What do you consider your "best" farkle???

[Kabish]

So I've been searching these forums all day reading about various farkles... The company I work for gave out bonuses this year, and I had some left over vacation time that they paid out. So I figure this is a perfect time to get a couple farkles for my 2015 Super Tenere (non-ES). Only problem is I'm having a hard time deciding on what to purchase. Only farkle I currently have is the Givi rear plate and a Givi Outback top box (black).

Little info on my riding... I'm a "new rider" and my main usage on the bike is commuting back and forth to work. About 30 miles round trip, 90% on the freeway (mostly splitting), with the other 10% being on low speed side streets. Few times a month I go out and enjoy some mountain/canyon riding or just go out and get lost for a few hours. I'm not a mechanic, but I know how to work a wrench, my only problem is I don't trust myself much when working on my bike.

So I'm just trying to get an idea on what you all think is the best upgrade you did to your bike. I know its all incredibly subjective as each have their own likes. I won't have another option like this for another year, so I'm trying to make the best purchase I can.

Few things I've looked at:
Riser (For sure want to buy)
-I'm 6'4", 280ish lbs and I ride with the stock seat on high. Every time I ride I feel like I'm sitting differently in the seat even though I try and sit in the same spot. I'm 99% sure my bars aren't in the correct location for my build. I'm always leaded over a little to reach the bars, if I sit up straight I'm probebly 2" away from the controls. Being a "new rider" I really don't know how it should feel, but I do know it does not feel like I think it should. Handbar input just seems off to me when trying to corner. I've looked at so many rises it makes my head spin, so many options and it looks like some aren't compatible with the 2014+ because of an angle. Replacing clutch/break lines makes me INCREDIBLY nervous as I've never done it before. I would have zero issues if I just had someone able to watch me to make sure I did not do something that would kill me lol

Givi Crash Bars
-Since I do zero off road, I could not see spending $400 on bars. Only drop I should have is on pavement or a street crash where crash bars would be the lest of my concern.

Skid Plate
-I really don't like the factory "protection", even for street driving. I have been known to jump a few curbs to get a photo or two of my bike ;-) I've looked pretty hard at the Rumbux system, but I think its overkill for what I really need. I've looked at the Givi and while it is a little less protection it does not look like it would give enough protection.

TPMS
-I get nails in my tires like no mans business... No idea why as I'm on streets all the time, but I've gotten more flats on motorcycles than I have in my cars in the past 15 years. Only TPMS system I've really looked at closely is the RRR Tools one, only because its been mentioned here many times. I've looked at the Garmin ones, but they seem to have lots of issue with being accurate. I know so people will say to just check your tires before you ride every day, but realistically I might do it twice a week.

Side Cases
-I'm so on the fence with side cases. If I did get some, they would prob be the Givi Outbacks in black to match my top case. I would love to have the extra storage, my top box is getting filled with more junk monthly lol But in CA we can split lanes, and in San Diego its almost required if you are wearing full gear during the summer. So I just don't know even if I did buy the side cases if I would keep them on to make it worth the $1400 price tag they come with.

Aux Lights/LED Bar
-Another area where I really have no idea what fits what and where. I was looking at the Baja Designs lights, but even those I could not really figure out which ones would actually mount to the bike. My main goal with the lights would be for driving and to make myself more visible. If I got the crash bars I think I would prefer something that would mount on those just to widen my profile to oncoming traffic.

Appreciate you reading my wall of text I have done a lot of research and video watching, but there are just so many cool options out there and prob more that I've not even thought of.

 

[hogmolly]

Here is my opinion.

Before my bike left the dealer I had Yamaha heated grips installed. My bike is a 2016 so the controls were built in. This is a must have or table stakes for me.

Ergonomics is what I work on first. Peg to seat, seat to bars, seat angle/grip/firmness. I'm 6'3" and around 235lbs but my inseam is only 32" so I'm mostly torso. The best change so far to my SuperT was the cheap change to the seat angle by replacing the back grommets with lower grommets. You can find a write up on this site. I will likely next move the pegs down a bit using fastway pegs. With the pegs down, seat in low but flat, then if I still need risers at least they will be as low as possible so I don't run into cable issues. At your weight, a corbin seat may be in your future because it uses a fiberglass seat pan and really hard padding with a leather top. That will likely be true for me as well but I'm not long distance riding yet so I'm waiting.

Locking GPS mounts and power distribution are next on my list. Easy access to a charging pigtail, switched power for my GPS, a power outlet to run a cable from my tank bag. If I need heated gear I just plug it into the charging pigtail. No danger of leaving it plugged in since that would mean undressing at the bike.

Next are panniers for me. I've owned Micatech's, Jesses, happy-trails, and Hepco-Beckers over the years and liked the all but this time I'm going back to Jesses. You sound like you are leaning towards Givi's so you have that covered. If the Givi's open like suitcases "like the stock bags on several of the airheads I've owned" then that kind of sucks. The stock BMW bags did not have bellows on the sides so things would fall out when you opened them or settle down making closing the lid really hard.

Last on my list are engine guards, bash plates, and auxiliary lights. I do use these even on a bike that at most will see dirt roads. I don't really like to ride late at night because of animals and auxiliary lights are a pain in the butt when you have oncoming traffic. Even if you point them down cars still flash you so it becomes tedious turning them on and off.

So for my 2016 here is my punch list

0th change is heated grips (done)
1st Ergo's (working on it)
2nd Power (working on it)
3rd Bags (planning)
4th Bars/plates/lights (planning)

 

[Dogdaze]

Get the risers, currently there are only two options for the 2014+, RTS and Helibars, the rest will only raise the height. A decent screen if the stock bothers you, a touring screen like Calsci , Paraballum or Puig will work to eliminate fatigue.
As for side cases, unless you carry a passenger, don't bother, remove the passenger seat and a plate (SW Motec, Altrider, not sure) to replace it and lower the luggage rack so that it all becomes level, a much better option for carrying 'stuff'. Fred Zigler on youtube shows how.

 

[Kurgan]

Kabish, ideally you do want to lean slightly forward to reach your bars vs. sitting straight up. During acceleration, you're being pushed back slightly and it's easier to keep your body balanced or neutral in a sense, with a slight forward lean. Sitting straight up and down and accelerating, you're now using more neck/back muscles trying to lean forward to stay balanced and sometimes, that introduces new muscle aches you may not have had before.

San Diego has better climate that many places, but you still might like a larger windscreen for the winter months, or during any long trips you take.

I would be wary of side cases, being a newer rider and considering lane splitting. They will make your bike much wider than you might anticipate while riding and the last thing you want is to clip something and crash.

 

[Andylaser]

Mine had factory heated grips. So I would consider the PIAA/Yamaha LED lights, or the Givi Outback top box as the most used and therefore possibly the best farkle. That might change to the Touratech crash bars should I drop it in the future. ;D

 

[steve68steve]

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but my brain likes to categorize.


Modding/ farkeling a bike is chasing an improvement in: comfort, convenience, performance, durability, safety, or appearance.


I commute and prefer distance touring, so I'm logging saddle time and riding every day. My priorities are comfort and convenience.


If I was mostly into leisure off-roading (slower speeds, lower miles, more breaks), I'd probably value durability more, and get crashbars before I worried about the seat. If I was a HP junkie 100% street guy, I'd be thinking about flashing the ECU before I thought about crashbars. If a more risk-averse, low-mile, leisure-only road guy, maybe I'd be on a TPMS, and flashing the ECU would never even be on my radar. If I only road day loops, I probably wouldn't want luggage - a tankbag would do. For multi-day trips, sans-car grocery shopping, luggage is a priority.


Point: you may get a lot of answers, but they will all be biased. Only you can answer what's best for you.
5'8", 165lb, 100% 1-up, street-only? You will NEVER appreciate the aftermarket suspension that the 300lb all-surface rider paid so much for. You simply don't need it, and he can barely push the bike without it.

 

[Madhatter]

my favorite farkle is a top box .... keep every day items I need handy ,and when the boss says to bring home some milk , got it covered ....

 

[limey]

Before you change anything do yourself a favour and do the seat modification. http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=1465.msg303342;topicseen#new

 

[AVGeek]

Since you're in San Diego (not sure which part), you're not far from Baja Designs. Their office is in San Marcos, along with Motoport.

I've done quite a bit of commuting on my bikes, and the side cases were a very key part of that. I didn't have issues splitting on my FJR when I lived in SoCal, and I have split with my ST when I've gone back for various things.

 

[Brick]

I would say the electronic cruise control and heated grips but they came stock on my 2014ES.

Next probably the ECU reflash... it made a world of difference!

The Givi crash bars that saved the bike when it had a parking lot tip over... the plastic wouldn't have kept the damage to the fan into the radiator. Well worth the money and definitely NOT just an off road protection. As a matter of fact Asphalt is much harder than most dirt!

The GPS mount that put my Garmin 665 up on the bar on the windscreen is very valuable now I don't need to look down to see the gps.

My InCharge tank bag from www.rka-luggage.com has also put my electronic gadgets right where I need them!

Hmmmm... the SupaBrake brake light modulator has saved my ass a few times too.

So then I don't know if the Denali accessory lights saved my bacon but I can sure see better.

It's pretty hard to narrow it down as they all seem to be part of the package and of course your needs are much different than mine!

I'm very pleased with Yamaha's Super Tenere' ... I like it so much that after a lot of miles on my 2012 they came out with the ES for my 2014 I just had to have a second Tenere'.

::015:: ::009::

 

[JRE]

My RDL seat...otherwise my seat time would be limited to just a few hours. After that - luggage, windscreen/spoiler, Akro slip on, RAID toolbox, dash infill panel.

 

[Davesax36]

If you're going to spend a lot of time on the road...

Bumper Mod
Winglets
Risers
Screen

 

[RhodeTrip]

Safety first, get the TPMS if you flat that often. Comfort second, get the risers. Some type of skid plate to protect the oil filter from road or trail debris and crash bars would be next for me. Have the shop wire in the TPMS and add throttle and brake line extensions for the risers. Congrats on the new bike, enjoy.
Jim

 

[Checkswrecks]

Farkles don't do a thing for you if the bike is dead because you have a hole in the sump. Skid plate first.


The bar risers are cheap and easy, and would make the bike more ridable for your size. Just do some searching on the forum here to learn how much requires new brake lines.


Seat next, again to make the bike ridable for your size.

 

[snakebitten]

Limey has it right for the very FIRST mod to do. And it is $free.

Along those lines, being happy with my ergo's is ALWAYS a big return on seat time pleasure.
So bars, risers, pegs...etc. It's the equivalent of getting in a brand new car\truck and adjusting the seat, pedals, and steering wheel to perfection.
No way can it be correct for anyone straight from the factory. Not for a car, truck, or motorcycle.

After that, even IF it is a version 2 Tenere, the ECU flash almost always returns the same repeated "raves" for reviews.

 

[Kabish]

Thank you to EVERYONE who replied!!! ::012::

I know what I was asking was a very personal preference, but I got the feedback I was looking for to help prioritizing my splurge. I have been known to go out for hours at a time and come back barely being able to sit. Once I got lost in the desert.... 115 degrees in full gear (booots, over pants, jacket, hiviz vest, gloves, helmet), was on the bike a GOOD 6hrs with 2hrs being out in the middle of no where. Was so incredibly dangerous, but I had no place to get off the bike without absolutely baking in the sun. My cellphone even over heated, had a heat warning message on it and would not power on lol I honestly thought I was going to get myself killed, but I had zero choice but to push on. Won't be making that mistake again lol

ECU Flash
-I've read a lot about this and it seems to be the #1 thing to do for overall performance to your bike. It seems to be pretty $$$$$$$ at least from my view point lol I actually have a shop in Down Town San Diego that apparently will do the flash. My only concern is my warranty, as I'm pretty certain that it void it. I actually have like 6yrs worth of coverage, so I would hate it if I lost it. Even though it sounds like the S10 hardly ever have issues.

Seat Mod
-I read the entire thread about this when I originally purchased my bike. I can honestly say that I am completely confused as to what exactly I'm supposed to do lo. I tired searching youtube, figured someone would had made a video, but no luck.

Windshield
-I had been set on getting the Givi Air Flow as it seemed like EVERYONE was raving about them. Then I found out that it won't fit for my bike, my main delema with ordering farkles. I do get a lot of ruff wind, but once again I'm a newer rider and my first two bikes had zero wind protection. Is the madstad worth the cost? Seems expensive given you have to buy another shield on top of that. At least from my reading it seems like the stock windshield is only slightly better with a madstad.

I think I know what I'm going to buy:
Try and figure out the seat mod
TPMS (prob the RRR one listed on the forums)
Skid Plate (unknown which one)
Givi Crash Bar (I know some skid plates won't fit with the Givi)
Risers (RTS Riser would be my first choice as they sound amazing but apparently they are not available. So I might have to use the Helibars risers that someone mentioned)

If I still have some funds left over
Windshield prob a Parabellum as they seem popular
Winglets
Brake flasher

 

[2daMax]

Quite a few things but essentially it would be the bar risers and windshield deflectors ...clip on type. The former enables filtering in between cars as the raised bars clears most cars side view mirrors while the latter rids off buffeting and wind noise.

Givi top box rack and top box is a must also to securely store stuff. In fact this was the very first things I added to the bike.

 

[tomatocity]

Seat: find another Tenere rider in your area that has complete the Seat Mod or had their seat Rebuilt... swap seats while you take a ride.

Skidplate: ACD is difficult to beat and it is easy Off and On.

Crash Bars: Altrider... fit well, look good and are tough.

Risers: don't over think it. Rox risers look good, easy to install, fit well and you won't think about them after two weeks of riding.

Shifter: clean and lube your shifter.

 

[Cycledude]

My used 13 came with lots of stuff already installed, puig windshield, crashbars, skid plate, Yamaha luggage, givi tank bag, heated grips all nice stuff in my opinion. I added 45 degree metal valve stems, Cyclops LED headlight kit , it ain't cheap but in my opinion the stock headlights are crap and just an accident waiting to happen.

 

[RonH]

Try riding some miles before changing anything and see what is bothering you, if anything. Skid plate not needed for street riding. Risers that sit you upright may feel great while sitting still, but sitting upright with all weight straight on the tail bone may get old, big boxes hanging off the sides may not be needed. Rok straps can tie on a lot of luggage. Changing windshield, seat and all the rest goes along the same lines. Try what you have before adding all these things. I know I'm like a broken record here recommending this, but just saying, no need to go ape wild and replace everything until deemed necessary. On my super tenere I added a Garmin GPS, and when the factory battery died went to the YTZ14S for a little more power, and added pigtail for heated gear. I guess that ends my list.
What I find amusing in the riser deal is there are the guys that are 5'4", too short to reach the bars, so need risers, then there are the guys that are 6'8" and arms so long they need risers? Why in the heck didn't Yamaha just raise the bars? Well in 2014 they did, and guess what? We still need risers.