Why all the hate?

[Tremor38]

Re: Re: Why all the hate?

After reading all the responses on this thread, my overwhelming reaction is "practice what you preach". There's an awful lot of bashing of other bikes that occurs in this very forum which seems to be to be just as ill-informed and spiteful as what people complain is directed towards the S10.

Mostly I think people think criticism directed towards their choice in bikes is "hateful" and that directed towards other's choices is "frank and honest". Human nature I guess.

Me, I love them all in total, and dislike a lot of individual things that each does. Well, I take that back; I did "hate" the Buell Blast.

- Mark

I don't think ignorance or being ill informed has much relevance. Are you really convinced you are the only one that can see things this way? We are talking about an initial reaction which is a very personal, and, yes, a subjective matter.

Have fun with it. Laugh at it. No need to be so uptight. Aw never mind.

Kudos for bringing Buell to the table...is the irony of that lost on you? ;-)

 

[Tremor38]

Re: Re: Why all the hate?

The only people who have said derogatory things about my Super10, are the random people who come trotting up to me at gas stations and say something like "Wow, chicks on bikes, but crotch rockets, I dunno, they're so dangerous... have you ever considered [sic]upgrading to a Harley? I've always wanted a motorcycle. I know I could buy a Jap bike for a lot less money but I'm holding out for a Harley because I want the best! My husband's cousin's stepdad has a 1978 spork-head that's faster than your bike. What *is* your bike, anyway? Is is a 250? Is that a snowsuit? Aren't you hot? You know in Ohio you don't have to wear a helmet, do you ever want to go there just so you can feel the wind in your hair? Aren't you afraid, out here alone? Bless your heart!" Eventually they wind down, and get back in their pickup trucks and leave. I don't care what these people say about my bike. They don't bother me - they mean to be friendly and ignorance is just ignorance.

I was able to maintain composure until reading the "spork head" part. I'll be tempted to plagiarize next time I talk to a Harley-riding friend.

 

[johnnail]

as others have said, it must be your area. It seems to fascinate folks around here. Those who ride dual sports like it, and the cruiser crowd only get to see the ass of it

 

[Rasher]

Seriously lots of people have no idea what they are talking about

Many work in the motorcycle press!

I think the only big problem in the UK was the price, in many countries the Tenere is a lot cheaper than a GS, in the UK the original asking price was about £13k, £2k more than a base GS, that £2k would buy you the ABS / TC / Onboard computer to bring it up to Tenere levels, and also give you heated grips and electronic suspension. In fact the MTS was about the same price and is the darling of the press - although for me it was too flimsy and compact for two-up touring with crap luggage capacity (although the Yamaha has that problem as well)

If they had pitched it around £11k to start with it would have looked like better value, had it been like the states with the Tenere being several thousand pounds cheaper I reckon the reviews would have been far kinder, for the most part it was a case of HOW MUCH, plus the GS being a shade better in a few areas, oddly the Tenere's strong points were often overlooked (much smoother power, far superior TC, no tendency to eat final drives). Overall it was slagged off as a £13k motorcycle, as a £10k bike it is an absolute bargain.

 

[Tremor38]

Many work in the motorcycle press!

In fact the MTS was about the same price and is the darling of the press - although for me it was too flimsy and compact for two-up touring with crap luggage capacity (although the Yamaha has that problem as well)

The Tenere is "too flimsy and compact for two up riding?" How so?

As far as luggage goes, are you referring to the OEM boxes or just the 'cover thy ass' statement issued by Yamaha about carrying all three boxes at one time (using a broad sword statement to protect themselves against dumbasses who overload bikes)? When I look at this bike I see a very beefy frame, including the rear subframe. Also very obivous is the long wheel base, relaxed geometry, and fairly capable suspension. Yep, I'm sufficiently confused now. 8)

 

[Yamaguy55]

One of the things that I should have stated earlier is unless someone is footing the bill for my stuff, I really don't care what they think. I buy for my needs/choices/likes, not their approval. I really don't care even if they pay for it, except as to how their beliefs end up changing what I get. I'm not thought police, they can like or dislike anything they want. A friend's wise-a** kid once remarked about a previous bike of mine that he didn't like it. I told the kid I didn't care, I didn't buy it for him. He thought he was going to get a rise out of me, it didn't work out that way for him.

Most people believe, or appear to believe, that anyone that disagrees with them is wrong. That's fine. A female neighbor once made the remark that she doesn't like motorcycles, and that I shouldn't have one. I told her she wasn't required to buy one, and she doesn't get a vote on what I have. When she does, I get a vote on what she gets, complete with veto power. And not only do I have a motorcycle, but I have more than one. I'm not all that fond of nit-wits, but I have them everywhere I go. I don't get a vote, either.

People only have the power that you give them. I keep mine.

 

[fredz43]

The Tenere is "too flimsy and compact for two up riding?" How so?

I think the MTS he was referring to is the Multi Strada 1200.

 

[SisuTen]

After reading this thread, I've found that I've changed a little...for the better, I think. Markjenn made great points (usually does) that should be considered by all and Katherine relates well the attitudes of many(educated or not) in the US regarding motorcycles today. The motorcycle picture curiously changed over the last 20 years. The fact that people now base their lives on what they own, not what they are, could be the difference. It's worth some thought.

I realized that the fact you even ride a motorcycle at all, is the important thing. What type of bike it is, is irrelevant. If you haven't seen it, or even if you've watched it a dozen times (as I have), watch "On Any Sunday" to find out what motorcycling used to be like and find out what true love really is. Bruce Brown nailed it.

It dawned on me that my old '81 Jeep Scrambler with worn out paint, sloppy steering, lousy brakes, a carb that I have to pump for a couple minutes to fire up, brings a smile to my face that my '08 Wrangler never will. I can understand why people love Harley's now. Granted, they buy brand new "old motorcycles", and dress up like golfers with a dew-rag/leather fetish, but I get it. They are also motorcyclists, so I'll be kinder and gentler to them.

Incidentally, I get that same smile riding the ST, even though it cost me three times as much as my old Jeep. That too is worth some thought, I suppose.

Anyone looking for a Black ST??? :

Paul

 

[Twitch]

If you haven't seen it, or even if you've watched it a dozen times (as I have), watch "On Any Sunday" to find out what motorcycling used to be like and find out what true love really is. Bruce Brown nailed it.

Good post.

Malcolm Smith, Mert Lawwill and Steve McQueen...what a great movie. OAS, free on HULU.

 

[oldtramp]

Whats it matter who thinks what. I have been riding for along time on many makes over the years and do find it interesting how other riders respond depending on what Im riding or wearing. I got a couple of Harleys that have been mostly sitting since the Tenere came home with me. My wife has been slow to warm up to it, only because it doesnt have a backrest or what she calls a comfortable seat. These two things I can reslove over the winter. Getting on one of the other bikes feels like going back in time, the Tenere is a marvel and I had forgot how much fun it was to stand on the pegs and roost down a logging road. Got a Blast in the corner of the barn almost new, my dealer offerd me 450.00 on trade for the S10 that wouldnt of even paid for the hand warmers. I never liked it much not enough power, it has been placed into long term storage maybe some day it will be a classic. Ride on

 

[colorider]

Good post.

Malcolm Smith, Mert Lawwill and Steve McQueen...what a great movie. OAS, free on HULU.

Totally agree! It is a must see movie for everyone!
(I need to break out my copy and watch it again this weekend)

::026::

 

[colorider]

Anyone looking for a Black ST??? :

Paul

Huh????????

 

[Boostedxt]

Thanks for the replies everyone! The hate has come from various people from other forums and some friends. All have only ever read motorcycling magazines and take it all to heart. My bike hasnt come in yet so I dont exactly how it feels, however I do know that it fits the bill of what i want in a bike....

1) Fun to ride in the canyons with such a great motor.
2) Great for 2 up
3) Good at offroad. I am looking to do some fire roads and stuff like that. Nothing crazy.
4) Eats miles comfortably for touring

In my opinion I am pumped for the bike. I don't care what other people say or think. 10 bikes and 140,000 miles of riding solved that. I just want to ride my bike for miles and get lost. I will never get tired of twisting my right hand and exploring new areas.

joe

 

[Rasher]

The Tenere is "too flimsy and compact for two up riding?" How so?

No, the Ducati seems quite flimsy, it is not an off-road bike at all and it generally looks like it won't look good after rough treatment (or even a British winter) Not saying it is not a bloody fantastic bike because it really is an awesome machine, but not really something I would go touring two-up on, or ride year round, but if I did not ride two-up very much, nor intend to rack up too many miles it would be on my wish list.

The Yamaha luggage is just too small, much smaller than BMW's smaller GS boxes and tiny compared to the GSA kit, and pretty much every aftermarket vendor out there - surely they could have looked at the competition (both OEM and third party) and worked out putting the worlds smallest panniers on the bike would not be a great idea?

 

[markjenn]

The Yamaha luggage is just too small, much smaller than BMW's smaller GS boxes and tiny compared to the GSA kit, and pretty much every aftermarket vendor out there - surely they could have looked at the competition (both OEM and third party) and worked out putting the worlds smallest panniers on the bike would not be a great idea?

We've had these discussions before - not everyone wants to carry the kitchen sink with them when they tour and some of us value a bike that is narrower and lighter. Bigger isn't always better. I bought the OEM luggage BECAUSE it is smaller, not in spite of it being smaller. And I'm looking to fit even smaller soft bags for times when the Yamaha luggage is too much.

And while I don't have the numbers in front of me, I think the Yamaha bags are similar in capacity to the standard GS bags which have a much more prominent exhaust cutout on the left side.

Others may have different opinions, but for my use, I think the Yamaha bags are almost perfect except for one problem - the flimsy latches.

- Mark

 

[Tremor38]

Great points, even though we have contrasting views on how big luggage should be. I acknowledge some of the 'weaknesses' of the OEM cases, but I think for my particular use, I honestly don't need more size. The reported 'fiddly' locking mechanisms sound like a PITA, but probably are just an easily-managable niggle once you become accustomed to them. I finally found a stateside vendor who handles the OEM cases AND will ship to APO, so they will most likely be getting some business soon. In a perfect world, I'd like to be able to source the bags shown on the Diapason-styled Tenere of the future, but I suppose that's aiming to high.

 

[jaquima]

I love my Super 10. Every person who has clue about the many ways a motorcycle can be ridden has been positive about my ride. It is not what you ride but if you ride. Ignore the background noise and ride. The bike is awesome.

 

[snakebitten]

Funny thread. Some really great posts too!

My initial thoughts?

For some deep down rebellious reason, I find it appealing that the bike I am currently ADDICTED to, is less known, understood, liked, and available to\by the masses.

Even the Yamaha folks at the dealer, who I see often because I'm racking up the miles AND I am on a mission to lower their profit margin on the "service contract", can't quite get their head around this alien-with-a-tuning-fork-logo that never really made it to the show room floor. But they DO know their new appearingly loyal customer, that showed up out of nowhere with cash-in-hand and snatched the beast away from them, appears to be HAVING MORE FUN than they or their other customers are on a motorcycle!

I think that is what a motorcycle is supposed to be all about. I couldn't be more pleased. I simply marvel at it.

 

[k woo]

Being one who usually marches to the beat of his own drum I have found out over the years that few thing infuriate some people more than someone who thinks for himself. I suspect that I'm not the only one on this forum that's prone to do the same. Let the haters hate, their opinions are irrelevant.

Always a sheepdog, NEVER a sheep. 8)

 

[JohnB]

Being one who usually marches to the beat of his own drum I have found out over the years that few thing infuriate some people more than someone who thinks for himself. I suspect that I'm not the only one on this forum that's prone to do the same. Let the haters hate, their opinions are irrelevant.
Always a sheepdog, NEVER a sheep. 8)

Well Said! ::008::