Schizachyrium scoparium

[SLKid]

Morning Yall!
This is kind of a Blog Spot for feedback and generally just a timeline for me as I own my S10
I'll be posting trips and maintenence and general things that are going on along with gear and such. I've never done so with a bike, and I have always been on forums for each model but never felt so compelled to keep a log. That being said, this bike has been the second most fun motorcycle I have ever owned (Next to my 250 Rally, but was too small for highway fun) Between the two modes, T for the highway trips and S for when I never want to keep the front wheel on the ground, I am having a great time.
Shes comfortable, ergonmoic, fun, fast, capable and she whips corners like a dream.
The Fiancee and I have dreams of going on long trips and camping together, of which we have once so far and I think we will continue to do as we upgrade and play and maintain the bike

So let me introduce
Schizachyrium scoparium in Latin
Commonly known as Little Blue Stem
Or Lil Blue for Short
My fiancee is an ecologist, and Little Blue is her favorite grass
We couldnt have chosen a better motorcycle

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome aboard SLKid and glad you're enjoying the new ride!

 

[SLKid]

Captains Log.
Stardate 7-22-2022

The family and I are headed back from Nashville Tennesee. On the drive there we had stayed 4 nights at different Virginia State Parks, finishing in Nashville to see the Grandparents. On the drive there I had noticed an S10 on Marketplace. Son was selling for his Dad
$8500, 10,000 miles, 2012 Super Tenere.
Had Luggage, the right mileage and perfect price. We had just hit our savings goal to start looking for one of these.
Of course I emailed. It was Monday.
Friday on our drive back to Williamsburg Va, a mere 70 miles away from Knoxville TN , and the location of the bike. He emails back.
"I'm available all day"

We had given up on going to see it, and that was ok. But we were so close. We decided to check it out
A few hours, a test ride, a second once over and $7700 later I was taking his 2 spare helmets and hitting the highway.
We had 2 more State Parks to go on the way.
It was 100 degrees with insane humidity and I had nowhere near my favorite gear.
I filled my backpack bladder with water and ice and away we went. On a new bike. That I knew nothing about. On a 3 day adventure home.

The kids both wanted to ride, and with an OK from Mom, we saddled the 16 year old for the first 120 miles
Next up, the 13 year old for another 100 miles
Went smoother than butter. Each kid was perfect. Couldnt be happier
On the second day we headed out to another park, the littlest wanted to ride last. Upon our arrival we were GPSd onto dirt and gravel roads to get there.
With another OK from Mom the 13 year old and I tore down some gravel and dirt roads to the park.
I havent had that much fun in a couple years.

Long story short
We made it home on Sunday and about 700 miles of Highway and Dirt and Gravel, loaded, 2 up and having a blast
I made mental lists of services needed and gear that would be neccesary.

Service Update Next

 

[SLKid]

So on this journey I knew I needed to work on a few things to get more comfortable
So I started making an Excel list of items and things I needed, and started acquiring.
First up I hated the way it shifted into 2nd gear. The rest were fine. I was concerned it was a much bigger issue than oil and prepared myself to do some clutch work. Which, after trolling this forum for a year I knew it would need anyway. No big deal
Swapping out the MOTUL that was in it I picked up YamaLube 10w40 Full Synthetic for starters. Oil is personal depedning on how you drive and shift and I will still say I am not quite satisfied with the shift from 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd

Thoughts? Heavier or Lighter?

Next the shifter was getting stuck on me after some highway miles.
I researched more ways to fix this issue, coming up with anything from the shift spring to just lubing the shift shaft. Priced it out, got a manual just in case, and started with a short course of action. Start at lubing the shaft, and if that didnt work, move on to installing a new spring. If that Didnt work, swap out the clutch basket and springs and friction and clutch plates and redo the oil.

Luckily, the lubing the shift shaft worked.

Which also brought me to changing out the shaft oil. Nothing Fancy. Full Syn 75-90 for starters.

I still have to do the Air Filter and Spark Plugs before winter. Not that its "Time" But just for piece of mind. Its probably the original filter and plugs judging for how long it sat.

In other Upgrades:
The lady needed to be outfitted so she can ride easier
Tusk Pegs in the rear, and an AirHawk pad for starters.
We are budgeting a Russel Day Long, and some lowering links for her as well. Once shes squared away I'll start upgrading my comfort. Bar risers, new Grips, Windshield

Attached is my list with links for upgrades and gear.
If you have any suggestions or personal experience with some of these items please chime in. Feedback is most appreciated

Next up:
Our first 800 mile Trip together

 

[Longdog Cymru]

Welcome from South Wales, U.K. and congratulations on your great taste in motorcycles!

Mike

 

[bimota]

another welcome from S Wales UK

Rob

 

[AusTexS10]

So on this journey I knew I needed to work on a few things to get more comfortable
So I started making an Excel list of items and things I needed, and started acquiring.
First up I hated the way it shifted into 2nd gear. The rest were fine. I was concerned it was a much bigger issue than oil and prepared myself to do some clutch work. Which, after trolling this forum for a year I knew it would need anyway. No big deal
Swapping out the MOTUL that was in it I picked up YamaLube 10w40 Full Synthetic for starters. Oil is personal depedning on how you drive and shift and I will still say I am not quite satisfied with the shift from 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd

Thoughts? Heavier or Lighter?

Next the shifter was getting stuck on me after some highway miles.
I researched more ways to fix this issue, coming up with anything from the shift spring to just lubing the shift shaft. Priced it out, got a manual just in case, and started with a short course of action. Start at lubing the shaft, and if that didnt work, move on to installing a new spring. If that Didnt work, swap out the clutch basket and springs and friction and clutch plates and redo the oil.

Luckily, the lubing the shift shaft worked.

Which also brought me to changing out the shaft oil. Nothing Fancy. Full Syn 75-90 for starters.

I still have to do the Air Filter and Spark Plugs before winter. Not that its "Time" But just for piece of mind. Its probably the original filter and plugs judging for how long it sat.

In other Upgrades:
The lady needed to be outfitted so she can ride easier
Tusk Pegs in the rear, and an AirHawk pad for starters.
We are budgeting a Russel Day Long, and some lowering links for her as well. Once shes squared away I'll start upgrading my comfort. Bar risers, new Grips, Windshield

Attached is my list with links for upgrades and gear.
If you have any suggestions or personal experience with some of these items please chime in. Feedback is most appreciated

Next up:
Our first 800 mile Trip together

Nice bike! I didn't see it the first time through, but glad to see you have the ECU flash on your list. Anthony Corcella is highly recommended in the Yamaha Super Tenere Forum, unless you're on the left coast (which you aren't) where lots of folks use 2 Wheel Dyno Works; neither is local to you, but extremely fast turnaround (more time in USPS than in their shops). I'd also recommend you consider an Arrow header; gets rid of the cat choker and is the best easy performance boost you can do (my opinion). You can keep the stock muff, I did, and the sound will still be improved. Mine's an old dog too, a gray 2013, that I named Eeyore. Welcome to the herd and keep enjoying the ride.

 

[SLKid]

August 12th, 2022

The Fiancee and I had some wedding planning to do and needed to drive down to South Western Va to meet with the caterers and florist and the event coordinator and her hair dresser. Eagerly watching the weather all week it turns out it would be perfect riding and camping weather. Mostly Sunny. 75 degrees F. No Rain.
Just overall perfect weather for any occasion.
We had outfitted her with some general accessories and I have been really hoping that she will be comfortable enough to ride and want to do this more often with me. She really enjoys the trips around town and the scenic routes of Colonial Parkway and we both love camping and backpacking so her comfort is my top priority. Riding motorcycles is more than enough for me, but I can imagine its a bit different for a passenger. Once we situated the TUSK Pegs and The Airhawk seat we pulled off the cases and loaded them with 3 days worth of travel stuff. We're master packers so we didnt need any more than what fit in the 3 cases. In the future I think we will be strapping our Backpacks to the cases, giving her more arm rest space as well, and hopefully not exceeding the weight limits of the side cases tooooo bad.
Anyway!
We were off!
I got off work a little early which gave us some time to finalize and organize. Hitting the road at 230pm we set out westbound and down.
Every 100 miles or so we stopped to stretch and adjust. Top off the tank.
Solidifying our mutual want of a new Russel Day long after the 290 miles and 5 hours of riding, we made it to Claytor Lake for our first night of camping


We dont need much. We're backpackers and pack ultra light. Our double sleeping pad and double backpacking quilt and two ultralight inflatable pillows and we are usually happy campers

Our first Night was comfortable and awesome. Weather Perfect. She enjoyed herself and was happy to fall asleep after some time by the fire
Next morning we got up and had breakfast and struck out for the hour drive to our Caterer. Which. Was Delicious. We're having a Scottish Themed wedding as we both have Scot heritage and the food was excellent. Backtracking half an hour and 40 miles to her hairdresser we got that errand completed.
60 Miles west again to the venue and lots of planning and measuring and pleasant company later we popped into the little town of Marion Va for dinner and a drink.

Moon Dog Wood Fire yall
Best Pizza I've ever had in Va I am telling you

Then next door we stopped at the Wooden Pickle for dessert
We ran into a wonderful gentleman there by the name of Wiley. I bet hes on here actually.
He owns a Tenere 700! We had an amazing chat and we exchanged numbers. Hoping to ride with that gentleman the next time we get out there. Quite a pleasure. I almost bought a 700. But then the Lady and I wouldnt be able to do what we are doing on this trip.

It was a little after dark and we had and hour and a half, around 85 miles to get back to camp.
Night riding is never my favorite but its always fun.
Another great night of sleep in the cool summer nights in the mountains at Claytor Lake and we were well rested for our journey back home

Since we had a 7-9 hour journey ahead of us anyway we hit the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoke to Afton. About 100 miles of beautiful scenery and lots of stops for pictures and snacks we hit the highway and high tail it back home.
For back home awaited our bed, and a dinner of well deserved Pizza and Beer.
800 miles all together and the best company i could ever ask for I must say I am a happy and a Lucky man.

Thanks for reading yall!

-SLKid

 

[SLKid]

Afternoon yall!

I realized I havent posted in a while and well thats because I havent done anything significant!
The lady and I have put about 3000 miles on Little Blue in 2 months. We have been all over town and taken rides around the burg and even been off road a bunch of times since out last trip. Its been really great! I put about 70 miles a day on her back and forth from school and class and I'm still very satisfied with the ride.
I bought a Crampbuster which I appreciate but it sticks in super hot weather. Wondering how that will work when I start using the heated grips
I used my Laser Engraver and made a License Plate Holder which is pretty cool. I'll have to take a picture. (Upload Here)
PS Let me know if yall want me to make you one! I've got the settings all dialed in for 1/16" Basswood and 1/8" basswood plates.
I've had a few issues with the bike that I've been able to diagnose from the forum which has been nice. Forums have always been such a wealth of knowledge.

First was a hard start in the cold. I heard a strange tapping noise upon immediate start up. Upon searching I have surmised that I need to wait a little longer in colder weather for the fuel pump to finish its business before hitting the start button. Havent heard the noise since waiting a little longer
Second was trying to dial in my suspension. Though I have used the Sticky,

Suspension adjustment

I don't know how, when I got the ST, I suddenly forgot everything I knew about suspension.... 30 years of riding and roadracing, using everything from Ohlins, Penske, and even White Power, out the window. I'm about 220 lbs nekked. I left the suspension at stock settings. While I originally...

yamahasupertenere.com

It still feels not quiiiite right. But thats because I am 140# soaking wet and with my panniers and backpack I probably hit about 160-165# and the settings on Post #7 are for some slightly heavier folks
I must say it feels pretty good with the lady on the back, whom also weighs about 140#

My third issue I havent quite worked out yet because it only happened once and I am not completely convinced it was me. Though I was very concerned
Scenario:
Riding the highway, cars were flying past in droves so what do i do? Follow traffic.
Touring Mode, 20 minutes at about 100MPH at 80 Degrees F, I start smelling burning rubber and hot brakes
I pull over and check my rotors, and the smell dissipates a lot. Rotors were good, plastics seemed intact. Nothing smoking
I turn the bike back on and hold the rpms at 3k for a minute
Red hot headers, but no indication of the smell
Temp gauge reads fine, fan kicks on when it needs to.
Hop back and I still smell it, fainter, and I'm riding a lot softer now, normal speed, not limping but not WOT.
Pull off at a gas station and do another once over.
Nothing

Not sure what it was or if it was a fluke or a car in front of me but thats the first time I've ridden Blue that hard.
I'll keep my eyes and ears and nose open

On another note I started a thread about these All Inclusive Adventure Touring Companies and would love yalls feedback!

Worldwide Adventure Touring Companies

Hey yall! I've been doing a little research and I wanted to touch bases with you guys about some world experiences. I keep seeing ads for companies scattered througout my emails and general web surfings about these All Inclusive Guided Adventure Tours! I've started compiling a Google Sheet of...

yamahasupertenere.com

Very interested in taking the lady and exploring the world more.
Since I've met her my life is the most adventurous it has ever been and I couldnt be happier

Thanks yall!