'18, '19 Super Ten ES Foibles/Weaknesses??

timebak

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I originally posted this in the Tech section, but maybe should have put it here first. Admins, if I've violated any forum rules, I apologize and feel free to delete as you see fit.

I've FINALLY decided buy a 2018 or 2019 Super Ten ES (But have got to get my boat sold first). I like the '18 because the price is a little cheaper, wife likes the color or the '19 better. Anyway, this is going to be my first Yamaha. Do the '18 or '19 Super Ten ES's have any known foibles/weaknesses that need to be, or should be, addressed to make it the awesome bike that I know it has the potential of being?

For instance, the KLR 650's have the "Doohicky" and "ThermoBob" issues, as well as a few others, that must be dealt with to make it live up to its potential. I know that I've read about the S10's having some ECU Map issues, some twitchy throttle issues in Sport mode, some spoke loosening issues, not able to turn off the ABS, etc., etc. What of these issues will still need to be addressed on an '18 or '19? And are there other issues out there that should be dealt with?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Tim
 

artemedes

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You might check out this thread:
https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/factory-fixes-on-brand-new-st-es.26545/

I purchased my '18 last April. I have close to 4000 miles on it and have used it on one weekend trip and on 7 day trip that included 4 nights of camping. Unlike my DR650, I didn't need to do anything to address any inherent weaknesses. I am still using the stock ecu map and don't have an issue with fueling or throttle response. It has gotten noticeably better/smoother as it put on some miles. The first gen had CCT and clutch basket issues, but the '18 and '19 are second generation and have updated these already.

All my mods were related to getting luggage, protection, and better wind management. All of these will be personal decisions for you to make the bike match your preferences and riding. From the factory I could have simply added my luggage system and taken off. I did add skid plate, crash bars, and Madstad bracket and 22" screen. The madstad screen plus the yamaha winglets turned the bike into a real mile muncher for me. I had noisy wind and buffeting with the stock screen. People of varying sizes seem to agree the yamaha winglets work great. I painted my winglets flat black to remove the sun glare. So far my longest day in the saddle has been 803 miles over 14.5 hours.

It is the best bike I have owned so far.
 

HeliMark

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The bike out of the box really has no issue's. Don't do anything to it, other then normal maintenance, and she will treat you well for 150K+ miles. Normal maintenance includes checking the spokes, like any spoke bike, although the Tenere seems to be a little worse. Everything else, you have mentioned is personal preference of the individual person. I have a stock S10, and have no problems with the throttle (have had worse bikes).

Most important, is put some crash bars, and skid plate on it, and ride. After a bunch of miles, modify on what makes you feel better.

As you know, no mechanical difference between the '18-'19, but people have said the '19 rims are beefed up some over previous years.

Most important is, if the wife likes the color, well, you know what you need to do.
 

Sierra1

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They should have labeled her GTO. Gas, Tires, & Oil. Or, maybe even just GT, because she doesn't use any oil that I've found. Depends on how & where you're going to ride as far as what accessories you need/want. Enjoy.
 
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timebak

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I don’t know how to pronounce foiables. Foy a bulls? Fwables?
I think it's pronounced "Foy-bulls". But who am I to be giving any advice on pronunciation? :) I'm from Alabama, where "fork" is a two-syllable word ("FO-work"), "no" is two syllables ("NO-wa" {like the guy that built the Ark}), "quit" is four syllables ("ka-WEE-it-ta"), and "shit" is three syllables ("SHEE-it-ta"). And we ask questions like "Y'et yet?", to which the proper responses are "Done et" or "Naw" (translated "Have you eaten yet?" and answered "Why yes, I have." or "No I haven't, thank you.") :p:cool:
 
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timebak

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Thanks folks! I'm really looking forward to my new bike and getting it properly farkled out. Have several rides already planned out.

Sierra1: I like your GTO reference! I've had several bike mechanics tell me about the YammerHammer's fantastic reliability compared to other bikes.

Crash bars, skid plate, Clearwaters, and highway pegs will be the first things I'll add, followed closely by windshield and luggage.

Thanks Again!
 

Checkswrecks

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Glad to have you in the group and the others pretty well covered your question. For something like this or whatever, the bike's been in production for 9 years and most similar questions have been answered.
Search is your friend.
 

Clawdog60

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I think it's pronounced "Foy-bulls". But who am I to be giving any advice on pronunciation? :) I'm from Alabama, where "fork" is a two-syllable word ("FO-work"), "no" is two syllables ("NO-wa" {like the guy that built the Ark}), "quit" is four syllables ("ka-WEE-it-ta"), and "shit" is three syllables ("SHEE-it-ta"). And we ask questions like "Y'et yet?", to which the proper responses are "Done et" or "Naw" (translated "Have you eaten yet?" and answered "Why yes, I have." or "No I haven't, thank you.") :p:cool:
Well illinoidians vocab about the same.
Jeet-yet? Yeah it was tastee. Sorry strayed off topic.
 

White19

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I just bought a 2019 recently and just completed my second road trip. My only complaints were the engine surging at low rpms and an excessive amount of engine brake that were corrected masterfully by Anthony’s reflash. The factory bags look great but are a little tricky to operate. Otherwise a very capable bike on and off road. 50 mpg not shabby either. Good luck.
 

wjfawb0

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I bought a 2019 last week. I've only got about 30 miles on it so far. It is amazingly easy to ride. I tried out the traction control on wet grass with the factory battlewing tires and it worked very well. I've never had a bike with abs, traction control, or cruise control. It's twice the weight of my WR250R, but it is really down low and feels great on the road. The only bike I've ever modified the drivetrain on was a 2009 FZ1. I did all the basic power mods with a power commander for fueling and spark as well as Ivan's fuel cutoff eliminator, and to be honest, the way I ride it didn't do enough to warrant the cost. I'm definitely leaving the Super Tenere alone other than luggage and crash protection.
 

Sierra1

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.... I'm definitely leaving the Super Tenere alone other than luggage and crash protection.
That's all that I've done. She has plenty of power as is. Back in the day, with my FJ, I changed the exhaust & carb settings....and, changed the power band completely; not necessarily for the better. I haven't modified the power delivery on ANYTHING since.
 

mrpete64

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One thing I wish I had done was replace the guard by your left hand foot. The stock one is just a straight piece of metal and caught my pant leg and I fell over and ended up braking my shoulder blade. I was 200 miles from home after a 7,000 mile ride on my bike from New York to California and back. Thank god for cruise control and people helping me pick up my bike so I could get home...in a lot of pain.
I think alt rider makes a replacement part...which I purchased as soon as I got home. When you look at it on their site you will immediately understand what I am trying to say.
Other than changing oil/tires this bike has been stone reliable. I had almost every kind of bike prior to this one. I had gone through four BMW's prior to this bike. When I first looked at this bike I said....never! Then I drove. Contrary to a lot of complaints I find it to have adequate power an very easy to ride.
If the throttle response is an issue for you the guy in NJ apparently does a great job smoothing it out. It doesn't bother me.

Mr. Pete--------->
aging hippie
 

spam16v

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My biggest problem is changing headlight bulbs about every other season... better than final drives and driveshafts.
 

EricV

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Do the '18 or '19 Super Ten ES's have any known foibles/weaknesses that need to be, or should be, addressed to make it the awesome bike that I know it has the potential of being?
Yes. There is one major issue that every Super Tenere has. The rider.

The rider needs to learn to use the bike. For most, this is a different kind of bike with different attributes and different technology. Some things like throttle by wire and increased engine braking take some getting used to and are a learned skill to use well and effectively. Once you learn to use the bike, then you're in a much better position to consider modifications to it.

@spam16v - stock halogens, (not super bright, or silverstar or anything else except perhaps Osram Nightbreakers), or a Chinese LED kit for $35 and the larger rear caps from deftoner on this forum for another $35, (if I recall correctly). All the over driven halogen bulbs that offer brighter, whiter light burn out much faster than stock bulbs. The Osram Nightbreakers have heavy duty filiments and seem to hold up well. I made the change to LED and haven't looked back, but not everyone likes the beam pattern, so read some threads if you consider going that route.
 

spam16v

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I’ve got the caps and need to order a another set of LED’s. The last set of LEDs I had died too. Just terrible luck with bulbs. Even my LED 194’s quit this season, lol.

Yes. There is one major issue that every Super Tenere has.
@spam16v - stock halogens, (not super bright, or silverstar or anything else except perhaps Osram Nightbreakers), or a Chinese LED kit for $35 and the larger rear caps from deftoner on this forum for another $35, (if I recall correctly). All the over driven halogen bulbs that offer brighter, whiter light burn out much faster than stock bulbs. The Osram Nightbreakers have heavy duty filiments and seem to hold up well. I made the change to LED and haven't looked back, but not everyone likes the beam pattern, so read some threads if you consider going that route.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Hi timebak and welcome! First off, it rather depends whether you buy a Gen 1 or a Gen 2 bike. Gen 2 is built after 2014 and the very few issues that the S10 experienced were pretty much sorted for the Gen 2. You can tell at a glance as the Gen 2 does not have a balance pipe halfway down the headers and it has a different instrument cluster. There are other differences but these make it easy to identify quickly.

OK, the next thing you need to know is that there is an awful lot of good information on here and some that is, erm, how can I say, perhaps not so good but obviously means a lot to the person that posted it! Anyway, you’ll get my meaning the longer you are on here!

For now, congratulations on your choice of your next motorcycle because it proves that you can think for yourself and not be swept along by the coffee bar cowboys who are really just development riders for a certain German motorcycle manufacturer. Welcome to the rather exclusive club.
 
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