Buying a new 2018

[Don T]

First of all I'll second the advice from others - don't "over farkle" the bike until you have done some miles on it and formed your own opinion about what is needed - the bike is pretty good out of the box - eg: I have no complaints about the stock wind screen or seat (without any modifications).

When that is said, here is a list of some of the mods I done to mine - with comments:

1. OEM heated grips - wouldn't live without them.
2. Altrider side stand foot.
3. Kriega neopren fork protectors - so I never have to worry about leaking front forks.
4. TechSpec Gripster Tank Grips - provides good grip for the knees and protect the tank from scratches.
5. Touratech bash plate - judging from the amount of scratches after 90.000 km it serves a purpose (see picture below).
6. Lockable Touratech GPS mount (for a Zumo 660) - I prefer a dedicated navigation unit.
7. Off-The-Road 30 mm risers - improves the ergo's for me (especially when standing on the pegs).
8. Off-The-Road front fork preload adjusters - eliminates the need for tools to adjust.
9. Givi crash bars - nice piece of kit, but I really don't need that kind of protection (and added weight), so have but them up for sale and will replace them with a set of these.
10. Holan Nomada PRO II 2 x 38L panniers - they work great, but if I had to do it again, I would probably have gone soft and chosen Mosko Moto Reckless 80 instead (now that I have the panniers, I'm too cheap to replace them).
11. "Superbrace" for the windscreen/GPS mount - produced by "Propsoto". To me it's a "most have" if you mount a GPS on the intended crossbar.
12. "Helmet hooks" mounted under the saddle.

Here is a picture where you can see the wear on the bash plate after 65.000 km (you can also see the fork protectors and the side stand foot):

 

[old1959]

I vote with the others to ride the bike a while. Having said this... I immediately ordered a Yamaha tank bag as I have always found a tank bag a must have. Also, the seat mod was a must. Stock seat just had too much of a forward tilt. Before trying anything regarding a different windshield I installed the Yamaha winglets and have been pleased with the setup. Oh, and I added the fork seal wraps/protectors. After these additions, I took some time on luggage (went with Givi), bar risers, additional driving lights, and a skid plate.

You mention having a RT. FIne machine but designed mostly for a specific purpose. The S10 purpose or orientation is broader. I use my S10 as an "any" or "all" road touring bike. Others feel as if the S10 is a dirtbike or an Iron Butt competitor... Which is why tire choices are all over the map and another subject. Enjoy and welcome.

 

[SHUMBA]

I saw that rubber bumper seat idea. I will do that.
Mine will be an ES which comes equipped with the 30 litre per sideYamaha luggage.
I want a top box. Need one that will allow access to the top loading sides.
What’s the best price sensitive black finished aluminum top box recommended?

Hey SJC,
I just bought a new 2018 ES from Hully in London. I'm next door in Stratford. So far, I've acquired SW Motech crash bars, a pair of LED lights for extra vis for daytime riding and to light up the ditches at night. Today, I ordered a pair of Piaa light mounting brackets on Amazon. In addition, I'll put a 12 volt socket on the handlebars to power an air pump if ever needed. (tubeless tyres ya know, so buy yourself a tubeless tyre plug kit, they are really inexpensive).
I'm just going to use a soft tail bag that I had on my Africa Twin. The panniers that come with the bike, hmmm...might take me a while to warm up to them. I plan to take them off and just put on a set of soft bags. When I go on a long trip, I'll put the metal panniers back on, but for local and day to day riding, I'll take them off. In addition, I run a video camera along with a GPS.
Let me know what you plan to add to your new ES....congrats!!
SHUMBA

 

[SJC]

Hey SJC,
I just bought a new 2018 ES from Hully in London. I'm next door in Stratford. So far, I've acquired SW Motech crash bars, a pair of LED lights for extra vis for daytime riding and to light up the ditches at night. Today, I ordered a pair of Piaa light mounting brackets on Amazon. In addition, I'll put a 12 volt socket on the handlebars to power an air pump if ever needed. (tubeless tyres ya know, so buy yourself a tubeless tyre plug kit, they are really inexpensive).
I'm just going to use a soft tail bag that I had on my Africa Twin. The panniers that come with the bike, hmmm...might take me a while to warm up to them. I plan to take them off and just put on a set of soft bags. When I go on a long trip, I'll put the metal panniers back on, but for local and day to day riding, I'll take them off. In addition, I run a video camera along with a GPS.
Let me know what you plan to add to your new ES....congrats!!
SHUMBA

I’ve ordeed a Madstad windshield bracket and a sidestand enlarger pad.
Interested in Alt Rider crash bars and skid plate.
Givi 42 litre Trekker top case.
Garmin gps

 

[SJC]

I vote with the others to ride the bike a while. Having said this... I immediately ordered a Yamaha tank bag as I have always found a tank bag a must have. Also, the seat mod was a must. Stock seat just had too much of a forward tilt. Before trying anything regarding a different windshield I installed the Yamaha winglets and have been pleased with the setup. Oh, and I added the fork seal wraps/protectors. After these additions, I took some time on luggage (went with Givi), bar risers, additional driving lights, and a skid plate.

You mention having a RT. FIne machine but designed mostly for a specific purpose. The S10 purpose or orientation is broader. I use my S10 as an "any" or "all" road touring bike. Others feel as if the S10 is a dirtbike or an Iron Butt competitor... Which is why tire choices are all over the map and another subject. Enjoy and welcome.

Good points all.
I have a Bags Connection tank bag from my BMW. Just need a new Yamaha specific tank ring mount for it.
BTW, The Super Ten has a hard mission trying to equal let alone better the RT.
I like the Yamaha now and hope that I learn to love it.

 

[MIMSEY]

Must be a run in Canada on 2018es's, I bought mine in November not taking delivery until April. Its Killing me haha.
I went with Heed crash bars, and the world Crosser with engine bars skid plate. I'm going to modify it so it doesn't attach to the he sump though. Moose Expedition pannier racks for my tusk pannier, and a Givi Dolminiti 46l rear carrier, pumped To start getting the parts on and start riding

 

[SHUMBA]

Good points all.
I have a Bags Connection tank bag from my BMW. Just need a new Yamaha specific tank ring mount for it.
BTW, The Super Ten has a hard mission trying to equal let alone better the RT.
I like the Yamaha now and hope that I learn to love it.

Can U tell me what the fork seal wraps are, or a picture.
Where do you buy these? Thanks
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[MIMSEY]

They are Kriega, You can get them at Fortnine.ca they are out of stock at the moment though.

They are available at gpbikes in Toronto.
https://gpbikes.com/street/kriega-fork-seal-cover-pair.html

 

[SHUMBA]

They are Kriega, You can get them at Fortnine.ca they are out of stock at the moment though.

They are available at gpbikes in Toronto.
https://gpbikes.com/street/kriega-fork-seal-cover-pair.html

Ok, thanks
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[SJC]

Must be a run in Canada on 2018es's, I bought mine in November not taking delivery until April. Its Killing me haha.
I went with Heed crash bars, and the world Crosser with engine bars skid plate. I'm going to modify it so it doesn't attach to the he sump though. Moose Expedition pannier racks for my tusk pannier, and a Givi Dolminiti 46l rear carrier, pumped To start getting the parts on and start riding

Did you purchase the Heed crash bars directly from the EU website?

Was it a smooth transaction?

The converted price is very good for these bars at around 260.00 Canadian.
Delivery charge?
Ant duty fees ?

 

[Mak10]

Can U tell me what the fork seal wraps are, or a picture.
Where do you buy these? Thanks
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

These are seal saver brand. They have a zipper on one side takes about 10 minutes to put them on.

 

[Don T]

A note regarding the Kriega neopren fork protectors:
The ones I've used only lasts 1 - 2 seasons before the outer surface of the neopren starts to crack. They will still serve their purpose, but looks a bit ragged.
As they are pretty cheap and easy to replace I don't mind.

 

[MIMSEY]

Did you purchase the Heed crash bars directly from the EU website?

Was it a smooth transaction?

The converted price is very good for these bars at around 260.00 Canadian.
Delivery charge?
Ant duty fees ?

You can either buy directly from Heed or from their ebay store. I bought from their ebay store. They are Super easy to work with. I bought them because they off really good upper and lower coverage, and I had a set on my Vstrom, and my Wife's versys 650 also has them.
There was a small duty charge on them but even with that it was quite reasonable, none of the ones I could find offered the level of protection the heeds do at that price.
The only thing to look out for is f you buy the altrider fork covers the heed bars at the bottom will touch them, when you turn the wheel full to the stops, you would need to trim them . Its not and issue for me because I will use seal savers.

 

[SJC]

You can either buy directly from Heed or from their ebay store. I bought from their ebay store. They are Super easy to work with. I bought them because they off really good upper and lower coverage, and I had a set on my Vstrom, and my Wife's versys 650 also has them.
There was a small duty charge on them but even with that it was quite reasonable, none of the ones I could find offered the level of protection the heeds do at that price.
The only thing to look out for is f you buy the altrider fork covers the heed bars at the bottom will touch them, when you turn the wheel full to the stops, you would need to trim them . Its not and issue for me because I will use seal savers.

Thanks for the information.
I’m leaning towards the Alt Rider crash bars and skid plate, but whew are they ever costly !

 

[MIMSEY]

Yes they are, I didn't think that level of protection was necessary for me, I only do dirt gravel, roads and the odd two track, if there is a lot of mud I don't do it.

 

[ruenjou1]

These are seal saver brand. They have a zipper on one side takes about 10 minutes to put them on.
View attachment 53077

Are these 1 1/2 or 1 3/4 seal savers?

 

[Mak10]

Those are the 44-50 mm short ones.

 

[Crash]

First of all I'll second the advice from others - don't "over farkle" the bike until you have done some miles on it and formed your own opinion about what is needed - the bike is pretty good out of the box - eg: I have no complaints about the stock wind screen or seat (without any modifications).

When that is said, here is a list of some of the mods I done to mine - with comments:

1. OEM heated grips - wouldn't live without them.
2. Altrider side stand foot.
3. Kriega neopren fork protectors - so I never have to worry about leaking front forks.
4. TechSpec Gripster Tank Grips - provides good grip for the knees and protect the tank from scratches.
5. Touratech bash plate - judging from the amount of scratches after 90.000 km it serves a purpose (see picture below).
6. Lockable Touratech GPS mount (for a Zumo 660) - I prefer a dedicated navigation unit.
7. Off-The-Road 30 mm risers - improves the ergo's for me (especially when standing on the pegs).
8. Off-The-Road front fork preload adjusters - eliminates the need for tools to adjust.
9. Givi crash bars - nice piece of kit, but I really don't need that kind of protection (and added weight), so have but them up for sale and will replace them with a set of these.
10. Holan Nomada PRO II 2 x 38L panniers - they work great, but if I had to do it again, I would probably have gone soft and chosen Mosko Moto Reckless 80 instead (now that I have the panniers, I'm too cheap to replace them).
11. "Superbrace" for the windscreen/GPS mount - produced by "Propsoto". To me it's a "most have" if you mount a GPS on the intended crossbar.
12. "Helmet hooks" mounted under the saddle.

Here is a picture where you can see the wear on the bash plate after 65.000 km (you can also see the fork protectors and the side stand foot):
View attachment 52925

You have done a fabulous job of keeping your bike looking so nice. Everything looks like new! Any tips you'd like to share?

 

[Don T]

You have done a fabulous job of keeping your bike looking so nice. Everything looks like new! Any tips you'd like to share?

Thank you

The picture was taken right after the bike left winter storage last year.
I live so far north that my bikes are hibernating 3-5 month every winter in my heated garage. During the months I don't ride I like to spend time in the garage once in a while - so every winter I give the bikes some serious TLC. I take them apart and clean/check/fix/lube everything.
This way the bikes are spotless and 100% fit for fight every year when spring arrives.
During the riding season I just service the bike according to schedule and give it an occasionally wash.

- so the only tip I have to share is putting in some time and effort.

 

[Crash]

Well I like to keep mine clean but you're at a whole different level; nicely done.