Hello from Front Royal, VA

[peschon]

Pick up my s10 two days ago. Had a Can-am Renegade 4-wheeler and rode 4-wheelers (3-wheerers) almost before I could walk. Sold it for my first bike, a FZ1 put on 20k miles on it about a year and half. Started to miss gravel and a soft seat. I was very impressed with the yahama that I wanted to stick with the brand. Slightly scared to take the s10 off-road (fire trail roads and such) as it would be my first time on two wheels on real dirt. Any advice, tips? Already looking at aftermarket parts, leaning towards altrider skids and bars.

 

[snakebitten]

Advice?
Dress to crash. (just in case)
Turn off Traction Control setting #1.
Then just believe! She'll take ya where she points. Be reasonable, of course.

This bike is a hoot.

 

[trikepilot]

I'll back up what Snake said and add...

- consider some armor (Rumbux, Altrider, Givi. etc...) if you wanna treat her as a dirtbike, she will take naps. Prepare her....
- consider some new shoes ... at least K60's if not Big Blocks, TKC's, or Karoos
- track down DirtDad (he'll chime in soon with Front Royal in the post title) and do whatever he says. He KNOWS that area and knows SuperTens
- point the bike west. Cross the first state border and then explore often!!!

You are gonna love this bike!!!!

 

[Old Blue]

Welcome from South Texas.
I just put K60s on mine. Much, much better than the Battle wings in dirt. Kinda like a KLR to me, which is good.

Sucks in loose sand. Bad. But all bikes do, especially heavies.

 

[krussell]

Congrats on the new ride.

Check out http://www.dualsportriding.com for some videos that will help with technique for the off pavement stuff.

 

[peschon]

Welcome from South Texas.
I just put K60s on mine. Much, much better than the Battle wings in dirt. Kinda like a KLR to me, which is good.

Sucks in loose sand. Bad. But all bikes do, especially heavies.

How are the K60s on tar vs. stock, plan on riding bike on payment until break-in and get a feel for it before I mix in the dirt. I usually go gung-ho but just had a double back surgery, month apart of each one and need it to heal. Finding out that one's motal slows you down.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Greeting from Damascus, MD. Hope you can join the party next month at Romney: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=10081.0


K60s on the type of mixed asphalt where you are would be OK as long as you don't expect too much. Their rubber is a bit hard and you can turn on the traction control light when banked over and hit the throttle. They are better on gravel and dirt than the OEM tires and the OEM tires are a bit better on your type of roads. Sounds like you would do fine to just enjoy the bike with the OEM tires till they are gone.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

As predicted, I saw Front Royal in the title and had to chime in. Welcome, you've just made a wise purchase.

My first tip is do NOT take it on Peter's Mill or Taskers Gap. Far too rocky and rough for an average good dirt rider to take a 600+lb bike. I leave that one for the WR250. And honestly I'm usually the only motorcycle amid a bunch of utility ATVs and Jeeps.

The one trail that is part way down the mountain on the west side (below the Tasker's Gap parking area), which is mostly just a fire road should be fine if you need an off pavement fix. Nothing too difficult for a Tenere there.

Biggest tip I can give you is stand up. Learn to get comfortable controlling the bike while standing. That position gives you the most options for moving the bike where you need it to stay in balance and control.

Finally, reread Checkswrecks post above and please do join us in 1 month in Romney.

Congrats on your new bike. It's a winner.

 

[peschon]

Scary, Taskers crossed my mind hit every trail on my renegade. How about the fire trail road off of 33 west of Harrisonburg. Think its called skidmore fork road. Took my jeep on it a few times but have no idea if its too hard for a first time amateur.

Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk

 

[twodogs]

A welcome aboard from Ohio.....

Know your concerns about riding in the dirt. My 2 cents: Stay connected to this forum and you will learn a lot. At least 99.9 % is the right stuff

Hope to see you in Romney ::001::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

How about the fire trail road off of 33 west of Harrisonburg. Think its called skidmore fork road. Took my jeep on it a few times but have no idea if its too hard for a first time amateur.

??? I heard rumors of that one once, but never seen it. Usually when I get to 33 I have tunnel vision for nice mountain twisties. Maybe I need to expand my horizons next time. But damn...those are some wonderful twisties.

My suggestion is stick to nothing more than dirt roads that a cautious mom driving a minivan full of kids would be willing to drive. Put the bike in TCS2 and Touring mode. If this is your first time on dirt on 2 wheels you really do need to be overly cautious for a while. Pay very close attention to the slope of the road just to make sure you get you foot down on the correct side. Off pavement there can be some pretty big spaces from one side of the bike to the other.

Also take a look at your left pant leg. There is a guard above the left foot peg that is prone to having the pant leg slip over it. That prevents you from getting your left leg to the ground. Make sure that will not be an issue for you. If you pull up to a good size drop off on your left and can't get your leg down it could get ugly.

 

[Brick]

Welcome!
I too think your choice of a Super T is the right one!
I live down the BRP from you... go to MM 315 and down to Morganton, NC.

Around here we have a lot of nice gravel forest roads up around Wilson Creek etc... I too was never a dirt bike rider as a kid and now as a... well more mature rider I consider myself a trail rider and do enjoy these gravel roads with this over 600 lb bike. I've got a lot of miles on my Super T and while most are street I would still venture to say that almost 10% are gravel roads.
That being said I just love this bike in the curves... ::015:: what a HOOT! It honks when I power out of a corner and just pulls so nice and smooth!
You could consider a bit of dual or is it duel sport rider training. It's expensive but check out www.MotoMark1.com

 

[rem]

Welcome on, peschon from Va. Congrats on that new bike. Greetings from the still frozen, too cold to ride, snow-ridden, icy .... well, you get my drift. Lots of information here. You can search or just ask. ::004:: to the Forum. R. ::022::

 

[barkingllizard]

congrats, peschon, with a simple hello.....

 

[clint64]

Welcome and congrats on the bike

 

[Old Blue]

How are the K60s on tar vs. stock, plan on riding bike on payment until break-in and get a feel for it before I mix in the dirt. I usually go gung-ho but just had a double back surgery, month apart of each one and need it to heal. Finding out that one's motal slows you down.

They are better than I thought they would be. Unless you are a sport bike rider I think you will be satisfied. Good grip, predictable, not too vibey. Although they are a bit squirrelly on wet streets.

 

[peschon]

Since im stuck in the house, i reached the end of youtube and found this little video on off-road techniques, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re2A9UJzSBw going to hit the back mountain roads and try some of their points.

 

[snakebitten]

Nice video peschon!
First lesson they teach results in farkling your bike for proper ergos while standing. I couldn't agree more!
Sorry RonH.

 

[trikepilot]

Speaking from experience... get some armor on that thing before you take it offroad. I had a spectacular crash on my SuperTen on my very first ride that ended up crunching all the right side plastics and rear peg post but luckily leaving me and the bike relatively unscathed.

You mentioned some of the AtlRider crash gear - do it! Or look at the Rumbux (my preference) - http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=4395.msg185360#msg185360

Once you and and the bike are protected and you get enough miles on her to get in tune with her size and power, I think you find her nimble and spirited enough to warrant her nickname to some of us here - "the world's largest dirtbike."

 

[peschon]

Picture of the bike, lightest she will ever be.

Also im guessing its no problem to flush cut the two drain hoses in front.