Short answer: look at it!
Long answer: the first symptom of a problem was a big connector getting hot enough to melt the connector and nearby plastic. I also got a code 46 on the dash at this time (charging system) and ABS fault but they went away and didn't come back. It was the one near the battery carrying power and earth from the regulator to the battery.
We first thought it was a regulator issue, and replaced it (only to later find the original regulator was still good). Then checked fuses, connections, cleaned earths (the cable that overheated was the earth attached to the engine block). We tested the 3 white wires from the alternator to the regulator, but didn't have a multimeter with the degree of accuracy required to check the readings as per the manual. However it was in the ballpark with all 3 reading the same, so though it was probably good. Voltage readings to the battery under different conditions were all correct, and we tried a different battery.
After going through everything the symptom persisted - everything was working fine but the earth wire from the regulator was still getting hot.Stumped, we took it to the dealer, and they did what we should have done much earlier on - pulled the alternator cover. It's obvious that the stator is fried.
Yamaha Germany and the dealer were both fantastic, getting me a part from another bike (no stock in Europe, 3 weeks from Japan), and getting her up and running again within a few days, and for the right price!
This whole thing has been a bit of a hassle, but I should have just given it to Yamaha from day 1. Not bad though, the only real electrical problem in over 120,000 miles. I know some BMW people than have stator problems frequently enough that they carry one in the spares kit!
Full story is over here http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=20551.0
Long answer: the first symptom of a problem was a big connector getting hot enough to melt the connector and nearby plastic. I also got a code 46 on the dash at this time (charging system) and ABS fault but they went away and didn't come back. It was the one near the battery carrying power and earth from the regulator to the battery.
We first thought it was a regulator issue, and replaced it (only to later find the original regulator was still good). Then checked fuses, connections, cleaned earths (the cable that overheated was the earth attached to the engine block). We tested the 3 white wires from the alternator to the regulator, but didn't have a multimeter with the degree of accuracy required to check the readings as per the manual. However it was in the ballpark with all 3 reading the same, so though it was probably good. Voltage readings to the battery under different conditions were all correct, and we tried a different battery.
After going through everything the symptom persisted - everything was working fine but the earth wire from the regulator was still getting hot.Stumped, we took it to the dealer, and they did what we should have done much earlier on - pulled the alternator cover. It's obvious that the stator is fried.
Yamaha Germany and the dealer were both fantastic, getting me a part from another bike (no stock in Europe, 3 weeks from Japan), and getting her up and running again within a few days, and for the right price!
This whole thing has been a bit of a hassle, but I should have just given it to Yamaha from day 1. Not bad though, the only real electrical problem in over 120,000 miles. I know some BMW people than have stator problems frequently enough that they carry one in the spares kit!
Full story is over here http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=20551.0
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