Is a Super 10 the new 1150 GS ?

Spud

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My old 1150 Gs is starting to feel a little "aged" The right hand throttle body rattles like a good 'un, The fuel gauge has packed in and the clutch is starting to feel a little on the heavy side (But no slipping) She has 127,000 miles on her now.
I've booked a ferry to go away abroad again early next year, so I'm now wondering about a possible replacement for the old girl on these trips.
I quite fancied a TU GS but so far have struggled to find one I like. Then someone mentioned that the Super Tenere is a tough as old boots and reliable adventure type bike.
Does anyone have any pros/cons about my choices, or have experience of all three ? I should mention I also have a '09 FJR which, I have to say I'm really impressed with the quality of (and it's like being sat astride a rocket compared to the old 1150).

Many Thanks
 
Had two W reg 1150’s over the years, liked both but didn’t end up keeping either very long. But have kept an old 850 since 09, found there’s actually little difference between them in the real restricted world. Had a brief foray with a fully loaded TC which was bloody uncomfortable and cramped for the mrs, and I just didn’t trust all the tech. Jump forward a good few years and after an earlier failed attempt, I finally bought an S10 just over two years ago. 20k miles later and I love the thing. Still struggling to get the seat sorted, but the likening to an 1150 is spot on. Solid, planted, reliable. Bit more umph than the 1150, but obviously not up to 1250 shiftcam standards. Mines a Z model, non ES suspension, but my mates done nearly 90k on his 16 plate ES model with no issues at all.
 
Spud you clearly keep your bikes for a decent length of time - I'd think a S10 would be a really shrewd buy for you and I agree with the 1150 analogy.
 
I had an 1150 from 2001 to 2011. Replaced with a year old Super Tenere. It was a lovely bike and the my seat was fine as I dropped lucky and bought one from here that had been modified by Tony Archer.

I eventually traded in the S10 in 2015 as it became too heavy when I resumed riding after an illness. It was replaced with a Tracer and then a R1200RS which weigh considerably less and have lower centres of gravity.

As you have the FJR you will already have knowledge of the bike as much of the technology was the same, from the shaft drive to the electronics.

The bike was very reliable and a good tourer. Mine came with the OE side cases which were a bit fiddly and had poor capacity compared to their external dimensions due to have a plastic liner. Waterproof though.

My only reservation for owning an older example would be that they did not sell in huge numbers unlike the 1150GS. I doubt there is the aftermarket infrastructure around the bike compared to the BMW and used spares might be difficult to obtain.
 
Pretty bullet proof bikes, somewhat old school, without most of the gizmos of the current GS range.

Whilst early Super 10s are relatively cheap, it's best to look for a nice Gen2 bike (2014>) with the adjustable screen. Mine is the ES model, with Givi QD pannier racks rather than the OE Yamaha system. The top box is Givi, mounted on an Altrider plate & I use a Baglux tank cover & Yamaha side winglets, which cut any up draught. Various crash bar systems are available.

Lighting is a bit crap, using a beam deflector for dipping, so some find Aux lights a good idea. After a few years on KTM 990s, I developed cats eyes, so not something I find a problem.
 
I spent a large fortune getting Mikeyboy to go through my old 1150 GS. Worth every penny. :thumb2 She’s good for another 20 years now.:clap Definitely a keeper for me. I just need to use it more now!:blast
 
If you don't mind me asking , what did Mike boy do to your bike ? for you to be so happy with its longevity ?.
 
Littledumptruck said:
Had two W reg 1150’s over the years, liked both but didn’t end up keeping either very long. But have kept an old 850 since 09, found there’s actually little difference between them in the real restricted world. Had a brief foray with a fully loaded TC which was bloody uncomfortable and cramped for the mrs, and I just didn’t trust all the tech. Jump forward a good few years and after an earlier failed attempt, I finally bought an S10 just over two years ago. 20k miles later and I love the thing. Still struggling to get the seat sorted, but the likening to an 1150 is spot on. Solid, planted, reliable. Bit more umph than the 1150, but obviously not up to 1250 shiftcam standards. Mines a Z model, non ES suspension, but my mates done nearly 90k on his 16 plate ES model with no issues at all.
Click to expand...
On my S10 I changed the rear bump stops under the seat for shorter ones. This tipped the seat back and improved comfort no end. Might be worth a try.
 
glenn2926 said:
On my S10 I changed the rear bump stops under the seat for shorter ones. This tipped the seat back and improved comfort no end. Might be worth a try.
Click to expand...
Before I even rode mine I modified the seat itself to level the base which helped, but then I found it way too hard. Tried a gel insert which made naff all difference. I was offered a damaged Touratech seat, which when levelled with the swap to shorter rubbers, was night and day better but still too hard and I believe was a low version. So I opened it up, repaired its base and added quite a lot of memory foam. This is the best I’ve got and in truth works fine. I use a sheepie on top for long trips. I’ve also levelled the Pillion seat using the old long rubbers under the front and a couple of large M12 stainless nuts under the fixings, which the wife also approves of. I’ve since added a Touratech pillion seat too, but as yet that’s untestedIMG_3297.jpegBetween posting my original comments in September and a trip to Valencia in November I had another go at my Touratech seat. My first attempt left the cover barely hanging on as my stapler just wouldn touch the very hard plastic base. The cover was a little short too after all the added foam. So I got a mate to add a strip of black vinyl around its edge and I managed to stretch and fix it back on using rivets and stainless washers. Not the tidiest on the underside, but fine from the top. I’m probably as happy as I’ll ever be with it now.
IMG_3296.jpeg
 
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JON12A said:
If you don't mind me asking , what did Mike boy do to your bike ? for you to be so happy with its longevity ?.
Click to expand...
Lots and lots! :D Way more than what was needed but it’ll outlast me now!
 
Its been a long time since I owned my S10 a 1st Gen early bike . The issues i had were poor /thin paint coverage underneath the tank that could easily rust If I hadn't covered it in ACF50. The frame pipes where the engine bolts are fitted shed their powder coating /paint as they cracked and peeled at the exposed ends, the rear final drive was a little clunky but alleged to be "in spec". the LHS of the engine ignition coils can rust/jam into the head as water collects in that side when parked using the side stand after wet runs/washing. And 1st gen bikes can develop/will have developed a clutch basket vibe due to wear and tear that is supposedly fixed in the gen 2 bikes & is supposedly able to be retrofittable. It was a bit of a boat anchor but the weight is very low and felt a very sturdy bike.
 
I tried a Gen1 with about 30k on it about two years before buying my new 2020 reg one. That one was a bag of nails which I now suspect was the clutch basket needing sorting. My Gen2 certainly doesnt rattle at 24k. I sealed my coil packs with red rubber grease when I checked the plugs at 12k, only one had slight water marks Inside, I’ll be checking them when I do the 24k service before spring. I’m more worried by the corrosion on the anodised rims than the frame and tank.
 
There’s a cracking S10 for sale at Vertu/Sunderland. 11 plate,23 K, full luggage, looks immaculate £5500. A lot of bike for a relatively small investment.
 
Spookos said:
There’s a cracking S10 for sale at Vertu/Sunderland. 11 plate,23 K, full luggage, looks immaculate £5500. A lot of bike for a relatively small investment.
Click to expand...
Unless you know for certain that a Gen 1 has been sorted thoroughly you are best to look for a Gen 2, 2014 onwards.
 
Spud, in my opinion the Gen 2 S10 is like an up to date 1150 with all the latest bells and whistles.

You get that big solid bike feel with virtually bombproof reliability.
 
I've had 5x 11GS's and an 1150RT... I was hoping that an S10 would be the modern oilhead but it didn't last. One of the best bits fo the 11GS era is the pure usability of the bike and the fact its the sum of all the things it does that makes it a great bike. i also like the "floaty" handling in that it is softer than the later bikes and brilliantly balanced. I liked the S10 but my early fears (when they first came out") that they were a bit of a bitsa for nooks and crannies and also build quality and then the real world experience of the suspension being harsh and hard to find a balance and also a lack of feel that telelever bikes have to be the things that made me sell..
Amazingly, even after an LC RT, Crosstourer, 2x Pans and countless others I still return back to the old oilhead. Built like a brick outhouse/Forth Bridge they take some beating.

Oh, and I couldn't sort a screen for the S10 even with several efforts. I am lanky and have had 3x 11GS's with Aeroflows which spoil you rotten for an ADV bike.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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