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[HebrewHarley]

I am going to be spending 30 days every 90 days in Oregon for the next two years. I would like to buy a motorcycle for there, and I am thinking about an adventure motorcycle.

Obviously Harley don't make an adventure motorcycle, so I am looking at a 2013 leftover Yamaha Super Tenere for $8500. Something about the dam bike really calls me to it! Have anyone some experience on the Super Tenere, good or bad? I don't know much about it other than it is attracting me as if it is a magnet.

Yitzhak

[2k]

My personal 1st choice would be a KTM, but I don't see how you could go wrong with the Yamahammer. If possible, ride a BMW & a KTM before making a commit.

[Twolanerider]

Damn, that's got to be close to a 14,000 great circle round trip each time.  I'd want something to ride at the other end too. 

Have played a little on a KTM.  Enough so to second it's recommendation as a good sturdy toy.  Never ridden the Yamaha though so can't offer a comparison.

[TinSpinner]

You should take a long hard look at a BMW R1200GS. Depending on your riding style you may find the Yamaha lacking in low RPM torque and feeling a little top heavy. That was my impression after an extended test ride but I may be somewhat biased, my other bike is a GS.

[Phantom309]

Also check out the Ducati Multistrada ... I had a '13 Granturismo and was the most fun I've ever had on 2 wheels. Just pop the panniers off and beat it up in the dirt if you want, but I could never bring myself to do that. The new ones now have cruise control and VVT which my '13 didn't have. They have more power on tap than you would ever need and very light, nimble feeling .... great suspension too. BTW ... easiest way to describe riding it on the street was that it feels like it's a dirt bike on steroids. They handle very good and easy to flick around. The stock seat isn't the best if you're looking to spend half or all day in it, but you could fix that.

[FLSTFI Dave]

I have been looking a bit at the adventure or scrambler type bikes.  Had every intent to get one this spring, however with oil so low, I'm too worried about a layoff to spend any money.

I was looking hard at the BMW R1200GS adv and the F800GS adv

The KTM Adventure is really nice too.

I also really like the Ducati Scrambler and loved the Multistrada.

Was leaning to the Scrambler or F800GS to see if I really liked it before I got something like the Multi, KTM or R1200GS.

Hope the oil industry turns around as I really want one for exploring.

[SBB]

I am thinking about an adventure motorcycle.



Yitzhak

What is you definition of Adventure bike? Why an adventure bike instead of any other?
What areas/type of roads are you going to be riding on?
BMW, KTM, Yamaha, Triumph, Suzuki and a bunch others make great ADV bikes, have you ever tried to pick up/stand up a 550 to 600 lb bike once it falls over?
Do you really need 140 to 180 hp to ride in the dirt? Horsepower is heavy.
I think there are very few people that can utilize all the power those big ADV bikes offer. I tried a Moto Guzzi Stelvio and loved it.
But picking up that heavy bitch after a spill on a trail is not an option for me.

My advice, (unless owning an ADV bike is a status symbol for you) get the lightest bike you can that will perform to the level you are expecting. Lighter is better.  The real decision as to which bike you select is for you to identify what you are going to do on that bike. Figure that out and the rest will be easier.

SBB

[Trapperdog]

The XT1200 is a great ADV bike with shaft drive and a nice power plant. Some do not like the buzzing of the inline twin though.
Engine configuration is a personal choice of manufacturers ranging from triples, to opposed, V, and parallel Twins. Choices of shaft or chain drive. Most ADV'ers agree that the power of the Duc or the big KTM is never fully utilized off-road. Price point can rise up to $30K for a new MS while you will see leftover XT's and DL's down in the $7-9K range.
Until reciently ive had dual sport bikes, lighter and more fit for dirt riding than an ADV but nothing like my dirt bikes, and too small for longer street trips.  Our purchase of two DL's was solely based on price point for a trip to Prudohe Bay. We still have the DL1000 which is my go to bike out of our five due to its smaller size and lack of weight. It has no problem keeping up with a GS or XT.  If I were to do more dirt on an ADV bike I'd be looking in the 600-800cc range
Honda is re releasing the CRF1000L, Africa Twin, which many are excited to see.
Head on over to the adventure rider forum for real info on the different ADV bikes
http://advrider.com/index.php

[DaveL]

   ADV bikes are great fun, and in OR you will for sure love it.  That sounds like nice deal on the Yamaha, not experienced on that model but reviews I have read all good.   I ride BMW 800 GSA when not on my CVO.  Absolutely love it.  I assume you are talking ADV so you can run around the state using the many back roads and forest roads in between the interstates, if so the Tenere be good.    You don't say of you have dirt bike experience, I do and opted for the 800 as I find that size preferred as I can do better on some of the more aggressive roads/trails here in northwest.   But if just looking to enjoy  the awesome and numerous forest roads out here the Tenere be great.   And better for the long highway days.

Enjoy ADV biking in the northwest!   I think it is the BEST motorcycling experience.............very close 2nd is the CVO road Glide on a tour!

[Road Dad]

Love my GS1200. If I could only own one bike that would be it.

[2k]

Just read an article on MSN of the 10 best buys in motorcycles. 2 adventure bikes made the list: Suzuki SV650 & KTM Duke 390. To my surprise the Softail Slim came in at #10, only HD on the list because of high prices.......go figure!!!

[Trapperdog]

Just read an article on MSN of the 10 best buys in motorcycles. 2 adventure bikes made the list: Suzuki SV650 & KTM Duke 390. To my surprise the Softail Slim came in at #10, only HD on the list because of high prices.......go figure!!!

Something's off, neither one is an adventure bike

[FLY-DOG]

Lot's of good recommendations already.   Your bike choice should be linked to how much off road versus on road riding you'll be doing, size and weight is your enemy off road. The left over 2013 Yamaha Super Tenere sounds like a good price and is a great bike, several guys at work have one, I would also look at the Triumph Tiger 800, Kawasaki KLR 650 (one of the better choices if you off road 50% or more), Suzuki V-Strom 650, and Kawasaki VERSYS 650 LT. Only draw back on the Triumph might be sparse dealer network in the US compared to the other bikes mentioned.

[resqdoc]

I recommend you research over at ADVrider.com
Next you need to settle on what your goals are. 50/50 dirt and asphalt? Different rigs are biased one direction or another. To me a Super Tenere is mostly a street bike comfortable on the occasional Forest Service gravel road. I ride a KTM 690 90% biased to off road. It'll get me a couple hours down a highway to a trail head but odds are I'll truck it there. I make 2,000 mile loops without touching asphalt. It really depends on where you honestly will spend your time and how much you intend to carry.

SBB gave you great guidance on all points.

The documentaries Long Way Around and Long Way Down sold a lot of GS1200. An awful lot of those buyers either never went off the pavement or wound up downsizing. I love the GS1200 but wound not enjoy it on most of my actual off pavement adventures. A great rider can work magic on one.

[DesertHOG]

..bought a used 2009 R1200GS last spring. Love this machine.