Not a T7 owner. New member with ADV experience

[olliechristophe]

Hi there, My name is Ollie. My current fleet consists of a 2012 Beta 498 dual sport and a 2017 Yamaha Super Tenere. I'm considering what bike I will be getting in the next season or two. The 21/18 inch tires and build quality one the Tenere 700 impresses me. My background is riding off and on since about 10 (50+ years).

 

I recently had a short ride on my buddies T7 and was really impressed. Night and day difference in weight pushing around and riding back to back with my Super Tenere. This bike is pretty darn light for an adventure bike. 

 

Unfortunately I was unable to lift it off the ground when we did a test in my front yard. And the dang fuel tanks were almost empty!! Part of it is due to my age and muscle deterioration. At 62 I simply don't have the strength (not to mention my debilitated body). Good news is I have an Eastbound lift that will make short work of lifting it. Even with 2 of us we were surprised how hard it was to get upright. 

 

Really weird how my riding has changed and taken a major turn in just the last 5 years. I can honestly say with no hesitation I'm sick and tired and it's no longer fun riding hard core bulldogging, lift over rocks type of trails. I used to be the guy who looked for the hardest stuff I could find. Now I'm avoiding it like the plague. Slamming through long sections of whoops and eye watering racing in the desert is not even possible anymore. 

 

In fact, my Beta suspensions is set up stiff springs and plush valving. Riding higher in the stroke and freer flowing shim stacks with bottom out valving for the surprise "G" outs and hard hits. Yes it's a plush marshmallow ride just how I like it!!

 

Super Tenere is bone stock with stiffer rear spring and I just use one of the 84 electric adjustments to suit my riding style for any given conditions. Problem with the Super Tenere is it is a huge and heavy bike in anything other than a mellow 2 track. 

 

 

 

 

[olliechristophe]

I'm your basic retired District 37 H&H novice and combination street and trail rider. 

I have no illusions as to my capability vs a 500lb bike. However I think the Super Tenere for long comfortable transcontinental touring and the Tenere 700 for some of the easier BDR routes and sub 2,000 mile rides is the hot ticket. 

No question my Beta trumps any beast for versatility. It's just my 62 year old body can't take the beating of 500+ mile days in the saddle of a lightweight dual sport anymore. In fact my body is debilitated and not cooperating for anything other than easy riding in the saddle. 

I can qualify long days (about 9 years ago) on the lightweight Beta by the fact of getting my Iron Butt on it:

 

 

For fun read the old ride report here:

 

 

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/doing-the-iba-on-a-dirt-bike.1019315/#post-25395520

 

 

 

 

[AZJW]

Welcome from Arizona.   I'll bet you go ballistic on that Beta.

[olliechristophe]

17 minutes ago, AZJW said:

I'll bet you go ballistic on that Beta.

LOL!! The older I get the faster I WAS!!