Rear shock damage on S10

[~TABASCO~]

Will it cost more or less than another set of tires?

Or do you throw in free machined knobs for good customers?

::015::

Let me shoot over some drawings to my machine guy to see what $...

 

[joeymac]

Hey guys! O0

The other day when i tried to set the rear shock on "hard" the hydraulic preload adjuster suddenly stopt working right before the "hard" mark (check picture). I have read the user manual who says do not twist the preload more than max therefore i didn´t still it damaged.
Anyone else with the same problem???

Yes dang it same thing here. Very cheep design mine completely broke out of the knob, had a machine shop make me a knob out of billet aluminum

 

[joeymac]

Went to dealer they tried to get the yamaha factory to send just knob, they refused and are very stern about changing complete shock assy.(these kind of rediculous things, a whole shock assy replacement over a 3.00 knob.) Any how i have a machine shop making a knob from billet aluminum, if its to my satifaction and worthy of being on the Super, i will have several made and anodized in Black, Red, Blue, white and raw aluminum.
Sooner or later if the suspension is being adjusted the plastic knob will break ::010::
Will keep all posted!!

 

[bloodline]

I want one.

 

[Dallara]

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I never had any problem with the adjustment knob on my S-10's rear shock... But I decided to be preemptive and cure the problem ahead of time.

Here was my solution:

Not cheap, but incredibly effective, and you get much better rear suspension performance in the bargain! ::008::

Dallara




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[snakebitten]

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I never had any problem with the adjustment knob on my S-10's rear shock... But I decided to be preemptive and cure the problem ahead of time.

Here was my solution:

Not cheap, but incredibly effective, and you get much better rear suspension performance in the bargain! ::008::

Dallara




~

SmartAzz

Hey, where is our Front Fork report?

 

[Dallara]

SmartAzz

Hey, where is our Front Fork report?

It's coming... I'm still "evaluating" and fiddling with set-up as specified by Nick at Stoltec. I've only been able to ride the bike about 125 miles since the Penske install at both ends, so I'm not through fine-tuning yet.

I will say this, though... The improvement, at both ends, is both *DRAMATIC* and *AWESOME*!!! ::012::

Worth every single penny! ::008::

Dallara



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[snakebitten]

*DRAMATIC* and *AWESOME*!!!

Well don't soft-sell me Dallara!

All those years riding dirt and track and you have that to describe your early impression. I guess I have no reason to wonder if I will appreciate the improvement.

I shouldn't really whine about the coin. It really is about the last thing left for getting this bike completely perfect for me.

 

[Dallara]

*DRAMATIC* and *AWESOME*!!!

Well don't soft-sell me Dallara!

All those years riding dirt and track and you have that to describe your early impression. I guess I have no reason to wonder if I will appreciate the improvement.

I shouldn't really whine about the coin. It really is about the last thing left for getting this bike completely perfect for me.

Honestly, it never ceases to amaze what some folks will spend *HUGE* amounts of coin on, yet ride around on less than even decent suspension set-ups, often citing that upgrading simply costs too much. It's a pretty well known and documented fact that the material used in most Japanese springs will sack out and lose a large percentage of their original rate in 15,000-20,000 miles - or often less. Some don't notice it because the degradation is so gradual, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. And for the most part it is a trait of Japanese suspensions to have an excess of compression dampening... Seems they do this so they can resist bottoming while running fairly meager spring rates. Add to this most Jap forks run a rather abrupt rising rate progressive spring, which can give a fairly compliant ride even with heavy folks, yet dive and wallow through the mid-stroke, then get teeth-jarringly stiff as they get near full stroke. Rebound dampening is usually lacking, too.

Now understand that the manufacturers almost have to do this for a bike like the S-10 aimed at such a broad spectrum of rider sizes, experience level, one- or two-up riding, etc. as it allows the bike to function adequately for the most part... But not nearly as well as it could with the proper springing and dampening rates. Some of the best money anybody can ever spend on their bikes is on good suspension components. IMHO it pays far, far greater dividends than any aftermarket exhaust can or a set of huge, heavy-duty crash bars... After all, if you get the suspension right you will be able to brake later, enter corners at a higher speed, maintain a higher cornering speed, and exit corners at a higher velocity, paying dividends all the way down the straightaway... All while with less drama, more control, and more comfortable in the bargain. And good suspension makes the bike better everywhere... On-road or off-road, at a track day or on your daily commute... On a long touring ride you'll have less fatigue, and riding with a passenger you'll have less fore-and-aft pitching under braking and acceleration making it more comfortable for them, too. Good suspension usually equates to more equal tire wear, and safer cornering and braking under all conditions.

Yet some think spending bucks trying to add 3 to 5 more horsepower to a 90 HP bike that weighs 600+ lbs is more important than investing in good suspension...

And for the most part if you have good suspension you won't be as likely to need those big, heavy crash bars!

On top of all that is that a good rear shock with a high-quality spring, like a Penske with an Eibach, will not only last much, much longer than the stock shock, but is also infinitely rebuildable, meaning that with just a modicum of maintenance it could easily outlast the life of the motorcycle itself. No way the stock rear Soqi shock will do that.

Don't get me wrong... The Super Ténéré comes with reasonably good suspension out-of-the-box, IMHO... About as good as it can get on a bike built to such a low price point relative to its competitors in the USA. But its stock suspension performance is *NOTHING* like what it can be with the proper components and set-up. Those proper suspension pieces can turn an already wonderful motorcycle into something really special.

But I know I don't have to sell you on the idea, Snakebitten...

I guess I just don't understand why more folks don't see the terrific cost/benefit ratio and almost immeasurable advantages of equipping their bikes with the higher-quality, better fitted and owner-matched, proper set-up suspension components.

For me I just wish I hadn't waited so long to go ahead and upgrade my S-10. I've never owned a bike I waited so long to upgrade the suspension, and now I remember why I always did it sooner. The difference is *ASTOUNDING*! ::008::

Dallara




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[joeymac]

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I never had any problem with the adjustment knob on my S-10's rear shock... But I decided to be preemptive and cure the problem ahead of time.

Here was my solution:do you have the penske part # or a link to purchase this nifty item

Not cheap, but incredibly effective, and you get much better rear suspension performance in the bargain! ::008::

Dallara




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[dcstrom]

My knob was getting stiff...

Sprayed some T-9 on it, now preload adjustment is smooth and easy.

I think the key to not ruining your knob is to keep it clean and lubed ::025::

 

[bloodline]

Some lube on your knob is never a bad idea.

 

[bloodline]

Dallara, how is a new shock without a hydraulic preload adjuster the answer to the problem of a broken adjuster?

 

[Dallara]

Dallara, how is a new shock without a hydraulic preload adjuster the answer to the problem of a broken adjuster?

Well, it was partially a *tongue-in-cheek" solution... But OTOH, it is a simple answer. Replace your stock rear shock, with its broken adjustment knob, with a Penske rear shock, and no more broken hydraulic preload adjustment knob problem.

Actually the preload adjuster on the Penske is so simple and easy to use I honestly think it is far better than the hydraulic preload adjuster on the stock shock. It doesn't have a locking ring like a manually adjustable Ohlins, etc., so you can adjust it in seconds. It has no knob to break, no hydraulic fluid to have to seal up or leak, and since it has a spring rate closer to your own ideal it needs less adjustment once set, even when you need to crank it up for two-up riding.

Actually, if you just look carefully at the picture you can see how the Penske adjuster is an improvement on the stock set-up, at least IMHO. Especially since Yamaha doesn't seem to want to sell the adjuster knob separately. If someone breaks the stock adjuster knob, and the only way they have to repair it is to replace the rear shock, then I would much rather replace it with a custom-built Penske than another Yamaha/Soqi unit.

BTW, it is dead simple, quick, easy, and completely painless to change out the rear shock, whether installing a new Penske or a replacement stock Yamaha/Soqi. Anybody with a couple of wrenches can do it. It's no harder than pulling the front or rear wheel, for instance. I wouldn't worry about any motorcycle shop having any trouble changing it. If they can mount a tire they can change out the Super Ténéré's rear shock.

Just my two centavos... YMMV.

Dallara



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[Rasher]

I bought the Wilburs replacement pre-load adjusting knob, cost about £750 ??? but came with a fully adjustable Wilburs shock on the end of it.

Been fiddling today on a long rideout and the adjuster is so much nicer than the Yamaha one, turns easily even with the bike off the stand, 3-4 clicks (1/2 turn per click) knocks about 1mm of static sag off.

I too have found with quality suspension it always works much better over a wider range, for example giving a more controlled ride and faster steering (as if stiffening the OE shocks damping and adding pre-load) yet absorbing bumps much better at the same time.

Todays ride was all types of roads and the manufacturers recommended settings were pretty much spot on and worked on fast smooth sweepers (80mph+) right down to bumpy single track roads.

I would see the Yamaha shock breaking as a blessing for those who can't bring themselves to replace a "perfectly good" shock, fit something that was not built down to the cheapest possible price and you will be amazed at the difference, I don't think it matter if it is Wilburs / Ohlins / WP / Penske, they are probably all around a factor of 10 times better than the OE unit.

I also got a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty with mine - and it can be fully rebuilt (all parts available as spares) and a service (oil, re-gass and seals) is only about £75.

 

[snakebitten]

I do KNOW this about the OEM suspension:

It deteriorates significantly by about 50,000 miles.

I jumped off of an S10 (mine) with about 12,000 miles onto another S10 with about 70,000 kilometers. (is that 50,000 miles?)

I thought the bike had been lowered. Seriously. The seat was in the high position but the bike was noticeably squatting. It was excellently maintained and ran PERFECT! (was very encouraging to me that the overall bike was still mechanically so tight) but the suspension was truly "settled".

So, as you guys with the upgrades have noted, as good as this bike is, it really benefits from superior suspenders. Nick will be getting my money too. Soon.

 

[Thunderpig]

Im sure we can machine you one out of a chunk of aluminum......

Let me shoot over some drawings to my machine guy to see what $...

Did you come up with anything on this? The knob is still functional on my shock but I'm thinking it's only matter of time...

Thanks

 

[bloodline]

I've got some discussion going on with Yamaha. Will post the results.

 

[firedad415]

Mine too is totally stripped out...... did so in only 1100miles, none off road and while on center stand!!! Called one of the local dealers and spoke to a service manager...he said...."What's a Tenere...is that an ATV"?

I hope someone makes an aftermarket knob soon.

 

[firedad415]

Another shock bites the dust!!!

NOT Surprisingly, they (Yamaha) will be replacing the ENTIRE rear shock assembly over a stripped out preload adjustment knob! I hope someone makes a billet replacement, and soon! This is going to get mighty inconvenient over the next 5 years of my warranty!