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Posts Tagged ‘Adventure rider’

2012 Yamaha Super Tenere 1200

Tuesday, December 14th, 2010

The new Yamaha Super Tenere arrived in Colorado Springs. Yamaha is showcasing it around the USA at some of their top dealers and today one was in town for a few short hours. These are not demo bikes to be test ridden by customers but instead are put on display so that prospective buyers can see them up close and personal before plunking down $1000 to get on the order list. They will not be on dealer floors this year. If you want one, get out your deposit and they will build you one. I know nothing more about the ordering program but I’m sure that the guys at Apex Sports in Colorado Springs, Co., namely Mike Stokes, can fill you in on the details.

The no demo rule was bent and I was able to take a spin (thanks Mike) around the block. It was a very brief ride and not enough time to give a fair evaluation. Also, a personal disclaimer is in order. Although I’ve been in the motorcycle business for 38 years and have ridden and owned many different brands and models, I bleed orange. There are 4 KTMs in my garage and one (the 950 Adventure) is a direct competitor to the Yamaha.

The large bore (950cc-1200cc) adventure market was created by BMW and they still dominate the sales. The Euros have several new models on the horizon, but the current contenders are the BMW GS1200, KTM 990, Suzuki V-Strom, Triumph Tiger, and the new Yamaha Super Tenere. Of these, the KTM is the only one that is happy in the dirt (not sand) and inspires confidence at high speeds on dirt/gravel roads. My wife and I often ride 2 up on dirt roads, while fully loaded, at 60-80 mph without being on the ragged edge. Because of the road biased tires, 19″ front wheels, and short suspension travel, I personally would not do that with any of the other brands.

The KTM is happy on dirt (race bred at the Dakar) and has no problem with the tarmac while all of the other models are basically street bikes that excel on pavement, can be gingerly ridden on dirt roads but rocky mountain passes would be a struggle.

Enough said, the Tenere is impressive at first glance. Even though it’s the wrong color (blue not orange), it has excellent fit and finish, endless bells and whistles, and some very innovative designs. On the short list are traction control, ABS brakes, closed loop fuel injection, and ride-by-wire throttle.

My first (very short) impression; It’s a porker at 575lbs but carries the weight low and therefore doesn’t feel that heavy. The seat height is low (it was on the tall setting) and can be made even lower. This is good for most guys but my 6′3″ old carcass was a little cramped. The engine has plenty of juice to get the job done but I wouldn’t call it a monster motor. It seemed more comparable to the KTM 990 and had typical twin torquey power. As expected, the fuel injection was flawless, smooth and precise. Unlike many fuel injection systems, this is a true closed loop system that compensates for changes in temperature, elevation, etc. It has a huge bazooka muffler that is very quiet, a very BIG plus for me.

My overall impression is that it is a very versatile street bike that compares best with the Suzuki V-Strom. It’s been a very long time since I’ve thrown a leg over the V-Strom but I would rate the Tenere as having better everything….. power, suspension, components, technology, and style. It’s a great choice for those that primarily ride asphalt but want the option to ride poorly maintained paved roads or the occasional dirt/gravel road.

My list of pros and cons:

Pros:
* Price
* Cool styling
* Adjustable seat
* Great for the tarmac
* Very quiet muffler
* Reverse spoked tubliss rims
* Traction control
* Closed loop FI
* 2 position seat
* Bar mounted ignition map switch

Cons:
* A little cramped
* 7.5″ of suspension travel – not enough for dirt
* 19″ front wheel limits tire choices and has too wide of a contact patch for dirt
* Porky (150lbs more than the KTM)
* The muffler must weigh 50 lbs and looks like something Darth Vader would like
* Not very dirt worthy
* Cheesy handlebars

Tags: Adventure rider, Jeff Slavens Racing, yamaha Super Tenere
Posted in News | 2 Comments »

Morocco Dunes

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Submitted by Jerome Lacroix

Tags: Adventure rider, KTM 950 990, KTM Talk, Morocco Ergs, Slavens Racing, Thumper Talk
Posted in Photos | No Comments »

2010 Motocross of Nations #1

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Rui Goncalves KTM 350 SXF in the pits at the 2010 Motocross of Nations in Denver, Colorado.

Tags: 2010 Motocross of Nations, Adventure rider, FIM motocross, Jeff Slavens Racing, KTM, KTM 350 SXF, KTM Talk, Slavens Trailhead, Team Portugal
Posted in Videos | No Comments »

2010 Slavens Mule Husaberg FE 390 Project Bike

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

This Husaberg has been modified from front to back and will now be crated and shipped 7000 miles to a client in the Philippines.

Tags: Adventure rider, Bullet Proof Designs radiator guards, Eline skid plate, Husaberg, Jeff Slavens Racing, Nuetech Tubliss Tire Core, Ohlins, PG Graphics, Pro Taper footpegs, Thumper Talk, WP
Posted in Videos | 1 Comment »

Are you a Loud Idiot?

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

I didn’t say it. I should have. I wanted to. I’ve thought it many times when out riding, but it was Jimmy Lewis that coined the phrase “don’t be a loud idiot” in the July 2010 issue of Dirt Rider. Good job Jimmy!

As I’ve said many times before and will say many times again…..we are our own worst enemy. Every year I get invited to ride with someone or some group that I’ve never ridden with before so I always ask about the sound level/types of mufflers that everyone is using. I absolutely refuse to ride with loud idiots and I don’t want to show up and have a problem at the trailhead. When I ask “how loud is your bike?” I often get the response “my bike is not too bad”. To that I say bullshit. Not too bad is the same as not too good and that is just NOT acceptable. Loud bikes, especially 4 strokes, offend all other trail users and me. It pisses me off when some Neanderthal thinks that installing a loud muffler or pulling the insert out of his quiet muffler will give him that added horsepower that he needs to get down the trail. Well, unless you’ve recently won a National off-road event you probably can’t handle what you have, so dream on cowboy. FYI: Well known racer Shane Watts recently won the sportsman class at a GNCC with a DB Snorkel (84dBA) on a small bore KTM 200. He did it just to prove that quiet bikes can win.

If we don’t police ourselves we will continue to loose land access issues. So, I have to ask…..are you a loud idiot, or do you ride with loud idiots, or when you meet one on the trail do you talk to them about their loud idiot ways? Please ride a quiet bike and ask and persuade your friends to do the same.

Jeff Slavens

Tags: Adventure rider, AMA, Blue Ribbon, CMTRA, COHVCO, Colorado motorcycle trails, Colorado TPA.org, Colorado Trails Preservation Alliance, Expensive KTM 300, Hidden Gems Wilderness, Jeff Slavens Racing, KTM, KTM Talk, Slavens Racing, Slavens Trailhead, Thumper Talk
Posted in Rants | 1 Comment »

Ride with Slavens & Help Colorado Trails

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Come ride the Colorado 600 Trail Awareness Symposium with Jeff Slavens and other experienced Colorado trail guides. Don’t pass up this rare opportunity to show your true colors by helping keep open Colorado and Utah trails while experiencing excellent single-track and dual sport routes in this little used and absolutely gorgeous area of southwest Colorado.

The Texas Sidewinders Motorcycle Club is sponsoring and the AMA is sanctioning the Trails Awareness Symposium Workshop, a fund raiser and educational event to benefit the Colorado Trail Preservation Alliance. I will be supporting this with all my resources and will be one of the primary guides taking riders on some my favorite single track and dual track trails in Colorado.

This 5 day invitational only event will give participants the option of riding gnarly single-track or milder dual sport routes. You can alternate between guides and pick what type of riding you prefer each day. I recommend that you bring 2 bikes, DS and trail. All bikes must be quiet, will be sound tested (94dBA), and must be licensed and insured.

Each day will start with a free breakfast and rider’s meeting, then off to the trails or DS routes with the day ending back at the lodge for some beverages and BS. One free evening BBQ and a Friday banquet will be included.

Come join me and help support our sport.

Jeff Slavens

For more information, click HERE.

Tags: Adventure rider, AMA, Blue Ribbon, CMTRA, COHVCO, Colorado motorcycle trails, Colorado TPA.org, Hidden Gems Wilderness, Jeff Slavens Racing, KTM, KTM Talk, OHV motorcycle trail access, Slavens Racing, Slavens Trailhead, Texas Sidewinders, Thumper Talk
Posted in News | No Comments »

The General’s Memorial Day Tribute 2010

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

Sunday, May 30, 2010

On this special weekend, I want to express my gratitude to our fallen heroes who fought for our freedom. It is a precious gift that we must treasure, respect, defend, and pass on to future generations.
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PHOTO: Don Amador at 60th Anniversary of D-Day Wreath above Omaha Beach
*
Some of you know, I grew up on the outskirts of Eureka, California in a small community called Cutten. The General was born in 1954 and was too young to have served in Vietnam even though I had registered for the draft, but had gotten high draft numbers in 1972 and later until the draft ended so I was not called. One of my older childhood friends, Gary Wilson, had been shot down and killed in a helicopter. Another older friend was Terry Foster who got shot through the neck while on patrol and thankfully he survived.

I sometimes feel guilty that I did not serve in the military. I have shared those regrets with some of my military friends in the ongoing fight to protect access to public lands.

One of those persons was Frank Price (he was a Korean War vet and access advocate in the Bakersfield area). He told me not to worry about not serving in the military because I was now working in another cause for freedom – protecting the public’s (and returning service men and women) right to use and enjoy the people’s land.

It was after my co-facilitation, including help from the SAMs Coalition, of the 2000 Protest of the Clinton National Monument in the Sequoia National Forest that Frank Price bestowed on me the title of The General.

Article on 2000 Rally/Protest of Clinton National Monument (with rally photos)
https://www.sharetrails.org/releases/?filter=media&story=140

I don’t wear the title of The General as some sort of military-oriented self-tribute because I did not serve in the military, but rather as a commitment to my Dad, Frank Price and all those (including readers of this blog) who have served and sacrificed for our country that I will never give up the fight and will seek to inspire and lead men and women onto the field of battle for access to public lands.

Again, my deepest appreciation to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to the families left behind. My appreciation also goes out to those who have served and continue to serve.

God Bless.
Don Amador

Tags: Adventure rider, Blue Ribbon, CMTRA, COHVCO, Colorado motorcycle trails, Colorado TPA.org, Don Amador, Hidden Gems Wilderness, Jeff Slavens Racing, KTM, NOHVCC, Slavens Trailhead
Posted in News | No Comments »