Super Tenere 1290 demos ride

[Grouchy]

Just got the chance to demo a Yamaha Super Tenere today.  Nice bike, but honestly with a short 30 minute chaperoned ride,  I didn't think it was better than my 2017 V1K.
I'm sure the extra ride modes and other bells and whistles I didn't get to try would give me a more favorable opinion, but I still don't think the benefits would justify the cost.  Cruise and heated grips would be the two biggest items for me.  The bike did not handle any better than the V1K and the engine power and torque seemed to be on par with the V1K (admittedly, the opportunities to stretch its legs were limited).  Windscreen was about the same as the Versys OEM screen.
The gauges were actually harder to read and very cluttered.  I did not care for the hydraulic clutch feel, and the pull was no better than a well-maintained cable.  I've had hydraulic clutches on other bike and was surprised at the Tenere's poor feel. My time in the Tenere seat led me to believe it is probably better than the Versys OEM seat, but 30 minutes isn't really enough time to judge.
Bottom line, for me the Tenere is a nice bike, but not enough improvement over my Gen II V1K to think about a change.
Having said that, I did enjoy the ride and if I were in the market for a brand new bike, I would consider the Tenere, but would have to compare it to the GenIII Versys. 

[TallyRex]

Your Versys does have a slip/assist clutch which makes for a really light pull. Speaking about the extra $$$ for all the bells and whistles reminds me of the Gen III V1K

[Ace50]

After having a 2012 S10 for around 20K miles, I'd have to say a 2nd gen V1K wouldn't have been much of an improvement.
I think the S10 has better suspension (being off road capable), much better torque down low (where it's needed most of the time), the seat was much better,
and the shaft drive was great!
The 3rd gen V1K SE is another story!

I was going to list the things I like better on this bike but it would have been too long.