My Pegaso Trail (similar motor) has the same exposed regulator/rectifier connector (located in the belly pan). I simply cut the connector out, soldered the wires together, and covered in tape. Bike has never let me down and its seen a lot of water. I also removed the entire sidestand cut-off switch and wiring to prevent future problems here. I would fit bars or something to protect the exposed waterpump from a fall (Off-the-road has a nice protector) - I fitted Givi engine bars.

Georgeb, my bike is now in it's fifth week in my local dealer to have the reg/rectifier issue sorted. In my case the terminals have not made a good conact and have burnt. You need to raise this issue with Yamaha UK and insist on a proper solution, 'cos the next time you might not have enough ooooomph in the battery to get going again even if you do know what the problem is.
Everyone who has had this problem need to register this with Yam UK on 01932 358042 and ask for Don or Moira.

see ya bike at ernshaws mine has cracked frame cracked sump gard and naw cracked engine bars not good yam........................

I'm not the most bike tech literate guy out there
So can someone please post some pictures of these common faults?
These things may effect my decision on buying one.

Thanks

Hi Premises - I really wouldn't worry about any of it...

It is true that a few people have had a problem with the connector that goes into the regulator/rectifier, but it is by no means common, and seems to have affected mainly a batch of late 2008 models (if someone wants to compose a poll I'd be interested to see how many early '08s and if any '09s have been affected with this issue? (and I don't mean '09 registrations, I mean model year bikes)...

As Uscincpac suggests, a length of bicycle inner tube zip tied around the connector (and perhaps a dab of grease on the contacts themselves) is a good precaution, even though it may not necessarily be water ingress that is causing the damage, rather misalignment of the pins during connection, causing the earth contact to recede and arc between the male pin.

As for the other things on the list, I (and I suspect every other owner) have never has an issue with any of them - that is not to say Uscincpacs suggestions are not good ones, just perhaps being overly cautious?

He is right that generally Japanese manufacturers can be a bit miserly with grease during the initial assembly stage - but nothing that can't be rectified during regular maintenance or come service time. Of course, if you are preparing the bike for a RTW trip and want to minimise any electrical 'issues', then making sure contacts are sealed (or even removing switches such as the side stand and clutch override) can be included in your preparation...

Please, don't not buy one because of the odd post on the Internet!

xxx

Just wondering, I am sure i read somewhere about being careful about what you apply around connectors i.e silicon grease, or silicon sealer as they are a conductor? is this correct, and if so would this not cause a short circuit then????:073:
I am not a spark just a tinkerer so a reply by sumbody who knows would be great???

:glasses2:

Hi

Mine is a blue 09 with 300 miles and never ever got wet and it failed just a easy as any 08 tenere

Thanks

Gary

I really, really, really don't want to post this, as I feel I am sealing my fate.
My '08 has had no issues with the reg/rect at all, in almost 9,000 miles of everyday use.
That includes rain, lots of rain, Scottish rain, Irish rain, snow, and Welsh snow.
The only thing I have done is to unplug the connector once, dab some ACF-50 Corrosion Block grease ( http://www.brmc.co.uk/acf-50.htm ) around the connector and inside and replug it.
I think problems occur when the plug itself has duff connectors.
I would recommend applying the grease everywhere else where there is exposed metal, as the plating is not of particularly high quality...

I've checked mine a couple of times since Steves failed. The contacts inside mine are just as they should be, however I also sealed the plug with some grease. I've also turned the horn through 90 degrees and put a short guard plate over the regulator to stop the driving weather.

One thing I did notice, the connector is very stiff and has two 'clicks' to push it home. It is very very possible that during asembly, then later at PDI these are not being connected correctly, and as we've seen from SteveD's connector the increased resistance from a bad connector overheats the whole connector block, and then it fails....

I've got 16,022 miles on my 08 Tenere, which was one of the first (if not the first) on the road in the UK, and I've no problems in that area. I have had other warrenty issues that have all been resolved by my dealer without any issue at all.

I haven't done anything to my bike and never had any problems. No greasing or spraying (except the chain), just driving. Have done the 1000 and the 10000 km services, part from that I just had to change a light bulb. Everything else I've done have been because the driver couldn't keep the right side up on the bike. =)

I live in a much dryer and less salty climate then you UKers though.