Super Tenere Review, 8 years, 200,000 miles in the making
I wanted to make this thread in August when my Tenere hit 200,000 miles then two days later turned eight years old, But it was still riding weather.
I was one of the "lucky ones" that pre ordered then waited 10 months to get it.
I actually ordered it for a first time trip to Alaska with my son, but the Tenere came the day after we left home on the trip. It has since taken me to Alaska twice and one of them trips was two up with my wife.
In the eight years of ownership not once has this bike left me stranded or let me down.
I'm not saying it has been 100% trouble free. There has been things like a seal on the rear end leaking but that is very easy to fix and cheap. The stator did fail at 175,000 miles [all oil bath stators will fail sooner or later] But it happened close to home. A stick coil gave out all at once [around 204,000] but that happened in the driveway. The ABS pump failed and when I investigated it had been living in a swamp down in it's hole, so that wasn't all it's fault. It's an easy fix to just bypass the pump and have regular brakes. Had to replace fork seals once but that might have been due to not cleaning the Dalton dried on grime off before hitting the road that morning.
This bike changed my way of riding and why I ride. I have been riding my whole life, I say that I was born on a motorcycle. But this bike is so fun to ride after eight years I just can't wait to get on it and go for a ride.
When we got this bike I didn't think I would ever really take it off road, It's just to big. Boy was I mistaking about it's capabilities. This thing really is a beast off road, and I mean in an awesome way.
Like I said , Alaska twice, Grand Canyon a couple times, around the White Rim Trail twice around Lake Superior, trips to Colorado [quite a few], Twisted Sisters, The Dragon, Arkansas many times, Romney WV. a few times, And mostly every chance I get just around Iowa.
I try to take care of my bike and keep it as clean as easy as possible which means power washing it any time it needs it.
I have adjusted the valves a couple times and at about 110,000 I put a new cam chain in while adjusting valves. It does take time to adjust valves but they don't need it very often.
The first time was around 60,000 miles.
The 12 and 13s had a junk cam chain tensioner in them and wouldn't last more than about 75,000 miles. I put a manual tensioner in mine so there is no chance of failure.
I haven't held back from riding it hard and as much off road as possible. and it has held up to every challenge I throw at it.
Here are some of the great memories this bike has made for me.
On the way to Hyder, Alaska on the Kettle Valley rail trail.
Riding over Imogene Pass, Colorado
Riding as far up the North Canol road as I could.
Riding the Blue Loop at Mill Creek Arkansas
White Rim Trail
Just about stuck in the middle of no where , Baxter Pass
Poison Spring road with friends.
On the way home from riding the Twisted Sisters
I'm really looking forward to the next eight years with my Tenere
Thank's for reading
Steve