I just took a test ride on a yamaha super tenere. It was a pretty cool bike but it was no Varadero. The tenere has some cool features. The on the fly adjustable shocks are a nice feature, it can also be adjusted for two up riding or single rider with luggage. The touring and sport mode is also cool. (much more fun on sport mode).
The fit and finish did not seem like Honda quality, and the clutch did not feel as smooth as the Vara.
Nice bike but she's no Varadero.
I'm interested in the Tenere. It will depending on the African Twin that's suppose to come out this fall (in Canada). If the AT does not suit me and the Cross Tourer 1200 does not become available in North America, I may buy a Yamaha when I'm done with my Varadero.
How was the power? I heard the Super Tenere is suppose to be a bit low on power!
After 2 Varadero's and 75 K on each I had the idea of buying the new crosstourer in 2012. But at the motorcycle bourse I noticed that the crosstourer is to much a street bike. At the Yamaha stand I tried the XT 1200 and had more the idea that it is the bike that fits me, so I bought it.
After 46.000 km I can tell that the Varadero is somewhat more comfortable, but the XT is absolutely reliable, better to handle off road because of lower centroid, more agile on the road. The engine is a bit more noisy, but at low revs you never have "hick up's" like I noticed on the Varadero. First XT's had power reduction in first 3 gears, which you could eliminate by changing the mapping or simply use a paperclip. The new ones have more power and less reduction.
Driving mostly with 2 on the bike I would again buy the XT.
Alone at the bike I would wait for the new AT to try it, mainly bacause of the lower weight.
I have not ride too much the XT, but have tested the Xtourer much times; sure IMO the XT is closer to the Varadero spirit.
Maritimer
I found that it felt a little more sluggish than the Vara off the start but that could be from the drive shaft compared to chain drive, but you should note that I was on a test ride with 14 other riders so I could only push it as hard as the person in front of me.
I tried the Super Ten a couple of years ago. I was empressed by the smooth running of the engine, specially at low rpmīs as Blacksmith also mentioned, and I didnīt think it was missing power.
But two things didnīt please me, the lack of comfort, I think the windscreen/upper cowl is to small, and I felt it as if the footpegs was placed more to the rear than on the Varadero. This gave me a feeling of leaning forward with the weight on my hands and arms and I didnīt like that.
You are right Bonne, so I placed higher (Yamaha) screen and bar risers. That solved the problem.
After 2 Varadero's and 75 K on each I had the idea of buying the new crosstourer in 2012. But at the motorcycle bourse I noticed that the crosstourer is to much a street bike. At the Yamaha stand I tried the XT 1200 and had more the idea that it is the bike that fits me, so I bought it.
After 46.000 km I can tell that the Varadero is somewhat more comfortable, but the XT is absolutely reliable, better to handle off road because of lower centroid, more agile on the road. The engine is a bit more noisy, but at low revs you never have "hick up's" like I noticed on the Varadero. First XT's had power reduction in first 3 gears, which you could eliminate by changing the mapping or simply use a paperclip. The new ones have more power and less reduction.
Driving mostly with 2 on the bike I would again buy the XT.
Alone at the bike I would wait for the new AT to try it, mainly bacause of the lower weight.
I'm really surprised you say that, its not my view. I owned a Varadero and the Crosstourer is the better all rounder in my view. The Varadero is more top heavy, making for more effort on gravel. The CT on the other hand has it's weight lower down and I have managed the CT on a much wider range of conditions than I could ever do ont he Varadero.
The Super ten is a nice bike, but I find it too small, ergonomics layout, for me.
I'm hoping the new AT will be the one!
Thanks for the feedback on the Super Tenere JoshK. I'll wait for the African twin to come out. Hopefully it will fits me. I wish the Cross Tourer was available in Canada.
Must say that I only had one go on the S10 (=Super TENerč) when it was introduced.
I love it. Compared to its rivals, its simplicity, ergonomics and agility made it my favourite towards the Crosstourer.
I still am convinced that the Crosstourer is the better bike compared to build-quality and comfort. But motorcycling is also about emotions and on that aspect the S10 ticks more boxes on my personal wish-list than the Crosstourer.
Love its simple shaft ride layout and the fact that it felt remarkable taller than the Crosstourer, and its very good fuel economy.
My first impressions where that I would take the S10 beyond the point on which I would take either the Varadero or the Crosstourer.
The menu with mapping settings are easy and foolproof. And in its latest edition, it offers very good value for money. In fact, I see the S10 as today's Honda XL1000V Varadero: its far underrated.
I have not ride too much the XT, but have tested the Xtourer much times; sure IMO the XT is closer to the Varadero spirit.
I second that, Gilles!
Now that the Varadero isn't available any more, and if I was put for the choice to get an replacement... a used low mileage S10 would be high on my wish-list. Maybe top 1.