I haven’t yet made an announcement that I’ve put a deposit down on the 2022 Tenere 700. I mean, I may have flirted with mentioning it a pair of times in public, but nothing more than that.
See, I’ve never actually owned one of my dream bikes before. I’ve always just had whatever happened to be laying around, settling for “this is good enough. It’ll do.” I’m still a bit hesitant to post about it, because what if it doesn’t work out and everything falls through?
I mean, as far as I can tell, the BabyT is the most sought after motorcycle in North America right now. I’m on a waiting list at the local dealership here…I was 5th in line…3rd now that a couple have arrived and others have received theirs. Every time I see news of a cargo ship broken in half, sinking to 20,000 leagues under the sea, I can only envision little seahorse jockeys having fun imagining doing wheelies on the ocean floor with what should have been my BabyT.
As the weeks have rolled by without a T7 beneath my arse, I’ve been frantically researching more and more about it, about aftermarket anti-breaky-bits, skid plates, tube sizes, tubeless conversion kits, mousse bibs, footpeg widths, riser heights, bar lengths, full abs deletes, high mount exhausts, anti vibration dash kits, soft luggage….arrgghhh! I’m already in several Tenere 700 Facebook groups. I’m already a member of the Tenere 700 forums… My frustration has been growing due to lack of moto.
I watch every T7 video on youtube and facebook. I feel like I already know Pol Tarres personally, as if we go way back together.
I keep watching everyone else’s posts with stories and mods and adventures with deep envy. I feel like Ferris Bueler, whom has been left alone with daddy’s car keys… except I have no keys or no car, for that matter. Only the wet dream of smashing about on single track and fire roads… About pulling up to bike night with my muddy, dirt-steed proudly displaying all the wounds of my last adventure to places most won’t and don’t dare to go.
When I put my deposit down at Team Charlotte Motorsports, I was told “August.” When in August? I do not know…only “August.”
For now, I wait. I wait the same way a hungry lioness waits in the tall grass, watching her prey, biding her time for that split second of perfection before she pounces to make her kill.
Scoured most of Ontario before laying my hands on my T7 almost exactly a year ago. Absolutely no buyer remorse. Since then I’ve added more stuff than I want to count, at least in dollar value – Touratech panniers, Denali light pods, Bark Busters, double stand…
I love this bike!! Light, nimble and oh so capable. I’ve been a Gold Wing slug for the past 30 years. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Wing too. I’ve had 3 of themand put over 500,000 km on, taking them places no Gold Wing should venture, like the Dempster Hwy, the Labrador Hwy, offroad in the Mojave Desert and so on. The Wing , at least the GL1500’s I’ve had are incredibly tough. But light? Nimble? No!
After more than 50 years of riding and dreaming, I’m finally heading to South America in October. (Getting old sucks, but retirement opens up some possibilities). I figured I should get a bike that is up to the job. After much research, I settled on the T7, and very glad I did. On a 3,500 km shakedown trip to the end of the James Bay Road, including 800 km of gravel and mud, the T7 more than satisfied. If anything, I felt at times like the bike performed better than I did!
Next stop – Ushuaia.
That’s so awesome! I’m totally jealous! Have a blast!
My sentiments exactly. I didn’t realize I was obsessive/compulsive until I pre-ordered a T7.
Anyway, Tenere angst is ultimately a heightened state of existence, innit? Enjoy the ride, Brother.
I hope your dream has already come true. I am waiting for your first adventures videos and opinions about the bike.
Best regards
Kris from Poland
not yet! i’m still waiting. :( thank you!