Help- Tenere vs. Concours- which one???

[FacePalm]

Yes, yes, I know

This is not your typical apples-to-apples comparison. I've been ghosting this forum for a long time, trying to soak up all the wisdom I could. As of a week ago I thought I'd made my decision (Super T) and was content to wait for the best winter deal to hit the floor.

I'd been going back & forth between the two. I really like the ST for its go-anywhere-do-everything ability. Yamaha quality & lotsa aftermarket farkleability make it hard to beat.

The Connie tugs me in another direction as a pure Muscle-Tourer. Fast & Sexy & Fast.

So today I walk into my local dealer to pick up a nice Klim jacket. On the foor are the same two Teneres & and same two Connies I've been staring at for the last 4 months. All 4 are now sporting lovely red "Clearance" tags. Asking price is 12.5k for each

My background is this: Been riding almost 20 years, have owned 2 Harley big twins. No dirt experience.

Needs are this: Will be used to commute to save on gas. 1-2 big trips per year cross-country, lotsa shorter 1-2 day trips. All 1up. My Ego likes horsepower (as a former Dodge Viper owner, I know the value of low-end grunt). My sensibility says I'll be able to do & see more with the T.

Catch: I'm an Officer with the CHP & have been wanting to get on a motor. My department currently uses the BMW & the Connie. Getting the Connie would let me practice on the bike we use.

So I'm stuck in a terribly nice predicament. Whatsoever shall I do?

-Face

[llamapacker]

No brainer, you get the Connie for work anyway, so ST for different fun when you get off duty.

[GrahamD]

I was stuck in that predicament once.

I own an S10 now.

Basically I just wanted a bike that would work well across a good spectrum of speeds and terrain.

Sort of made my mind up really. While I like a good mega HP bike occasionally I use the versatility way more than I would use the extra 10000KW.

Just me though.

[espacef1fan]

FacePalm, what bike do you currently own?

[bikefree]

Originally Posted by llamapacker

No brainer, you get the Connie for work anyway, so ST for different fun when you get off duty.

Agreed! You can get your speed jollies at work and transition to the dual sport for recreation.

[advNZer?]

have you ridden both?The super ten will probably "feel" slow after the connie,but in the real world there wont be much difference imho.Of course those big horsepower bikes are very tourquey too

[Fast_Freddy]

FacePalm,
I don't know if this will give you any help in deciding. But I purchased
a 2009 Concours 14 last Feb. In that time I have owned 3 other bikes (I am
in search of the perfect bike) But in that same time I have put over 11K
miles on the Concours. It is an awesome bike that is very versatile. With
hard bags, heated, grips, ABS, Electric adjustable screen. It has the power
to keep up with my wife on here cbr1000rr which includes the canyons. It is
great for commuting. All around I am getting 43MPG.

I love the Concours but all that being said I am drawn to the Super Tenere.
I have had a few KTM's including a 950 Supermoto. I have been pure street
up to this point but want to explore more of my state (Utah) hence the
Super Tenere. I test road one two days ago and must say I really enjoyed
it. I am 6'4" and 45 years old and really enjoyed the comfort of the Super
Tenere for my legs. It was very nice to stretch my legs out. I need to stop
about every 1.5 hours on the Concours to stretch my legs. I felt like I
could last until the tank went dry on the ST. The seat was better on the ST
than the Concours. The ST handled very well IMHO it felt similar to my 950
Supermoto.

Trying to be objective looking at the ST to get it to where I would feel
like it would replace all the good things the Concours has. It would need a
taller windscreen and side deflectors, The hard cases, heated grips. Next
it would need probably another 15-20hp. I am thinking a full Arrow exhaust
and air filter and PCV or dyno tune. Not really necessary but my Concours
has a temperature gauge and a gear indicator which I use both.

I think your choice is easier on the money side since you are comparing
new to new (same price). My Concours has an extended factory warranty until
2016 so I have no worries there. But I would need to sell my Concours to
afford the ST I would be lucky to get $8K for mine and have to come up with
more than $5K just for the bike and then to get it farkled to the
equivalent of not giving anything up by swithing bikes I would need to
spend another $3K at least. So in my opinion with you being in a different
situation then myself I think you should go for the ST since you will
probably be able to ride the Concours for work and down the road if you
really like the Connie you could pick up a slightly used one for around $8K
and have both. I think I am going to see if I can swing both myself. I just
don't want to give up all the power of the Connie. By the way on the
Connie. It now has about 13K on it and I have not had one issue with it.

[Ri-Ra]

You get the Tenere and don't look back. Stop thinking, just buy...

[Moronic]

Love the question, because it makes nonsense of the suggestion that people always shop for bikes in the usual marketer defined categories. For them, you are comparing a sport tourer with an adventure tourer. Different categories. Apples to oranges. Doesn't make sense. But it makes plenty of sense for you: given your needs and opportunities, these are your two best options.

And realistically, the Concours will do gravel, and the Tenere is real-world quite quick. What you give up in either case is mainly unused potential.

[SpeedwayRN]

The S10 will be vastly easier to work on especially when its time check the valves.

[JTucker]

Try to get a demo on both if you can. I almost bought an S10 but held off for one reason or another. I finally got a demo ride on one and was glad I did. It just wasn't what I wanted. There's nothing wrong with the bikes and lots of people like them. I like the Connie but haven't gotten to ride one. Get what you like to ride, that's what matters.

[dman]

Originally Posted by Moronic

Love the question, because it makes nonsense of the suggestion that people always shop for bikes in the usual marketer defined categories. For them, you are comparing a sport tourer with an adventure tourer. Different categories. Apples to oranges. Doesn't make sense. But it makes plenty of sense for you: given your needs and opportunities, these are your two best options.

Slightly off the original topic, but I really agree with this. Back in 1983, when Japanese bike dealers still gave test rides, I owned a 2 year old CB900F and was really attracted to the new Japanese "sport" bikes .... Suzuki GS750ES and Kawasaki GPz's. But I also wanted to try a dual-sport after riding my friend's XT500. So I went into dealerships and explained that I was interested in these bikes, I got the "they're apples-and-oranges, come back when you make up your mind and we'll let you ride one of them" attitude at several dealers before I found one that got it. Ended up buying an Interceptor and XL600R (though at different dealerships). BTW, I've heard the CHP is using Concours but haven't seen any in Northern California yet.

-dman

[Wreckchecker]

The Connie is all about the motor, even if there is SO much more to the bike. Same with the FJR. Watch the true mpg as a commuter on the Connie, that you will change tires more often, and those relatively short valve inspections. How many times a year do you want to pull the bike apart?

About a third of us Super Tenere owners are past sport tourers and while a handful kept their FJR/ST/Connie/etc, most found that the Tenere is able to multi-task extremely well.

If you can get a test ride, try for a used bike with more than 1,500 miles and take along a 3" piece of wire with the ends stripped. For some reason, the Tenere takes that long to break in and become more lively. It's almost like the tolerances are just that tight when new. Also, a used bike is less liekly to still be set with the shifter and brake pedal awkwardly high, which is how they seem to be delivered and distracting.

What's the wire for? Answer here:
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/ind...4549#msg104549

[FacePalm]

Thanks Guys,

The dealer a few blocks from my house has two of each model on their floor. They've actually asked me if I want to test ride them. I going to set up the test rides either this week or next.

I have about 2k in my toy account to farkle whichever one I get. If its the "T" i'm going Zega Pros, crash bars & a bash plate to start. If its the Connie I'll prolly just get a bigger windscreen & a new can...

Decisions...

[High Country Herb]

Originally Posted by bikefree

Agreed! You can get your speed jollies at work and transition to the dual sport for recreation.

+2 to this. No sense having two of the same bike.

Even with "professional courtesy", you'll end up with a ticket sooner or later from someone who won't budge. The Super T will give you access to more roads when you travel, hold more luggage, and temp you with adventure instead of outright speed.

There'll be plenty of high speed maneuvers on the job.