Guess What I Was Having A Play With Today!

[TDMTAM]

No not that but the new Super Tenere

Managed to get a 2 hour test ride from Steven @ Ride On motorcycles, where I bought my TDM900 from.
But anyhow the New Super Tenere......
Bloody nice bike, First impressions just sitting on it are it is about 1/2 to 1" taller than the 900, with the seat in its lowest position (lower seat availible) the bars are closer to you & wider with less pull back on the bars compaired to the 900, falling very naturally to hand. Foot pegs are placed in a comfortable position.
The bike does feel a bit on the heavy side but its weight is so low down moving the bike around off the bike was no problem & once moving on the bike you don't notice the weight at all.
First part of my test ride was slow speed in traffic trying to get out of Glasgow I had the bike in its T mode which softens the throttle reasponse, not that I had anything to compare it with at this point, but I picked my way throught the traffic with easy with none on the surging I get on a constant throttle on my 900..
I got out on to the M8 to get me on to some of the twisty roads, on the motorway it blasted along with no problems loads of poke to over take. The wind protection was good enough for me to have my visor open up to 8* sorry 70ish mph it was a bit noisy but no buffeting. it this point i switched over to the S mode & noticed that the throttle was now really responsive & the engine very eager to spin up. Gear change was slick & the shaft drive well I did not even notice anything I would put down to the shaft drive.
After a few miles I got on to the A roads were the Tenere comes in to its own loads of grunt easy to turn & push through the corners & the brakes are phenomenal in fact for the first few miles of the twisties I found myself braking for the corner to find I still had another 10m or so to go before the actual corner. The suspension on the most part was good, though a couple of time I would say it may have been a bit to harsh forr my liking.
Now it has been well over a year since I last had a shot on a GS but I personally would say this is as good, yes the GS doesn't dive under brake with its telelever set up but I did not think the S10 was that bad in that way.




Anyhow I could chunter on more about it but to some it up this is a good bike, great engine, superb brakes & I think a good match for the GS. Now personally I think that the people that like their BMW's are going to keep liking the BMW's no matter how good this bike is. However those that are looking for an alternative to the GS will like it & it may get some of the disgruntled BMW owners on to it.
£13,500 is a lot to ask for this bike, is it £7500 better than my TDM900? No. If I had a spare £13,500 would I buy it? Yes.
But then again I am slightly Yamaha biased (though I did think of buying a second hand 1150GS 2 years back)
TAM

This post was last modified: 04-08-2010, 11:38 PM by TDMTAM.

[Trotski]

Great Report TAM, would'nt you love to see a TDM900 with the same features, eg: T & S modes and Shaft drive.

[Guest]

And Spin off oil filter ! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clapping.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clapping.gif[/img]

[catsbum]

Well done Tam. Good pics and write-up [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif[/img]

[chrislarkin]

Nice write up Tam. I'm buying a Lotto ticket.

[TDMTAM]

<!--quoteo(post=172910:date=Thu 5th Aug 2010, 12:46 AM:name=Trotski)-->QUOTE(Trotski @ Thu 5th Aug 2010, 12:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Great Report TAM, would'nt you love to see a TDM900 with the same features, eg: T & S modes and Shaft drive.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think Yamaha would be stupid not to use this engine, brakes & drive train set up in a new TDM in the next couple of years, it would be a waste of development & money not to reuse this engine & drivetrain.

If it was me at Yamaha I would use the Engine, shaft drive, brakes, ABS & TCS from the S10 but in a Aluminimum frame with 17" wheels F&R. Keep it with it sit up riding position of the TDM but tweek the styling of the faring may be a bit more torward the Fazer style (ie. not to bland but not too fashionable so as to look old after a few years if you get what I mean, evolution not revolution)

That way Yamaha would have a full RTW Ewan & Charlie bike & a good Multi Strader type bike in their ranks (even though Yamaha had the original MS back in 92)Just my 2 bobs worth MR Yamaha.
TAM

[TonyDevil]

Actually the had it in Nov 1990 [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]

[Somerset]

I had a look at one of those and I'm sure that the hand protectors will fit straight on a TDM on the same mountings. no drilling or turning involved.

[newstu]

<!--quoteo(post=172970:date=Thu 5th Aug 2010, 05:25 PM:name=Somerset)-->QUOTE(Somerset @ Thu 5th Aug 2010, 05:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I had a look at one of those and I'm sure that the hand protectors will fit straight on a TDM on the same mountings. no drilling or turning involved.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


so did i and i thought exactly the same

I may have mentioned it on here but a mate of mine works for the old bill in charge of all their vehicle support, procurement, maintenance etc. apparently Yam are trying to push a Big Ten his way for a trial run in battenberg livery with blues and twos - he has promised me that i can have a mooch to see if they fit if they get the bike (they pretty much strip them to prep them)

[Studley Ramrod]

Can't see the handguards for sale at main dealers so maybe not available.

Seen the tank guard [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

[dapleb]

Your mhunkey?

[ChrisG]

Tam, your second photo, both lights on, can it do that on dipped?

[TDMTAM]

<!--quoteo(post=173052:date=Thu 5th Aug 2010, 11:37 PM:name=ChrisG)-->QUOTE(ChrisG @ Thu 5th Aug 2010, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Tam, your second photo, both lights on, can it do that on dipped?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes it runs the same system as the new R1 were it has 2 single filament bulbs & uses a shutter to change the beam from Hi-lo.
TAM

[Guest]

I didn't like it. Engine was nicer than GS, but everything else on the GS is nicer. I had it overnight did 120 miles, then did 50 on the 1200GS later that day.

It's lighter, more powerful, handles better, doesn't have such horrible backlash, and it's cheaper. Feels nicer too. The engine isn't as nice feeling though, but I think that's just because I love my mk2 engine.

i say buy a TDM900 and spend the other 10grand on a good long trip.

[laughton]

<!--quoteo(post=173182:date=Sat 7th Aug 2010, 01:29 AM:name=Emmett)-->QUOTE(Emmett @ Sat 7th Aug 2010, 01:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I didn't like it. Engine was nicer than GS, but everything else on the GS is nicer. I had it overnight did 120 miles, then did 50 on the 1200GS later that day.

It's lighter, more powerful, handles better, doesn't have such horrible backlash, and it's cheaper. Feels nicer too. The engine isn't as nice feeling though, but I think that's just because I love my mk2 engine.

i say buy a TDM900 and spend the other 10grand on a good long trip.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


I have been reading this thread for about three lifetimes now. I cannot understand why anybody would buy this bike. If you wanted a bike of this size, weight and cost. You would buy a BM. The Super T wont be noticeably different/better than the BM and having spent your hard earned money, only you and a few strange people (you know the sort who ride TDM's) will know or care what it is. Where as, if you have a big BM. most of the world will recognise you as either a round the world adventurer or affluent.
While I am on a rant. Yamaha have quite clearly abandoned the TDM, shame because with relatively minor design changes (lower centre of gravity, better wind protection, a reasonably priced off road upgrade kit with easily removed fairing,) It clearly would be the best bike in the world.
Instead they continue to suport the fazer, which is indistinguishable from,honda/kwak/suzuki .
This letter is the opinion of the writer and does not in any way reflect the opinion of the forum hahahahahaha (cant do emicons)

[ChrisG]

<!--quoteo(post=173187:date=Sat 7th Aug 2010, 08:14 AM:name=whichwaywasit)-->QUOTE(whichwaywasit @ Sat 7th Aug 2010, 08:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I cannot understand why anybody would buy this bike. If you wanted a bike of this size, weight and cost. You would buy a BM. The Super T wont be noticeably different/better than the BM and having spent your hard earned money, only you and a few strange people (you know the sort who ride TDM's) will know or care what it is. Where as, if you have a big BM. most of the world will recognise you as either a round the world adventurer or affluent.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You've just explained exactly why a lot of people would buy the Super Ten over a GS.

[dapleb]

<!--quoteo(post=173198:date=Sat 7th Aug 2010, 09:46 AM:name=ChrisG)-->QUOTE(ChrisG @ Sat 7th Aug 2010, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->You've just explained exactly why a lot of people would buy the Super Ten over a GS.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

WOULD being the main word....money where the old boosh is.....there is ONE Aussie on ear thats got one. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

[TonyDevil]

theres a few newens over on the old supertenere forum

[muddy]

<!--quoteo(post=173187:date=Sat 7th Aug 2010, 08:14 AM:name=whichwaywasit)-->QUOTE(whichwaywasit @ Sat 7th Aug 2010, 08:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I have been reading this thread for about three lifetimes now. I cannot understand why anybody would buy this bike. If you wanted a bike of this size, weight and cost. You would buy a BM. The Super T wont be noticeably different/better than the BM and having spent your hard earned money, only you and a few strange people (you know the sort who ride TDM's) will know or care what it is. Where as, if you have a big BM. most of the world will recognise you as either a round the world adventurer or affluent.
While I am on a rant. Yamaha have quite clearly abandoned the TDM, shame because with relatively minor design changes (lower centre of gravity, better wind protection, a reasonably priced off road upgrade kit with easily removed fairing,) It clearly would be the best bike in the world.
Instead they continue to suport the fazer, which is indistinguishable from,honda/kwak/suzuki .
This letter is the opinion of the writer and does not in any way reflect the opinion of the forum hahahahahaha (cant do emicons)<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

It's far too expensive and doesn't capitalise on what makes the TDM so loved by many--especially on the continent.

One of the first things I looked when looking for a replacement for my Transalp, was weight. I'm only 11 stone and wanted something that wasn't cumbersome. The Super T is heavy, the TDM is relatively light for a big bike. The next thing I looked at was MPG, my TA was thirsty at touring speeds, the Super T doesn't come near the TDM for frugality from the figures I've read. And it's over-complicated. I struggle to work on the TDM, so I'd really get in a mess with the Super T.

I like what you say about fairing, all the bikes I've owned could easily be improved in functionality in this department. I hate this plastic shite that motorbike manufacturers insist on using. It makes bikes look cheap in my opinion. Also, as I found out recently, it shatters too easy. I'm sure there must be more flexible materials.

[TonyDevil]

<!--quoteo(post=173211:date=Sat 7th Aug 2010, 10:40 AM:name=muddy)-->QUOTE(muddy @ Sat 7th Aug 2010, 10:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'm sure there must be more flexible materials.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->yes there are, but then they wouldnt make any money selling replacement fairing panels....