Agree with most that's been said... except about the suspension setup changes. The standard shocks only allow the preload to be adjusted. All you do is change the ride hight and (if only done on the front or rear) slightly the steering geometry. If you want to 'stiffen up' the suspension you'll have to increase damping. You might try a different fork oil (ask an expert) and/or progressive springs is probably a good idea. Take it to an expert, tell him what you want, he'll ask you how and where you like to ride, and he'll fix it.

I think the biggest difference between a R1200GS and the Tenere is the Telelever front suspension, which provides an utter stable roadholding behaviour at all circumstances (I've spend the last 9 years and 170.000 km's on a R1100S/R1200S before changing to the Tenere). No matter what bump you hit, it will not influence the chosen line and hardly changes the steering geometry under compression. In the press it is often criticised for it's 'lack of feedback', but if you're used to it and put confidence in its roadholding capabilities.... you can push VERY hard with great faith. A normal telescopic front end feels wobbly coming from a Telelever bike.

On top of that the GS is a much more road focussed bike then the Tenere. It's suspension more firm, the tires more suitable for tarmac, the front wheel smaller (more flickable especially at speed).

And indeed, the center of gravity of a boxer engine is lower. All together I guess a GS is very hard to beat in the twisties..... but you'll have him eat your dust when you take a dirt track.

Coming from a sports-bike I too had to adapt my riding technique for the Tenere. First of all, the bike moves underneath you .... a lot, due to its long and soft suspension. However this isn't really worrying. Second, for an up tempo ride, move forward (I've tied my tankbag on the rear end), put your head above the bars. Third, don't lean your body into a corner, just push the bike down underneath you. If you've ever taken ski-lessons: it's like skiing: steer from your hips. The wide bars act as a lever which makes it easy to flick it from one side to the other.

On the Tourances: they provide sufficient grip IMO. Even in the wet you'll need to go brutal on the throttle in first or second gear to make the rear loose grip. Remember; compared to a R1200GS there's hardly enough power or torque to find the limits of either the suspension or the tires.

'Free your mind.... the rest will follow' :045:

HJ

That's indeed the thing to do. I've dropped the forklegs (8mm) almost immediately after buying the tenere. Furthermore I've increased the preload on front and back suspension, changed the tires to heidenau k60 and now It steers quickly and still feels planted in the corners.

Very nice write up. Telelever is really unbeatable once you get used to it. Have the same feelings (also coming from 1150 and 1200 GS) and I really have to get used to the bike, but I WILL!

Just a thought.... I too have changed from a GS to the Tenere and struggle to trust the Tourances fitted to it, Though never had a problem with them on the GS.. Could it be that Yamaha have fitted a hard compound version of the Tourance to improve the mileage? Different to the over the counter tyres from the dealers? Some bikes do leave the factory with model specific tyres fitted..