Drive line "shudder" on acceleration.

[semperfidher]

Thanks for all the helpful responses! Yeah I'll definitely try the clutch isolation technique with the lever to see if it indicated that it is, in fact, the basket. Won't get another chance to ride it for a few weeks though.
I didn't get the '14 simply because I didn't want it (something about adding even more electronics to a bike meant to get dirty/rained on/etc. doesn't sit well with me), so hopefully somehow I can make a case for hooking me up with a part or at least a discount. Can't really say its a money thing at all, but more a matter of principle.

So those of you who had this on your '12-13's never had any issues with failures/reliability?

 

[markjenn]

Can't really say its a money thing at all, but more a matter of principle.

And what is the "principle" that one buys an older model and expects the mfg to upgrade it to the spec of the later/more expensive model for free?

So those of you who had this on your '12-13's never had any issues with failures/reliability?

There have been no reports of reliability issues with either the original 12/13 basket or the 14 basket whether on a 14 or retrofitted to a 12/13.

- Mark

 

[Koinz]

And what is the "principle" that one buys an older model and expects the mfg to upgrade it to the spec of the later/more expensive model for free?

There have been no reports of reliability issues with either the original 12/13 basket or the 14 basket whether on a 14 or retrofitted to a 12/13.

- Mark

There was only one 12/13 basket that has ever failed that we know of beyond the typical rattling. So far no 14 baskets ever failed, but it's early.
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=13002.msg207358#msg207358 ;D

 

[EricV]

So those of you who had this on your '12-13's never had any issues with failures/reliability?

Not a thing wrong with waiting until something needs fixing or bothers you. I'm generally that way too. I have 82k on my Super Ten and the clutch vibes were fine when new, but over time and miles slowly got to the point where I started noticing more vibes in the bars, mirrors, foot pegs, etc. It got to the point where it was bothering me, and I had a month long trip coming up, so I sent my clutch basket out to be re-worked. That was pretty darn good at first, but after a few thousand miles it got worse again, so I pulled it out and sent it back to the same fellow. The second version was noticeably better and stayed that way for the duration of my trip, which I greatly appreciated.

Some folks will never be bothered by the vibes that are centered around 3200 rpm. Others will notice it strait off. Each bike is a little different, and each owner is a little different on how we perceive things and what bothers us. Generally, as has been said, the Super Tenere will get smoother over the first 5-6k miles. I'd be tempted to say wait until after that point before making any changes, even if it bothers you from new. There has only been one failure on the clutch basket, which was completely oddball and unrelated to the vibration issue. That's part of the issue with attempting to get a warranty replacement on the clutch basket, they don't typically fail, and wear is not covered. The other, as mentioned by others, is that currently the '14 clutch basket is not a superseded item, but a new part for '14 bikes. The cam/timing chain tensioner is a superseded part number, putting it in a different class.

For the new owners, do be aware that the cam/timing chain tensioner, (CCT), is not solely spring tension, but also has oil pressure to it, so unlike older designs, it does not rattle at idle when going bad. It only rattles on start up, mostly cold start up. This makes it somewhat more difficult to quantify when it's "going bad" and just how bad it is. Many bikes had that rattle when new, others did not, but some rattle on start up is not in and of itself an indicator that the CCT needs immediate replacement. Most will do just fine to at least 52k when the second valve inspection/adjustment is due. I would strongly suggest anyone doing that service go ahead and replace the CCT then, as a preventative measure. Even if it's on your dime. To the best of my knowledge, no one had had an issue under 50k miles, (as far as failure of the CCT goes).

 

[BravoBravo]

Get a 2014 basket...... and maybe a CCT........

I just did both of those improvements. Wow! What a difference. I was not unhappy with my Super Ten, but now it is as smooth as glass! ::008::

Bruce

 

[semperfidher]

And what is the "principle" that one buys an older model and expects the mfg to upgrade it to the spec of the later/more expensive model for free?

- Mark

The principle is that if one purchases a $15k motorcycle, he/she should at least be able to expect it to be mechanically sound.
I completely understand personal preferences on parts coming out of the rider's pocket, such as an adjustable windshield or different bars. But an internal engine, transmission, driveline, or chassis component? No way.
It would even be more palatable to me if EVERY tenere had the issue. But the fact that some have vibration x while others have buzz y suggests inconsistencies in the manufacturing process, and they should be recognized by Yamaha.
I get it, they don't recognize it as an issue, so I'll likely have to just pound sand like the rest. Just frustrating.
And really all I was after was whether or not it's caused issues down the road, so for that answer, thanks EricV and all others who chimed in.

 

[Tremor38]

It would even be more palatable to me if EVERY tenere had the issue. But the fact that some have vibration x while others have buzz y suggests inconsistencies in the manufacturing process, and they should be recognized by Yamaha.

....or maybe there is no variation issue. By saying that variation in the manufacturing process is causing this, you are assuming that all people have the same sensitivities and physical makeup, which couldn't be further from the truth. Different people have sensitivity to vibrations in different frequency ranges. I'd be willing to bet that I could jump on any pre 2014 Tenere and feel the same amount of vibes in the same range as I feel them on my bike. There just happened to be enough people who are sensitive to vibs in the 2400-3400 range for Yamaha to do something about it on the 2014 bike. ::008::

 

[markjenn]

The principle is that if one purchases a $15k motorcycle, he/she should at least be able to expect it to be mechanically sound.

I think you're getting caught up in the hoopla surrounding this issue. Are you aware that this issue wasn't even identified until the bike had been on the market for a couple years and ridden for tens of thousands of miles by owners? Even when it was identified, it wasn't considered a major issue.... just something that could possibly be improved. When the 14 shipped with a re-design, the desire for folks to improve the bike by retrofitting the part gained added momentum, but to suggest that all the 12/13 models are "mechanically unsound" is, sorry to be blunt, completely ridiculous. And all bikes have some sample-to-sample variance in vibration characteristics, as they do with engine power, fuel mileage, etc.

Now if there is something unusual about your bike compared to other 12/13 models, that's a different issue and should be fixed under warranty.

- Mark

 

[BravoBravo]

I think you're getting caught up in the hoopla surrounding this issue. Are you aware that this issue wasn't even identified until the bike had been on the market for a couple years and ridden for tens of thousands of miles by owners? Even when it was identified, it wasn't considered a major issue.... just something that could possibly be improved. When the 14 shipped with a re-design, the desire for folks to improve the bike by retrofitting the part gained added momentum, but to suggest that all the 12/13 models are "mechanically unsound" is, sorry to be blunt, completely ridiculous. And all bikes have some sample-to-sample variance in vibration characteristics, as they do with engine power, fuel mileage, etc.

Now if there is something unusual about your bike compared to other 12/13 models, that's a different issue and should be fixed under warranty.

- Mark

I agree, Mark. I wouldn't have even bothered doing the clutch basket replacement on my 2012 if I hadn't gotten such a sweet deal on the price. Yamaha rightly regards this as an improvement, not as a fix for something that is not working. Having said that, I am glad I did go for the upgrade. It really is much smoother, but if I hadn't done it, I would not have even known what I was missing. The bike ran fine as it was.

-Bruce

 

[EricV]

I think you're getting caught up in the hoopla surrounding this issue. Are you aware that this issue wasn't even identified until the bike had been on the market for a couple years and ridden for tens of thousands of miles by owners? Even when it was identified, it wasn't considered a major issue.... just something that could possibly be improved. When the 14 shipped with a re-design, the desire for folks to improve the bike by retrofitting the part gained added momentum, but to suggest that all the 12/13 models are "mechanically unsound" is, sorry to be blunt, completely ridiculous.

While I do agree with Mark that the clutch vibration issue is not something broken, and is not 'mechanically unsound', it's not quite what he describes either. Some owners have been bothered by these vibes from the very beginning and have spent significant amounts of money making changes like flex bars, anti-vibe risers, foot peg changes, etc. in attempts to reduce, minimize or eliminate vibrations, including the 3-4k area where the clutch vibe is most prevalent.

The announcement of the '14 model hyped various 'new' features, one brief mention was rubber dampeners relating to drive line, which got interest from the folks bothered by vibes. That led us here, where people have actually installed the '14 clutch and proven it makes a significant difference.

Personally, the clutch vibe got bad enough on my bike at around 60k that I started looking for some way to improve or diminish that issue. I got lucky on some beta testing and in the end, that helped, but did not eliminate the vibes centered on 3200 rpm. Which made me order the '14 clutch basket when it was available at the low price.

 

[toemoss]

My 13 has some what of a shudder but it's between 3,000 rpm and 4,000 usually my fault for being a gear up and just plain lugging it. The bike has so much torque hard to tell which gear your in without checking the tach.

 

[Ramseybella]

If the old clutch caused some catastrophic event like coming apart and taking out the motor of causing you to be hurt or killed, then Yamaha would consider it an issue.
Other than that it is what it is.
Apparently the older CCT's had some serious issues to make Yamaha change the design and list them for all year Tenere's now. like go slack and loose and make you Cam chain jump and hammer your valves to pieces.
I for one was not impressed with this new CCT and had a manual one installed as it was wanked right out of the box.

 

[2112]

My 13 has some what of a shudder but it's between 3,000 rpm and 4,000 usually my fault for being a gear up and just plain lugging it.

Mine too 'they all do that sir'.

 

[Koinz]

Mine too 'they all do that sir'.

Well the 12's and 13's shudder, not the 14's because they have the new clutch basket design. Many of us have upgraded to that new basket in our 12 and 13's and enjoy no shudder. It's awesome.