Vstrom - Tenere - Explorer

mup · 01-07-2013, 05:18 PM

I think it is safe to say the Tenere is better than the Vee off road, and the Explorer is better than the Vee on the road, but what are the reverse results?

Can anyone give an experienced on-road comparison between the Vee and Tenere?

Can anyone give an experienced off-road comparison between the Vee and Explorer?

Pecha72 · 01-08-2013, 01:44 AM

Keep in mind DL1000 hasn't really changed in a decade. Others cost more, and can do more off-road, though it's relative, cos they're all very heavy. Also can't get ABS for the current DL1000, but otherwise it's a good touring bike for changing road conditions, and engine goes on forever, if maintained properly.

Maybe it'll be a more valid comparison next year with the new DL1000?

Typhon · 01-08-2013, 04:47 AM

Can't speak for the other two ,but the Tenere eats up the miles on the highway just fine. I've done a few 500+ mile days and It can cruise 80+ all day long. Only thing it lacks is cruise control , but that is easily solved with a throttle lock.

ArmyMedic · 01-08-2013, 07:02 AM

Haven't ridden the Explorer but owned a Vstrom 1000 and now a Tenere. I'll take my Tenere all day long. Vstrom feels very big and has the worst wind dynamics of any bike I have ever ridden. Scary as hell in crosswinds. Helmet buffeting is horrible too. Tenere works great in all situations.

pluric · 01-08-2013, 07:47 AM

I came off a Vee as well to a Tenere. Had a Vee for 8 years. Just adapted to it's
weak spots and enjoyed it. Along comes the Tenere and made me realize what I
had been missing. It trumps the Vee in every catagory but price. And even then
it's worth every penny. Off road it's actually fun.

DaFoole · 01-08-2013, 08:21 AM

Like Pluric says (damn I hate to say that...

) no question about which I'd choose. I had a DL1000 for 7 yrs, spent thousands of dollars to sort it out and was pretty happy with it but in terms of comfort, wind management and off-road prowess it falls FAR short of the Tenere even after the upgrades.
Lots of 7-800 mile days of both...Tenere much more comfortable, stable.....winner, Tenere.
Dirt roads on both...Strom twitchy, unstable and often scary. Tenere planted, stable, goes were you point it. ABS works GREAT off road....winner, Tenere.
Ease of maintenance...winner, Tenere.
Two up...my SO loves the Tenere's perch were the Strom had her squirming.
Handling two up about the same (Heavily modified Strom...brakes/suspension)...winner, Tenere.
Juice for lights, heated grips/gear. Tenere more than doubles the Stroms output...winner, Tenere.
Cost...VStrom

The only place the modified Strom shined compared to the Tenere was a series of real tight curves. Faster corner transition on the Strom mostly based on steering geometry...
Off road the thing always felt like it wanted to nap....and often did...

Great bike but progress does indeed march on.

The Triumph looks great. It would have been on my short list had it been available. Having not ridden one I can make no comparison. The lack of dealers might have been an issue but probably not.

Then...

...and now

...packing light is my forte....

BTW, the road seen on the Tenere pic (Valley of the Gods) was ridden with both bikes at different times. Scary on the Strom, fun and fast on the Tenere...both loaded to obscene levels....

pluric · 01-08-2013, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFoole

...

...packing light is my forte....

BTW, the road seen on the Tenere pic (Valley of the Gods) was ridden with both bikes at different times. Scary on the Strom, fun and fast on the Tenere...both loaded to obscene levels....

I'm surprised. I thought chiffon packed down better than that.

Peter Marshall: Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.

DaFoole · 01-08-2013, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pluric

I'm surprised. I thought chiffon packed down better than that.

Peter Marshall: Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.

Different color outfits you idiot!

pluric · 01-08-2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFoole

Different color outfits you idiot!

Good point. I try to be understanding to the needs of you Raven Riders and I sometimes
forget what it takes to back up certain lifestyle choices. Sorry. I can only imagine what
even a few extra hats must add to your packing plans.

M Singer · 01-08-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyMedic

Haven't ridden the Explorer but owned a Vstrom 1000 and now a Tenere. I'll take my Tenere all day long. Vstrom feels very big and has the worst wind dynamics of any bike I have ever ridden. Scary as hell in crosswinds. Helmet buffeting is horrible too. Tenere works great in all situations.

All of that goes double for me!

goodcat8 · 01-09-2013, 04:04 PM

The possible vstrom 1000 remake coming out soon could be interesting

mup · 01-10-2013, 09:41 PM

Thanks for the replies so far. I keep thinking I need to upgrade, but I don't want to give up the power of Vee. If I understand you all correctly, the Tenere doesn't give up any power to the Vee (clutch mod notwithstanding). I really want to like the Explorer, but don't want to get anymore incompetent in the dirt. And, with the small amount of dirt I do ride, I certainly don't want to go down in power. It seems the overall cost of ownership is less on the Tenere, too. Anyone want to chime in on the Explorer argument?

burmbuster · 01-14-2013, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mup

Thanks for the replies so far. I keep thinking I need to upgrade, but I don't want to give up the power of Vee. If I understand you all correctly, the Tenere doesn't give up any power to the Vee (clutch mod notwithstanding). I really want to like the Explorer, but don't want to get anymore incompetent in the dirt. And, with the small amount of dirt I do ride, I certainly don't want to go down in power. It seems the overall cost of ownership is less on the Tenere, too. Anyone want to chime in on the Explorer argument?

The motor on the Explorer is far superior to the other two bikes. I havent ridden an Explorer off road so I can't speak to that. I would question the cost of ownership vs. the other two as well. I believe all 3 bikes are very reliable and Triumph does not follow BMW's path when it comes to parts and service pricing. As with any decision, ride all three in stock form and you should be able to sort it out in short order.

RED CAT · 01-14-2013, 06:09 AM

Is very top heavy. Good street bike though with lots of 135hp. Not very good in the dirt compared to the Tenere.

Rick West · 01-14-2013, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burmbuster

The motor on the Explorer is far superior to the other two bikes.

Triumph did the right thing with the Explorer by making it pretty much what the buyers of large dual sports want. A street bike. Triumph knows that most of these bikes are being used for pavement touring, so they gave the Explorer the best engine in the class for what the bike will be used for. That engine is miles ahead of the S10 and the Vee-strom engines.

The fact that the Explorer is really bad off pavement will not mean much to buyers of the large dualsports sadly. That engine though will bring Vee-Strom buyers to Triumph if they can afford it and people considering a S10 if they are not pretending about how much off pavement riding they really do.

01-07-2013, 05:18 PM	#1
mup ^OP Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Oddometer: 21	Vstrom - Tenere - Explorer I think it is safe to say the Tenere is better than the Vee off road, and the Explorer is better than the Vee on the road, but what are the reverse results? Can anyone give an experienced on-road comparison between the Vee and Tenere? Can anyone give an experienced off-road comparison between the Vee and Explorer?

01-08-2013, 04:47 AM	#3
Typhon Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Nokomis ,FL Oddometer: 431	Can't speak for the other two ,but the Tenere eats up the miles on the highway just fine. I've done a few 500+ mile days and It can cruise 80+ all day long. Only thing it lacks is cruise control , but that is easily solved with a throttle lock. __________________ There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter. -Ernest Hemingway 2013 Triumph Scrambler I.B.A#34533

01-08-2013, 07:02 AM	#4
ArmyMedic Flyin' Elvis, UT Chapter Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Salt Lick Sity Oddometer: 461	Haven't ridden the Explorer but owned a Vstrom 1000 and now a Tenere. I'll take my Tenere all day long. Vstrom feels very big and has the worst wind dynamics of any bike I have ever ridden. Scary as hell in crosswinds. Helmet buffeting is horrible too. Tenere works great in all situations. __________________ 2012 Victory Vision Tour 2012 Yamaha XT1200 Super Tenere

01-08-2013, 08:21 AM	#6
DaFoole Que la Chinga?! Joined: Jun 2004 Location: BFE, SW Oregon/SF BayO'rea Oddometer: 3,110	Like Pluric says (damn I hate to say that...) no question about which I'd choose. I had a DL1000 for 7 yrs, spent thousands of dollars to sort it out and was pretty happy with it but in terms of comfort, wind management and off-road prowess it falls FAR short of the Tenere even after the upgrades. Lots of 7-800 mile days of both...Tenere much more comfortable, stable.....winner, Tenere. Dirt roads on both...Strom twitchy, unstable and often scary. Tenere planted, stable, goes were you point it. ABS works GREAT off road....winner, Tenere. Ease of maintenance...winner, Tenere. Two up...my SO loves the Tenere's perch were the Strom had her squirming. Handling two up about the same (Heavily modified Strom...brakes/suspension)...winner, Tenere. Juice for lights, heated grips/gear. Tenere more than doubles the Stroms output...winner, Tenere. Cost...VStrom The only place the modified Strom shined compared to the Tenere was a series of real tight curves. Faster corner transition on the Strom mostly based on steering geometry... Off road the thing always felt like it wanted to nap....and often did... Great bike but progress does indeed march on. The Triumph looks great. It would have been on my short list had it been available. Having not ridden one I can make no comparison. The lack of dealers might have been an issue but probably not. Then... ...and now ...packing light is my forte.... BTW, the road seen on the Tenere pic (Valley of the Gods) was ridden with both bikes at different times. Scary on the Strom, fun and fast on the Tenere...both loaded to obscene levels.... __________________ "...when I handed the 40 ouncer to him, he got that far off stare that a cat gets when it just gets done licking its ass for the last 15". Yeah, THAT stare." -WTF-Over DaFoole screwed with this post 01-08-2013 at 08:34 AM

01-09-2013, 04:04 PM	#11
goodcat8 I can pass this guy..... Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Oddometer: 2,737	The possible vstrom 1000 remake coming out soon could be interesting __________________ 2012 Triumph Bonneville 2006 Suzuki Vstrom Prior: 3rd Battalion - 6th Marines - 2nd Marine Division - Lima Company - 2nd Platoon - 0311

01-08-2013, 01:44 AM	#2
Pecha72 Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Helsinki, Finland Oddometer: 1,305	Keep in mind DL1000 hasn't really changed in a decade. Others cost more, and can do more off-road, though it's relative, cos they're all very heavy. Also can't get ABS for the current DL1000, but otherwise it's a good touring bike for changing road conditions, and engine goes on forever, if maintained properly. Maybe it'll be a more valid comparison next year with the new DL1000?

01-08-2013, 07:47 AM	#5
pluric Gimpy Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Salt Lake Oddometer: 11,324	I came off a Vee as well to a Tenere. Had a Vee for 8 years. Just adapted to it's weak spots and enjoyed it. Along comes the Tenere and made me realize what I had been missing. It trumps the Vee in every catagory but price. And even then it's worth every penny. Off road it's actually fun.

01-10-2013, 09:41 PM	#12
mup ^OP Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Oddometer: 21	Thanks for the replies so far. I keep thinking I need to upgrade, but I don't want to give up the power of Vee. If I understand you all correctly, the Tenere doesn't give up any power to the Vee (clutch mod notwithstanding). I really want to like the Explorer, but don't want to get anymore incompetent in the dirt. And, with the small amount of dirt I do ride, I certainly don't want to go down in power. It seems the overall cost of ownership is less on the Tenere, too. Anyone want to chime in on the Explorer argument?

01-14-2013, 06:09 AM	#14
RED CAT Bumpy Backroader Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Western Canada Oddometer: 2,413	Explorer! Is very top heavy. Good street bike though with lots of 135hp. Not very good in the dirt compared to the Tenere.

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