2 up riding with all 3 cases.

[Dogdaze]

If spending $1200 on a aftermarket spring is too expensive there is always the option of weight loss? But, seriously, no one would pay for a manufacturer to customize a build for them, and then what happens to resale, you're going to have to find someone else with your specific requirements that wants it. A bike, like most everything is built for an 'average' spec, if you fall outside this then that's just the way it is, and the further away from that center spec the worse you'll be. It's like complaining that forks are too small because you happen to have hands the size of spades.......... ::017::

 

[shredmeister]

I've ridden with the wife and all three OEM cases. I'm probably 225 and her 125, ready to ride. My 2014 is a non ES. The bike did ok when we did this ride. However, I have since adjusted the suspension (stiffer) per a thread on this forum. It is really good now, even riding by myself. Look up the thread in the suspension forum and try it, worked for me. I just don't see the need to spend money on the suspension. Of course I come from a dirt bike background and the roads don't bother me.

 

[JRE]

But, seriously, no one would pay for a manufacturer to customize a build for them

I would

then what happens to resale, you're going to have to find someone else with your specific requirements that wants it

And that's different from customizing it yourself and selling it how?

 

[Dogdaze]

I would And that's different from customizing it yourself and selling it how?

Because most custom bikes came stock from the factory (excluding those that are built ground up) all the stock parts are taken off and shoved in the back of the garage, and when the bike get's sold the 'custom' parts are taken off to be transferred to the newer model or sold separately as is the case for most DS style bikes. And to say that you would pay for all custom parts to your specific want is a bit trite, if that was the case then you would just get your wallet out and strip the bike down and rebuild with all the custom parts you see as substandard to your requirements, would you not agree? So, yes we would all like something changed on the stock factory bike, no matter how small. I have yet to have a bike that left the factory set up exactly as I would like it, ever!

 

[trainman]

I think its not too much to expect that touring bikes especially have the suspension adjustment to cope with a 'normal' range of weight on board up to the max laden weight. Yes people may vary in size from Asia to the EU to the Americas but it cannot be that much?

I do agree though that on some issues like screen height and seat setting there should be some free options at new purchase, maybe a wish too far, they clearly al make money on after market sales.

I guess on the S10 Yamaha's comment on suspension might be 'buy the ZE', which for some reason seems to have much better high load settings!!

 

[JRE]

And to say that you would pay for all custom parts to your specific want is a bit trite, if that was the case then you would just get your wallet out and strip the bike down and rebuild with all the custom parts you see as substandard to your requirements, would you not agree?

Nope, I would rather have it factory installed for big things like suspension, etc - and that's the kind of stuff I'm talking about. It's not about them being substandard but not suited for the customer's needs. If they are building the bike, it's pretty easy to use part X instead of Y in the process...it's how they build cars after all. I'm not talking about full customization and offering 50 options. It'd be like: suspension - light, average, heavy. Simple. The more expensive parts would obviously impact the cost but since they are building it inline at the plant, there shouldn't be a bunch of labor fees. I get it, people don't want to wait for a custom order and dealers don't want to get stuck with a "customized" bike so it will never happen.

It may come as a surprise to some people, but some of us would rather spend our time out riding than wrenching and trying to figure out what parts fit, etc.

All I'm saying is, it would be great to have choices up front rather than accepting "the average" and having to spend a lot of time and money to make it suit you. Some bikes are sorta doing it now like the Vstrom 1k. You can get the vanilla version or the "adventure version" with built in farkles. In my case, the S10 suspension works ok for me...I rarely ride 2 up and don't load it down with luggage/cargo. Would I like heavier springs? You bet, I'm not a small guy but changing them on an ES model is not so straightforward and the cost and effort exceeds my "need". I can definitely see where others have a gripe but it's not a Tenere issue, the gripe would be the same on most other comparable bikes.

 

[Dogdaze]

JRE, that day of bike riders being treated equally to car drivers will never come in our lifetime, we are a minority. I do appreciated what you and others are saying. I ordered my new car (the same brand that builds motorcycles, but I would not want one), and because of the 'build time' and 6 weeks factory to dealer floor time I ordered the vehicle to my spec via the options list in May 2014 for late November 2014 delivery. That's 6 months!! As a MC rider, I really don't want to wait that long for my bike, I do know that BMW has an options list for their bikes that are factory ordered, again 3-4 month wait...

 

[JRE]

Yeah, fewer and fewer people are willing to wait anymore. I can be impatient myself. I pre-ordered the new Tesla Model X and I'm ~20,000 in line so I'm probably looking at mid 2016 to get it. :-[

 

[BravoBravo]

I don't want this to go on, I know what I may or may not have to do after some testing. But how much more would it have cost Yamaha to put a proper rear shock on their bike to cover single and 2 up riding?

Greg

I do quite a few two-up rides with my wife, Trax side cases, Yamaha factory top box, and a Yamaha tank bag. I have had no issues. I am about 224 lb. and my wife is around 130. YMMV. ::003::

-Bruce

 

[iClint]

I don't want this to go on, I know what I may or may not have to do after some testing. But how much more would it have cost Yamaha to put a proper rear shock on their bike to cover single and 2 up riding?

Greg

Probably about the difference between the XT1200Z and the XT1200Z ES. Speaking from experience the suspension handles 2 up riding with the 3 cases attached and more gear strapped on top. In my instance the settings 2riders+luggage, Standard +2 gave a nice ride.

Personally I am happy that yamaha don't offer 50 different options and numerous different colour schemes as this would add to the price tag of every bike.

I'm sure any dealer worth purchasing a bike from would be able to make any modifications to the bike at the time of pre-delivery from a wide range of aftermarket components at your cost. If you want a heavier spring I'm sure the couple of hundred dollars for an after market one would be much cheaper than an OEM option which would probably be the same sing with the badge tax applied significantly increasing the price.