Far too many people read reviews and all they see are numbers, and they want big numbers. A smaller bike when you are starting out is definitely a good idea, and ideally a 2nd hand one that can take being dropped. A nice wee 500 , or , like you said, an earlier vstrom, where it has plenty power, but not overwhelming crazy power. Anybody can crack a throttle wide open, but knowing when NOT to is what makes a safer rider. And sadly, you are likely to have a couple of drops before you realise how to ride to the conditions/traffic. The banding on the road etc. In the rain it is nasty. Potholes, bad road surfaces etc. where a sportsbike, with generally stiffer suspension and sharper, more on/off brakes, can become scary and nervy. I started on 250, due to the law here in the UK (as it was when I learned) , then a 500 2 stroke (wheeeee!) , to a 1200 etc etc. And don't get me started on the unreliability of the big GS. I have friends who will never, ever own another BMW, as their bikes spent more time on pickup trucks than being ridden. Busted shaft drives, even had a friend broke his neck when the shaft drive seized at 80mph. Also, when starting out, you actually don't know what sort of bike suits your own riding style. You might end up loving touring 2 up, or doing some light trail riding, or doing some serious offroading, or wanting a commuter friendly high mph bike. (Sorry for the essay, I could go on for days about this. Had my full license 40 years this year) All the best from snowy Scotland, my T7 is under a cover until I can find time to fit the crash bars.
Agree 100% I was lucky of starting riding in South America, 250cc is a great start for the first 6 months, then I jumped to 500cc (1 year), 600cc 2 years, 750cc 2 years, 600cc sport, 800cc gs 4 years and now the Super Tenere for the last 5 years and will keep it for another 5 years!
dunno..What a question.Still waiting for you to lay this bike down and see if you can pick it up.It would make it clear to newbies (and anyone else) this bike is not light..Its a mile muncher by design and a very good one in my opinion.Cheers.!
I might lay it down to see if i can pick it up. It's a super heavy bike. I lifted my st1300 before, but when they fall they are higher up than this tenere. I'd hate to drop it on a trail.
How can a bike this size be even considered as a beginner's bike or anybody's bike for that matter. It is another of the many bikes which have one huge defect - too large and heavy and make absolutely no sense particularly for any serious off road use.
