Opinions of the Super Tenere from R1200 owners

[rnategs]

Greetings all,

I've been researching theR1200 for a while now and as you know there is a new player in the same market-the yamaha Super Tenere. Clearly they built it to compete with the R1200. I have been to Yamaha forums and asked owners about them but I'd like to hear from those who chose to stick with the R1200 or who have both, or purchased the BMW R1200 instead of the ST10.

Definitely don't want to start wars and I know this forum is dedicated to R1200 ownership. SO, if the question is an intrusion please feel free to answer by sending a private message.

I currently ride a Wee-Strom and want a bigger engine for purposes of speed . . err . . . power on the interstate. I have been riding the Wee faster and faster and love pretending its a sport bike in the twisties BUT my test rides of the R1200GSS and Triple Black left great impressions on the brain. Haven't ridden the ST10, I sat on it and felt like the build quality was beneath that of the R1200. That might be my recognition of the BMW's reputation as being a finer quality product for a higher paying customer. However, there does seem to be a difference in some peoples experience of owning BMW Motorcycles. Some claim expensive repair records and others claim near service-less records across ownership of multiple bikes. Clearly owning the Yamaha will provide access to more service centers and less personal service, but also less cost for service and possible more(Japanese) reliability.

Again, I'm only quoting the stereotypes of these manufactures as I understand from reading the posts. So, if any of you can shed light on why the R1200GS is still the bike for me as opposed to a similar equipped ST, I'd love to hear why.

The truth is just looking at the bike, I like the BMW better. I haven't had a test ride on the ST10 yet though.


THanks for your experience.

[AdamWebber]

First off, if this were a choice between the GS and the Ducati Multistrada, my choice would be the GS all the way.

I do love that new Yamaha. I don't think that I will be able to test ride one for a while. It has some great engineering to it. It's skinnier than the GS but weighs more. It's liquid-cooled but I like having air/oil-cooled. The wheels are practically the same between both models and I believe that this is a flaw. I want a 21" front wheel offered as the "Off-Road" package regardless if I choose the BMW or the Yamaha. And price is definitively the best part of the Super Tenere.

I've been a fan of Yamahas for many years. My wife loves her FZ6. It is the smoothest mid-size sport tourer around. It's easy to find a Yamaha shop anywhere while BMW shops are nowhere near me.

If I need to replace my GS for any reason, I would want to replace it with another GS. It has been the most superior motorcycle that I have ever owned - period. I am very tempted to go for a ride on the Yamaha just to see if it is worth it. Maybe in a few years when the price drops for a used model, I may pick one up as a loaner for my friends so I don't have to ride alone when I take long trips on dirt roads.

[rnategs]

I'm impressed by your GS preference especially since your bike is in the 'final drive issue' year range. Yeah, I love that GS so much. But, costs considered, I'm hoping to love the Yamaha as much. Sorry to say it really. But, then again. my second bike, just for a closer to a sportbike touring, just may be a K1300s.

[knightrider]

rnategs. you probably know by now or you will soon learn that it matters not what you buy,build,repair or dream of in this world. if you go to forums of any type you will hear enough neg. things to either turn you against it or make you fight. GS 1200 are bashed, v-stroms are, harleys are klr etc. I have owned them all and have no bad experience with any of them. buy what your lil heart desires and your pocket book can afford. advice from an old rider. lots of luck. alan

[oalvarez]

i find the ST to be an intriguing bike on paper as well, i definitely like the looks of it. my biggest dislike is its weight, and if you read owner's opinions on the subject matter you'd be led to believe that it's actually a "good thing" (dirt) or that it's carried down low and not felt. i'm a road rider first and foremost and appreciate a less heavy bike, especially when having to move one around. the other item that seems to bother folk is the fact that you can't turn the abs off, but that really doesn't matter to me that much. i'm looking forward to seeing one in person and riding it so to be better informed, but up to now, the bike seems to be a real winner.

[brumbackkid]

I've not seen no ridden the new Yamaha but read many articles about it. To me the Tenere appears to be well focused as a big DIRT bike in looks and some design attributes, However the weight, luggage issue, and NO stellar engine WOW! makes it hard to get excited about. It looks cool...but...for the money i just don't see it competing with the GS or the big KTM.

[Unajack]

if any of you can shed light on why the R1200GS is still the bike for me as opposed to a similar equipped ST, I'd love to hear why.

[portablejohn]

I picked the R1200GSA because it is air/oil cooled. No radiator to leak. Since I plan on running mine for 40 years, that was important to me. It seems to be fairly easy to work on, as all of the drain plugs are accessible, the throttle bodies and valve covers are all in plain sight.

John

[rnategs]

Well, I ended up with an FJR1300. Wow, I'm faster for sure but I'm stuck to the tar. And if it gets too rough, I hav to pick a line carefully. Since last year, I tested a Super Tenere and loved it too.

Now I want both. I guess the deal, post FJR1300, is which bike carves the best when I want to get twisty. I've seen some very nimble moves on the R1200. I'm wondering now the same thing from r1200 owners, why the R1200 ?

Thanks again.

[mikec]

Knightrider was entirely correct with his post, IMHO. I've been riding all kinds of machines for the last 49 years. I've enjoyed them all, Japanese, European and American. I heard a conversation between a friend, who has been riding longer than me, and a relatively new rider. The young man asked, "What was your favorite machine." My grey-headed friend replied, "The one I'm riding now."

Mike