delivery dates

[racer]

Tubebender, I've read that first gear maybe too high for off road work, however, I've found that except for really tight work, a tall gear will make you a better rider. I rode hare scrambles and enduros for 35 years and that is true, however, this in not really a wood bike. I've ridden several dual sport rides and this bike wouldn't be a problem on any of them. But keep in mind, this is not really an off road bike. It is heavy although you don't really notice the weight on the street. We didn't really get a chance to test the bike out off road, however, I got the feeling any dirt roads or single tracks wouldn't be a problem. Mud, yes that would be a problem, more so with your tire selection.

I think the first gear will not be a problem, however, if its not low enough for you, I am thinking you either need a full fledge dirt bike or more riding experience. BUT, we really didn't have a chance to take it off the pavement. BUT, I wouldn't hesitate giving it a try! I wouldn't have a problem riding it on the Alligator Dual Sport Rider here in Daytona next year. Lots of sugar sand, just get on the pegs, shift up and nail it, and I'm 65 years old. Life rocks! Thanks for your comment. Racer

 

[Motorcyclisted]

Super Report!

 

[colorider]

Great report Racer! Thanks for sharing all the little items as well as these can sometimes become large annoyances.

 

[troll]

I'm 65 years old. Life rocks! Thanks for your comment. Racer

dude, I love your attitude - when in doubt, throttle out ;D

 

[toompine]

I remember demoing a Vstrom here several years ago and came off the bike laughing my ass off it was so much fun. I went back the next day and demoed it again and went home and bought one. I didn't get that feeling today with the S10. I thought I get up tomorrow early and wait in line for another ride, however, I'm thinking now I'll just head back home to Indiana.

I had the opposite impression when I rode it last year in San Mateo. I was similing so hard in my helmet my face hurt and my ears hurt from all the Yahoooos!! I was yelling. I have been riding a Multistrada for several years and dearly love that bike and we have had many fine rides with that similar feeling....but I know the Super Tenere is going to give that feedback a lot more and be a lot easier to just ride around on. 8)

Good report, you noticed a lot more than I did because i was too distracted by all that yelling

 

[yammie]

The first thing I noticed was the bars felt really wide, but I've been on my FJR for about a week now, but the bars feel wider than my KLR too. Not a bad thing though and I think I will get used to it. I did notice there is plenty of room to cut at least an inch, maybe a tad more off each end and still have plenty of room for the controls.

As advertised, you can't switch over while moving, however, I flipped the switch at a stop sign and it went right to Sport mode. Big difference. Not FJR but it will get your attention. The exhaust note and power delivery is almost like a muffled Sportster and the engine reminded me a little of the KTM RC8 that I rode last summer at the Mid Ohio track day.

You can change the D mode while the bike is moving if you clutched in. It's the TCS that the bike needed to be stationary before you can do any changes.

Oh and about the handlebar, it have littles holes in them where the 'legs' of the switches sit in so they can't be rotated or move around. You have to cut the 'legs' if you want to shift them around.

Hope you guys enjoy the bike like i did when they arrive

 

[2XADV]

Thanks for the great report Racer!

 

[Rick]

Okay brakes....At the first stop sign, I nearly didn't stop in time. Mine you, I've been on my non ABS FJR all week and two fingers is all that is needed to lock up the front wheel. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of braking available on the S10, you're just going to have to work a little harder for it. It's not as bad as the KLR, but it doesn't have the rock solid hard feel of my FJR. I'm mostly a front brake only guy, but I felt more comfortable using both brakes during this short ride. I tried to get the ABS to engage unsuccessfully at one stop, but I didn't want to get too carried away with one of the demo marshals right behind me. I think the brakes are going to be a non-issue though, no personnality, they just work, period.

The FJR does have really good brakes. I find it a bit troubling that the S10 does not seem to stop as well as that bike. Maybe, since this is the internet, we should start a new thread... Bad Brakes on the S10!!!

 

[Koinz]

The FJR does have really good brakes. I find it a bit troubling that the S10 does not seem to stop as well as that bike. Maybe, since this is the internet, we should start a new thread... Bad Brakes on the S10!!!

Brake feel from one bike to another vary. Doesn't mean the brakes are bad. Just means you have get used to the new feel.

Brakes between my BMW and Vstrom were like night and day - Vstrom being less responsive with less feel to them (especially the rear) I would fish tale to stop a lot.

 

[pqsqac]

Brakes are in the hands of the squeezer!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

After riding my FJR for a few hours I got on my VStrom and for a brief moment I honestly thought the brakes had gone out. Made my heart skip a beat ??? then I realized all was fine.

 

[tubebender]

racer,

I was more interested in how first gear felt to you as you rode it, especially as you pulled away from dead stop. Some bikes, a Goldwing for instance, have a really low first gear while others are higher. I'm want to know what your thoughts are on the clutch / throttle dance.

Thanks.

 

[GrahamD]

Brakes between my BMW and Vstrom were like night and day - Vstrom being less responsive with less feel to them (especially the rear) I would fish tale to stop a lot.

I read years ago the the V-Strom front brakes were deliberately made a bit "unresponsive" because of a fear that people would grab a handful on loose surfaces and go down in a heap. Even though the same person says that it is not an off road bike. (could be an excuse, but Suzuki can do good brakes when they want to)

Anyway on the DL1000, the rear brake is only there in case your chain falls off, the real brake is on the other side and works backwards. ;D

Cheers
Graham

 

[JonnyCinco]

Oh and about the handlebar, it have littles holes in them where the 'legs' of the switches sit in so they can't be rotated or move around. You have to cut the 'legs' if you want to shift them around.

ya can drill new holes to maintain the legs and prevent the controls for turning......

have to do it on every clip-on i bend while trying to surf on my trackbike :

 

[racer]

Sorry for the late reply tubebender, but I've been on the road for the past two days, riding back to Indiana from Daytona. As far as the first gear goes, I do remember almost stalling the engine early in the demo ride when I pulled away from a stop light, however, this was really early on in the ride, and I had bike in the touring mode. No issues later, expecially in sport mode. I had a couple other thought while riding the 900 miles home over the past two days. Number one. The LCD read out on MPH is really big, probably an inch or more high. Really nice for us old farts that can't see that well anymore.


Also, on long trips I like to put my feet on the passenger footpegs for a different riding position. This was extremely hard to do, since they are so high. With out the bags on the bike, there is lots of room to get at the rear wheel, its really open back there. I thought the throttle cables would be in the way of reading the instrument cluster, however, once going, I never noticed a problem. There is lots of room between the tank and forks. If you need to change a head light bulb, it looks to be a 30 second job, unlike the FJR or KLR. Just twist and remove the back bulb holder, its wide open. I have a the old NUVI GPS out of our car and it has posed some mounting problems on a bike, however, it looks like the windscreen supports are made in a way that a mounting bar can easily be bolted to the supports behind the screen. There is also a nice space to mount another device across from the cigarette light plug in. A head troller or switch or panel can easily be put on this little dash on the left. It is as if YamMa left it open just for us to get creative with. As I've said before, the bike is just well thought out. I think we are all going to find this a lot of fun with lots of room to make it our own.

My only concern now is.............How much will delivery dates be delayed with the earth quake in Japan. I don't know where the Yamaha plant is, but surely production is going to be comprimised by this event. Anyone with knowledge of Yamaha's production facilities, please chime in. Cheers Racer

 

[Buckeye56]

What I have heard is the production facility suffered no damage but roads, railways and possibly ports did. So there may be delays in getting parts to Yamaha to assemble the bikes.

 

[Ollie]

If that nuclear power plant has a melt down, which the IAEA says may be happening, then things could go from bad to worse. Keeping my fingers crossed for those poor folks.

 

[Buckeye56]

That would be terrible. Hopefully it will not get to that point. Those poor people, it has to be hell....