Why is the S10 not included in comparison reviews?

[RicoChet]

Hey Guys,

So before I decided I wanted to go the S10 route as a replacement for my ST1300, I was wondering why most, if not, all of the online and video reviews never compare the Super Tenere to the rest of the competition? For example if you go on youtube and look at Triumph Tiger Explorer reviews, it's usually grouped in with a couple of riders riding a BMW GS and a KTM 1190 or even an Africa Twin.... but none of these reviews directly review a S10 against an Explorer or an S10 against a KTM... Is there any specific reason for that, or is the S10 something a little diffferent? They are all around the same general price range (Maybe a little less expensive) But it's a comparable motorcycle!

 

[Dogdaze]

Because the S10 is dull and boring, the paint work and graphics do not inspire 'round the world' images, the engine is noisy and has barely enough power to pull the skin off rice pudding, the testers want to ride something that will give them something to talk/brag about when sitting at the wine / coffee bar sipping there favourite frosty beverage.

 

[Checkswrecks]

If you put the following words in the search box you will get 30 threads:
magazine review

In summary - marketed as shaft drive adventure bikes are:

BMW R1200GS - The benchmark and lways the review favorite. Weighs slightly less. Expensive. Reliability issues.

Yamaha Super Tenere. Heavier and with less ground clearance than the GS. When reviewers write about which they did or would personally buy, the Tenere get cited as much as the GS.

Triumph Explorer - Top heavy. More road oriented. Has had reliability and support issues.

Motoguzzi - Also road oriented. Less dealer support. Guzzi quirks versus charming ride.

Honda VFR1200X - A road bike in adventure clothing.

 

[RicoChet]

Because the S10 is dull and boring, the paint work and graphics do not inspire 'round the world' images, the engine is noisy and has barely enough power to pull the skin off rice pudding, the testers want to ride something that will give them something to talk/brag about when sitting at the wine / coffee bar sipping there favourite frosty beverage.

I'm sensing a bit of sarcasm here lol but I definitely got hungry after reading the part of the rice pudding. Love that stuff! But seriously though thats very interesting to hear... I guess if you are reviewing a motorcycle then yeah people are going to want to hear about how fast they can go and stuff but thats not why I want an S10. I love Yamaha and the sound this bike makes with an aftermarket exhaust is just mesmerizing!

 

[shredmeister]

If you are looking for Tenere reviews, you've come to the right place. Why look anywhere else when you can get honest, real life reviews here. This is where I got my info before buying my 2014 Tenere. No regrets. BTW...I considered a BMW and the KTM (rode KTM dirt bikes for years and love them). Good luck!

 

[RicoChet]

If you are looking for Tenere reviews, you've come to the right place. Why look anywhere else when you can get honest, real life reviews here. This is where I got my info before buying my 2014 Tenere. No regrets. BTW...I considered a BMW and the KTM (rode KTM dirt bikes for years and love them). Good luck!

That's why I am here! But I am sure you can believe me when I say I've tried to watch almost every single Super Tenere video on youtube and other review sites but the common element between them that I noticed was that the S10 was never included in the other brand lineups for video reviews... just the GS, KTM and Africa Twin. It's almost like they forgot the Tenere is in the same class, but as mentioned before, it's not the fastest or prettiest, but it's got all the right stuff where it matters so I still love it

 

[Steve_h80]

Because it doesn't make huge horsepower or have bits blow up on a regular basis.
God what boring bikes we have, and virtually nowt to complain about on the forums.
Good thing I like riding it then

 

[RCinNC]

Apparently, I like boring. When I'm looking at a route sheet and I see a 2000 miles trip ahead of me, I'll take boring over "yeah, but my bike has character" any day of the week. It's the guys with "character driven" bikes that always wreck a trip because their final drive just grenaded, or their electrical system needs an exorcist, and there's exactly one dealership in the whole state for the bike they're riding.

 

[limey]

This is how I made my decision.http://www.motorbikeeurope.com/en/nick-sanders-incredible-ride

 

[ride1st]

Rider magazine October 2016 issue has the Tenere in a 3 way comparison with the Triumph explorer and Honda VFR1200X

 

[silvergoose]

It is interesting that the big three almost always catch the headlines

BWM, KTM and Honda, translates into many dollars for the mags that review them. The ride reviews rarly lasts for more that a few days and for the most part only a few hours.

Very few test riders worry about the condition of the review bikes, after all it is not theirs. Conditions, such as a blown transmission or oil in the air box are not problems they will take care of. The testers are not going to check the oil, air pressure in the tires, or any other conditions that owners must check before riding out. Many of the testers will cancel test rides if the weather is not perfect, that is unless they are testing the lastest whizz-bang mega dollar foul weather gear, which if the reviews are good they may be the new owner of that suit. In many cases the foul weather test is between Starbucks, if it is not very far.

In my opinion we are the true testers. comments made on forums such as this carry some real weight. We are the ones that find the oil leak, the loose spoke or the bad electrical connector and fix the problem. The manufacturers would do themself a favor by reviewing this and other forums to get the lastest information.

We are the ones who have to put up with the bad dealer/techs and report to the forum. We have to put up with service people that point to the ever popular "Bad Gas" problem, Or the service tech that says they all sound like that. We have known dealers that gloss over the fact that the oil ring was put in upside,but give the owner hell if he or she misses an oil change by a few miles.

My Tenere only puts out 112 HP at the crank, how many of us can handle a KTM's 150 HP? The fact is it is a brgging right. If the bike has the power band where I want it and can run all day what more can I ask?

The Tenere is a fine motorcycle along with most, if not the companies would drop a money loser, quick.

I read the road test and take the information with a large lump os salt.

Ride what you want, that fits you. If it has the power and options that you want, jump.

If the bike/service is good say so, if not say so.

Sorry for the rant.

All statements are my opinions, your feelings may vary, if so say so.

Good Luck

 

[barkingllizard]

none of these reviews directly review a S10 against an Explorer or an S10 against a KTM... Is there any specific reason for that?

jealously and marketing dollars.....

 

[ADKsuper10]

This is how I made my decision.http://www.motorbikeeurope.com/en/nick-sanders-incredible-ride

A ginormous ::026:: here too! Nick Sanders did more on his Gen 1 S10 than I will ever do on mine. And when they tore his motor apart and didn't find evidence of wear....amazing. That pushed me into the Yamaha camp so that I can ::021::

 

[ADKsuper10]

Good thread by the way!

 

[WJBertrand]

Rider magazine October 2016 issue has the Tenere in a 3 way comparison with the Triumph explorer and Honda VFR1200X

Yup just received my issue today. Haven't read it yet though.


-Jeff

 

[jmcgilroy]

I'll be interested in this also because I was considering the VFR for replacement for my my 2012 ST. No cruise control or center-stand on the Honda and I hate those clam-shell, side opening panniers and MSRP is about $500 more....maybe a 2017 ST would still be a better choice.

 

[jimmy z]

Test ride the bikes you are interested in yourself.Best way to make YOUR decision.Its what you want that counts.

 

[decooney]

I think it's partly because reviewers and the general public over the past decade have looked at adventure bikes for their "off road" ability first and foremost, and if the "specs" are not the "lightest" or most "powerful" categories, the Super Ten was often left off the list or in some cases Yamaha reportedly elected "to not participate" in the offroad related reviews, etc. No wow factor just looking at the specs alone.

I was one of those people, looked at the bike several times and yet I had never ridden one thinking it was too heavy or too big, not manageable. Boy was I wrong. After riding all of the top ADV bikes, in last place (seemingly) I finally gave the big Rhino a test ride in 2014 as a potential replacement for my former road bike, with the thought I could possibly take it offroad on mild dirt offroad trails too, hmmm - multi purpose, comfort, nice upright riding position, nice smooth torque... all of these things started to come to mind, value, price, reliability.

A simple test ride cured those misconceptions I had, and the more I rode the bike on twisty mountain roads I realized just how much I loved riding this bike "on road". After that I let several of my friends ride my tenere. Many had come off of Harleys, cruisers, smaller dual sports. I kept explaining the term to them, it's true, it's sort of like a "big KLR" as some people call it. Then the light bulb went off for many of them too. Like many, after several coastal road and back road trips, I now realize what the bike is and completely understand why it was overlooked and how it cannot be ignored any longer.

It does a lot of things fairly well, not the greatest at anything, but I sure like riding my Tenere as my road sport touring bike, and for mild off road fire road trails, etc. The group of riders friends I ride with all have 500/690 dual sport dirt bikes with knobby tires to fill the basic dirt cravings. The 1200 ADV sport-road touring bike + 500 dual sport dirt bike combo fits the bill and its about the same price as one BMW GS. Two for the price of one, and done, with reliability, no drama, and we still get to ride real dirt with a light weight dirt bike too!

 

[stomp347]

I was always under the impression that/if no major changes were done to the new model year, it would not be included in the test. I did something similar to few others. Went and looked at all the bikes, test drove when I could, then visited all the owner forums. I picked the S-10 because it did a bunch of things well, and I found one at a great price loaded. I have so happy with the bike, and very very happy with the choice I made.

 

[skoron]

It was interesting to see the S10 was in a 3 bike comparison in my new Rider magazine that just arrived. Non ES model.