Back on the Super Tenere and the topic of the left side (radiator assembly) fall down go boom situation. Check the accessories already on the Yamaha site for the bike. One is a full engine/fairing guard tube like assembly that looks a lot like what I'm accustomed to seeing as an aftermarket accessory for KLRs, etc.
I've got confidence in Yamaha not coming to this niche of the market with anything other than a state of the art Adventure bike. Heavy, low center of gravity, not inexpensive, lots of accessories available already for its intended use and probably able to hold its own against that competition regardless of price. Lotsa reasons I'd choose Yamaha over BMW or KTM even if it were exactly the same bike. I'd probably go with a man strom or a wee strom over either of those for the same reasons. But that's me and my preferences.
Except for the ABS and shaft drive, the DL1000 would do the highway miles just as good and do the same type of offroad stuff too. At maybe just under half the cost. I think I could put a new chain and sprockets on about every 25,000 mi. for that kind of savings. Wish the Zuke had ABS for the road though.
doctorj
I dont think it will be half price..... I THINK that if the Tenere comes here its in the ball park of the FJR...;-)
If that does come about, I'd have to really consider it. Due to loosing half the left bag space due to the pipe, I'd opt for a version without the OEM bags and go for aftermarket and maybe lower the pipe like some GS owners have done. I need the space. I wouldn't do much serious off roading but some mild might be possible. I would hate to take that expensive a bike out to get trashed too much (get cheap used DR650 if want to do much of that). Overall, I like it and bet the final drive will outlast BMWs. One thing I can't understand is why would Mama Yama put ABS on an admitted ADV. touring bike that is not switched or defeatable as did the DL650ABS. What's up with that--can you say USELESS OFFROAD!!!
doctorj
I would have to respectfully disagree with you when you say its useless off road... There is a new VID I posted at the first post. There is talk about the brakes on the bike a bit... I AGREE with you that it would be better for sure to be able to turn off the whole system. But no one has even ridden the darn bike. Might be a great system that you cant feel, Etc.. If your looking to ride to South America or down to Baja your saying this bike is useless off road just cuz the brakes? Maybe for you, you might want to ride a simple dirt bike. For others this will get you there in the utmost safety. With the sophisticated ABS and the intricate traction control with three power settings, I think this has allot of 'tricks' that are great. When all the editors start to write about the work Yamaha has done. Its definitely built for a niche market. Someone not looking to blast moguls at 100 Mph like the KTM 990 can do... But like the BMW GSA it will get someone where they want to go from point A - B.....
But I think saying its useless off road is a miss guided suggestion to others, and this bike is not for YOU !