Cycle World says the Super Tenere is coming to the states next year. Pretty cool.
Are you going to get one? A little too rich for this poor plumber. Very cool bike indeed.
I think it looks to big for any tough trail riding (I know, all you 9fidty and gsa guys disagree), but looks like a very cool day to day and travel bike. I was surprised at the cost though. Seems steep.
I saw one last night at the local yamaha dealer. Apparently, yamaha has about 6 of these in the country, and they are touring them form store to store to generate orders. I sat on the bike, and it has a good "feel", slight forward lean to reach the bars. The front instrument, dash and windshield seem a long way away. The saddlebags seemed decent quality. Has allot of traction control junk. Some of the bodywork felt flimsy and too "styled". First impression is that it would make a killer day to day bike or great long range tour bike, but waaay too much to hustle down a trail. Then again, you "big bike" guys might feel differently.
The Big Black Beast has Arrived.
Picked up today (8/4/11); so far I REALLY, REALLY like it. Anyone want to buy a KLR and Concours? I haven't lit it up too much yet, only up to 25 miles on the odo today, but when it's in 'S' mode, hang on tight! Crazy good torque. Handles very nicely too and just comfy, comfy, comfy.
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w46/cyrenus/P1030457.jpg)
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w46/cyrenus/P1030460.jpg)
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w46/cyrenus/P1030464.jpg)
Oh man! That's very cool. Congrats 8)
i hope to see that at the fall rally. thats awesome. did you get panniers or are you getting aftermarket? hows the seat? I hope the tires are a size more readily available than the bmw's.
Hey Scoobynut,
That bike is flippin' awesome!!!! When are you going to Alaska??? :o
Please let me know what you want for your KLR.
JoniJo
P.S. You're garage is way too clean....... ;D
Thanks Dave, Jacin.
Not sure I'll be bringing it to the fall rally, that KLR is really too big already (for me anyways). And this new one, well, let's just say she's a Big Girl!
Jacin, I ordered the factory panniers, but got a really good deal on them, quite a bit cheaper than aftermarket. Seat is thick and CUSHY. Has a neat feature where you can move a little plastic bracket that sits on top of the sub-frame under the seat, to raise or lower the seat by 1". The windshield is way out ahead of the bike which I like for some reason. I rented an Aprilia 650 dual-sport (Pegaso?) when I was in Central America and the windshield was way out front like that and I liked it. Still, for serious touring duty I might have to get a bigger shield, might even go with the taller one Yamaha offers.
Tires are front 110/80R 19M/C, Rear 150/70R 17M/C; mine came with Metzeler Tourances, I guess some are coming with Bridgestone Battle Wings. Not sure if those are sized like tires for BMW GSs. There's a guy on the Super Tenere forum who sells the Hiedenaus in the factory sizes for this bike, so if the Beemers have the same size tires, that's where I'd go for the more agressive tires.
Quote from: JoniJo on August 07, 2011, 10:10:31 AM
Hey Scoobynut,
That bike is flippin' awesome!!!! When are you going to Alaska??? :o
Please let me know what you want for your KLR.
JoniJo
P.S. You're garage is way too clean....... ;D
Hi JoniJo, nice to hear from you.
Yeah, Alaska is in the future plans, but not gonna happen this year, probably a little too late for that anyways.
To be honest, I'm not totally committed to selling the KLR yet; I am planning on using it again at the rally, and then I thought it might be a decent light touring/dual-sport bike for my son -- he's already ridden it on the road and seems to handle it fine. But, then again, he's involved in a lot of stuff, so if it starts gathering cobwebs, up for sale it goes. But I'd give a DDSR member a good deal on it, say $4500 or so. I paid $5k for it new last summer, but have added about $1k worth of farkles in the meantime. Still has 4 years of factory warranty left too. It sure would be a nice stable-mate for your KLX!
I just did a 1300 mile round-tripper -- did 650 miles each way two days apart -- on it (KLR) and it ran flawlessly as usually. My butt is still mad at me though! ;D
That's a very cool bike Scoobynut. You'd better get some miles before the snow flies...
I'm not sure how the ABS and traction control work on the Super Tenere, but I'm pretty sure the guy in this video has them turned OFF. ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdEh3kEagZY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdEh3kEagZY)
I think Yamaha should hire that guy to demo bikes. Since he wasnt a super clean rider, i assume he's not a pro. Its nice to see an (almost) average guy put it to the test. I cant believe the tourqe it has. He was spinning that tire through everything. I know my 1100 wont do that. Josh, think youre 800 would. I really am interested in that bike now. I wonder how much a guy will be able to pick up a farkled out one next year going into winter??
Thats an awesome ride. I've been eyeballing those for some time but not in the budget yet.
I rode a Triumph Tiger 800xc this weekend and really loved it. Already being a Triumph guy, its high on my list. But that Tenere is SO well engineered.
It'll be nice to get an update after you've ridden it a few thousand miles.
Bogus Jim: If my side bags get here in time, I'm going to ride it to the Beartooth Beemers rally in Red Lodge in a few weeks. If not, will probably take the ol' Concours.
Bogus Jim and Jacin: I've seen that video before myself, dude is a lunatic but a damn good rider. Oh, and you're right about the torque -- I've only been up to about 5k rpm in 'S' mode and you can literally feel your head being pinned back when you whack the throttle. A Vmax didn't feel any faster to me at the same rpm (I'm sure higher rpm is a different matter).
GreatBuff: I like the Triumph, also the 800GS, but the Tenere isn't a heck of a lot more money -- the real difference to me is there's a dealer just down the street from me, and just about everywhere else too. And I just plain like and respect Yamaha. :-X
Ya, that dealer closeness does mean a lot. The closest Triumph or BMW dealer to me is at least 3 hours away. That may make my decision as well.
Doesnt matter how close the dealer is if they dont stock parts. It seems to be the new buisness model for everyone to order invnetory as needed. I understand, as i manage a warehouse, but with the short riding season we have, it would be nicve to pickup parts when you need them. That being said, if we all go buy a Tenere, they would have more reason to have parts on hand. I am sure my wife would understandf if i purchased a new bike to help you all out.... ;D Guess thats why most of us have backup bikes. Right Mike!
Quote from: jacin theis on August 08, 2011, 07:22:47 AM
Doesnt matter how close the dealer is if they dont stock parts. It seems to be the new buisness model for everyone to order invnetory as needed. I understand, as i manage a warehouse, but with the short riding season we have, it would be nicve to pickup parts when you need them. That being said, if we all go buy a Tenere, they would have more reason to have parts on hand. I am sure my wife would understandf if i purchased a new bike to help you all out.... ;D Guess thats why most of us have backup bikes. Right Mike!
You make a fair point, Jacin. I've never had to wait more than a week for parts with my local guy, but in the end, I'm hoping the Yamaha label will mean less trips to the dealer, period (knocking on wood, don't want to jinx myself). By all means, tell your wife we all gave you permission to get a new bike. Women love surprises, right?!?! :evil
Sweet bike! That's a beauty.
Thanks Hank! Will post another picture soon once I get the hard luggage installed. Headin' to Red Lodge for the Beartooth Beemers Rally Aug. 18th, should be interesting to see how the BMW guys react to the bike. ???
Photos with hard luggage installed -- OEM Yamaha cases:
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w46/cyrenus/P1030468.jpg)
(http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w46/cyrenus/P1030471.jpg)
That is sweet. I was looking over some of the reviews on youtube and think this just may be my next big bike, but a small one needs to come first. But that time there may be a few of these on the used market.
I'd love to take one for ride. That engine configuration sounds very effective.
Quote from: greatbuffalo on August 11, 2011, 05:45:04 AM
That is sweet. I was looking over some of the reviews on youtube and think this just may be my next big bike, but a small one needs to come first. But that time there may be a few of these on the used market.
I'd love to take one for ride. That engine configuration sounds very effective.
Great Buff, yeah, I really should have something smaller than the KLR or Tenere myself. If you're ever in the 'hood or I'm down your way you're welcome to take the S-10 for a spin.
The motor has a very unique character. Very torquey in the midrange, but seems like it will rev very quickly too (haven't spun it up too high yet on the break-in). Also has what I would call a 'thrummy' smoothness, kind of reminds me of a subaru boxer in some ways. The sound is also pretty unique, hard to describe really, kind of a mix of more agricultural inline twin type sounds and exotic, whirling, thumping and shrieking sounds if that makes sense. However you'd describe it, it does have power to spare. ;)
Damn Scooby, that is one beautiful bike! Congrats!
If you bring the Tenere to the rally, I'll bring my GS and we can ride the easy stuff alone. ;D
I sat one one at Sturgis BMW-Yamaka. Wow! its comfy, and feels more "offroad" than my GS. I like the size. I wonder how soon there will be some used ones out there all farkled up. hhhhmmmmm
Quote from: The Yeti on August 15, 2011, 11:57:08 AM
If you bring the Tenere to the rally, I'll bring my GS and we can ride the easy stuff alone. ;D
if you guys don't want to be lonely on the easy stuff i'll just ride out on the 83 silverwing. it does pretty good on dirt and no amount of crashes will make it any uglier. may need to find some knobbies for it first.
Quote from: loingrader on August 15, 2011, 02:54:51 PM
Quote from: The Yeti on August 15, 2011, 11:57:08 AM
If you bring the Tenere to the rally, I'll bring my GS and we can ride the easy stuff alone. ;D
if you guys don't want to be lonely on the easy stuff i'll just ride out on the 83 silverwing. it does pretty good on dirt and no amount of crashes will make it any uglier. may need to find some knobbies for it first.
Silverwing would be something to see offroad. And you don't need no knobbies, I don't have any on my GS yet. You'd miss Barbie though, wouldn't you??
Quote from: The Yeti on August 15, 2011, 11:57:08 AM
Damn Scooby, that is one beautiful bike! Congrats!
If you bring the Tenere to the rally, I'll bring my GS and we can ride the easy stuff alone. ;D
Thanks, Yeti. I'd consider bringing it to the rally, but I will need further clarification on what exactly 'easy stuff' means. I suspect your definition differs wildly from my own. ;D
Quote from: The Yeti on August 15, 2011, 03:03:56 PM
Quote from: loingrader on August 15, 2011, 02:54:51 PM
Quote from: The Yeti on August 15, 2011, 11:57:08 AM
If you bring the Tenere to the rally, I'll bring my GS and we can ride the easy stuff alone. ;D
if you guys don't want to be lonely on the easy stuff i'll just ride out on the 83 silverwing. it does pretty good on dirt and no amount of crashes will make it any uglier. may need to find some knobbies for it first.
Silverwing would be something to see offroad. And you don't need no knobbies, I don't have any on my GS yet. You'd miss Barbie though, wouldn't you??
Dude, if you ride that Silverwing the same places I ride the Tenere, well, I'm gonna sell it right after the rally -- not sure I could bear the shame of it all!
I definatley want pics of the Silverwing on the easy stuff. We could talk about that for years. might make a good recruitment tool.
Hey Scoobynut....
I dare 'ya.....I double dog dare 'ya....
Think you can get that Tenere dirty, muddy or put a scratch on it?
How about dusty???
.....I didn't think so....... ;D
.....wish I had one :'( Joni
If you guys are all bringing your big bikes, then I am bringing my 2012 Suzuki DRZ 1800.
(http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/xx177/photoquark/Miscellaneous/giant01.jpg)
Quote from: Scoobynut on August 15, 2011, 03:09:25 PM
Quote from: The Yeti on August 15, 2011, 11:57:08 AM
Damn Scooby, that is one beautiful bike! Congrats!
If you bring the Tenere to the rally, I'll bring my GS and we can ride the easy stuff alone. ;D
Thanks, Yeti. I'd consider bringing it to the rally, but I will need further clarification on what exactly 'easy stuff' means. I suspect your definition differs wildly from my own. ;D
Well, I can't guarantee no drops - but I'm thinking relatively easy two track, similar to Castle Peak campground road or trail 249 (the one leading up to Silver City with the small water crossings at the end)....stuff like that. Believe me, I simply can't do anything more challenging than that on my big pig either - hell, mine has
gotta weigh more than yours. ;D
All this talk about taking overweight bikes on easy trails makes me think I should slap some semi-knobbies on my TDM and bring it out!
You guys, man, oh man. The plan was to get some crashbars and a skidplate before I take it on the trails with you hooligans, 'cause I know you all will get me out of my comfort zone real fast, especially on that big girl. Heck, I'm impatient to get it out on the trails a bit myself, but I'm also trying to account for my limited skills and lack of motor protection. I've already spent $1500 on farkles (some aren't even here yet), and that's before the crashbars and skidplate get ordered. So bear with me for one more rally on the KLR, and I'll bring Shamu down to the next one after I add some armor over the winter. Then me and the Yeti will guide the big girls down the, uh, big girl trails...seriously, I'd have no problem riding it on the trails you mentioned come next spring Mr. Yeti.
JoniJo, I got it real dirty and full of bugs on Saturday, rode 390 miles -- and a few mild trails -- so I could finish up the break-in and change the oil (and rear diff oil). But still, gonna let the credit card cool down a bit before I drop $700 or so on some Alt.rider armor. Yer double dare has no effect on this fella, ma'am. ;D
Hank, TDM's are really cool bikes, don't know if you remember Jeff on the GS1150, but he had one and still regrets selling it. I've also heard rumors in some of the Euro bike rags that Yamaha is considering a TDM-style bike based on the Super Tenere motor and chassis. That would be a pretty sweet bike for people who don't have a gang of hooligans trying to goad them into off-roading their giant dual-sport... :evil
Oh, forgot to mention, part of my thinking on taking the KLR is that my 15 year-old son will be riding with us on his (my?) WR250R and I'm going to feel somewhat obligated to hang with the kid. He's pretty fearless, has been riding gravel roads and open, hilly fields since he was about 10, but doesn't have any real trail experience. I'll be asking you all to share advice with him when he gets down to the Hills. He most likely won't listen to me beyond "stay within yourself" type stuff, but he will listen to you guys, especially you guys on WRRs...So be prepared!
For all you big bike owners, I'm bringing the Tiger out as that the only bike I got except for the XJ650, which has seen its share of trails......Yup, so bring the Silverwing.
I am looking to stretch my comfort zone next month. I'm healthy now. No broken ribs and my shoulder is healed. Bring it on.
Well, WRR it is then! :evil
I took a 2 week old big bike to moab.... there really is only one good way to break them in.... I hd scratched both sides of my brand new crash bars within 2 hours of being in the desert. shit happens, then some more, then $4,400 later its like new.
Bottom line: I bought it to ride it.
Quote from: The Yeti on August 15, 2011, 03:03:56 PM
You'd miss Barbie though, wouldn't you??
I would miss barbie and barbie would miss all her friends, but that poor silverwing is my commuter grunt and it would be nice to reward it with some new scenery.
as far as dirt worthiness, my uncle rode silverwings to the arctic ocean back in the early 80s when the haul road was still an adventure. over 1000 miles of gravel. he has been up there many times on different bikes but he still says that there is no better bike for that trip than the good ol cx/gl bikes. on a side note, the distance between fuel stops was so great back then that he had to buy a second gas tank and weld it on top of the factory one to get enough range to make it without pushing.
sorry for getting way off topic.
the tenere is a sweet bike!
Quote from: Sportfaller on August 16, 2011, 07:40:00 AM
I took a 2 week old big bike to moab.... there really is only one good way to break them in.... I hd scratched both sides of my brand new crash bars within 2 hours of being in the desert. shit happens, then some more, then $4,400 later its like new.
Bottom line: I bought it to ride it.
No doubt about it. And I don't mind banging up the crashbars, problem being I ain't got any yet -- I'm just not so keen on smashing up the bodywork or that side-mount radiator... ;D Anywho, like I said, I'm going to be hanging with my kid on his WRR, so KLR it is.
Quote from: loingrader on August 16, 2011, 02:04:26 PM
Quote from: The Yeti on August 15, 2011, 03:03:56 PM
You'd miss Barbie though, wouldn't you??
I would miss barbie and barbie would miss all her friends, but that poor silverwing is my commuter grunt and it would be nice to reward it with some new scenery.
as far as dirt worthiness, my uncle rode silverwings to the arctic ocean back in the early 80s when the haul road was still an adventure. over 1000 miles of gravel. he has been up there many times on different bikes but he still says that there is no better bike for that trip than the good ol cx/gl bikes. on a side note, the distance between fuel stops was so great back then that he had to buy a second gas tank and weld it on top of the factory one to get enough range to make it without pushing.
sorry for getting way off topic.
the tenere is a sweet bike!
Wow, that's an awesome story about your uncle. And funny you mention it, I just yesterday acquired an Alaska state map. Sure would like to head up there next summer. I guess I'd better figure out how to change a tire on the road. Man, I'm just such a noob...
You don't have to learn new skills as long as you take someone with you that already knows them ;D
i can change a tire on the side of the road. Can i go? Alaska has been at the top of my list along with the road THROUGH Yellowknife.
I'd be up for an Alaska trip...any idea of how long it would take and how much it would cost?? What time of year is the best to go?
Great Buffalo: If you know how to change a tire road-side, you're invited.
Jacin: If you know how to change a tire road-side, you're invited. The fact that an AK trip is on your list makes you even more invited.
Mr. Yeti: No real idea how long it would take, but I'd say give yourself at least a month, and that's a real 'ballpark' figure. I've already sketched out a route that hits all the high points once you get to AK (Kind of a loop on all the main highways), but it sure would be tempting to go all the way up to Prudhoe Bay on about 500 miles of (really rough) gravel road. I mean if you're gonna go up there, it would be a shame to not be able to say that you've ridden all the way to the Arctic Ocean, right? I have a bud who owns a crab boat in Petersburg in the SE part of the state so I thought on the way back down south I'd have to catch the Alaska Marine Highway ferry down to Mitkof Island where Petersburg is located for a few days of gorging myself on nearly free and fresh seafood. My brief research indicates you're supposed to bring your own tie-down straps for the ferry.
As to the cost, all the time lost from work would cost me more than the trip itself due to being self-employed, so your equation might be different than mine. I'm sure there would be a lot of camping -- probably a lot of the primitive variety -- so I would think that your main costs would be fuel, food, and probably the occasional oil and tire change -- I suspect it's a hell of a lot more miles than we've ever contemplated. Which is all the more reason to do it. I know not everyone can have this attitude, but my attitude is cost be damned. I think the better way to look at it is: how can I not do this if I have the chance?
Let's do this. As far as I can tell, this is the only life we get.
Changing tires roadside is easy, but no tubeless. You gotta have tubes unless you plan on dragging a high pressure compressor. I made the trip to AK in 1983 on a... get this, Yamaha Virago. I was 19 and very stupid but what a great time. My friend's sister worked for an oil company and got married in Anchorage. That's as far as we got. It was an adventure. My friend put his Yamaha XJ750 in a ditch twice while trying to make way in snow on July 1st between Beaver Creek and Tok. When we got to Tok we held out for a days and considered our sanity. Put the Bikes in a shed and decided to move on on four wheels. We got on a bus and started out. We got 20 miles out of Tok, looked at each other and I said, "I've never quit an ****ing thing in my life and I'm too young to start now." We implored the driver to let us out and hitched back to Tok in the freezing rain. luckily we got a ride in short order. The next day we got our bikes out of the shed, gave each other a man hug, and pressed on. One of the great decisions of my life. My only regret is that the trip was so rushed and I had little to no time to take in what I was doing.
Being young and very stupid, I admit to doing the whole trip, 11,000 miles total, on one oil change. The one I did before I left. Added only 2 quarts the whole trip.
I have thought of doing this again in a different frame of mind with a new view on the whole around me and better head on my shoulders. I'm in! Don't know about next summer but I'm thinking 2013 would be a great year to do it. I've got too many commitments next summer and hope to have a new Tenere ;D or Tiger :evil by that time. I don't think a new adventure bike is in the cards for next year but a smaller dualsport maybe. I don't know if I'd take my present Tiger on such a trip, but............I have done stupider things. :)
Doing a quick check on Delorme North America its 3,730.93 miles one way from Rapid City to Prudhoe Bay. I understand from reading ride report over the past couple of years, that the haul road to Prudhoe Bay is a walk in the park compared to just 10 to 15 years ago. The mining companies, oil firms and the state have stepped up their maintenance of the highway. There is a window of time but not sure what it is. In the pate spring, our early to mid summer, it's a mess due to frost release. I have read some do it at this time due to much less traffic and the increased challenge.
I'd be very interested in a trip to AK... Not sure how much time I could take though in the next few years.
It's definitely on my bucket list.
That's a great adventure GB... great memories I'm sure! I took a 9 day trip with 2 buddies when I was 19, covered about 4400 miles with absolutely no plan. Slept on the beach in Cali, on picnic tables in other places. I think the whole trip cost $300.
a trip to the arctic ocean is also on my list of must do's.
only thing i don't know is whether to ride the klr or the gl650. whenever i go, my brother is coming too and he has a klr and gl650. he wants to ride the silverwings, i want to ride the klr's.
for anyone considering the trip, checkout the milepost book.
http://milepost.com/
I wish you guys would stop talking about trips like this, keeps me up at night!
I've never made a trip like this and have always wanted to. My folks made an attempt back in the mid 70's with a motor home, and got stranded on a 10 mile section of the Alaskan Highway when a major rain washed out the bridges both in front of them and behind. I think they were on that chunk for a week before a bulldozer got to them...
Hey, I'm in Alaska right now. I work on the North Slope, usually a 4 week on two week off rotation. Actually I have to take a 4 mile boat ride to the island we are building a new oil production unit on. Temps right now are in the low mid 40's to 50's and rainy. I did the Dust to Dawson run this year and it was a total blast. If you are coming to AK think about hitting the D2D Rally.
Alaska is a nice place to visit but not much of a summer to ride. That is why I commute.
I have done the Haul Road 3 times in a truck and really I have no desire to do it on a bike. Really boring if you ask me. Now one thing on my bucket list is the Canol Road in Canada. One day I will do it on my way to the D2D Rally.
Well Scoobynut, how was the BMW rally in Red Lodge? I imagine your Super Tenere cruises down the Interstate a bit more comfortably than the WRR.
I was at the local dealer in Rapid today and a happy new S10 owner rode away as I was leaving. They've sold 3. Sturgis dealer had a couple S10's on the floor last time I was there, but I think they're down to one now.
Hey everyone, sorry so slow to respond -- I've been busy as hell at work since I got back from Red Lodge. Had some fun (road only) rides at the BMW rally. The bike was a hit; there were little crowds gathered around it all weekend. Some guys even came looking for me, 'the owner of the Super Tenere' lol. On the downside, I got mauled by a spider (or spiders) the first night in the tent. Woke up with about 70 bites all over my person.
I changed the oil and the rear diff. fluid at 550 on the odo before the trip, up to about 1700 now -- all broken in, but still seems to be loosening up and gaining power and smoothness as the miles pass.
Rode home at about 90 mph indicated most of the way, probably a true 82 or 83mph. Had it up north of 100 mph a few times passing cars on the 2-lanes. The thing is just a torque factory.
I enjoyed reading everyone's Alaska tales; now that would be an epic trip. We ought to do it one of these years. Let's just not invite any spiders along. >:(