Super Tenere Maintenance and Competitor Bikes

[@highmilagerider1154]

I have a 2019 Super Tenere ES that I bought new in a box in 2020. I now have 52,000 km on the bike. In Canada (where I can only ride 6 months a year) my valve service is due at 40,000km. My total for my 40K service including the valve service cost me $500. Everything was perfectly in spec, no adjustment needed. The mechanic told me I don't need to do it ever again, they don't go out of spec. Bullet proof motor. I do all the rest of my service myself. There are people out there with 300,000 miles on their Tenere's and the valves have never gone out of spec. My 4 buddies have a new 1290 KTM, a new Triumph tiger a new 1250GS and a new HD Pan America.....The Exciting thing about my Tenere is that while all their bikes are broken down in the shop....ALOT.....I'm out riding, without a care in the world. The other bikes can't do anything my Tenere can't. Except be Reliable. I would keep the Tenere. Ride safe.

[@rso1411]

It's comments like this that has be seriously looking at the Super T for my next bike.

[@dcjr1053]

I was pretty much set on getting a Tiger, but I keep hearing similar things - Triumph reliability is very iffy and the maintenance costs are high. The Tenere is now on the top of my list.

[@highmilagerider1154]

@@dcjr1053 I only know about Triumph reliability and repair/maintenance costs from my buddy who has a 2020 Triumph GT PRO. His bike is 3 times more expensive for services then my Tenere and has had numerous computer/electrical problems. He has about 23,000km and I have 65,000km on my Tenere. It's always nice to get a new motorcycle. Ride safe.

[@richardmourdock2719]

I have a 2015 ST. Love the bike. I just logged 45,000 miles and have not had the valve work done. The expert I've checked with always says, "if it starts easily when its warm, don't mess with it." I do all the work on the bike myself but would NOT do the valves as I don't have the patience or aptitude for that. I think the extended life without signifcant maintenance is due to the relatively low RPM given the six speed. Yamaha, is a Japanese word for "bullet proof".

[@dcasteaux9181]

It’s a big job. Takes about 6-8 hours. Refitting the cylinder head cover while keeping the gaskets in place is quite tricky. Had to move the electrical tray out of the way.

[@pappaclutch3266]

What’s your mileage and was it out of spec?

[@dcasteaux9181]

@@pappaclutch3266 Mileage was 29K and none of the valves were out of spec. Bike owned from new, mostly motorways miles. Cylinder head cover refitting is a real pain: make sure you use new gaskets (they are very expensive) as you don't want them to leak after the job is done - my old gaskets were about 1.5mm thinner than the new ones. Hope that helps.

[@pappaclutch3266]

@@dcasteaux9181 I’m at 35k, I got to do valves, spark plug and CCT and I’m not looking forward to it, dealership wants an arm and a leg. I’ve never got into an engine b4 but I’m thinking about it to save some money.

[@arrowbosmith]

My 2012 with 32,000 miles just had its valves checked last week, $900. Everything was in spec. Better to know, than to hurt the engine.

[@WillieJohnRidesAgain]

Haha- you just described every motorcycle dealership I have even been in. If it weren't so habit forming, I don't see how they could stay in business! Good review on schedules though and happy to hear you have had the typical Super Ten experience! I have the 2021!

[@americandude3825]

I’m praying to be getting a super tenere next weekend. Also making a list: Windscreen Luggage Phone holder Aftermarket exhaust Skid plate Those mirrors you have ECU flash pending the cost of it. Anything else?

[@elindenstein]

Depending on your height, bar risers would be worth it. If you plan to do some off roading, lower and upper crash bars would be worth it. The radiator is really vulnerable on a drop and the upper bars will be helpful.

[@americandude3825]

@@elindenstein yep. Crash bars. I forgot to mention those. Thank you.

[@thiagomilanez8460]

I just bought a 2014 with 23000miles on it and I went through the whole bike, replaced spark plugs, air filter, coolant, engine oil and filter, driveshaft oil and brake fluid. However I wasn’t brave enough to do the Valve check LOL. I’ll wait up until around 30k too and I’ll take it to a dealership.

[@elindenstein]

Yeah no need that early. I finally just had it done with 32,000 miles on it and every valve was in-spec. What a waste!

[@JS-nf1sn]

$3K is crazy for a bike that's running great. You can do everything yourself including all the parts and fluids for maybe a couple hundred. If you don't want to do the valves yourself, just pay for that. The other problem with their $3K quote is it's just maintenance. If they find something that will be more. I've heard of people rebuilding the engine for $3K.

[@davenesse8815]

Haha, I live in the greater Seattle area and own both '21 Super Tenere and '21 KLX300.

[@elindenstein]

Seemingly the best combo you can get!

[@robinjameshartley7673]

I bought my 2010 XT with 30k and no record of valve clearances checked, I'm ashamed to admit I left it till 80k before getting the valves checked. At which time all the valves were tight and it was high time to do it, and yet the bike always started well and ran. I'm glad I did it at last but just for reference, it can withstand neglect and abuse.

[@antalgyori6744]

I think if the motorcycle has been good to you, you should be good to it. I also think doing as much of the maintenance work yourself is rewarding and worthwhile, just as you said. Do the valve check for peace of mind and do whatever other maintenance work that needs or should be done too. Keep your baby running reliably, efficiently and safely. You have other motorcycles to ride while the Super-T is being worked on. Do you have a decent place to work on the Super-T?

[@elindenstein]

Yeah I agree! I do all the maintenance except this valve check. It’s getting done on March 11th while I’m out of town - I’m also just having him do spark plugs, all the fluids, new brake pads and MAYBE tires. I’ve got a KLX 300, too, so I’m not out a bike 🙌🏼

[@is3260]

My observation for value adjustment is there is a range of need to do this procedure. Owners who changed fluids early and frequently, used correct octane top tier gas, did not overheat engine, did not run high revolutions, did not run the engine hard, did not load the engine under throttle and generally did excellent maintenance have a low probability of needing valve check or adjustment. On the other end of range, those owners who followed maximum mileage fluid changes regardless of time, let bikes sit without storage procedure, did not use proper octane or top tier gas, ran the engine hard, had temperature extremes, overheated the engine multiple times, loaded the engine under throttle, rode off road a lot and did the minimum maintenance have a high probability to need the valves checked and adjusted. 2010-2013 STs more likely need it. 2014-current less likely to need it. Yamaha made significant updates and improvements up to 2018, Test ride different years and research it. BTW the ST does not have slipper clutch, so rev and speed matching is needed on down shifts to avoid that clunk sound where gears are not in sync or tire skidding.

[@milesdavis8665]

A GS dont cost that much for their valve service. Thats crazy. Ive seen the videos on both bikes and the Tenere is a pain in the ass to get to the top of the engine. A second generation triumph tiger is slightly easier. And Id say the valve service on the KTM super Adventure is second easiest to the GS. But the Super T is by far the most reliable.

[@GoodEveningCitizens]

What happened to your mirrors ?????

[@elindenstein]

@@GoodEveningCitizens What do you mean?

[@PabloSilva-wf8zk]

Have you had a problem at high speeds with those mirrors?

[@elindenstein]

None at all, they don't budge

[@danielkramer8586]

Keep the Tenere! If you like to travel miles, you'll like it much more than the Africa Twin.

[@elindenstein]

@@danielkramer8586 Oh man this is an old video. I bought a T7 almost 3 years ago and have about 17,000 miles on it now!

[@danielkramer8586]

@@elindenstein Super cool! Have you done a video on it? I've thought for years that a 750, or thereabouts, is the perfect all-around engine size.

[@elindenstein]

@@danielkramer8586 oh yeah, they're all on my channel. I've done a few reviews on it

[@danielkramer8586]

@ Checking it out now. Thanks friend!

[@johndavis2399]

Just bought a 2012 w 33,000 miles on it. The Seller said he thot the valve adjustment was to be done at 40,000 mi.....so I questioned his attention to maintenance in general, even though the bike was very clean. Bottomline: I got scalped by the dealer's maintenance shop for over $2K for the valve adjustment and a complete go-thru of everything. (The cam chain tensioner, btw,, is an item that has the least longevity.) I've ridden it once......and now it won't start. The shop manager, when I called, told me inspecting the charging system was not part of the 30,000 mile maintenance check up. AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

[@williammahaffy4642]

KEEP THE S10!!!

[@elindenstein]

Sold it 8 months ago!

[@EatonSomeMore]

what'd you get?@@elindenstein

[@elindenstein]

@@EatonSomeMore T7!

[@EatonSomeMore]

​@@elindenstein Nice! I had super tenere, sold it to get a dr650 and a Harley. Now have sold the dr and harley looking to getting back into either a super tenere or t700 or transalp. Tough choice though as I see myself whisking away onto dirt trails but it just doesn't happen that often.

[@4fifty8]

Why'd you sell the Harley? I just bought a '23 Super T. Pretty happy with it, upgrading from a Vstrom.

[@woodly1069]

Stealerships SUCK!

[@paultannahill5043]

Keep right except to pass.

[@andywiggens1069]

always keep right III%

[@shawzall404]

What exhaust are you running? Sounds great at idle.

[@elindenstein]

I sold that bike last summer, but it just had a Yoshimura slip on. It did sound killer!!

[@niko918]

Im in Phoenix, and I tell you….most of the shops here are pirates! Im looking for a new Super T, and what happened to the days of MSRP?!? Now it’s MSRP +++ And they are dicks about it!!! WTF?!?