Saddlebags and Customer Service

brianhen

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May 14, 2017
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Winnipeg, Manitoba
So I just wanted to vent a little here, I have been an avid Yamaha fan / customer for several years. I have owned a Stryker, Raider, Stratoliner (still have that) and now a 2017 Super Tenere. I do love the bike but there are some things that make me question what Yamaha was thinking. So earlier this year June 14th to be exact which was two weeks past my warranty period, I left on a adventure of a lifetime, ok maybe not a lifetime but it was quite the trip. I headed from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Tuktoyatuk NWT. On the trip I noticed the coolant temp gauge acting weird, temp was all over the place jumping from 71 to 78 to 84 to 75 to 81 etc. This continued the entire trip and still does. I suspect Temperature sensor. Then once I made it to Tuk, I noticed that my right saddlebag or Pannier was cracked where it mounts to the bike. I had to strap the pannier on with nylon straps. The part that bothers me is that I had very little in the bag, just some chargers, a tablet, my drone and a book. Never the less I made it too Tuk and back with the pannier strapped on. On the way back down from Tuk I also noticed that the left front fork seal was leaking bad. Upon my return I went to my dealer to check weather Yamaha would warranty these items. I was told that they (dealer) would submit a claim for the pannier and the other two items they suggested I just fix myself. I have waited for almost two months now to see if Yamaha will warranty the pannier. TWO MONTHS of a very short riding season. WOW!!! customer service at its finest. The Panniers are junk to begin with and I am not surprised at all that it broke. But the service or lack of is astounding! Again I love the bike but with service like this I doubt my next purchase will be Yamaha! Not to mention the fact that I still have to figure out the temperature problem, with no offer from Yamaha to warranty that issue. WOW can you say disappointed. I could not imagine being on a long road trip and needing service for a serious problem, it would be good luck thanks for coming out and oh sorry but we don't care! I know, I'm bitching but this is frustrating.
 

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gv550

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Wow, congratulations on riding to Tuktoyaktuk. I left Ontario June 10 and was in Tuk June 17, we likely crossed paths somewhere along the way. I've noticed the same variations in temp readings, I just scroll to a different screen so I can't see it. If it was an analog gauge those temp changes wouldn't be enough to make the needle move. As long as there isn't coolant spewing out the overflow I expect the bike is running just as Yamaha designed it.
I have the OEM panniers (not shown in my sig pic because I left them in Inuvik that day) and they were both loaded heavy, the right one even has a full Rotopax can fastened to it, and no broken mounts (60,000 km on the bike)
I did meet several other S10 riders, most had leaking fork seals, as did V-Strom and GS and KLR bikes. Dust and calcium chloride does not play well with seals. I installed Fork Sox on my bike before the trip and have no leaks.
As for your warranty, well gee....... it expired. You had the option of buying more and you chose not to. I didn't either and I expect to pay for repairs.
 

brianhen

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Winnipeg, Manitoba
Wow, congratulations on riding to Tuktoyaktuk. I left Ontario June 10 and was in Tuk June 17, we likely crossed paths somewhere along the way. I've noticed the same variations in temp readings, I just scroll to a different screen so I can't see it. If it was an analog gauge those temp changes wouldn't be enough to make the needle move. As long as there isn't coolant spewing out the overflow I expect the bike is running just as Yamaha designed it.
I have the OEM panniers (not shown in my sig pic because I left them in Inuvik that day) and they were both loaded heavy, the right one even has a full Rotopax can fastened to it, and no broken mounts (60,000 km on the bike)
I did meet several other S10 riders, most had leaking fork seals, as did V-Strom and GS and KLR bikes. Dust and calcium chloride does not play well with seals. I installed Fork Sox on my bike before the trip and have no leaks.
As for your warranty, well gee....... it expired. You had the option of buying more and you chose not to. I didn't either and I expect to pay for repairs.
I agree I didn't pay for the extended warranty, but two weeks out of warranty and no abuse. Maybe I expect more for customer service. Also does it have to take 2 months for Yamaha to make a decision on the panniers?
 

brianhen

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With regard to the temp gauge I'm guessing you didn't read or perhaps I wasn't clear. It doesn't just move a degree or two. One second its at 84 then 71, then 78 then 81 then 71 and so on and so on.....No its not over heating. The concern is that the fuel injection uses temp readings to adjust air fuel mixtures and this can have a negative impact on both fuel economy and the engine itself. Some may to decide to scroll to a different screen and ignore the issue, I would rather fix the issue, gee even out of warranty.
 

Dogdaze

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With regards coolant temp, most will fluctuate wildly, I find if I ride into the wind it goes up, wind behind me, it goes down, ride behind a car, it goes up, ride through a forest it drops, I rode up a mountain at 0°C and temp hit 101°, you get the picture.
As long as no overheating don't worry. These are no a degree or two, these fluctuations are anywhere between 10-15°.
 

Sierra1

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In regards to the temperature fluctuations....from high to low was only 13 degrees. The sudden changes occurred when the thermostat opened. I thinking that the saddlebag was poor manufacturing on that bag. I have them, like them, but also agree that they are not the best built ones out there. I had an ST 1300 that would have a leaky LEFT fork once a year; every year. I was told that the left fork leg had the anti-dive stuff in it, and when driven hard, they tended to leak. Nothing is perfect.
 

brianhen

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With regard to the argument that the temp fluctuations are a result of the thermostat opening, why would this not occur for the first 20000km and then one day suddenly occur. also why would the temp go from 71 to 84 in 2 seconds. I was originally thinking it was a bad thermostat that was causing the problem but I have changed the thermostat and it still has the temp jumping around. My buddy has the exact same bike, same year approximately same mileage and we can be riding side by side my gauge is all over the place and his is steady at 78 degrees C. where mine used to be.
 

brianhen

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Again I rode the bike in every type of condition for 20000km and I know that the temp would stay constant at 78 degrees, yes it would change with riding conditions such as riding trails and slow speed city riding. or very hot days it would climb a bit. This is none of those conditions. I can be riding steady at 100km per hour on the bald ass flat prairie where I live. Yes flat and straight for hours! The temp will go from 78 to 71 to 84 to 71 to 85 all in seconds. THAT is not normal.
 

brianhen

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OldRider, now your talking....I know what I am gonna do as well. As luck would have it I ma very close to the US border and I will be ordering one tootsweet. I'll install it myself and I ma pretty confident that it will solve the issue.
 

loftybob

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did you have the panniers fitted up at point of sale on the new bike? Or did you fit them after you purchased the bike?
It make s a years difference on the warranty offered by Yamaha, and may explain the warranty no-go.

Having said that, and after doing lots of research, I would never put those plastic crap panniers on any bike.
 

gv550

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Canadian spec bikes come with OEM panniers, dealer installed before delivery.
Brianhen, the temp variations I was refering to are under changing conditions, speed, traffic, load, etc. Riding straight, level and constant speed my Coolant temp reads 76C constant so you may well have a bad sensor. There is a resistance test proceedure to check the sensor but requires draining the coolant and removing the sensor, may as well replace it. You could pull the connector off and spray it with some contact cleaner, may be some Tuk mud in there!
What date where you in Tuk?
 

brianhen

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I was in Tuk June 18th and 19th, I got stranded there on the 18th due to rain and the road went to crap. Impassive that last 20km of clay when wet.
 

magic

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Have you looked at your radiator and the air intake? It may be packed with dead bugs, mud etc... causing your temperature fluctuations.
 

brianhen

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I have checked that .....had it all apart when I changed the thermostat. Again these fluctuations are too quick and random to be actual changes in temp. I am ordering a new sensor and that should rectify the issue.
 

gv550

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I was there at noon on the 17th, it was cold but dry and sunny. Still lots of muck but I got back to Inuvik same day.
Have you tried cleaning your fork seals with a Seal Saver?
I was in Tuk June 18th and 19th, I got stranded there on the 18th due to rain and the road went to crap. Impassive that last 20km of clay when wet.
 

Don in Lodi

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Smaller coolant temp fluctuations won't mess with your fueling. Huge swings, like into the negatives, will. Air charge temps have a bigger effect after warmed up.
 

WJBertrand

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I would call Yamaha directly. I've found that warranty service depends a lot on the dealer going to bat for you. Some do and some don't. I found the same thing with Honda when I had my ST1300. You may need a new temp sensor or maybe just to clean the electrical connector? My temperature varies quiet a bit from 160F - 205F. It used to run up into the 220s until I had the ECU flashed and reset the fan to come on at 205. It rarely goes above that any more and if it does only by a degree or two.
 

brianhen

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Hey Gv550 yes I did clean the seal with a seal saver, I would say by the time I got to clean it all the fluid had leaked out. It was really pouring out there for a bit, literally dripping off the brake caliper. I have since replaced the seal. It was a pita to do and had to make a couple of tools to complete the job. All good now in that front.
 

Checkswrecks

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These upside down forks (not just Yamaha) do like to have an occasional swipe with a seal saver, like WJB wrote.

Sorry to hear about the box issues.

At $30, I'd just replace the water temp sensor, submit the part receipt, and see if they will honor it.
 
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