2018, 2019 Super Ten ES Foibles/Weaknesses?

timebak

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Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
169
Location
Rogersville, Alabama, USA
Have 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 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
 

Defekticon

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Joined
Jul 11, 2015
Messages
585
Location
Defuniak Springs, FL
The Gen2 bikes '14 - current model years reliability is "boring" as most owners would put it. They have ergonomic issues for most riders under 6 ft I would say. Once you start adding more luggage the suspension needs at least a heavier rear spring. The engine is IMO bulletproof. I have had no issues with it beyond the map issue you mentioned which is a super easy to remedy issue. The throttle issue is really not unique to the S10, a factory demo day would confirm this for you. My 2017 Concours was the same way from the factory. I've never had issues with spokes *knock on wood*. Yamaha got this one right. I'm fine with it because it's left me plenty of $ to spend on aftermarket farkles.

I would say there isn't anything unique to this bike that I wouldn't do anyway with any new bike. All of my bikes have the ECU re-mapped to get rid of the emissions related lean throttle abruptness, and suspension tuned to my weight as well as handlebar risers for my short arms.
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
Did I imagine this thread? Or did all of the replies get deleted?
I think it was a different thread Sierra.

Hi there Tim, One thing that has surprised me is I have not found the need to turn off the ABS when getting off the pavement. I don't know your riding ability or how aggressive you are off road. But for me the ABS is a life saver off the pavement. I have been experimenting with using just the front brake and letting the unified system slow me down and it works. And I can "dance" the rear brake by itself so it can help me change direction. I'm of the opinion if you are going to do aggressive off road where ABS is not needed, then this is not the bike for you. Yamaha engineers really got this bike right.

Also the traction control works really good in the sketchy sections where my clutch hand doesn't do so well. Now of course in deep sand the traction control would be shut off so as not get the bike stuck.

Also keep in mind that this is a 600+ lb bike!! As Jimmy Lewis drilled into us at his off road school: "Respect the weight of the bike"! Another thing I learned is the suspension dictates how aggressive I can get. When it starts to bottom out on the skid plate then it's time to slow down.

The ECU will be personal preference. I'm very happy with the throttling right out of the factory. OTOH, there are guys that are super picky and want it to be perfect. I suggest putting some miles on the bike first and getting used to the different modes before doing a remap.

And yes the spokes. They need to be checked after after you take delivery and after each and every ride. I'm coming up on 4000 miles and mine are still not bedded in yet.

Level the seat and get some HeliBars risers.

What not to do: DO NOT get aftermarket pegs no matter how tempted you are. It has cost me a bent footpeg frame tab, cut off wheel to get one off, and welded the other one. Both pegs bent the pins and required a bunch of labor to fix in the garage. One was a tip over in driveway and the other was on the trail. The stock pegs are more than adequate and are designed to breakaway if hit hard enough. And also are only 35 bucks vs 200+ bucks for the aftermarket offerings.
 

Defekticon

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Joined
Jul 11, 2015
Messages
585
Location
Defuniak Springs, FL
I agree. If you're expecting it to ride like a dirt bike where you can just shift your weight back and hammer the throttle to float over the rough stuff you might be surprised at how much weight is still hung high and forward by the engine and gas tank. If you're going for the gnarly stuff, watch-out for the front fender getting packed up with dirt and cracking. (I wish someone made a high mount fender option) and the smaller front wheel is probably another weakness for really pushing the bike offroad.
 

Sierra1

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Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,817
Location
Joshua TX
I ass-ume that she's probably a handful off road. I'll likely never find out, 'cuz I know MY limitations. But, there have been a few videos posted here showing her being ridden like a 250. On the street, she feels 200lbs lighter than her real weight. Of course the wide bars help.
 

timebak

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Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
169
Location
Rogersville, Alabama, USA
I'm not planning on doing any really gnarly offroad stuff. Back in the 80's, I got a wild hair and took my Kaw KZ1000 Shaft off on some logging roads and got it buried to the point that it nearly became a monument. I learned my lesson then. As Clint Eastwood said: "A man's got to know his limitations." And getting a 600 lb bike stuck or wadded up offroad is NOT on my "to-do" list, or even pushing the envelope to see what it can take before it gets to that point.

I've already got 2 fused vertebrae, have had my left foot chopped off and reattached when I got t-boned by a car, and have had quadruple bypass surgery, so I've REALLY got to know my limitations. But if I don't get back on a bike and get back out on the roads and backroads, I'm gonna go crazy.
 

timebak

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
169
Location
Rogersville, Alabama, USA
I think it was a different thread Sierra.

Hi there Tim, One thing that has surprised me is I have not found the need to turn off the ABS when getting off the pavement. I don't know your riding ability or how aggressive you are off road. But for me the ABS is a life saver off the pavement. I have been experimenting with using just the front brake and letting the unified system slow me down and it works. And I can "dance" the rear brake by itself so it can help me change direction. I'm of the opinion if you are going to do aggressive off road where ABS is not needed, then this is not the bike for you. Yamaha engineers really got this bike right.

Also the traction control works really good in the sketchy sections where my clutch hand doesn't do so well. Now of course in deep sand the traction control would be shut off so as not get the bike stuck.

Also keep in mind that this is a 600+ lb bike!! As Jimmy Lewis drilled into us at his off road school: "Respect the weight of the bike"! Another thing I learned is the suspension dictates how aggressive I can get. When it starts to bottom out on the skid plate then it's time to slow down.

The ECU will be personal preference. I'm very happy with the throttling right out of the factory. OTOH, there are guys that are super picky and want it to be perfect. I suggest putting some miles on the bike first and getting used to the different modes before doing a remap.

And yes the spokes. They need to be checked after after you take delivery and after each and every ride. I'm coming up on 4000 miles and mine are still not bedded in yet.

Level the seat and get some HeliBars risers.

What not to do: DO NOT get aftermarket pegs no matter how tempted you are. It has cost me a bent footpeg frame tab, cut off wheel to get one off, and welded the other one. Both pegs bent the pins and required a bunch of labor to fix in the garage. One was a tip over in driveway and the other was on the trail. The stock pegs are more than adequate and are designed to breakaway if hit hard enough. And also are only 35 bucks vs 200+ bucks for the aftermarket offerings.
Really good advice! Thanks!
 

bigbob

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2014 Site Supporter
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Sep 9, 2014
Messages
1,671
Location
Des Moines, IA
As Clint Eastwood said: "A man's got to know his limitations."

I've already got 2 fused vertebrae, have had my left foot chopped off and reattached when I got t-boned by a car, and have had quadruple bypass surgery, so I've REALLY got to know my limitations. But if I don't get back on a bike and get back out on the roads and backroads, I'm gonna go crazy.
Yup. I tried to follow Patrick G in Arkansas and that was rotator cuff surgery on right side. TG I have a 14 with cruise and learned you can do the airplane thing to get your hand back on the throttle to get home. At a stop I still had to use my left to get it there.

So I know MY limits. Has to be two tire tracks WITH grass/weeds between for me!
 
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