Blue Ridge Bike Festival Demo

Dirt_Dad

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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

The festival wasn't scheduled to start until 3pm today, but Yamaha said they were doing test rides April 15 - 17 so I showed up at 9:00am this morning. Which was just in time to watch them unload the S10 from the top of tractor trailer (actually kinda interesting). I walk up to three people standing around and asked when the demo rides would start. A small blond woman turned and said (with some irritation) "tomorrow." She said the promoters of the show would not let them start until the show opened, and then all riders would need to purchase a ticket to the show to be allowed access to the demo area. She did not look happy, and she realized the forecast for tomorrow was solid rain. I told her I was a S10 buyer from September. Once she learned I would not be around the rest of the weekend and that I had never ridden the bike she said "let me get someone to take you out." Awesome!!

Her man Richard took me out for what was supposed to be a 25 mile ride. We made it to the Blue Ridge Parkway and he wanted to know if I would mind letting him explore a different direction that they had not checked previously. Sure, go for it. So our 2 man ride covered about 45 minutes to an hour. Really had a great time checking out the bike. I am much more confident it will be a keeper and it has a solid chance of displacing the Vee as my main bike.

So many have given their impression there's not a lot more to give, but I throw in some highlights.

S vs T mode: Much bigger difference than I expected. Can't imagine ever riding in T mode.

Twitchy throttle: I think I understand why some felt it was twitchy. If you're used to a powerful dirt bike this will be a familiar feeling to you. It has a lot of response for a tiny amount of throttle input around the 4-5K range. I'm sure it's something most people will get used to.

Handlebars: I've been using the Pro Taper ATV High bars on my Vee and really like them. They will not be necessary on the S10. Really good wrist angle with these bars.

Seat: Comfy.

Wind protection. I rode up to 75 MPH and don't recall ever feeling any bobble. I wasn't thinking about it, but I also didn't notice anything with just the stock screen.

Wheelie: It doesn't give any more than a tiny hop (TCS2 / S mode) when aggressively changing between 1st and 2nd. Bike really wants to stay on the ground.

Engine: European spec so not a good indication of what we will have in the US. That said, it pulls hard. Noticeably harder than my lowered geared/PCIII DL1000. At first I was thrown by the inability to wheelie, thinking it was lacking. But after getting on my Vee and hammering the throttle I had to admit the S10 was a much bigger kick in the chest.

Flickability: Noticeably smaller and lighter than the Vee. I understand why people talk about being instantly confident on this bike. It just feels light and flickable.

Overall Impression: I want my bike to get here. I love my Vee, but I think it will be defeated by the S10.

I have some pictures, but not handy since I'm on a 4 day ride up "The Snake" (Rt 421) with my wife and wow has it been great today. I'll post the pics when I get back home.

So bravo to Yamaha for letting me get out on the bike. Big thank you! I'll hold my comments about the bike festival and only think of the good things today.

Cheers!
 

trinc4me

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Dirt_Dad said:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

The festival wasn't scheduled to start until 3pm today, but Yamaha said they were doing test rides April 15 - 17 so I showed up at 9:00am this morning. Which was just in time to watch them unload the S10 from the top of tractor trailer (actually kinda interesting). I walk up to three people standing around and asked when the demo rides would start. A small blond woman turned and said (with some irritation) "tomorrow." She said the promoters of the show would not let them start until the show opened, and then all riders would need to purchase a ticket to the show to be allowed access to the demo area. She did not look happy, and she realized the forecast for tomorrow was solid rain. I told her I was a S10 buyer from September. Once she learned I would not be around the rest of the weekend and that I had never ridden the bike she said "let me get someone to take you out." Awesome!!

Her man Richard took me out for what was supposed to be a 25 mile ride. We made it to the Blue Ridge Parkway and he wanted to know if I would mind letting him explore a different direction that they had not checked previously. Sure, go for it. So our 2 man ride covered about 45 minutes to an hour. Really had a great time checking out the bike. I am much more confident it will be a keeper and it has a solid chance of displacing the Vee as my main bike.

So many have given their impression there's not a lot more to give, but I throw in some highlights.

S vs T mode: Much bigger difference than I expected. Can't imagine ever riding in T mode.

Twitchy throttle: I think I understand why some felt it was twitchy. If you're used to a powerful dirt bike this will be a familiar feeling to you. It has a lot of response for a tiny amount of throttle input around the 4-5K range. I'm sure it's something most people will get used to.

Handlebars: I've been using the Pro Taper ATV High bars on my Vee and really like them. They will not be necessary on the S10. Really good wrist angle with these bars.

Seat: Comfy.

Wind protection. I rode up to 75 MPH and don't recall ever feeling any bobble. I wasn't thinking about it, but I also didn't notice anything with just the stock screen.

Wheelie: It doesn't give any more than a tiny hop (TCS2 / S mode) when aggressively changing between 1st and 2nd. Bike really wants to stay on the ground.

Engine: European spec so not a good indication of what we will have in the US. That said, it pulls hard. Noticeably harder than my lowered geared/PCIII DL1000. At first I was thrown by the inability to wheelie, thinking it was lacking. But after getting on my Vee and hammering the throttle I had to admit the S10 was a much bigger kick in the chest.

Flickability: Noticeably smaller and lighter than the Vee. I understand why people talk about being instantly confident on this bike. It just feels light and flickable.

Overall Impression: I want my bike to get here. I love my Vee, but I think it will be defeated by the S10.

I have some pictures, but not handy since I'm on a 4 day ride up "The Snake" (Rt 421) with my wife and wow has it been great today. I'll post the pics when I get back home.

So bravo to Yamaha for letting me get out on the bike. Big thank you! I'll hold my comments about the bike festival and only think of the good things today.

Cheers!
Dirt_dad,

Good for you on getting the chance to ride.....very nice write-up which again confirms my confidence in the decision to purchase the s10! :)

Bob
 

Brntrt

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Dirt_Dad said:
Twitchy throttle: I think I understand why some felt it was twitchy. If you're used to a powerful dirt bike this will be a familiar feeling to you. It has a lot of response for a tiny amount of throttle input around the 4-5K range. I'm sure it's something most people will get used to.
+1
 

GrahamD

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And I said on the other forum, Thanks for a great write up Dirt.

Cheers
Graham
 

SpeedStar

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Glad you got to ride it and offer some comparisons to the Vee. I am very happy to hear that you are impressed. We will have to see about our wheelies. Maybe this is something we will have to give up for all of the other outstanding attributes.
 

pqsqac

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I was at the Blue Ridge Fest as well arrived at 2pm got in line for my free T shirt with 500 other folks including some Pagans who didn't feel the need to wait in line but that's a different story. After heading outside I went straight to the parking lot and the Yamaha trailer. First ride was on the FZ8 because another forum member was on the XT. He and I and two Yammi reps rode for 45 minutes highway and country. Next I jumped on the XT and wow that bike is all that and a bag of chips. I can tell you all if you have one on order you will not be disappointed one bit. The bike was awesome and I did notice the engine has more of an industrial sound to it versus a street bike motor. Keep in mind this is my first adventure bike so I have nothing to compare it to. It's not a bad sound at all just different. My only negative comment is the OEM side boxes very cheap after closer inspection and I will not be getting them for sure. My third ride was on the V Max and WOW is all I can say about that bike. It was only myself and one rep because the young kid that started out on the FZ8 soon realized he was a beginner rider and dropped out a few minutes into the demo. The other rep had to stay with him but my rep and I had a blast running the 45 minute loop.

I was riding the blue euro XT that came from TX and folks that have ridden it already have made all the comments I could make. I loved it, I'm glad I have one on order and I'm glad I sold my M109. The reps did say nothing new has come out of Japan news wise other than the power to the factories is scaled back for obvious reasons.
 

HoebSTer

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dirt dad, i know you have been wondering if the Tenere was going to be the bike to push the DL out of the garage. It was good to read your thoughts on the comparo between the two bikes. I too think the S10 will munch the DL i had for lunch!!!
 

Dirt_Dad

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SpeedStar said:
Glad you got to ride it and offer some comparisons to the Vee. I am very happy to hear that you are impressed. We will have to see about our wheelies. Maybe this is something we will have to give up for all of the other outstanding attributes.
The wheelie thing would be a deal killer if I planed on using this as a heavy duty dirt bike. But I don't, so I will probably get over that issue pretty easily.

One other thing I forgot to mention yesterday...

Rev limiter - it's got one. I was a little surprised how quickly I hit it. Granted I was not watching the tach. I frequently run both Stroms up to red line. I know when to start looking at the tach. Happens much sooner on the S10. Not an issue, just something I'll need to retrain myself to do sooner.
 

motocephalic

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Did you think it geared high? I thought that was the biggest difference as compared to the 650. I also found it does not nearly like the high revs like the Suzuki does. I could see myself having to change my style a bit, just like I have on the ST 1300.
 

colorider

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Great ride report Dirt_Dad!!! :)
 

Dirt_Dad

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motocephalic said:
Did you think it geared high? I thought that was the biggest difference as compared to the 650. I also found it does not nearly like the high revs like the Suzuki does. I could see myself having to change my style a bit, just like I have on the ST 1300.
Initial takeoff requires a little more clutch than the Vee. Seems more like Wee gearing on takeoff. Not able to say if it was high overall. Need more time playing with it.

It does not rev high like either Strom. Yes, I think there will definitely be an adjustment to riding style for the bike.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Back home after a 1108 mile ride. Here are the pics I mentioned.

Before unloading the S10.


Alone with all the Triumphs behind it.


After seeing this picture I realized I rode with the seat in the low position. It was fine, but wish I had remembered to put it in the higher position. I was just excited to get to ride it I guess.


I spent a lot of time over the last 3 days comparing my memory of the S10 to my Vee (DL1000). No question I'm excited to spend some time with the torque of the S10. I love that strong throttle response and the S10 gives more than the Vee, or at least the European version does. But having just returned from riding "The Snake" and some other fantastic Kentucky and West Virginia roads I still love how well the Vee handles my aggressive riding demands. From the incredible twists of The Snake, to the most beat up primitive "pavement" of deep back woods WV the Vee just flies. For the S10 to win it will need to be equal to or better than the Vee in the FUN department. If it can equal the Vee it will stay because I really do want ABS and would like the TCS...and I hate chains.

The S10 has the best chance of any bike on the market to displace the Vee. However it turns out, I'm looking forward to the competition.
 

spklbuk

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Please excuse my windiness; I'm kinda excited!

Almost as soon as I arrived in Roanoke this morning, Kim, THE BOSS, had me signed up on a Super Tenere and ready for Ride Master Little Rick to lead me out early on solo run. Traffic was light and we cranked it up a bit. Today, I was more focused on the bike and the first thing I noticed considerable helmet buffeting a little north of the speed limit. Unless you are 5’ 6’, an adjustment of some description will have to be made for highway duty. I had plenty of low end to take off in first when riding 1-Up. The Tenere handled VERY lightly, steered quick, got up and went on demand in Sport mode, has a compliant suspension and was as steady as a rock at 2 mph and on down to a brief stop, every bit as steady as an FJR. I am now certain that my initial problem with slow speed yesterday was due to Spkldoe riding too far back and the suspension was not dialed in for 2-up. The ABS is seamless on the tarmac. I did NOT notice bar vibration today. I’m foresee a Spencer mod to the seat or mounting an aftermarket one; the sides over the frame are too soft under my big butt. I had an altogether different ride over the same route on the S10 today compared to Friday’s 2-up in heavy traffic ride. To sum up today’s Tenere ride this morning, I rode a big trailee on pavement…AND I LIKED IT A LOT!! Me and that blue mochine are gonna fit just fine me thinks.

Upon return near 10:00, I was granted a time slot for a 2011 FJR and together with 4 other riders on all sorts of Yamahas, off we went again. Night and day, apples to mangoes, coo coos to coconuts or however you choose to view it, the S10 is no FJR and vice versa. I rode them back to back. The new FJR has a lighter and smoother throttle twist compared to my ’06; but I did not notice any other major differences on the brief tour. Shifting might have been a little better. I felt very much at ease; but on only a few occasions have I ever been one with my FJR.

I also managed some seat time on the new Triumph 800 XC. That was fun and if I did not require two up capability, I would give it a long second look. I missed a time slot in the 1050 Tiger. I also got to play on an Yammie FZ8 and an FZ1 also. If I had not ridden the FZ1, I would probably have been good with the FZ8; but there just ain’t no comparison to me…FZ1 WAY HIGH on the fun with confidence scale.

Me and Big Blu headed home and traversed 63 miles of pure bliss on VA 311 north. My plan to avoid the same route this morning until the cage traffic beat back the gravel and debris from last night’s storm was a good one, but diligence was still due. Not a blazing speed run, just focused on being smooth thru those exquisite twisties. To top off my afternoon I arrived to find, courtesy of Spkldoe, baked pork chops, ramps fried in olive oil w/ crushed crispy bacon stirred in and tomato dumplings on the side. What a day!!! Way better than I deserve to be sure.

My sincere appreciation goes out to the Yamaha crew for tolerating me again today. Kim, Big and Little Rick, Jules and Mark…THANK YOU! for a incredible day.

Here’s a few pics:


 
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