Living with the new Super Tenere...
 

Guys & Gals,

I was asked in another thread to write about living with the new Super Tenere having picked it up yesterday.

So here goes.....

Here is the bad boy being filled up for the first time...

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276850023

I decided to put my TCK80s on the bike from new so I strapped them on to my old Tenere and hauled them down to the shop. They are from my GSA which I now got rid of - thank God.
On arrival I sat on the bike and was amazed at how light it felt and how low it was, a lot smaller than it's "little" brother. Before even starting the engine I whipped the wheels off and stuck the TCK80s on. Taking the rear wheel off was a bit of an education, but not as much as putting it back on ! I spent ages trying to figure out how the "floating" ABS plate located with the rear caliper carrier. Lesson learned there. This was one thing I liked about my old GSA but the Yam bearings will be better I'm sure.
Front wheel was a lot easier and more conventional to remove/replace.
One thing I did notice was the unusual ABS/TCS "ring". On most bikes (with ABS) it is a ring with holes in it or a toothed cog and when the high points of the cog pass the sensor it sends a signal through the "hall effect" sensor and this is digested by the computer to figure out what is going on.
On the ST it has some wierd looking magnetic ring that looks like this:
I wonder if Yamaha write this in all languages for other countries !!!
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276849928

Here is a pic of the final drive coupling. Its a bad photo but it shows the square edged toothed splines. Bad design. There are no bevels on the teeth and they are pig to get back together. My old Pan Euro had a similar set up but with the edges smothed out so the whel could be put back on easier. (Does that make sense ?).
The cush drive looks to be more substatial than the 660 and it was so tight I had trouble putting it back together.
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276851273
Here is the bike with tank bag, large screen, crash bars, Halfords style lights and proper tyres.
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276851581
Here is a piccy of the Heated grip controller and switch for the PIAA (Halfords !) lamps. Controller location looks NAFF. Will think about moving it lower and inboard a bit more.
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276851737
Toolkit, as is normal on new bikes - pathetic. Don't even think about changing a wheel.
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276851846
The rear shock is adjustable, but only for rebound.
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276851973
One of the things that did disappoint me was the rear rack. I need to put a 52 litre top box on for shopping etc and on my old BMW it was easy. On the ST it is not. Here are some pics of what is at the back.
The Base...
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276852265Next the Yamaha top box fitment - same as the 660 - not sure if it fits though.
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276852536
And lastly the plastic top cover. It is strong but it is still plastic. It may however be the only way to fit my box on. OTOH, the box and fitting plate are plastic too so we will see.
http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/k...g?t=1276852568

So what did I think ?

I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it.

I have only managed to ride it for about 16 miles so the comments need to be taken in that context.
The bars were a bit low so I have sorted that. The bike was very easy to use. Low seat, light weight and the bike turns in very easy. It does however have the TCK80s on and I have nor ridden it wirth the supplied boots so I cannot compare them. I do however know that the TCKs make bikes turn easier.
The switches are all in the correct places (unlike my old GSA) and the gearbox is as smooth as can be, again, unlike my old GSA.
I have to agree with a comment made by "Spike" (or "Sp!ke") on ADV, he said "this could end up being the thinkling mans adventure bike". Have agree with him. It was so easy to use.
Its early yet so more to follow.

Interesting and informative Ray, keep the reviews coming, there's no substitute for information from experience and miles. Really glad you like it already. Will it be at Ripley?

Oh Yes...

Good to hear you're enjoying it so far Ray, don't forget the preload adjustment on the shock as well! I agree about it feeling very small. In a good way.

Exactly, low and easy going. It should be great for long off road trips when you are tired or two up and the going gets tough. Eat your heart out BMW. When people start riding this, BMW will loose a lot of customers.

Shame they don't do test rides then!

Well, I've been lucky then: while my 660Tenere is in the workshop today, they gave me the oppurtunity to take the S10 for a spin. And I must say, it's one hell of a bike, in a good way! Easy handling, smooth runnin' engine, powerful, good brakes and suspension, comfortable seating and saddle(lower then my Tenere)...it fits like a glove! I did some backroads, farmroads and gravel, but also some highway runnin' and it performed well in all these situations. It was a very positive first impression, thanx Van Meel Motoren!
Congrats Oldgitray and ENJOY!!!
Greetz, Hans.

P.s.: because I'm totally happy with my 660Ten and the price of the S10, withhold me from gettin' one!

Reet chuffed you're getting off to a good start with the S10 Ray, I'm very jealous....going to get a piggy bank and start saving for one - they're awesome. Keep the reviews coming please!
SelinaXT

Huge congrats Ray, you deserve it. Let us know how you find it 2 weeks down the line. Certainly looks like a mean machine.

Thanks for the pics