Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Going from Harley to Adventure bike! GS1200A, Triumph Explore or Super Tenere?? Help Going from Harley to Adventure bike! GS1200A, Triumph Explore or Super Tenere?? Help
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Like Tree2Likes

Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 17 Feb 2012
nigel_tailyour's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Portsmouth UK
Posts: 136
I am in a similar situation to Moulin.

My 1150 GSA with all the trimmings has been written off by the insurance company and I now have a small cheque from them to compensate.

We are going RTW 2-up next year and we are camping so I am tempted with another GSA - but it is so heavy.

Anything suitable for 12 months away from home two up do you think?
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 18 Feb 2012
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 1
Super Tenere
I traded my KLR for a Super Tenere last July, got 13,000 miles on the Tenere now. I was 2 weeks from getting a GS when Yamaha made it available in the U.S. Price, dual swing-arm strength, low maintenance, dealer network and Japanese reliability made the S10 my clear choice. I hope to cover a few hundred thousand more miles of mountain roads, trails and daily commutes on it. Ride one, thats all it will take.
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 18 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by k woo View Post
I traded my KLR for a Super Tenere last July, got 13,000 miles on the Tenere now. I was 2 weeks from getting a GS when Yamaha made it available in the U.S. Price, dual swing-arm strength, low maintenance, dealer network and Japanese reliability made the S10 my clear choice. I hope to cover a few hundred thousand more miles of mountain roads, trails and daily commutes on it. Ride one, thats all it will take.

Thanks for the useful, real world experience of the S10.

I don't make a habit of quoting motorcycle magazines and their reporting, but there was an interesting article in a UK bike mag back in Nov 11.
It concerned the Nick Sanders' super tenere that did 3 return trips of the Pan-American; this amounted to 51,000 miles in about 4 months.
But the interesting bit was the strip down of the engine and the photos and description of the mechanics. Servicing for the 51K miles is described as 2-3 oil changes and nothing else, not even the air filter was changed.

The most serious issues found with this bike were a couple of weeping seals, specifically for one of the fork legs and in the final drive which incurred some kind of damage (vaguely attributed to a strap).
All of the engine internals are described as showing wear consistent with a bike of about 10K miles maximum and many are "just run in" or "as new".
Apart from the seals, everything is original, even the spark plugs.

I hope your S10 gives just as good service in your travels!!
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 7 Mar 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft.Lauderdale, Florida USA
Posts: 1
May I suggest taking the 3-day BMW intro off-road motor course before buying the big GSA. I did and it didn't take long to realize that the bike is way to heavy to go to a lot of places the smaller ones could get to. I also am making the transition from Harley to adv.bike. Good luck & hope to see you on the road.
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 8 Mar 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 16
Deal done, Goodbye Harley- Hello BMW GSA :)
Hey guys, thanks for the feedbacks. Just want to give some update and also real feedback, hopefully will help someone...
To start, let me make it official and say that I traded my beautiful HD black St. Glide for a 2012 Red GSA. Loving it, even though a little overwhelmed still...
So, I test drove the Yamaha Super Tenere. Really like that bike, perfect every where, light, powerful and I even took it off road during the test drive (as per sales guy suggestion , and It was fun riding it standing up. The down side was that there was no crash bar, and the windshield was a little smaller.
Test drove 2 GSA and 1 GS, in 2 different dealers. The GS was fun and nimble, like it, but did not love it. I was sold on the bad ass imposing look of the GSA (also compare to S.Tenere. Wish Tenere had a "offroad" version on the show room, it probably would sell more!)
Why did I buy the GSA instead of Tenere.... Tenere did make more sense $$ wise, about 4K cheaper than GSA (even suit up).
I guess the biggest reason for buying the GSA was 3 things. One looks, two proven reliability, and lots of positives feedbacks, and The most important reason was about the Name status and Riding club/group rides.
You may only understand this if they come from Harley Davidson.... HD biggest selling points are the Harley Groups and Group Rides that you are automatically invited if you own a Harley, and that IS A BLAST. I never done group riding until I bought my First Harley and I love that friendship and camaraderie that Other Harley rides have to each other...
While test riding my 2nd GSA, the sales guy invited me to come back later in the week that they were having the monthly BMW owner club meeting, so I did. I truly enjoyed meeting the group, they are actually a more mature group of guys (a few girls) just nice group of people, getting together, having a chili cookout, planning some upcoming rides. Not as group riding oriented as the Harley, but as close as you will find I guess.
Yamaha, Honda, not even the Triumph have much of that...( I've owned them all!) at the least not around my area anyways...
Ohhh another thing.... That is something cool to do when someone asks... What bike do you ride... and you say Harley! (people almost expect that! I have seen disappointing faces in the past when I used to say Honda) Now, I can proudly say BMW It Would not be the same if you say Yamaha,, even you if quickly say Super Tenere behind it, since nobody really will know what that is...
PS: To back up my point... when I told my wife that I was torn between the BMW and Yamaha, she said..."BMW sounds like a better bike, just get that one! " and she knows nothing about motorcycle
Well here is my honest review...
Cheers.
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 8 Mar 2012
jkrijt's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 638
That sounds like a well motivated decision.
I wish you lots of fun riding your BMW GSA.
__________________
Jan Krijtenburg

My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide

My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 9 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 107
::. UKGSer.com .:: - Powered by vBulletin

This is a great forum for tech info on all the GS bikes. Opinions vary on the 1200, but the majority seem to think the build quality is nowhere near as good as the earlier bikes.
I wouldn`t fancy taking any of the biggies you mention on anything other than firm tracks. If you travel solo I reckon a 650 or 660 would do you better. They happily chug along at 70mph all day fully loaded. The XT660Z is a great bike.
__________________
This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 19:55
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 03:15
Looking for some help in getting started TotalTomination South America 20 30 Oct 2009 18:02
Transfering Title In Buenos Aires kwelfl South America 7 28 Dec 2008 16:06

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:35.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top