What's wrong with the Super Tenere?

[glazier]

What's wrong with the Super Tenere?
• It's a overweight pig (once going the heaviness disappears...yeah right!)
• Poorly engineered location for the radiator (left side up high creates plenty of heat for the rider and susceptible for major damage with a tip over or dirt nap)
• Badly planned location for the oil filter (easily punctured by rocks or road debris)
• Small cheap digital speedometer instrument cluster ( prefer analog tachometer and speedometer)
• Engine stalling and stumbling in first gear (supposedly a fix for this)
• Parallel twin engine is a bit rough (a V twin would be much smoother)
• Premium fuel only (What was Yamaha thinking?)
• Poor gas mileage (real MPG are 35-42)
• Fit and finish on this bike not exactly "quality" especially for a $14,000 motorcycle
• Front end of the Super Tenere looks "unfinished" (Are we missing parts?)
• What's with the Yellow Spring ? (Red on Black bike)
• Why would Yamaha name the Blue color "Impact Blue"? (just doesn't sound good for a motorcycle)
• That Mickey Mouse seat with the rough texture (Why?)
• The headlights look like two flashlight beams (but at least they seem to work)
• The horn is a joke (another easy fix)

What's right with the Super Tenere?
• 1200cc engine just right for power when needed
• ABS Braking system
• Traction Control
• Shaft drive (No more sprockets and chain)
• Long intervals between service/maintenance

I know I'll catch a lot of flak for voicing my option but the above is all true.
Some of you believe this is the best motorcycle ever made, but I certainly don't think so.
I will run the ST until next summer and then sell it...hopefully not lose too much money.

 

[justbob]

all the above is your opinion and you are entitled to an opinion , whether it be right or wrong.
Of course I think its wrong but thats just my opinion.
No motorcycle is going to be the right motorcycle for everyone but this motorcycle is the right one for me.
Good luck with the sale ,hope you dont lose too mcuh on the deal.

 

[colorider]

::017::

 

[Buckeye56]

glazier,

I am sorry that the Tenere is not the bike you were hoping for. I also hope folks on the forum understand your opinion on it and do not take umbrage. Good luck in your quest for the bike that suits your needs.

 

[eemsreno]

This thread was a waist of time just clicking on.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I read the "what's wrong" list and at first I thought there was going to be a punchline. Then I realized you were serious. Certainly no one bike is going to be ideal for everyone. I'm stunned at how good the S10 is for me. Hope you find one that pleases you, too. Good luck.

 

[simmons1]

• It's a overweight pig (once going the heaviness disappears...yeah right!)
• Poorly engineered location for the radiator (left side up high creates plenty of heat for the rider and susceptible for major damage with a tip over or dirt nap)
• Badly planned location for the oil filter (easily punctured by rocks or road debris)
• Small cheap digital speedometer instrument cluster ( prefer analog tachometer and speedometer)
• Premium fuel only (What was Yamaha thinking?)
• Front end of the Super Tenere looks "unfinished" (Are we missing parts?)
• What's with the Yellow Spring ? (Red on Black bike)
• Why would Yamaha name the Blue color "Impact Blue"? (just doesn't sound good for a motorcycle)
• That Mickey Mouse seat with the rough texture (Why?)
• The headlights look like two flashlight beams (but at least they seem to work)
• The horn is a joke (another easy fix)

Photos, specs, and reviews of the first bikes that were delivered else where in the world highlighted all of the items you listed above. Unless you live under a rock you should have known about all these items prior to buying your bike.

Which has me curious as to why you bought the bike in the first place?

 

[jajpko]

A lot of what the OP posted is true. Just saying..

 

[GrahamD]

What's wrong with the Super Tenere?
• It's a overweight pig (once going the heaviness disappears...yeah right!)
• Poorly engineered location for the radiator (left side up high creates plenty of heat for the rider and susceptible for major damage with a tip over or dirt nap)
• Badly planned location for the oil filter (easily punctured by rocks or road debris)
• Small cheap digital speedometer instrument cluster ( prefer analog tachometer and speedometer)
• Engine stalling and stumbling in first gear (supposedly a fix for this)
• Parallel twin engine is a bit rough (a V twin would be much smoother)
• Premium fuel only (What was Yamaha thinking?)
• Poor gas mileage (real MPG are 35-42)
• Fit and finish on this bike not exactly "quality" especially for a $14,000 motorcycle
• Front end of the Super Tenere looks "unfinished" (Are we missing parts?)
• What's with the Yellow Spring ? (Red on Black bike)
• Why would Yamaha name the Blue color "Impact Blue"? (just doesn't sound good for a motorcycle)
• That Mickey Mouse seat with the rough texture (Why?)
• The headlights look like two flashlight beams (but at least they seem to work)
• The horn is a joke (another easy fix)

What's right with the Super Tenere?
• 1200cc engine just right for power when needed
• ABS Braking system
• Traction Control
• Shaft drive (No more sprockets and chain)
• Long intervals between service/maintenance

I know I'll catch a lot of flak for voicing my option but the above is all true.
Some of you believe this is the best motorcycle ever made, but I certainly don't think so.
I will run the ST until next summer and then sell it...hopefully not lose too much money.

Ok, I'll waste my time.

• It's a overweight pig (once going the heaviness disappears...yeah right!)
It's tough. That's what happens when you toughen things up. See GS Vs GSA actual measured weights. (Hint fuel does not weigh 1Kg per litre) and the heaviness disappears when you are moving. Been reported over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. Isn't copy and paste a wonderful invention? Maybe you will believe the 12345th person to report it. I have ridden one. I am one of the 12345. But I suppose it depends where you have come from.

• Poorly engineered location for the radiator (left side up high creates plenty of heat for the rider and susceptible for major damage with a tip over or dirt nap)
Sticks, rocks, mud, don't clog it or puncture it. More space for longer swing arm, better centre of gravity, more centralized mass and you may bend the fan support bracket if you drop it on that side heavily. No radiators have actually been punctured yet because it is on a flexible mount. (fan was stuck against it though) Remove panel bend bracket back and off you go.
YAMAHA had to get a tough heavy bike and deal with that reality. So quite the opposite, clever engineering that no one else has done.

• Badly planned location for the oil filter (easily punctured by rocks or road debris)
Same as Strom. A non event to date on Stroms going on 8 years, It is only an event in the ADVRider theory labs. 2 in 9 years have been mangled on Stoms, bit never failed. I was a bit concerned about that initially as well but it turned out to be a non event.

• Small cheap digital speedometer instrument cluster ( prefer analog tachometer and speedometer)
Can't help you there.

• Engine stalling and stumbling in first gear (supposedly a fix for this)
Some do. Easy fix.

• Parallel twin engine is a bit rough (a V twin would be much smoother)
No. Smoother than KTM and DL1000. I've checked. I own a DL1000 that I am very Anal about TB syncs. Typical report from DL owners who have swapped.

• Premium fuel only (What was Yamaha thinking?)
See www.nicksanders.com. Same as DL1000, GS. GSA.

• Poor gas mileage (real MPG are 35-42)
Real world 4.7L/100km to 6.5L/100km. Above 130k/h it starts chewing gas. Solution? buy a 250cc bike. If you have to worry you can't afford any of them.

• Fit and finish on this bike not exactly "quality" especially for a $14,000 motorcycle.
Are you talking paint or internals? There is a very expensive difference.

• Front end of the Super Tenere looks "unfinished" (Are we missing parts?)
True it doesn't have a beak. But you can put one on if you want. You can also buy leather pants with beaks, which help with the typical S10 owners Nads.

• What's with the Yellow Spring ? (Red on Black bike)
Dunno. They work the same. Italian design team perhaps?

• Why would Yamaha name the Blue color "Impact Blue"? (just doesn't sound good for a motorcycle)
Funny but true, but you noticed didn't you?

• That Mickey Mouse seat with the rough texture (Why?)
It seems only the US folk are that worried. Didn't notice when I rode it. Its like chicken Strips. If it's still rough in two years it means you are a Starbacks poseur. Wear leather. It's a non issue with leather.

• The headlights look like two flashlight beams (but at least they seem to work)
You like the punched in the face look? Your choice, but they work.

• The horn is a joke (another easy fix)
1st world problem.

What's right with the Super Tenere?
• 1200cc engine just right for power when needed
Correct in the real world.

• ABS Braking system
A good one suited to 90% of riders. You may want to learn how to disable it in some situations, Not expensive to do.

• Traction Control
Has it's uses true.

• Shaft drive (No more sprockets and chain)
Don't fall into the NO maintenance Trap. Keep the seals clean and the oil replaced at recommended intervals. Anything operated in a harsh environment with seals is going to need more maintenance than street use.

• Long intervals between service/maintenance
You bet and that "cheap" dash doesn't have a "service required" dooverlacky. Part of the cost cutting measures ::024::

So good luck with your future purchasing, But you may want to downsize a bit. The MTS would solve the lighter part but can be a bit of a "Ducati" at low speeds ooohh say under 160km/h ;D and the back brakes fall off or fail to work. I assume they are fixing that. but on the other hand it's a Ducati so the back brakes are just there for show.

The BMW GSA is a bit more to handle, but the GS is lighter and falls to bits more, the KTM is an off road MTS that will give you a sore butt but the seat is never used if you are using it as intended, so maybe the Tiger.

There are a few more street biased bikes out there, so maybe that is where you should be headed. STroms, Standard GS, Tger800 etc are more biased in that direction. If you are doing lot's of off road then the S10 is too "touring" for lots of that stuff.

Anyway don't stuff around, if it's not what you wanted then move on but give it a chance to settle in and free up, like you said. It may grow on you it often does.

You aren't a test rider at Hinkley by some chance?

Cheers
Graham

 

[Buckeye56]

A lot of what the OP posted is true. Just saying..

I don't share his or your opinion in that regard. That does not make any of us "wrong". For me the Tenere is just about spot on for what I was hoping for. Is it perfetc? Of course not. But it is damn close for what I want in a bike in this genre. That said, I can imagine that it does not fulfill everyone's wishes. It is a compromise, it either fits within your parameters or it does not. No wrong answers, just many possible right answers.

 

[Twisties]

What's wrong with the Super Tenere?
• It's a overweight pig (once going the heaviness disappears...yeah right!)
• Poorly engineered location for the radiator (left side up high creates plenty of heat for the rider and susceptible for major damage with a tip over or dirt nap)
• Badly planned location for the oil filter (easily punctured by rocks or road debris)
• Small cheap digital speedometer instrument cluster ( prefer analog tachometer and speedometer)
• Engine stalling and stumbling in first gear (supposedly a fix for this)
• Parallel twin engine is a bit rough (a V twin would be much smoother)
• Premium fuel only (What was Yamaha thinking?)
• Poor gas mileage (real MPG are 35-42)
• Fit and finish on this bike not exactly "quality" especially for a $14,000 motorcycle
• Front end of the Super Tenere looks "unfinished" (Are we missing parts?)
• What's with the Yellow Spring ? (Red on Black bike)
• Why would Yamaha name the Blue color "Impact Blue"? (just doesn't sound good for a motorcycle)
• That Mickey Mouse seat with the rough texture (Why?)
• The headlights look like two flashlight beams (but at least they seem to work)
• The horn is a joke (another easy fix)

What's right with the Super Tenere?
• 1200cc engine just right for power when needed
• ABS Braking system
• Traction Control
• Shaft drive (No more sprockets and chain)
• Long intervals between service/maintenance

I know I'll catch a lot of flak for voicing my option but the above is all true.
Some of you believe this is the best motorcycle ever made, but I certainly don't think so.
I will run the ST until next summer and then sell it...hopefully not lose too much money.

::025:: Good one. You got some people going.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

• Parallel twin engine is a bit rough (a V twin would be much smoother)
No. Smoother than KTM and DL1000. I've checked. I own a DL1000 that I am very Anal about TB syncs. Typical report from DL owners who have swapped.

Must admit this one got me to do my biggest eye roll. None of my last four V-Twins were as smooth as the S10. Alright, maybe the DL650 is as smooth, but it is a 650. Getting off the S10 and onto my DL1000 was always a rude awakening in how rough the big V -twin could be.

No worries. Life is too short to ride the wrong bike. If the S10 isn't the right bike, move on.

 

[SisuTen]

HAHAHAHAHA!!

Obvious Troll, I'd say.

::017::

 

[Koinz]

I will run the ST until next summer and then sell it...hopefully not lose too much money.

Glazier, Why wait, they're hot sellers now and you might make some money on it.

 

[Yamaguy55]

Couldn't have said it better myself. Whenever someone finds the 190 HP, 235 pound, 23" seat height, made of impervium motorcycle, that lasts forever, gets 200 mpg, and costs 25 bucks, let me know. I'll buy several.

I happen to think it somewhat heavy, but not stupid heavy, just be cautious heavy.

But I'm not thought police, like what you like. I find some internationally known women supposedly beauties not all that appealing, and think some others not known for their beauty quite attractive. So go figure....


I use my Tenere as a touring bike that can take dirt, not a dirt bike that tours. Also: I'm getting 47-48 mpg except when I run the poo out of it.

Ok, I'll waste my time.

• It's a overweight pig (once going the heaviness disappears...yeah right!)
It's tough. That's what happens when you toughen things up. See GS Vs GSA actual measured weights. (Hint fuel does not weigh 1Kg per litre) and the heaviness disappears when you are moving. Been reported over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. Isn't copy and paste a wonderful invention? Maybe you will believe the 12345th person to report it. I have ridden one. I am one of the 12345. But I suppose it depends where you have come from.

• Poorly engineered location for the radiator (left side up high creates plenty of heat for the rider and susceptible for major damage with a tip over or dirt nap)
Sticks, rocks, mud, don't clog it or puncture it. More space for longer swing arm, better centre of gravity, more centralized mass and you may bend the fan support bracket if you drop it on that side heavily. No radiators have actually been punctured yet because it is on a flexible mount. (fan was stuck against it though) Remove panel bend bracket back and off you go.
YAMAHA had to get a tough heavy bike and deal with that reality. So quite the opposite, clever engineering that no one else has done.

• Badly planned location for the oil filter (easily punctured by rocks or road debris)
Same as Strom. A non event to date on Stroms going on 8 years, It is only an event in the ADVRider theory labs. 2 in 9 years have been mangled on Stoms, bit never failed. I was a bit concerned about that initially as well but it turned out to be a non event.

• Small cheap digital speedometer instrument cluster ( prefer analog tachometer and speedometer)
Can't help you there.

• Engine stalling and stumbling in first gear (supposedly a fix for this)
Some do. Easy fix.

• Parallel twin engine is a bit rough (a V twin would be much smoother)
No. Smoother than KTM and DL1000. I've checked. I own a DL1000 that I am very Anal about TB syncs. Typical report from DL owners who have swapped.

• Premium fuel only (What was Yamaha thinking?)
See www.nicksanders.com. Same as DL1000, GS. GSA.

• Poor gas mileage (real MPG are 35-42)
Real world 4.7L/100km to 6.5L/100km. Above 130k/h it starts chewing gas. Solution? buy a 250cc bike. If you have to worry you can't afford any of them.

• Fit and finish on this bike not exactly "quality" especially for a $14,000 motorcycle.
Are you talking paint or internals? There is a very expensive difference.

• Front end of the Super Tenere looks "unfinished" (Are we missing parts?)
True it doesn't have a beak. But you can put one on if you want. You can also buy leather pants with beaks, which help with the typical S10 owners Nads.

• What's with the Yellow Spring ? (Red on Black bike)
Dunno. They work the same. Italian design team perhaps?

• Why would Yamaha name the Blue color "Impact Blue"? (just doesn't sound good for a motorcycle)
Funny but true, but you noticed didn't you?

• That Mickey Mouse seat with the rough texture (Why?)
It seems only the US folk are that worried. Didn't notice when I rode it. Its like chicken Strips. If it's still rough in two years it means you are a Starbacks poseur. Wear leather. It's a non issue with leather.

• The headlights look like two flashlight beams (but at least they seem to work)
You like the punched in the face look? Your choice, but they work.

• The horn is a joke (another easy fix)
1st world problem.

What's right with the Super Tenere?
• 1200cc engine just right for power when needed
Correct in the real world.

• ABS Braking system
A good one suited to 90% of riders. You may want to learn how to disable it in some situations, Not expensive to do.

• Traction Control
Has it's uses true.

• Shaft drive (No more sprockets and chain)
Don't fall into the NO maintenance Trap. Keep the seals clean and the oil replaced at recommended intervals. Anything operated in a harsh environment with seals is going to need more maintenance than street use.

• Long intervals between service/maintenance
You bet and that "cheap" dash doesn't have a "service required" dooverlacky. Part of the cost cutting measures ::024::

So good luck with your future purchasing, But you may want to downsize a bit. The MTS would solve the lighter part but can be a bit of a "Ducati" at low speeds ooohh say under 160km/h ;D and the back brakes fall off or fail to work. I assume they are fixing that. but on the other hand it's a Ducati so the back brakes are just there for show.

The BMW GSA is a bit more to handle, but the GS is lighter and falls to bits more, the KTM is an off road MTS that will give you a sore butt but the seat is never used if you are using it as intended, so maybe the Tiger.

You aren't a test rider at Hinkley by some chance?

Cheers
Graham

 

[Podman]

I know I'll catch a lot of flak for voicing my option but the above is all true.
Some of you believe this is the best motorcycle ever made, but I certainly don't think so.
I will run the ST until next summer and then sell it...hopefully not lose too much money.

Heck every motorcycle I owned was the best motorcycle ever made -- that was until I got the next one.

 

[GrahamD]

made of impervium motorcycle,

Ooh!! Another metal to add to the collection ::008::

I will use it in a sentence...

I would like to know the pros and cons of the following materials...unobtainium, unaffordium and impervium.

I think think they are the three most popular metals in the "Theory Labs" at Advrider.

Correct?

 

[rem]

Well, I'm no commonsewer of motorcycles, but I like my Tenere. I like the look of it and the feel of it. I'm glad I got it and I plan to keep it. There is no doubt there are some issues with this bike, but likely there are with all of them.

I never met a bike I didn't like. R

 

[Yamaguy55]

Ukrainium is also useful.

But I prefer my frames and skid/bash plates be made of impervium. I am astounded a fine lad from Oz wouldn't know of it, I first used it while on the NWC. Just down the road......

 

[KSH]

::017::

Wow, a couple of Trolls can really stir up the natives.