Yamaha Build Quality

[JHKolb]

JHK, The thing that I've read about BMW is mostly the final drive failures (2006-2009 R1200RT, R1200GS models) No problems from what a local BMW dealership-owner told me a week ago. And some BMW owners I have spoken with is the price of service seems to being steadily on the rise for owners not doing oil, brake pads changes themselves. Owning a Harley, cost for service is why I'm thinking about going to this bike. I want a bike I can work on myself. NO MORE SHOP TRIPS. The closest dealership is 8 miles away. The next is 14 miles, etc. My advise is to go to one of the test rides that Yamaha is doing this summer. Personally, I want to test ride the bike to know 100% that this is the bike for me before I put my money down.

Yes, I know what you mean about doing your own service. The ST looks to be pretty straight forward and simple to do general maintenance and/or repairs on - except for any electrical/cpu issues.

I have ridden the ST and loved it. Rode it back-to-back with the big BMW and they were similar in ride but the BMW cockpit/controls IMHO were just wrong, to the point I'm not sure I would ever fully acclimate to them. The ST was just about perfect, everything in exactly the place you would expect, power & handling were spot on, very comfy, it even looks pretty good! After I rode those 2 bikes getting back on my VFR felt really weird, my VFR really is a bloated sport bike, but compared to the 2 Adventure bikes it felt like the MotoGP bike is was modeled after - much lighter handling and the wonderful Honda V4.

 

[colorider]

much lighter handling and the wonderful Honda V4.

You can never say enough good about the Honda V4. It is a wonderfully smooth power plant!!!

BTW, is your VFR the Red, White and Blue as in your avatar? That color combo has always been my favorite on the VFR!!!

 

[JHKolb]

You can never say enough good about the Honda V4. It is a wonderfully smooth power plant!!!

BTW, is your VFR the Red, White and Blue as in your avatar? That color combo has always been my favorite on the VFR!!!

Yup, It's funny when I am at the local Dealer with it, people are always surprised that it's a 2007 and not the older original RWB form the 80's. It is the one bike that I get almost as much enjoyment from just staring at it as riding it - LOL

 

[Buffel]

Hi. My S10 has 10 000 km on without any problems. Great bike to ride and enjoying every moment on it. --- as i said = it's worth the wait.

 

[switchback]

Yamaha owner just shy of 30 years and not one breakdown. Good luck with Hondas as well. Some bad luck with my Suzukis, both the DR and King Quad had issues and are not built to the same standards.

Triumph, cracked head under warranty. Not one issue with my Ducati so far.

 

[EricV]

I have over 150k on my '04 FJR, but not w/o issues. Three cam chain tensioners, an O2 sensor and a ton of diagnositic work for a problem caused by a, (different), dealer service were all on Yamaha's dime thanks to the extended warranty. The build quality of Yamaha products is on par with Honda, though truth be told, Honda has prettier paint. Typically the shim under bucket valves will not need adjustment until the second or third interval, BUT that depends on how you ride and rev the bike too. I know FJR owners that had tight valves on the first adjustment, and I didn't need anything until 90k, but I still paid for the checks every 26k or so, per the factory recommendations. Better safe than sorry, IMHO. $300-400 on the FJR for 16 valves, should be cheaper on the ST with fewer valves and easier access.

If you're worried, or just smart enough to understand that any bike can have issues, spring for the Y.E.S. extended warranty. You can buy it from any dealer during the first year of your ownership while the factory warranty is still valid. Buying early doesn't penalize you. I already have one lined up for my Super Ten. You can get 1 to 4 years. D&H in Cullman sells them for $389 for the 4 year version, IIRC, but they also told me on the phone that they were not positive of the price until the bikes got closer due to the potential for an increase in their costs. I simply haggled mine in as part of the sale price of the bike. MSRP on the 4 year YES is ~$900, so they have some wiggle room. 5 years worry free coverage is NICE.

 

[Swagger]

I've had many Yamahas in my time and have been very happy with the quality. I do think that the paint and lacquer on the later machines is a bit suspect though. As for the Tenere, it's stood up to the punishment so far although it's gonna get a right hammering over the next few weeks > Will keep you posted on that.

 

[RogerJ]

John......I think you can take comfort from the reports of ST owners around the world on this one. Check our my Report in my signature line if you haven't seen it. I am happy with my Super Tenere and Yamaha's "can do" attitude.

 

[colorider]

Welcome to the Forum RogerJ!!!!

Great report (I had read it back when you first posted it). Thanks for the link!!!

 

[RogerJ]

Thanks for the welcome Rod. Good to be here.

 

[Koinz]

John......I think you can take comfort from the reports of ST owners around the world on this one. Check our my Report in my signature line if you haven't seen it. I am happy with my Super Tenere and Yamaha's "can do" attitude.

Welcome RogerJ, I remember reading your report on adv a few weeks ago. Just like you said. It really is a personal thing and it's good to see that the GS has some real competition. As we are all motorcycle enthusiasts, I love them all; some better, some not. I haven't owned a GS, just because of the negative press between riders, but I have ridden them and they are a very nice ride.

Thanks for taking your time in evaluating the differences. I hope the Tenere is here to stay and compete against the best.

 

[nondairycreamer]

To respond to the OP question of Yamaha vs. Honda build quality: I spent a couple of years recently in a large shop (service dept.) that carried both Honda and Yamaha. We noticed fewer problems with Yamaha than with Honda. Both were far better than BMW. (I worked there too. A source of great jokes between me and a co-worker, both of us experienced with Nippon mfg. and engineering). Triumph were quite good and all were very fast to warranty problems.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I've had a bunch of Yamaha products both ATV and bikes, including 3 other XT bikes. Never had a problem with any of them. But I'll admit I'm wondering about getting an extended warranty for the S10. Based on the letter we all received we know at least one if not more of their regular suppliers were impacted by the tsunami. Which means it's possible different suppliers were supplying parts for the bike. Most likely Yamaha is on top of the situation and this is not a problem. But it does make me think about an extended warranty.

 

[colorider]

I've had a bunch of Yamaha products both ATV and bikes, including 3 other XT bikes. Never had a problem with any of them. But I'll admit I'm wondering about getting an extended warranty for the S10. Based on the letter we all received we know at least one if not more of their regular suppliers were impacted by the tsunami. Which means it's possible different suppliers were supplying parts for the bike. Most likely Yamaha is on top of the situation and this is not a problem. But it does make me think about an extended warranty.

But don't you have a full year to decide?

 

[markjenn]

I've had a bunch of Yamaha products both ATV and bikes, including 3 other XT bikes. Never had a problem with any of them. But I'll admit I'm wondering about getting an extended warranty for the S10. Based on the letter we all received we know at least one if not more of their regular suppliers were impacted by the tsunami. Which means it's possible different suppliers were supplying parts for the bike. Most likely Yamaha is on top of the situation and this is not a problem. But it does make me think about an extended warranty.

Anything's possible, but I doubt we'll see any drop in reliabillty for Yamaha products pre- and post-tsunami. Yamaha's QA/QC is quite good and if anything, any change in parts suppliers might just as likely result in more scrunity rather than less. And I doubt the supplier shifts were very extensive anyway.

It's not going to affect my buying a warranty. I generally avoid the things on principle.

- Mark

 

[colorider]

It's not going to affect my buying a warranty. I generally avoid the things on principle.

- Mark

Totally agree with this. I have been lulled into thinking I needed an extended warranty a couple times on cages and in each case all it did was increase my purchase price. Didn't save me a dime nor did it increase my trade-in value.

 

[SisuTen]

+1 Mark. I also avoid extended warranties on principle. If something doesn't break during the factory warranty, it's likely not to do so afterwards, as long as I do my daily inspections and required maintenance. Part of the joy of owning these machines is being involved on a daily basis. IMO
Paul

 

[Scoobynut]

I have a '08 WRR, vin# 242, and after a lot of off-road riding, 4k miles, three years later still no problems. I also have a '85 Toyota MR2 with a Yamaha designed and engineered 16-valve DOHC motor. It's been (and STILL IS) the most reliable and trouble-free car I've ever owned. A few years ago a friend sold me a '66 Yamaha YL1 Twinjet 100 that he bought from someone after it had been sitting for 30 years and then he mechanically restored it-- new rings and just a general tune and clean-up. I rode it all summer a few summers ago and it never gave any trouble or failed to start. I've since spoken to the guy I sold it to and he reports no trouble either. Not too bad for a nearly 50 year old bike! As an aside, all three of the vehicles mentioned above are 1st year models...

I also take exception to the earlier poster who said he read a report that there aren't really "any bad vehicles" any more. That's true to a certain extent, as far as none are terrible to drive or ride, but I firmly believe that no one does devlopmental testing as thoroughly as the Japanese do -- I think they are still in a league of one when it comes to developmental testing and engineering. And I think it's more than just an opinion that Japanese vehicles develop fewer bugs and long-term issues than the others out there. Of course you can always find some individual stories of people who haven't had the luck I've had with these vehicles, but I'd never say that every single Japanese vehicle has always been perfect. But I do believe the chances of getting a 'bad' Yamaha or Honda or other Japanese bike are much less than the other brands...

I'm confident my S10 will be a good, trouble-free machine too.