Wow......
Thanks for all the replies and invites.....carefull...I may just take you up on them.
We intend to do as much of the US as possible, including a big slice of Canada and Alaska and then when the weather starts to cool down (autumn 2012 - sorry - fall) we will be looking to mosey on down slowly towards Ushuaia before deciding which continent to visit next. I have been to the US once and Canada twice. I have to say the whole continent is beautiful and the natives are extremely friendly. I am realy looking foreward to it.
Now down to business....
As you all likely know by now, in the UK we have what the Ausies call the "Outback version" only. This includes a headlight screen, panniers and a bash plate. I pre ordered a lot of other Yamaha accessories at the time of PDP. Heated grips, crash bars, driving lamps, large screen, deflectors and a tank bag.
As I said in my first post, the core of the bike is good and it is mainly these aftermarket bits that are crap (not all of them).
I will list through them with my opinion but I have posted it previously on ADV so read on if need be.
Headlight screen. Brilliant - nuff said.
Panniers. OK for commuting and waterproof as far as I can see, but, the fixings are IMHO inadequate. There is no support at the rear lower corner and a drop onto this point will snap the plastic fixings off. Aside from that, the aluminium covers are so thin that dropping a spanner on them leaves a dent. Two fixings were snapped off on the "Ride for Life" trip following drops. I have swapped mine for Metal Mule ones, rear rack included.
Bash plate. This has a completely inadequate rear fixing. I have bashed mine twice (not hard) and both times have bent the rear fixings out of shape. A South African guy even pushed his rear fixing through the sump. SW-Motech plate on order.
Heated grips. Work fantastic but the controller fixing looks like it was made in a garden shed.
Crash bars. Not realy tested yet but make the bike even easier to pick up. Over bar looks a bit naff.
Driving lamps. Work well but again, look a bit naff, as does the switch. Great for parting the traffic though.
Large screen. Waste of money. It is only about 6" sq larger in area and is the same height. Lens back and shoves the wind straight onto the top of the visor area (for me anyway). Awaiting a WaspWorks screen adjuster.
Deflectors. Seem good but difficult to tell due to the crap screen.
Tank bag. Sexy Yamaha one, compliments the bike and I love it.
As I said, the core of the bike is good. Aside from the above, which are all fixable. THE REST OF THE BIKE IS COMPLETE DYNAMITE.
The ABS makes the GSA's seem neanderthal. I have tested both under the same circumstances, steep wet grass slope, the GSA gave up and felt like the brake fluid had leaked out, the S10 just stopped - real quick.
The TCS keeps the rear end under control, perhaps a bit much on TCS1 but good as a safety measure in bad weather. TCS2 makes the rider into a riding God. Drifting is very very easy and looks so cool.
The "T" mode is great for bad weather, town riding and 2 up. I ride most of the time in it. On the open road, "S" allows the bike to take off like a scalded cat.
The weight of the bike is so low that it feels like it weighs 50kg (112lbs) less than it does. It is easy to ride real slow, 2 up, feet up. The seat is extremely comfortable and low enough for the majority of the human race (are you listening BMW).
All in all, very few people are disapointed in this bike and those that are have BMW tatooed on their asses.
