What needs to be inspected immediately on these bikes?

Nerd_ADV

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Aug 25, 2018
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Hi there. I'm flying up to Oregon this week to pick up a new ST at a dealership, and riding back down the coast (660 miles) over 2 days. Is there anything on these bikes that needs to be checked immediately before hitting the road? Anything that people have found loose out of the factory? Also open to any other tips or suggestions for the trip (Salem to San Francisco). Planning on shooting straight out to Newport and taking the coast the whole way down. Camping somewhere around the CA/OR border.

Thanks!
 

Talltourer

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Aug 6, 2018
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Ottawa, Ontario
Spokes! Make sure they are good(4.3ft/lbs) before leaving the dealership. Then after 300 miles, than after another 300 miles, then you should be fine for a while.

That's what I gathered from all the stuff here.

My personal experience so far says the same on my new one I picked up 2 weeks ago, now with 500 miles. I checked mine when I got home after 100 miles, a couple where loose. At 300 miles, a couple more where loose, mind you really not by much. I was being picky. I'll check them again at 600 miles. Then it'll be "once in a while" when i'm sitting in the garage having a beer.

I have not found anything else worth talking about other than handlebars not being straight and lil stuff like that. Make sure to have a 10mm to loosen the lower tripple tree a little and 5mm allen wrench to loosen the axel, trop triple tree and handlebar support a little if needed.
 

bnschroder

2014 Super Tenere ES
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Atlanta
Yes on spokes, but don't worry too much about the right torque. Just ping them after the first few long rides and tighten the ones that sound "off". You will know it when you hear it.
 

escapefjrtist

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Echoing tire pressure...and either bring or stop by your favorite parts house for a tire pressure gauge, pack of sticky string, tube of glue and tire pump. Perfect mileage on the trip home - oil and final drive lube change and you'll be set for many (s)miles on the new Tenere!

~G
 

Nerd_ADV

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Aug 25, 2018
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Yep the mileage does work out just right. I'll check and tighten the spokes before I leave, and zip-tie them for good measure. Tire pressure is easy enough. About what's spec, 35 front and rear?
 
B

ballisticexchris

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Check everything done on the PDI. My handlebars were not centered. I missed it before pulling out of driveway of dealership. When installing my Heli Risers I caught that they were aprox 3/32" off center.

Other small items to address. As stated, check spokes. Also remove panels and put a wrench on every single nut and bolt you can reach. Grease brake and shifter pivots. Remove both wheels and grease axles. Remove forks, loosen steering head and pack with grease. Remove shock/swingarm and grease suspension/swingarm pivot and linkage. When reassembling use a torque wrench. Grease center/side stand.

While panels and seat are off disconnect all electrical connections and reassemble with a little dielectric grease. Loosen and tilt tank. Remove air box and pull plug coils. Add dielectric grease to the plug connection and around the coil 0-rings. Make sure air filter, box, and boots are seated properly. I would use a little grease around all the airbox seals.

This is just the very bare minimum of easy stuff to do. A little tip is also have little or no fuel in your tank when tilting it. If you like you can tear the bike down to frame and motor and reassemble. This Yamaha Super Tenere is so well assembled it really did not seem worth the effort of doing a full teardown and prep.

Or, like many other owners, just fuel and ride it. Air pressure is 42 rear 33 front for any load over 198lbs.

Enjoy your ride!!
 
R

RonH

Guest
I don't think much of this needs checked right away. Check air pressures, do your own oil change at 600 miles, and at that time check spokes ect. Lube axles at first tire change. Look for dealer mess ups that will probably be several, but no huge hurry to rectify most of them. Repair as necessary.
 

Nerd_ADV

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Aug 25, 2018
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I don't think much of this needs checked right away. Check air pressures, do your own oil change at 600 miles, and at that time check spokes ect. Lube axles at first tire change. Look for dealer mess ups that will probably be several, but no huge hurry to rectify most of them. Repair as necessary.
Thanks. I haven't seen how these bikes are delivered to the dealerships. What exactly are they responsible for assembling? Those are definitely things I'll want to double check.
 

Sierra1

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Air pressure. It, in my opinion, is THE most important check; because it is the EASIEST to forget/overlook. I check mine before every ride.
 

Nerd_ADV

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Alright so here's the tools I'm bringing. Bear in mind I have to fly with these in my carry on so I can't go nuts. I'll be better equipped on future trips. Anything I'm missing?

long 5mm allen
10mm ratcheting combo wrench
zip ties
tire pressure gauge
 

AVGeek

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Alright so here's the tools I'm bringing. Bear in mind I have to fly with these in my carry on so I can't go nuts. I'll be better equipped on future trips. Anything I'm missing?

long 5mm allen
10mm ratcheting combo wrench
zip ties
tire pressure gauge
I have gotten some funny looks from TSA when traveling with tools, since most of the agents don't know about their own regulations. You can always stop and pick up whatever tools you feel you need when you reach your destination as well.

If you have time, I strongly recommend the Evergreeen Aviation Museum in McMinnville. It's where the Spruce Goose now lives, and is on par with the National Air and Space Museum. The aquarium and harbor area in Newport is a great stop as well, and there is also the Sea Lion cave just north of Florence. Of course, while I would not recommend taking a brand new Tenere out into the sand, the Oregon Dunes Recreation area is huge!
 

Nerd_ADV

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I have gotten some funny looks from TSA when traveling with tools, since most of the agents don't know about their own regulations. You can always stop and pick up whatever tools you feel you need when you reach your destination as well.

If you have time, I strongly recommend the Evergreeen Aviation Museum in McMinnville. It's where the Spruce Goose now lives, and is on par with the National Air and Space Museum. The aquarium and harbor area in Newport is a great stop as well, and there is also the Sea Lion cave just north of Florence. Of course, while I would not recommend taking a brand new Tenere out into the sand, the Oregon Dunes Recreation area is huge!
I won't have time for that this time around, but will in the future when traveling more leisurely. I'm gonna hit a bunch of the twisties from Butler maps, and will stop at the dunes on the way down for some photo ops. Thanks for the recommendations.
 

Paul466

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Mar 16, 2013
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Littleton, Colorado
Front brake caliper bolts, the “technician” that assembled my bike forgot to tighten them, I found them loose after taking the freeway home.
 

Nerd_ADV

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Aug 25, 2018
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Front brake caliper bolts, the “technician” that assembled my bike forgot to tighten them, I found them loose after taking the freeway home.
You happen to know what size those are off the top of your head? 10, 12, 14mm?
 

Jeff Milleman

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Double check the spokes after 250 or so miles !!! A couple of my rear spokes only needed tightened , You can PING ( tap) then with with screw driver and here the tone difference. Safe and Happy Riding , There tough machines you'll be fine!!
 

Checkswrecks

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I'd second tire pressures and simply checking each bolt the delivery person had to touch, to make sure they are tight.
If you need tools quick or cheap, there's a Harbor Freight in McMinnville. 1201 NE Highway 99W suite c-2, McMinnville, OR 97128

Don't forget to adjust the rear brake and clutch to what fits for you. iirc you can do each with the bike's sucky toolkit.
 
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