New Owner Questions

[xc2]

Hi,

As of yesterday, I'm a proud new owner of a 2013 ST with 7000 miles. Man is this a great machine. John from NM, if you're out there, thanks a lot.

So far I learned there is a CCT issue that needs to be addresses and a headlight harness recall. What else?

- Is there a an ECU flash/update that I should ask the dealer about when the harness recall is addressed?
- Any low hanging fruit to be picked with cheap/easy/free mods? You know, things like restrictor plates or baffles that can be removed?
- Any gotchas or flaws that I need to be aware of like the above mentioned CCT?
- Can I disable the rear ABS?
- On another ST I noticed 2 semi horizontal "mini" windshields on each side attached to the cowling by the top of the forks. Are these after market or missing on mine? For the life of me, I couldn't find these at Yamaha's part site. Now it feels like something is missing as four empty bolt/screw holes are staring at me.
- Other than the normal new bike stuff such as oil, fluid and filter changes, (as well as the other maintenance stuff listed in the owners manual), anything else recommended?

No doubt there is a question that I forgot and/or didn't know to ask. I am but a sponge needing to soak up ST knowledge.

Thanks in advance!
-XC2

 

[Matt101]

https://www.shopyamaha.com/product/details/super-t%C3%A9n%C3%A9r%C3%A9-side-wind-deflectors?b=Search

Thats one off the list I hope

 

[WJBertrand]

The ECU reflash you may have seen reference to is an aftermarket thing, unlikely the Yamaha dealer would do it. This is probably the lowest bit of hanging fruit actually. There's a member on here that can do it for around $200 and there are aftermarket companies like Flash Tune or ECU unleashed available out there too. I don't think there's any way to selectively deactivate the rear ABS. Putting the bike on the centerstand with the egine running, transmission in grear, rear wheel turning front wheel stopped will cause the whole system to fault to off but it will reset the next time you start the bike. As far as maintenance, keep an eye on your spokes and snug up any loose ones.

 

[corndog]

I would update the CCT to the new part.

The new clutch basket from 2014 and later is much smoother than 2013's and before. I was fine with my 2013 until I bought a 2015. The new basket is nice.

Other than that, you have the rest.

 

[Sierra1]

I am ass-u-ming that one would want the ABS off in the dirt....because I can't think of any good reason not to have it active for street use. I've heard the arguments from friends & co-workers that they can stop quicker. When grandma pulls out and stops, on a wet road; there is no substitute for ABS.

 

[magic]

I also have a 2013 and I would add the throttle body synchronization, the the air screw adjustment and the CO settings to the list. The CCT can wait until your first valve check/ adjustment at 26,000 miles. I'm holding off on the clutch basket swap too because I don't see any reason to change it. Sure, I notice the slight vibration, but it's not a big deal. Everything you need to know about these modifications can be found here on this forum. Lots of good solid info here. Congratulations on the new bike and welcome aboard.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Hi,

As of yesterday, I'm a proud new owner of a 2013 ST with 7000 miles. Man is this a great machine. John from NM, if you're out there, thanks a lot.

So far I learned there is a CCT issue that needs to be addresses and a headlight harness recall. What else?

- Is there a an ECU flash/update that I should ask the dealer about when the harness recall is addressed?
- Any low hanging fruit to be picked with cheap/easy/free mods? You know, things like restrictor plates or baffles that can be removed?
- Any gotchas or flaws that I need to be aware of like the above mentioned CCT?
- Can I disable the rear ABS?
- On another ST I noticed 2 semi horizontal "mini" windshields on each side attached to the cowling by the top of the forks. Are these after market or missing on mine? For the life of me, I couldn't find these at Yamaha's part site. Now it feels like something is missing as four empty bolt/screw holes are staring at me.
- Other than the normal new bike stuff such as oil, fluid and filter changes, (as well as the other maintenance stuff listed in the owners manual), anything else recommended?

No doubt there is a question that I forgot and/or didn't know to ask. I am but a sponge needing to soak up ST knowledge.

Thanks in advance!
-XC2

Welcome aboard and congrats on the new to you bike.
::001::


With 7,000 miles just ride it and get used to it. You'll learn the rest first-hand quickly, especially if there are other owners in your area who occasionally get together.


The CCT typically doesn't become an issue till the bike is well past your first valve check at 26,000 miles.


The ECU reflash is fun on the Gen1, but not really needed. After a while you'll know if you want to do it. At that point do a search here and you'll find a few people/places with good history.


The dealer can run your VIN to see if the headlight harness has been done. It's a recall so you don't need to pay or do anything.


Two ways to disable the ABS: (1) put it on the center stand and run it in gear for 20 seconds with front brake pressure. (2) There are a couple of mods you can find with a search in the brakes sub-forum, the most common is to put a switch into the ABS fuse circuit.


The windshield is an aftermarket item and there are multiple sources. Again, search is your friend.


Protect your sump and oil filter, as they are an Achilles Heel. The SW-Motech is an inexpensive route if staying mostly on street and gravel. There are several options for more robust bash plates.


The radiator is on the left and a couple of people have driven the fan into it when their bike fell over. That's why a lot of owners have crash bars.


The throttle body sync procedure is not hard and a good idea every 12-15,000 miles.

 

[xc2]

Ah, no wonder I couldn't find it. I was looking on the replacement parts fiche rather than accessories. Thanks!

https://www.shopyamaha.com/product/details/super-t%C3%A9n%C3%A9r%C3%A9-side-wind-deflectors?b=Search

Thats one off the list I hope

 

[xc2]

........ and the CO settings

Interesting. Thanks for the info and I'll take a look.

 

[xc2]

I am ass-u-ming that one would want the ABS off in the dirt....because I can't think of any good reason not to have it active for street use. I've heard the arguments from friends & co-workers that they can stop quicker. When grandma pulls out and stops, on a wet road; there is no substitute for ABS.

Copy/pasted from the owner's manual:
On certain surfaces, such as rough or gravel roads, the braking distance may be longer with the ABS than without.
Nope. nope. nope.

 

[xc2]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I really appreciate it.

Years go when I bought a slightly used Versys, I really wanted a S10. However that would have cost me an additional $11K that I didn't want to part with at the time. Sure enough I had to walk past a shiny new S10 several times when dealing with the paperwork. Well on Wednesday, I found someone to trade the Versys (+ cash) for the bike I've been wanting. Couldn't be happier! A little piece of my world has been set right.

Don't get me wrong, the Versys isn't a bad bike, rather the S10 is on a whole other level.

 

[Arkyrider]

I also have a 2013. Do you have a Yamaha Extended Warranty? The dealer I use agreed with me that the CCT was louder than it should so he requested replacement under my YES Warranty and Yamaha is covering the cost/replacement. I have 23k miles.

 

[Boris]

Regarding the headlight harness, I got my bike used from a Yamaha main dealer, who confirmed the harness had been updated as he had done it himself (was talking to the mechanic in the workshop). He told me that they also stamped the frame numbers with I think an *, near the headstock as confirmation of being done. True or not, no idea!

 

[78YZ]

I've logged thousands of miles on my S10 in the dirt. Most of those were in the deep sand of the NJ Pine Barrens. The ABS on this bike works so well that I never needed to turn it off. YMMV I have a 2013 and also did the flash and 2014 clutch basket. Those made a significant difference. ::008::