escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
Yup...nothing like have choices!This Kevin agrees with the other Kevin.
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FJR vs. Super Tenere question
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HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Dorks...Leave the road to the FJR. Leave the dirt to the KTMs.
Panman
Well-known member
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Panman
Well-known member
El Toro
Innocent Bystander
These bikes are so different that it is easy to decide which you prefer.
Ride them both for three months. At the end of the six month test ride period (three months for each bike) you can decide which one to sell.
That's been my approach for years.
Seriously, they really are different. If you're the kind of guy who lusts after stuff like the BMW R1200GS, then the Super Tenere is for you. If instead you lust after stuff like the K1600 GT, get the FJR.
Or you could just read the recent MCN comparo between the FJR, the Aprilia Caponord and the BMW R1200RS, and decide that for long distances you like the FJR, but for riding on the roads you like to ride on, the Caponord is better.
I've tried most of this stuff, and I've got both feet firmly planted in the real sport touring camp, and in that camp, the FJR is a pretty solid contender.
Ride them both for three months. At the end of the six month test ride period (three months for each bike) you can decide which one to sell.
That's been my approach for years.
Seriously, they really are different. If you're the kind of guy who lusts after stuff like the BMW R1200GS, then the Super Tenere is for you. If instead you lust after stuff like the K1600 GT, get the FJR.
Or you could just read the recent MCN comparo between the FJR, the Aprilia Caponord and the BMW R1200RS, and decide that for long distances you like the FJR, but for riding on the roads you like to ride on, the Caponord is better.
I've tried most of this stuff, and I've got both feet firmly planted in the real sport touring camp, and in that camp, the FJR is a pretty solid contender.
becoyote
Well-known member
I have an 07 Feej and a flashed 12 Tenere.
Either one would knock out a 1k day. I've done a 12k trip on the Tenere and a few 6k trips on FJRs. Pulling a trailer with each.
My Tenere is probably more fun around town, in tight twisties and obviously on gravel/dirt roads. I'd probably give it the edge for two up also.
The FJR can't be beat on the open road. It is hard to go away from an electric windscreen once you get used to it.
Physically the Ten might be a little more comfy but it is easy to forget how much the extra noise and wind take out of you on a long day.
I had planned on selling the 10 after buying my latest (3rd) FJR but it is such a buyers market on them I will probably just keep both.
Either one would knock out a 1k day. I've done a 12k trip on the Tenere and a few 6k trips on FJRs. Pulling a trailer with each.
My Tenere is probably more fun around town, in tight twisties and obviously on gravel/dirt roads. I'd probably give it the edge for two up also.
The FJR can't be beat on the open road. It is hard to go away from an electric windscreen once you get used to it.
Physically the Ten might be a little more comfy but it is easy to forget how much the extra noise and wind take out of you on a long day.
I had planned on selling the 10 after buying my latest (3rd) FJR but it is such a buyers market on them I will probably just keep both.
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AVGeek
Well-known member
I had both an 04 and 08 FJR, and still have my 12 ST. Far and away for me, the ST is the more comfortable of the two bikes. I do occasionally miss the turbine pull of the inline 4, but there is more than enough grunt to get to extra-legal speeds quickly on the ST.
last summer I owned a 2005 FJR and 2004 Vstrom DL1000. When SkooterG brought the demo truck to New Hampshire (the same event FJReady was talking about) I had already reached a decision I would be replacing one of those two bikes. Going into he demo I was pretty sure that I would be buying the 2014 Tenere ES and replacing the old 'Strom and keeping the 2005 FJR for two up days.
My "mistake" that day was in riding the 2014 FJR ES first. Like FJReady said, it was smoooth as buttah, and I really liked the ES suspension. By the time I returned from that short test ride, I knew the die was irreversibly cast. I did still test ride the S10 ES, but it underwhelmed me after riding the FJR. The shop had an FJR ES in stock and put a deposit on it that day.
Part of my ability to make the choice so easily was that I also happen to love my old Vstrom. I like the L-twin Suzuki engine better that the parallel twin Yamaha. The rest of the Tenere package would have been an upgrade, but honestly it didn't feel like enough of an upgrade to make me drop the coin on it. Obviously the 2014 ES did.
I suggest riding them both for as long as you can get away with before making the final choice. Don't just compare the Tenere to your old '04 because the 3rd Gen ES is quite a bit better than the old 1st Gen ever was, even a good running one with aftermarket suspension.
My "mistake" that day was in riding the 2014 FJR ES first. Like FJReady said, it was smoooth as buttah, and I really liked the ES suspension. By the time I returned from that short test ride, I knew the die was irreversibly cast. I did still test ride the S10 ES, but it underwhelmed me after riding the FJR. The shop had an FJR ES in stock and put a deposit on it that day.
Part of my ability to make the choice so easily was that I also happen to love my old Vstrom. I like the L-twin Suzuki engine better that the parallel twin Yamaha. The rest of the Tenere package would have been an upgrade, but honestly it didn't feel like enough of an upgrade to make me drop the coin on it. Obviously the 2014 ES did.
I suggest riding them both for as long as you can get away with before making the final choice. Don't just compare the Tenere to your old '04 because the 3rd Gen ES is quite a bit better than the old 1st Gen ever was, even a good running one with aftermarket suspension.
CopB8
Well-known member
Owned an FJR Gen 1 and Gen 3 for 11 years. Great bike. Added a '13 Tenere early last year with the intention of keeping both. I loved the opportunity to hit gravel roads and 2 tracks so much that I never wanted to be caught on the FJR when the right road presented itself so the FJR began to sit. After a year I decided it was time to let the FJR go which broke my heart because I always felt like a 'FJR guy'.
If you're tall then the seating position on the S10 is much more comfortable.
I do really miss the turbine smooth power of the FJR and it's good looks.
If you're tall then the seating position on the S10 is much more comfortable.
I do really miss the turbine smooth power of the FJR and it's good looks.
rushes
Well-known member
Craving new bike smell, and seeing the changes to the FJR, I'm currently more inclined to upgrade my 12 Tenere.
I love my 08 FJR
A guy should really have both types if possible.
I love my 08 FJR
A guy should really have both types if possible.
escapefjrtist
Searching for Dry Roads
Yup ^^^^ agreeing with rushes, as long it's possible I'll have one of each in the stable.
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Saddletramp
Well-known member
You can add me to the list of an owner of both bikes.
I bought a new 2005 FJR. I loved the bike but sold it for financial reasons. (read divorce). In 2012 I purchased a new 2012 S-10. It's still the bike I ride when I go solo. It has a comfortable riding position, plenty of power, & can pretty much go everywhere I want to go. I use it on the gravel roads in the mountains. I don't do hard core dirt riding. Great overall bike. I refer to it as the Chevy Suburban.
I missed the smooth power & quiet of the FJR on long trips. So did my wife. I picked u a used 2008 AE model & like it even better than my 2005. It's the bike I ride when I'm all highway riding or my wife is with me.
If I had to go down to one bike...I'd sell the FJR first. The Tenere is just too universal to get rid of. I still think it's an ugly thing though!
I bought a new 2005 FJR. I loved the bike but sold it for financial reasons. (read divorce). In 2012 I purchased a new 2012 S-10. It's still the bike I ride when I go solo. It has a comfortable riding position, plenty of power, & can pretty much go everywhere I want to go. I use it on the gravel roads in the mountains. I don't do hard core dirt riding. Great overall bike. I refer to it as the Chevy Suburban.
I missed the smooth power & quiet of the FJR on long trips. So did my wife. I picked u a used 2008 AE model & like it even better than my 2005. It's the bike I ride when I'm all highway riding or my wife is with me.
If I had to go down to one bike...I'd sell the FJR first. The Tenere is just too universal to get rid of. I still think it's an ugly thing though!
becoyote
Well-known member
I'd rather own an older version of each than a newer version of one.
I've been following this thread since it started which has caused me to think about which one I would get rid of if I could only have one or the other. I've taken a few 3000 mile plus trips on each one lately and, to be perfectly honest, thinking about it has only made it harder to imagine a choice. Every time I ride either the FJR or the Tenere, I love it even more. They are just different. I'm really glad I don't have to make a choice.
