a tool to take me to new places and show me new things. Sometimes that's on a road I've been on 1000 times before.

There is nothing wrong with considering a smaller bike, in addition to, if you can swing it, for off pavement rides. But regardless of what bike you choose to ride, take an off road skills class. In hindsight, I was becoming worried about surviving my daily commutes. Had I taken some skills training then, it may have sparked the awareness that I needed to either avoid the commuting, or increased my comfort zone with it and I may not have needed/taken that break from riding. Even if you don't plan to do much or any off pavement riding in the future, take the class and learn some new techniques. You might just be surprised at what it does for you and your riding.

There are probably places in TX, but here is a very affordable option in CO. Besides, it gives you an excuse to go for a ride. http://www.offrouteadv.com/ The wife and I will likely do this guy's class, perhaps the level II later, depending on how we feel we did in the level I. We're very experienced pavement riders and the wife has old dirt bike experience, but she lacks confidence with the bigger ADV bike off pavement. I do ok off pavement, but sure could learn new things and increase my confidence when things start to get nasty.

 

[Madhatter]

echo four, you are normal.... whats not normal is a 600 lb single track bike , gravity almost always wins..... i have lots of interests , but im not into them all all the time.... if my bike beat me up as much as yours has i would wonder whats up... i enjoy this bike, i do light dirt.... but for off road pick something else, your friend did better with less experence but with less weight.... a slow ride on a lonely road is about as relaxing as it comes...saving my nickels for a single track bike in the near future.... something that doesnt out weigh me by 350lbs....rest, relax, heal, there are lots of ways to enjoy this bike with out getting under it... and thank you for your service, men like you keep this nation free.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

I appreciate all the replies. I am still thinking this over. I rarely do very technical off road trails. Almost never on single track. it just isn't something I look forward to doing on any bike. The area we were riding in has become a local spot for the trucks and jeeps to play. It was never planned out to go find this gnarly off road and try to break the bike. We just kind of ended up in a corner and only had two options up and out to the road or back down the trail we had taken which took us about 30 minutes to navigate...mostly due to helping each other spot difficult situations. It seemed the easier route, well much shorter route.

I feel as though I am more at ease on the road altogether. I actually feel right at home navigating traffic on the bike cause I've done it almost daily for the last 3 years. I had started to get that level of comfort on dirt roads. So I think ultimately I'm giving up the off road riding I've done and stick to the pavement/groomed dirt roads. I had a chance to demo the new Indian Chief Dark Horse and that was a fun bike. Super comfortable and it's got my attention, just don't think I'm ready to give up the versatility of the Tenere for a dedicated cruiser again. If I did make a move like that, I would most likely end up with a dual sport like a WR250 and then tackle more trails and dirt roads.

Echo 4 Romeo - Semper fi, my friend. Couple of comments.
As had been mentioned, there are options for you here.

While I used to race motocross (a long time ago) and I've been to California Superbike School a couple of times, I realized my dirt skills were not up to snuff when I rode with 14kmtnmn on a local ride. Luckily, I survived with only a bruised ego but for most of the ride, I was sure I'd end up a casualty. The Marine in me kept trying to keep up in spite of my discomfort with the pace. I went on the ride hoping to find some local guys to ride dirt with and realized that is not an option since I can't hang with them in the dirt. As a result, no more Denver area rides for me. Definitely took the fun out of my plan. Decided that I'd stick with riding with my wife on graded dirt roads and the milder stuff. Since the Tenere is a great road bike, I'm not giving up on that aspect of the bike.

Since I am stubborn and not willing to give up on more adventurous dirt riding, I am buying a second bike tomorrow. I'm picking up a Yamaha WR450F with the appropriate mods to make it street legal. I am going to use the WR to satisfy my urges for the more challenging stuff. My guess is that I'll have both ends of the spectrum covered; great single track performance and great highway and graded dirt performance.

Don't hang up your helmet. Just wear it in the places that make the most sense.

 

[toompine]

I am 66, been riding since I was 15. Sometimes it was street riding, sometimes dirt competition. I have ridden for pleasure, sport and competition. But here is the deal:

Some days the skill set is bad and some days good. I have had sessions on twisty roads in the morning that felt like I had never been on a bike before and in the afternoon I was totally in sync with the bike and road.

Don't beat yourself up over a session on the bike. Everyday on a motorcycle is a special time and you can always learn something from that day. ::021::

 

[groundhog]

I am 66, been riding since I was 15. Sometimes it was street riding, sometimes dirt competition. I have ridden for pleasure, sport and competition. But here is the deal:

Some days the skill set is bad and some days good. I have had sessions on twisty roads in the morning that felt like I had never been on a bike before and in the afternoon I was totally in sync with the bike and road.

Don't beat yourself up over a session on the bike. Everyday on a motorcycle is a special time and you can always learn something from that day. ::021::

You are so right ! I have had that situation so many times. I always find after a week long trip I am totally in sync with the bike by the end of it, and yet a week later I can have that bad feeling/good feeling thing again! So I guess the 'Ride more Worry Less' banner says it pretty well

 

[creggur]

The lack of desire to ride happens (to me anyway) and it's not something I push. I know the desire will come back around, so I keep the bike ready for that time. Funny you mention this as I've been going through it for the past six months or so. Just haven't been feeling it...

I'm typing this as I sit on my back porch looking at a beautiful morning and was thinking a few minutes ago, "I need to go for a ride." I've noticed the past few days that desire to get out on the bike starting to creep into my consciousness - this morning it kind of popped front and center.

And that's how it usually happens for me. Gonna go give her a spin and see how it feels....

 

[True Grip]

Creggur mine sits sometimes too. Life gets busy! When I get on it before I get to the end of my driveway I've got that smile and thought "what a great bike". Hope you have a good ride.

 

[creggur]

Creggur mine sits sometimes too. Life gets busy! When I get on it before I get to the end of my driveway I've got that smile and thought "what a great bike". Hope you have a good ride.

Thank you, sir. And I did! Sunny and 75 degrees, no traffic, just a peaceful hundred miles and it felt awesome!

 

[echo_four_romeo]

Well a quick update to all this...somehow financial gods decided that I should get a little boost in life. So I was able to scour craigslist and find a companion for the Tenere.

I found an 09 wr250x with 7500 miles. Yeah yeah it is the super moto version but I've already found a set of dirt wheels and tires for it. Saving up a little more to buy those then I will have the bike that weighs less than half the Tenere to play in the dirt on. Also, discovered a coworker who races his super moto at a local go kart track and has invited me out for a race. So get to hone my craft on dirt and pavement...loving this bike already!!!

Only have the one picture for now but plan on many more over the next few weeks.

 

[snakebitten]

Sounds like a PERFECT solution!

I'm happy for ya. I'm happy for your Tenere.

 

[Madhatter]

good for you, enjoy...

 

[Yamaguy55]

I think anyone that rides motorcycles considers giving it up. I certainly have over the years, but then I take a ride and remember all over again what I love about riding. In the past few years, I've had some health and other problems, and seriously thought of paring down the herd to just the WR250R. But a few trips on the ST reminded me why I got it in the first place. Just like everything else, it isn't perfect, nothing is.

From entirely my point of view, really aggressive and difficult terrain is not the domain of the S10. It will do it ( and do you too) but there are much better choices. There are no 350 pound plus bikes that are really "dirt bikes" and the closer to 200 pounds, the better.

When I feel the need to ride very rough terrain, i take the WRR. And even it is sometimes too heavy for the truly rough stuff. But at almost age sixty, I'm probably not in the market for a KTM. The WRR works, properly set up. Not ideal, but at least you don't have the maintenance that many more dirt oriented bikes have. I used to live that life, and don't feel the need to return: wrenching before and after riding. I like to gas and go, and the ST and WRR fit that requirement.

 

[shrekonwheels]

I will be the jerk.

The Tenere is a wondeful beast and handles deceptively well off road. HOWEVER it is a big animal, and even though it is easy to pick up, that extra size and weight will add to your fatigue.

There is absolutely no way, unless I absolutely had to I would ride anything technical with the Tenere, and I think people who do are fools.

Our bodies are our temples, and we should all treat them as such. I like most beat the living shit out of myself in my younger years and now pay for it as I am older.

Now off road I only ride a 30lb Mountain bike, and to be honest, I do not even want to fall down on that anymore.

Ride on roads, be it dirt or highway, but stay the hell off trails if you want to enjoy this wonderful machine.

Oh yea, and a 650 IMO is way to big of a bike for a beginner, 250s are plenty even for experienced riders.