Buffeting and starting problems

[jackintherok]

First the buffeting. I mean the bike reacting to cross winds. Speeds of 80+ with bags in blustery conditions were a problem. Not because I was being buffeted but because the bike was reacting. Increasing rear tyre pressure to 38psi helped (at pressures any lower than 36 psi buffeting was much worse), but still present. I've been working on this for 4 years on and off. When I bought the bike it was equipped with the standard Yamaha accessories including the high screen, which isn't much higher than the standard OEM screen. I am almost embarrassed to say that recently I removed the high screen and replaced it with the standard ... and with bags, crosswinds no longer affect the bike, though I might get buffeted a little more and the rain might be more of a problem (but not noticeably). The bike is now a stable platform at higher speeds.
Second the starting problem. Also plagued me on and off after about 3,ooo miles, which has long gone. Various theories didn't work - occasionally she just refused to start at all. Plugs had something to do with it - like it didn't happen with new plugs but after 3000 miles or so it did, and funnily enough in particular places we visited. To cut a long story short the plugs are exposed to rain/mist/dew on the S10 - overnight mist and heavy rain reach the cylinder head and the spark plug recesses by getting past the front edge of the tank and running off the fork yoke, and I'd guess water enters the spark plug recesses, condenses around the spark plug top contact, and shorts out the electrical pulse. Having experienced the problem again the other day, I left the bike out in the rain and mist with the fork top yoke/front edge of the tank covered for a few days and tried starting her early in the mornings when it was still misty. She started every time. Hope this experience helps someone, and would be interested in any comments. The bike goes back under cover.

 

[Checkswrecks]

These are tall bikes and do react more to cross winds than lower sport-oriented bikes. It would help a lot to know what year your bike is and possibly a photo. For example and as you found with the windscreen, a top box can make crosswinds seem worse.

 

[jackintherok]

Just a standard S10 - no top box, but standard side boxes.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Just a standard S10 - no top box, but standard side boxes.

Good start and btw - "hi" Noob
::004::


The big question is the year. Gen1 was 2010-2013 and Gen2 is 2014-present.

 

[pub610]

What you REALLY want to do is ride a Gen 1 S10 with bags, top case and camping gear from Casper, WY to Sheridan in the standard Wyoming crosswind. For extra fun, through in a high-plains thunderstorm.

 

[Cycledude]

My 13 Tenere with 28,000 miles has Yamaha top case, saddlebags, tall windshield, been to Alaska and back and crosswinds have never been what I would consider a serious issue but yes my Goldwing does handle strong crosswind a little better.

 

[Kabish]

I go across a high bridge daily and there are times where the wind is insane and feels like its coming at you from all directions. I'm completely Stock on a Gen 2 with exception to my top box and I have issues keeping the bike in a straight line. I'm a fairly new rider so I've always just assumed it was because I'm a n00b, and maybe that is still the case My two previous bikes I never had much of an issue with. If its predictable wind I do "okay" its those crazy cross winds that just get me traveling all around the lane lol

Today I drove over to the dealer I got my bike from to pickup some gloves I RMAed. Its a 20 minutes drive to the dealer so the bike was all nice and warmed up. I was in the store for maybe 10 minutes, went out to my bike and it refused to start. Starter just turned over and over with the yellow engine light blinking. I turned off the bike, turned it back on and she started right up... Dunno what that was all about... Its done similar things in the past where it was just slow to start, but this time it plain out was not starting.

 

[jackintherok]

Chekswrecks> It’s a 2010 bike
Pub610> A young Yamaha technique told me to increase rear tyre pressure to the pillion level (42 psi) when I fitted sidebags. It did increase stability at ≥80, but increased rear tyre apex wear, so I compromised at 38 psi.
Cycledude> Bags on blustery conditions … I’m following a buddy on a Goldwing. He was listening to his stereo and tapping the beat out on the left grip, and I was waiting for the next gust from the side. He arrived reasonably fresh and I didn’t, and I ain’t buying no Goldwing.
Kubish> I couldn’t describe myself as new rider – an ‘old git’ would closer. Initially, I thought the bike moving around in crosswinds was just the way the bike is and something I’d have to get used to. Seems to be affected by bags, rear tyre pressure (try <34 psi with bags and you’re into a rodeo), body position (you can stabilize by shifting weight onto the bars when buffeting is really bad). Under normal or mildly blustery conditions, do not hold the bars too tightly – light contact is enough (it stops you overcorrecting and making instability worse) the bike will correct itself.
Anyhow most of the above applies to the bike with side bags and the Yamaha supplied accessory screen. I have yet to encounter them with side bags since I fitted the OEM screen (the difference was like chalk and cheese). Anyone interested in buying an accessory high screen ‘slightly used’? I really don’t need it anymore.
Starting problem – my advice is if you have doubts about the battery (like >3 years old) replace it and check wiring, and if the plugs have been in for while replace them.
Appreciate the comments guys.

 

[La Knee]

I have a 13 with 17,000 miles and i still have the starting problems once and awhile
But since i put a full exhaust ,pc5 , air pods ,and adjusted some screw it happens MUCH
Less. I cant hear that cct rattiling anymore either !! I always run my rear tire pressure
At 42 unless its really hot out . What kind of tires are you running ? The PR4 is a great tire.
Do you have the wingets ? I feel beat up after riding 4-5 hours where i can ride my
Honda ST 1300 8-10 hours and feel the same .good luck

 

[Standby diver]

I ride over high bridges daily to commute as well, sometimes in some very bad conditions. The occasional Florida storm catches me on my commute every now and then, talking winds of 20-30 with gusts to 40mph.

I used to ride a KLR is these condition and could literally feel my front tire struggling for grip just to maintain my lane. Now riding a Tenere I would say the Tenere handles the crosswinds very well. As well as my wife's sport bike? No. But her bike is way lower. You can only change physics so much.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[Cycledude]

The starting issues your having sound like some kind of goofy electrical issue and sorry to say I'm not much help at fixing those kind of issues but maybe a better battery is all you need.
I've never heard any other S10 crank while starting but to me mine sounds like the battery isn't strong enough, other than when it sat unused for 3 weeks it always starts but it often seems like it barely starts, I believe it still has the original battery but since I bought it used who knows. I have load tested it a couple times and it shows very good, when I do buy a new battery I will be looking for one with more cold cranking amps than the stock battery, it might help and it might not.