Kevin Ash Compares GS vs Super Tenere

[Deans BMW]

Kevin Ash Compares GS vs Super Tenere


Kevin Ash's review of the Yamaha Super Tenere (compared to the GS) an interesting one:

http://www.ashonbikes.com/content/yamaha-super-ténéré-test

While he gave the Super Tenere a pretty good nod, IMO he pretty much damned it with faint praise!

... But where a Multistrada adds a unique Ducati angle to the adventure bike theme – ultra high performance and cutting edge electronics – the Yamaha offers nothing new.
It’s a perfectly good bike and a fine long distance tourer, but the GS has more options, is cheaper, lighter and is more fun.
Price: £13,620

[Deans BMW]

Harry and Other Doug, two sentences but with attribution, what do you think?

[GPM]

Looks good to me Dean.

My question is, had he found the Yamaha superior to the BMW would you have posted the story??

:peepwall:

[Biff's R]

Roundel tax? Yamaha must be copying that too.

[vintagemxr]

Harry and Other Doug, two sentences but with attribution, what do you think?

I think he should call his site Ash On Seat.

the other Doug

[socalrob]

From what I see the number one complaint about the GS is that it is too heavy. The Tenere is heavier.

Next big complaint about the GS is that it is too expensive. The Tenere costs more.

The next complaint about the GS is complexity and dependability. The Tenere might have an edge there.

I'm sort of surprised that the Yamaha engineers were not told to make it lighter and cheaper than the GS. Or maybe they just could not do it.

BTW, I am sure Dean would have posted the review no matter which bike came out on top.:)

[Sir Limpsalot]

BTW, I am sure Dean would have posted the review no matter which bike came out on top.:)

Well, you know him better than I do..

Interestingly Yamaha have denied they were shooting at the GS with the Super Ten. They claim they were merely updating the old bike of the same name (which wasn't sold in the U.S. I don't think - it was a 750cc twin made in the late 80's early 90's). Seems incredible that they hadn't looked at the competition to me!
Could their engineers have made it more powerful and lighter than the GS? I would have thought so..

[DarthRider]

Here's what I think Dean...since you asked.:)
No probs with the original post, I think that's a good way to do it.

But that 1200 Super Ténéré? Seems a regular toad, eh wot?!
But wait...there is the matter of the GS being "in its 30th anniversary year" and the Ténéré only in it's 1st or 2nd.
The GS is "Gen XX" whatever, the Ténéré is what, Gen 1.1, or maybe 2.0?

And this from Ash's article: " There’s even some proper heritage, as Yamaha is joint highest Paris-Dakar winner along with KTM." DNA counts.

And from his conclusion: "...to buy a Super Ténéré you really have to not want a BMW, or specifically want a Yamaha. For some this will be enough: Yamaha’s reliability will probably be better (though R1 crank and clutch issues mean this isn’t guaranteed), and the sheer number of GSs around means there’s appeal in having something different."
This counts too. At our recent classic bike rally, three of the regulars had plunked down the $500 deposit for the Ténéré. I asked them "why?" Paraphrasing their responses, 2 said becuase it's not a BMW (they'd had rear drive & other problems, and "GSs on every corner"), 1 said because it's a Yamaha. All 3 of these guys can, and do, buy whatever they want.

Robby...with material like this you could be on Leno!

BTW, I am sure Dean would have posted the review no matter which bike came out on top.:)

:)

[Nail24]

That's the big problem with these big bore dual sport bikes. It they fall over (and they will) they're hard as hell to get back up. You don't nedd all that hp except to get you to the gravel quicker.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Dave, what sort of keyboard do you have that lets you put the accents over the e's in Tenere?

Si.

[DarthRider]

Dave, what sort of keyboard do you have that lets you put the accents over the e's in Tenere?

Si.

I was hoping someone would ask that!
I copied & pasted Tenere with accents from the Ash website, Brit I guess, into my post, not know if it would work but it did.
There are language settings for that...somewhere.
I was really just showing off for Dean...:linzi:

[Deans BMW]

Smart elic............................ :)

I found this ` and this ~ on my keyboard but can not put them over or under any letters.

[vintagemxr]

You can find the "odd" letters and characters in the Windows Character Map utility if you're running Windows. You can also use key strokes to access the extended ASCII character set. http://www.asciitable.com/

For instance, if you use old down the Alt key and press 0 1 6 9 you get: ©

Alt 247 gets you the ever popular degree symbol: °

Alt 468 gets you: ╘ It's not very useful but there it is.

Alt 129 gets: ü (A very necessary letter if you're a BMW guy and want to show everyone how into it you are)

Alt 138 gets you the currently in demand: è

the other Doug

[DarthRider]

Doug, why do you know that?
My God man, is there anything you don't know?

[vintagemxr]

Doug, why do you know that?
My God man, is there anything you don't know?

Dave, I started with PCs long ago in the days of DOS v2.x. Working as I did in the engineering department of a German company one had to learn how to add ° and ü and other esoteric symbols to reports as needed. With the old DOS based word processing programs and spreadsheets the only way to do it was by using the ASCII commands. All of us had a printed out ASCII crib sheet stuck to the wall of our offices. I'm so easily amused that I find it fun just to hit the Alt key and then some random number sequence just to see what pops up like, for example Æ. (that was Alt 658)

Yes, there are a great many things I don't know such as how to make a lot of money or how to stay single. Now that I think about it, there may be a connection between those two things.

the other Doug

[Sir Limpsalot]

Alt 138 gets you the currently in demand: è

the other Doug

Almost!
Doug, that's a grave accent (slopes from right to left) the Tenere has acute accents (slopes from left to right). The difference is huge and gives the pronounciation of the letter. The acute accent is pronounced with an "ay" sound. "Tayn-ay-ray".

A little more on accents here:
http://french.lovetoknow.com/French_Accent_Marks

Regrettably, knowing how to pronounce it doesn't make affording one any easier. Both the Yamaha and GS are a ridiculous amount of money here. I can buy a new MG sports car for less! Or, to put it another way, I could buy the TDM900 that the Super Ten is based on, ship it to the USA, ride it around for an extended tour, ship it home again and still have money left over!

Si.

[vintagemxr]

Almost!
Doug, that's a grave accent (slopes from right to left) the Tenere has acute accents (slopes from left to right). The difference is huge and gives the pronounciation of the letter. The acute accent is pronounced with an "ay" sound. "Tayn-ay-ray".

A little more on accents here:
http://french.lovetoknow.com/French_Accent_Marks

Regrettably, knowing how to pronounce it doesn't make affording one any easier. Both the Yamaha and GS are a ridiculous amount of money here. I can buy a new MG sports car for less! Or, to put it another way, I could buy the TDM900 that the Super Ten is based on, ship it to the USA, ride it around for an extended tour, ship it home again and still have money left over!

Si.

Ah, thank you for the correction and illumination, Si. Those little fiddly bits above letters can change everything. Wouldn't want to start a war with the French, I've heard they almost got their aircraft carrier working again.

the other Doug

[Dirty Doug]

Wouldn't want to start a war with the French, I've heard they almost got their aircraft carrier working again.

the other Doug


Who better says I. Their terror alert levels are...... Run, Hide, and Surrender!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dirty Doug

[DarthRider]

Dave, I started with PCs long ago in the days of DOS v2.x.
Oh crap!
I got as far as "DOS" when I dropped my coffee, seized up, fell to the floor and remained there unconscious until Betty threw cold water on me, about 20 minutes.

[Sir Limpsalot]

I've heard they almost got their aircraft carrier working again.

the other Doug

And, unbelievably, we're now forced to share it with them! If it was a film script, it'd be denounced as "too far fetched".

[DarthRider]

This one in the US of A.

From MotorcycleUSA.com:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/271/8415/Motorcycle-Article/2012-Yamaha-Super-Tenere-First-Ride.aspx?WT.i_e_dcsvid=1906567388

Maybe the Ténéré is just more expensive in UK?
Anyway, the test rider seemed to like it, with reservations, most of which could be easily rectified in subsequent models.

From the article, by Ken Hutchison Editorial Director:
The stalwart BMW GS-series is no longer the only game in town and the $13,900 Super Tenere is destined to play the role of antagonist in the battle for market share. It brings a base package replete with shaft drive, traction control, unified ABS brakes, hand-guards, adjustable seat, adjustable windscreen, DC power port, high-tech info system and competent suspension components that rival what BMW and Ducati offer, but the Yamaha delivers them for $3000-$6000 less.

[vintagemxr]

And, unbelievably, we're now forced to share it with them! If it was a film script, it'd be denounced as "too far fetched".

Si, I have the highest respect for your country and it's great military tradition, but I have to say that the idea of the Brits and the French sharing an aircraft carrier sounds like the plot of a Marx Brothers movie.

the other Doug

[Sir Limpsalot]

Doug, tell that to "Call me Dave" Cameron.

Dave the Super Ten is a whopping 50% more expensive here, and more. Both it and the GS will hose you to the tune of $20,000 - $22,000 (ish).

[DarthRider]

Dave the Super Ten is a whopping 50% more expensive here, and more. Both it and the GS will hose you to the tune of $20,000 - $22,000 (ish).
Holy Crap! Why is that? Are all imports jacked up like that?
I guess I understand, what with the Royals having to pay for another wedding and all...

[Sir Limpsalot]

Holy Crap! Why is that? Are all imports jacked up like that?


Sort of. For years the motor manufacturers called the UK "Treasure Island" because they could get away with charging just whatever they liked. Then, a few years back, people started bringing in bikes from mainland Europe where they were about 30-40% cheaper. This was partly due to the strength of the pound against the Euro, partly the fact the continentals simply refused to be ripped off. These "unofficial" imports caused huge problems for the factories who, after a lot of kicking and screaming, were forced to drop their prices.
Prices have been creeping back up lately though, and Yamaha are leading the way in this. Sadly, the weak pound now makes importing unrealistic and the makers know it. Bastards.
There is but one bright point in all this. Triumph. Good old St.John and his boys play the game and charge fair prices for good bikes. That'll do me!

(edit, the ER6-N over here costs about $8300. Rather more, I suspect, than you'll be asked..)

[DarthRider]

(edit, the ER6-N over here costs about $8300. Rather more, I suspect, than you'll be asked..)
MSRP on the '09 I got was $6,300. As it was a "non-current", I got it for, ahem...less.
I got it so cheap if I told Dean, he''d go out and buy a Kawasaki!

[Sir Limpsalot]

A few more random prices to amuse, entertain and scare you..

Yamaha V-Max $30,200.

FJR1300 $22,000.

YZF-R1 $19,000.

FZ-1 $15,000.

WR250X $9,500.

It's not all doom and gloom though, there are some "bargains" to be had..

Suzuki GSX1250-SA $10,700.

Kawasaki Versys $9,200.

Moto-Guzzi V7 Cafe $10,100.

Fancy a Ducati? How about the Multistrada S? $21,700.

Monster 1100 $13,000.

More a Honda man? How about my favourite, the VFR1200F $18,100.

CBR1000RR Fireblade $16,500.

If you really want a Gold Wing, you'd better start saving now.. $33,200.

I could go on, but even I'm getting bored with it now - so you must be!

Cheers,
Si.

[DarthRider]

Are cars similarly jacked up?
How do you afford to live there?
Come to Texas. We'll eat beans and ride cheap motorcycles...:ricky:

[Sir Limpsalot]

Are cars similarly jacked up?
How do you afford to live there?
Come to Texas. We'll eat beans and ride cheap motorcycles...:ricky:

Yes.

With great difficulty.

Tempting.

Si.

[panthercity]

Si, you might want to spend a few beenie-weenie evenings around Bro Dave before trading in that travel visa for a permanent one.

Just sayin'...

[vintagemxr]

Yes.

With great difficulty.

Tempting.

Si.

Nah, it's easy, Si. Just don't come through the airport though 'cause you'll get your balls squeezed by a guy. Sneak across the border like everyone else does.

the other Doug

[DarthRider]

Nah, it's easy, Si. Just don't come through the airport though 'cause you'll get your balls squeezed by a guy. Sneak across the border like everyone else does.

the other Doug
Yeah, it's pretty easy, happens all the time...:028:
Bring Bean-O.

And what's so bad about a free ball-squeeze at the airport?:ymca:

[Sir Limpsalot]

"Bean-O" WTF?

I'll bring my mum's recipe for spotted dick. And plenty of custard.

Si.:)

[vintagemxr]

"Bean-O" WTF?

I'll bring my mum's recipe for spotted dick. And plenty of custard.

Si.:)

Bean-o (http://www.beanogas.com/?redirectfrom=www.beano.net)

I'd be more concerned about Dave not minding having strange men at the airport squeeze his balls. :058:

the other Doug

[panthercity]

...I'll bring my mum's recipe for spotted dick...

Si.:)I think they check for that during the pat down now...

[DarthRider]

I'd be more concerned about Dave not minding having strange men at the airport squeeze his balls. :058:

the other Doug
PC Bob recommended a little Korean gentleman at DFW airport...he's a real artist.:linzi: