S10 Owners, Feeling the Vibes?

[Venture]

Alright, time to get serious about this.

We need:

1. "Vibey" bike
2. "Non-Vibey" bike
3. Both bikes are identical, various bolt-ons are known to cause vibrations.
4. Doohicky to measure vibrations. Mount it on handlebar. Doohicky needs to be able to capture RPM and MPH at same time (3 way data point - Vibe/RPM/MPH). Or, we have a time component and have separate measuring devices and merge the data later.
5. Test rider to ride a course two times, one on each bike, with as similar as possible with regards to speed, shifting, etc.

I'll bring Minitab and we'll do some crunching.

It would be interesting, wouldn't it?

 

[SisuTen]

Alright, time to get serious about this.

We need:

1. "Vibey" bike
2. "Non-Vibey" bike
3. Both bikes are identical, various bolt-ons are known to cause vibrations.
4. Doohicky to measure vibrations. Mount it on handlebar. Doohicky needs to be able to capture RPM and MPH at same time (3 way data point - Vibe/RPM/MPH). Or, we have a time component and have separate measuring devices and merge the data later.
5. Test rider to ride a course two times, one on each bike, with as similar as possible with regards to speed, shifting, etc.

I'll bring Minitab and we'll do some crunching.

It would be interesting, wouldn't it?

Chris, are you really proposing a Black/Blue comparo? If so, it should be interesting. Winter is nearly upon us and we'll all have plenty of time to niggle over such things. My previous post was, of course, an attempt at humor intended to needle my friend Rod who has the slower Blue version of the bike. ::025:: ::025::

Seriously, though, I had a Versys that had some irritating vibration/harmonics issues. Fortunately, once at speed, the joy of that bike made it irrelevant. I feel the main cause of vibrations on that bike was the fact that I added structure/rigidity to the engine/chassis with crash bars. I could alter the nature of the vibrations by increasing (bad) or decreasing (good) the torque of the mounting bolts. I believe crash bars change the harmonics designed into the chassis (they really DO design to these parameters), particularly on bikes which use the engine as a stressed component. Unless I planned to really work the Tenere off-road (is that possible for ME????) or compete on it (HO HO HO!), I would not add bars to this bike. Mine will remain stock in that regard.

I sincerely hope some answers and solutions can be found for the vibration issues people have with their bike. This thing is pretty awesome.

Paul

 

[Yamaguy55]

Doohicky is called an accelerometer. Readily available at any sound analysis lab supply store.

 

[Yamaguy55]

We need a poll separating out vibration problems between the Blue and the Black bikes. I'll bet Black wins. Mine is as close to perfect as I could ever imagine.

We should. My blue one is better than terrific. ::26::

 

[spacemanspiff]

Alright, time to get serious about this.

We need:

1. "Vibey" bike
2. "Non-Vibey" bike
3. Both bikes are identical, various bolt-ons are known to cause vibrations.
4. Doohicky to measure vibrations. Mount it on handlebar. Doohicky needs to be able to capture RPM and MPH at same time (3 way data point - Vibe/RPM/MPH). Or, we have a time component and have separate measuring devices and merge the data later.
5. Test rider to ride a course two times, one on each bike, with as similar as possible with regards to speed, shifting, etc.

I'll bring Minitab and we'll do some crunching.

It would be interesting, wouldn't it?

oh god, he said "Minitab" <shudders> brings back memories....
interesting how people perceive the bike so differently

lots of variables for sure.

but there can be differences between bikes (Me and a friend each had WeeStroms --my '04 was quieter and smoother, his '06 got better gas mileage...always)

 

[Tremor38]

A/F ratio variance and tuning may have some contribution to vibes, but to conclude to that this is the smoking gun is ridiculous. Way, way , WAY too many variables. First up is machine-to-machine sample variation, followed by individual sensitivities.

- Mark

Yessir. From what I've read so far, we have varying degrees and probably varying genus of vibes. I wonder how elaborate this voting button thing can be setup. If we can do a simple yes or no response for such characteristics as steady state, narrow RPM range, several RPM ranges, entire RPM range, only under acceleration, foot pegs vibes, blurred mirrors..etc, I think a clearer picture whould soon materialize. It's tough to keep the results unbiased though because response is voluntary. The comparison you mention would be the best answer from an individual standpoint.

 

[fender5803]

I rode my XTZ about 100 miles yesterday. I noticed a little bit more vibration showing up as slightly blurred cars behind me but only slightly more than my 2004 650 v Strom. Smaller mirrors on XTZ but easier to adjust than Strom IMO.
Anyway all I got was cramping in right hand which I don't attribute to vibration. So far I have loved all the XTZ's vibrations like the Beach Boys said years ago.

I do hope anyone with wrist troubles get better soon-!!!

On the subject of bike color and which being faster etc. I did notice that when I stripped all the paint of my brand new bike as in down to bare metal it seemed much much faster, defiantly faster than Blue, Black or White. I'm talking a lot faster too-!! My GPS said I did 180 miles per hour, uphill, both ways and I know it's crazy but the fuel gauge went up NOT down. I finished the ride with a full tank ... crazy huh-!! So get that blue, black or white paint off your bike. Bare metal is the color for me ... I only wish I had just sprayed it with primer first instead to see if I could have confused the color gods ...

 

[GrahamD]

So get that blue, black or white paint off your bike. Bare metal is the color for me ... I only wish I had just sprayed it with primer first instead to see if I could have confused the color gods ...

When I was a kid primer was definitely faster than metal. ;D

 

[GrahamD]

I know it's heading winter in "Vibeland" but I was thinking about this a bit last night.

1) It should be sorted by YAMAHA if they can get a bike on a vibey day.
2) Failing that, which it often does where dealers are concerned, if there was access to a thermometer and a DMM on a normal bike and a "vibey" bike, at least the "temp sensor" impedance curve or voltage output Vs Temp could be compared.

I used to have a few issues with PTC thermistors back in the day and they were off about 2% of the time, for some odd reason. IE about 2% were so far out as to not be usable, but the rest were pretty close.

Any chance of eliminating that little variable. It would also be a good info source to have.

I miss shed days sometimes. It's great that bikes these days usually just work, but it used to be really good to sit around a shed with borrowed tools and knowledge and just sort stuff out and in the process learn a lot about the bike.

Hell if I had some time at the moment I would probably be down in the shed working on a "Vibeometer" just so we could all compare vibes without any of these possible variables.

As soon as you sort out a "vibeometer" and distribute it around the place that will inevitably lead to "vibe offs" knowing most blokes.

Another thing, as is always the case there are a few people running around scare mongering that the S10 has vibration issues.

For those people that fit into the "worst than expected" category, what did you come off previously? What did you expect?

Cheers
Graham

 

[jajpko]

Another thing, as is always the case there are a few people running around scare mongering that the S10 has vibration issues.

For those people that fit into the "worst than expected" category, what did you come off previously? What did you expect?

Cheers
Graham

I don't know of anybody that is "scare mongering". Some of us do have bikes that vibrate more than others. It's a fact of life..
I don't think it makes any difference what bike we came off of. A vibe is a vibe.

 

[dcc46]

the vibes are less than my buell and 955i tiger and about the same as my vstrom

 

[GrahamD]

I don't know of anybody that is "scare mongering". Some of us do have bikes that vibrate more than others. It's a fact of life..
I don't think it makes any difference what bike we came off of. A vibe is a vibe.

Let me make this perfectly clear.
I am not saying people with vibes are not having vibes.
The scare mongering has nothing to do with anyone on this site or anyone with a bike that they consider too vibey.

That is your choice and your personal experience.

There are just a few people that have popped up on other sites claiming that it is a BIG issue with the bikes akin to BMW shaft drive failures.

I am just trying to get an idea about what you expected and what you came off.

1) No I don't work for YAMAHA.
2) I found the two bikes I rode (at 7 degrees and 15 degrees C air temp) as better than my DL1000.

Sorry to be so pedantic, but it would be good to try and figure out a pattern AND if possible figure out a cause.

I agree it should be up to YAMAHA to do this, but I am a bit skeptical of dealers resolve some times.

I am going to try one at 30 Degrees C and see what I find, soon.

 

[tc9988]

The following text is from a Yamaha Super Tenere Brochure

" The appeal of the conventional 360 degree crank is its smooth performance while a twin cylinder 270 degree crank engine has the advantage of stronger traction. The Super Teneres new engine is one designed to provide the traction of a 270 degree crank while adding a new potential of smoothness approaching that of a 360 degree crank engine. This is made possible by a design that combines a high level balance of YCC-T settings specially customized to the 270 degree crank and optimized design of the drive train with its shaft frive designed for optimum damping characteristics. "

Apparently achieving a relatively smooth 270 degree crank engine is not a trivial matter. Note, the engine also has a crank counterbalancer. Possible bad stack up of manufacturing tolerances could result in some engines being more vibration prone than others.

Definition: The YCC-T computes all the input of the sensors and calculates the best throttle position, ignition advance, EXUP valve and injection time in milliseconds.

 

[GrahamD]

The following text is from a Yamaha Super Tenere Brochure

" The appeal of the conventional 360 degree crank is its smooth performance while a twin cylinder 270 degree crank engine has the advantage of stronger traction. The Super Teneres new engine is one designed to provide the traction of a 270 degree crank while adding a new potential of smoothness approaching that of a 360 degree crank engine. This is made possible by a design that combines a high level balance of YCC-T settings specially customized to the 270 degree crank and optimized design of the drive train with its shaft frive designed for optimum damping characteristics. "

Apparently achieving a relatively smooth 270 degree crank engine is not a trivial matter. Note, the engine also has a crank counterbalancer. Possible bad stack up of manufacturing tolerances could result in some engines being more vibration prone than others.

Definition: The YCC-T computes all the input of the sensors and calculates the best throttle position, ignition advance, EXUP valve and injection time in milliseconds.

FARK!. I still recon the Temp sensors may be the prime cause based on a scientific analysis called "a hunch".

A mis aligned or out of spec balancer would not change over temperature ranges.
The ECU code would not change over temperature. Or is this just one instance that is smoothing out with decrease in temperature?

 

[tc9988]

FARK!. I still recon the Temp sensors may be the prime cause based on a scientific analysis called "a hunch".

A mis aligned or out of spec balancer would not change over temperature ranges.
The ECU code would not change over temperature. Or is this just one instance that is smoothing out with decrease in temperature?

Thermosensor approx. $35

 

[Scottie Boy]

I freely admit that I have been one of the more vocal complainers about vibration on the Tenere. In spite of owning umpteen bikes including big singles, I had NEVER experienced vibration as bad as my S10. I honestly thought that I was doing long term damage to my body, the vibration was that excessive. My feet and hands would bother me for days after an extended ride.

Now for the good news, I can't explain it but my bike has been running GREAT lately. That's right, I said it. I'm happy with my bike right now. ::012:: It seems like my bike has smoothed out dramatically recently. Initially, I attributed it to the cooler temps but this past week we've had a few afternoons in the the mid seventies and the bike still ran flawlessly. While trying to analyze what my bike did in the past, I can remember riding in similar temps and being bothered by the vibration. What happened? The only thing I can think of is that I have been riding a lot recently with a good bit of miles in the mountains. Which means lots of rpm changes and high rpm running. Maybe I had an unsually tight motor and I just needed to flog the crap out of it. All I know is that my bike currently has about 4,300 miles on it and it has never ran this good.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my vibrations don't return next summer so wish me luck. For now, I plan to ride as much as I can and finally enjoy my new Tenere.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Awesome !! Keep letting us know how its going !

 

[Tremor38]

I freely admit that I have been one of the more vocal complainers about vibration on the Tenere. In spite of owning umpteen bikes including big singles, I had NEVER experienced vibration as bad as my S10. I honestly thought that I was doing long term damage to my body, the vibration was that excessive. My feet and hands would bother me for days after an extended ride.

Now for the good news, I can't explain it but my bike has been running GREAT lately. That's right, I said it. I'm happy with my bike right now. ::012:: It seems like my bike has smoothed out dramatically recently. Initially, I attributed it to the cooler temps but this past week we've had a few afternoons in the the mid seventies and the bike still ran flawlessly. While trying to analyze what my bike did in the past, I can remember riding in similar temps and being bothered by the vibration. What happened? The only thing I can think of is that I have been riding a lot recently with a good bit of miles in the mountains. Which means lots of rpm changes and high rpm running. Maybe I had an unsually tight motor and I just needed to flog the crap out of it. All I know is that my bike currently has about 4,300 miles on it and it has never ran this good.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my vibrations don't return next summer so wish me luck. For now, I plan to ride as much as I can and finally enjoy my new Tenere.

As insurance against return of the dreaded vibes, I recommend you invest in an ECU remap from Diapason and report the results to us > 8)

 

[DukeTen]

I freely admit that I have been one of the more vocal complainers about vibration on the Tenere. In spite of owning umpteen bikes including big singles, I had NEVER experienced vibration as bad as my S10. I honestly thought that I was doing long term damage to my body, the vibration was that excessive. My feet and hands would bother me for days after an extended ride.

Now for the good news, I can't explain it but my bike has been running GREAT lately. That's right, I said it. I'm happy with my bike right now. ::012:: It seems like my bike has smoothed out dramatically recently. Initially, I attributed it to the cooler temps but this past week we've had a few afternoons in the the mid seventies and the bike still ran flawlessly. While trying to analyze what my bike did in the past, I can remember riding in similar temps and being bothered by the vibration. What happened? The only thing I can think of is that I have been riding a lot recently with a good bit of miles in the mountains. Which means lots of rpm changes and high rpm running. Maybe I had an unsually tight motor and I just needed to flog the crap out of it. All I know is that my bike currently has about 4,300 miles on it and it has never ran this good.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my vibrations don't return next summer so wish me luck. For now, I plan to ride as much as I can and finally enjoy my new Tenere.

When I brought the S10 home I remember thinking this was the tightest engine I had ever felt. I am not one to baby my bikes during break-in and take what manual says about not exceeding certain RPM levels "for prolonged" periods to heart. With the S10, I truly believe that revving up and downshifting the engine during (and after) the break-in period makes a huge difference in how smoothly it runs. At 1,700 miles, many of which in the mountains, my S10 is almost as smooth as my DL650 was (and that was one smooth bike) by the time I sold it. When I read about vibration problems I can't help but think that pushing the engine is a least part of the solution. Your post seems to confirm that. I am happy you are experiencing what the S10 can feel like once the engine loosens up. ::003::

 

[s-flow]

Agree with that, I broke mine in carefully and usually ride very smooth. Have noticed though, that even after almost
15000 km my bike seems to smoothen out still. Imagination or not but pushing the bike, using the entire rpm range, accelerating
hard during some days makes the bike feel a tiny bit better the next day... It's sublime but good for me at least