Demo ride at Mongomeryville this morning

[tiogajoe]

I got up early this morning to head down to Mongomeryville Cycle for a demo ride on the S10. I happened to get there right around the same time as a few other forum members arrived. ( Sorry, I forgot screen names) I had the first spin of the day with the Yamaha rep. The bike was in TC1 -Sport- Low seat height. I'm 5-9 with a 30" inseam. I had no problem reaching the ground with most of my feet coming in contact with the tarmac. I could flat-foot one side if I favored one side or the other. We did a small loop ride consisting of mainly back roads with a few shots on a busy two lane. Here's what I can report:

- The bike accelerated very evenly (Flat) no sudden gains in power or any trottle twich which some have reported having.

- The bike only had a slight vibration at idle but was surprisingly smooth underway. ( This is the 1st time I rode a twin)

- the unified brakes work Very well.

- the six speed tranny shifts like butter. I thought the gearing was fine.
- The handle bars were a touch to far forward for me. Could have been how the demo bike was set-up?

 

[tiogajoe]

sorry ran out of space.......

The windscreen was O.K. I have a wasp. adjuster sitting in the garage. This is just like any other new bike. Screens are very subjective.

- The bike handled very well and was very comfortable and plush. Long hauls should be no problem.

- I think the S10 will do well for it's itended purpose as an All-Rounder Adventure tourer. I have no regrets having ordered w/o a test ride. For those of you who can't test ride one.... The wait will be worth it. 8)

 

[jajpko]

Thanks for the RR.. Any pics? Also did you notice the mileage and if it was a EU bike?
Thanks

 

[tiogajoe]

It was a EU spec machine. Mileage was about 1650ish km. Maybe someone else could chime in on the mileage? No pics. but a guy was going to post on youtube "Mongomeryville Demo Ride"?? He had a Helmet cam.

 

[martinh]

I was the second one on the bike today and raised the seat. It took 30 seconds to do. I am 6'1 and still flat footed the bike. I rode it mostly in the sport mode. I found I like the little extra pop from the motor. Touring setting was nice and smooth through the gears also. We stopped at a cross street and in the sport mode I was able to punch the throttle a little and found the front will come up, but the traction control kicks in. I think my Vee lifted easier though. It was a short ride and not much time to really play with it. I can tell I will be ordering the taller shield for the bike.

milage I don't remember how much was on it. The bike came from Cal. and it was 1 of 7 left in the US he said.

 

[Koinz]

Hi tiogajoe, I was there speaking with you along with martinh. nice to meet you and your son.
Finally got to ride one (at very short notice I might add).
I thought I saw the odometer at 1730 when I road it. I was 3rd on the list.
All my concerns have been erased after my test drive. No noticeable vibration, nice transmission, suspension and excellent brakes.

After the tenere ride, I went for 1200gs ride. Yes, BMW was there for demo rides too. I noticed immediately that the gs felt more top heavy, the suspension seemed firmer and harsh over Bumps. Mine happened to have loose Left mirror that swinging on it's perch. Made the ride less enjoyable, but I couldn't blame BMW for that. It's definitely taller in the saddle than the tenere. I might consider raising the tenere up a bit.

By the way. You guys in nj and pa might want to check out Rider insurance for rates. I was quoted 338.00/year for the Tenere. That cost was based on a multi bike 10 percent @ 100/300/50 coverage. My vstrom was quoted at 188.00. I think right now I pay more for 1 bike than this quote.

 

[tiogajoe]

Hi Koinz, Nice meeting you too. I also sat on a BMW 1200gs in the showroom. It felt like you sat more in the bike than on it like the Tenere?? I rode one about two years ago and was impressed with the bmw. I just can see the price for admission. I figure till I do what I want to the Tenere I'll still be several thousand less than the Beemer?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

We stopped at a cross street and in the sport mode I was able to punch the throttle a little and found the front will come up, but the traction control kicks in. I think my Vee lifted easier though.

What was your traction control set to when you got the wheel up? I'm hoping for TC1 and maybe TC2 will allow a little longer air time.

 

[martinh]

What was your traction control set to when you got the wheel up? I'm hoping for TC1 and maybe TC2 will allow a little longer air time.

It was full on so I am guessing TC1.

Koinz I am with you I think I am going to raise the back end on the bike. It did seem to sit a little lower than the Vee. Suspension did feel nice. Bike road allot better in the turns than the GS1200, that bike was just a big pig. I also took out the G800S and that had a nice ride to it. Just the seat was not made to be ridden a long time I found. The ST was definitely a comfy ride.

the other thing I found is that the bike likes to be ridden around 5k it seemed. What ever gear I was in and when ever I looked down it was always are 5K.

 

[colorider]

Thanks guys for the test ride reports! I'd love to do another test ride, but to my knowledge, there will not be another demo bike coming my way.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

It was full on so I am guessing TC1.

Thanks. As a fellow DL1000 owner I'm very interested in your thoughts between the two. I realize you had a short ride so it may not be possible to tell much, but I'll ask anyway.

1) How was the engine power compare to the DL1000. Did the engine feel significantly stronger or about the same?

2) Did you get a feel for if it was equally maneuverable (or better) than the DL1000?

I'm planning to go to a demo next week, so I will get to try. But curiosity has really got me.

 

[martinh]

Thanks. As a fellow DL1000 owner I'm very interested in your thoughts between the two. I realize you had a short ride so it may not be possible to tell much, but I'll ask anyway.
1) How was the engine power compare to the DL1000. Did the engine feel significantly stronger or about the same?
2) Did you get a feel for if it was equally maneuverable (or better) than the DL1000?
I'm planning to go to a demo next week, so I will get to try. But curiosity has really got me.

It was hard to really tell. The ride was too short but the power seemed atleast to be the same. It got up and go. I looked down at the speedo and it was 60+ in no time it seemed. I never hit 6 gear on the back roads. Plus how it handled in the turns the ride was too short short a ride again. I know on my Vee I use to scrape the pegs so I am hoping this bike can do the same thing.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

It was hard to really tell. The ride was too short but the power seemed atleast to be the same. It got up and go. I looked down at the speedo and it was 60+ in no time it seemed. I never hit 6 gear on the back roads. Plus how it handled in the turns the ride was too short short a ride again. I know on my Vee I use to scrape the pegs so I am hoping this bike can do the same thing.

I'm not surprised. I have never learned much from a brief demo ride. I'm still going to do one next week, even if it is only for fun. Thanks for passing along the info.

 

[Venture]

Hey Guys, sorry I couldn't get over there to meet all of you. Koinz gave me a heads-up on this around Wednesday, but I was stuck in a classroom all day today until after 5:00 (pesky graduate degree!)

Did anybody by chance get a read on where the demo bike is headed next? I'd bet dollars to donuts it's headed over to Martin's in Gilbertsville. That's my hope anyway.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Next weekend in Roanoke, VA and another truck in North Carolina.

 

[Yamaguy55]

I sure wish I had heard of this......my chums at the dealer I ordered it from should have let me know.........

 

[motocephalic]

What was your traction control set to when you got the wheel up? I'm hoping for TC1 and maybe TC2 will allow a little longer air time.

I think it defaults to TC1 each time it is started, I think someone told me that at the demo.

 

[Koinz]

I sure wish I had heard of this......my chums at the dealer I ordered it from should have let me know.........

Sorry dude, I should've posted something as soon as I heard about it. I got an email from a local guy here and I informed people that I knew were pretty close. They were rained out Friday and were there today from 9:00-12:00. Kind of surprised at a such small window of opportunity.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I think it defaults to TC1 each time it is started, I think someone told me that at the demo.

That is correct, but I do plan to set it to TC2 when I take my demo next week. Of course I may just be too damn excited and forget, but that is my plan.

 

[HoebSTer]

i am jealous of all of the demo riding around here. We surely had the bike driving around a few months ago, but the area rep wouldn't let anyone ride it. Have fun if you get the chance.