Can we sum up S10 reliability history so far??

[528Hz]

snapped in half clutch spring at 30 something K miles. I think it was the only one in the world with that problem, so must have been a material fluke. Other then that, she is a tractor, pulling strong ::012::

 

[shrekonwheels]

I was going through various threats in this forum and to my surprise I discovered many reports relating to the reliability of the S10...now the thing is that before i got mine everything I red that this bike is a super reliable one...after I bought it suddenly (had to do with proper research I guess..) I discovered reports on the following issues:

1- failed CCT
2- cluch issues
3- unexplained engine carbon build
4- odd vibration at 3500 rpm
5- sudden engine no start
6- premature wear of the clutch discs

Now I just need to understand what is the total percentage of these issues from the total owners and why people are keep on syaing that this is a very reliable bike if the above issues are happening regularly to the point that even Yamaha can't explain some of them... I am really confused

Well, just go to the BMW Forum and click on their maintenance/repair/upgrade section, you get nearly all problems.
Vs the Tenere, where there is a problem here and there, but primarily just customizing.
All bikes will have some issue at some point, that is as noted merely how mechanics work, some will have far more problems than others however.
My suggestion is ride and enjoy your bike, if you sit and fret about possible issues, regardless of brand, you will miss out on the fun of riding.

 

[kgfire]

The bike is as reliable as a hammer and the 2014 models got the upgrades to make it as reliable as two hammers. According to other forums the BMW's and KTM's have hand grenades installed in every other bike on the assembly line. Remember, if you read it on a forum then it's a good as gospel!
Seriously, I've owned and enjoyed every adventure bike made but if I was suiting up to ride to Tierra del Fuego and back, I'd be on a Tenere.

 

[dl20man]

105 000 km in four and a half years.
Inner oil seal on shaft drive at 70 000 km.
Fitted 2014 CCT at 95 000 km as insurance. A bit noisier than I liked.
Two hard starts at about 70 000 km and maybe 80 000 km. WOT did the trick.

 

[Purificator81]

ok I will continue updating the first post so that the folks are aware of what they should keep an eye on...the purpose of my post is not to say that S10 is not reliable or less reliable that the BMW (which stands for "Best Money Waster" in my view)...it is solely for information so that we are aware of what to keep in mind in terms of maintenance or daily check... and I did not include the 2014 model because first it is too early to start evaluating its issues and also because most of the issues seemed to have happend on earlier models (I own a 2012 model).

::021:: but keep an eye on these potential issues.

 

[frez]

You are not being specific enough in your original thread to be very helpful...

1- failed CCT (fixed either with 2014 CCT or Manual CCT).

You should hear cam chain noise at startup before the cam chain tensioner fails. When you start to hear cam chain noise on startup, order a new CCT.

2- cluch issues (Fixed either with 2014 Clutch or lived with as noise is a matter of taste...).

There is no data to suggest the early model clutch basket is unreliable and will not last the life of the bike. People are changing the clutch basket to reduce engine vibration. I have only read of one person that has had a clutch spring fail, so in that respect there is a reliability issue.

3- unexplained engine carbon build (to be explained through it is a rare issue apparently).

So rare I've never heard of it.

4- odd vibration at 3500 rpm (vibration is also a matter of taste....).

This is what people change the clutch basket to remove. It's not really a separate issue and is part of item 2 above. Then again it's not a reliability issue at all as no component has failed on the bike.

5- sudden engine no start or Hard start.

If you start the bike cold and stop it before it has warmed up a bit you may experience this issue. The bike will start but it will take a lot of battery juice so you may not want to run your battery to death in case you experience this issue. This is not a reliability issue as such, no component has failed on the bike, it is just annoying if you experience it.

6- premature wear of the clutch discs (rare case but check when possible).

7- Spoke/wheels failures.. (not a frequent issue but to check them frequently).

The spokes are not failing, people are not checking they are tight often enough. Spokes do corrode, and that might be considered a reliability issue, but failing to check they are tight on a regular basis is not a reliability issue and is common to spoke wheels on any bike.

 

[Purificator81]

at least I tried....

I will update it accordingly...

 

[ST-venture]

2012 ST - now with 39K miles. I had the hard start issue at least 3 times. The first two WOT fixed. The last time I had to take to the shop and it turned out to be the carbon buildup issue. The shop advised me to use premium fuel (I had been running mostly regular) and add a cleaner additive every 3-5K miles. I'll see how that works over the next 40K.
I haven't seen any of the other issues.

 

[tomatocity]

2012 ST - now with 39K miles. I had the hard start issue at least 3 times. The first two WOT fixed. The last time I had to take to the shop and it turned out to be the carbon buildup issue. The shop advised me to use premium fuel (I had been running mostly regular) and add a cleaner additive every 3-5K miles. I'll see how that works over the next 40K.
I haven't seen any of the other issues.

Ask the dealer about Yamalube Ring Free Plus to clear up the carbon buildup.

 

[Bushyar15]

I appreciate what the OP is doing...

When I bought my newest "used" car. I did some research on it. Based on what I found you'd think the "Toyota" I was looking at had many issues based on threads and posts. Obviously people rarely report/post when their vehicle is running great... So the "problem" threads do get attention.

On the forum I was reading for my car, one would have gotten the impression there were over a dozen issues and this happened to say 10% of the people posting on the forum... I always wondered what percentage of member posting were affected... In reality in my non-scientific search it was low single digits for most of only 4 common issues...

My point is its, nice to see what "potential" issues are out there so one can be aware....

 

[Mark R.]

I was thinking about these issues the other day as I looked over my Tenere, admiring all the technology and the overall build quality of this bike. And especially after reading about those 2 bikes in Cycle World that had catastrophic failures in the first 10,000 miles.

I came to the realization that the Super Tenere is by far, the toughest and most reliable motorcycle on the planet. There is simply nothing being built now or in the past that compares to the ST in terms of overall durability and un-breakability in the context of ADV riding.

Every bike has weak spots, but the ST has the fewest and they are easy to fix.

 

[jbjke]

2012 rolling over 17,000 - headlight recall done - hard start early on when I wasn't leaving the red stop button "off" while key was on. Just wiring in heated grips and didn't realize that leaves the fuel pump on. No problems since.


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[dcstrom]

I kinda agree Trasbeck - over on GSpot on Advrider, some seem to be under the impression that to be any good the Super Tenere needs an ECU flash, a new clutch, new suspension... just because some people have done these discretionary upgrades. The CCT is a big disaster too, according to them. Which it is, but only if you don't know about it. Replace it at the second major service and forget about it.

I'm at 85,000 with none of those upgrades, except suspension (the stock rear shock really doesn't cut it for rough roads, loaded). Had a new '14 CCT. All good otherwise.

I think it's important to distinguish between discretionary updates and ones that are necessary to fix or avoid problems.

I write all this because I am seeing this forum going the way of the stromtrooper...in that I already see people being advised to install non-yamaha parts (ccts) or perfectly good factory parts(clutch) on used bikes they are considering buying before they even know if there is an issue. My advice anyone considering a used purchase is look the thing over for obvious abuse and buy it! Then ride it a year before you start trying to solve imaginary problems. Develop a relationship with a dealer you can trust....not everyone in the industry is a thief or an idiot....most will work with you to keep your buisness...I'd best stop my rant and put on some Nomex 'cause I bet I hit a few nerves...If so ..I apologize.....

 

[snakebitten]

They neeeeeed ammo against the Tenere over there.

It's ok with me. But I don't get it. I have bikes much less reliable than the Tenere. ALL of them, in fact.
Why would I be happy if my Tenere DID have a problem?

Coocooo

 

[Rasher]

Reliability is very different to "essential modifications"

At 16,500 miles I have had a headlight harness on a recall (it was still working) and a few hard starts - the only thing close to a "common problem" IMO, but if you compare this bike to the best selling Adv bike which has had a myriad of recalls and a fair few needing entire gearboxes / clutches / engines we can probably say it is pretty robust.

Compare it to the Journo's favourite toy which shits its engine within 10k if it is used outside an oxygen tent and it is even more impressive, especially when you look at Nick Saunders 52,000 mile Americas record where the bike ran for 50k over 12 weeks with about 2 oil changes and a few pairs of tyres.

I never even noticed the "Vibration Issue" until it was pointed out here and I went looking for these vibes, and still thought it was no less than what I would expect for a large V-Twin, and it is still far smoother at 16k than my GS was at 6k.


Now "Essential Mods" are far too subjective.

ECU Flash - Yep makes a big difference if the bike is ridden a certain way, and a small difference if it is ridden another certain way, although everyone would find an improvement it is not like the bike is utter crap without it.

Shock - For two-up or for heavy folk the shock is a shade soft, for most solo riders it works very well, I replaced mine as I did a lot of two-up touring, but I did the same on my GS, and my ZZR 1400 as they too were not great when two-up and loaded either - if anything the S10 shock is better quality than either of my last two bikes.

The Forks seem oddly sprung, but maybe Yamaha had to do this due to the wide range of uses the bike may get, again not exactly awful in OE spec, for my 99.9% road use the mods I did make it far better, but hardly essential.


Jury will be out for a few more years / another 20k, but I think this may well be the best bike I have ever bought.

 

[MIKE R]

I'm now on my third S10

No problems at all with the first in the 12k miles I put on her. She was the dealers demo and I traded it in 2013 for a new Worldcrosser.

The Worldcrosser let me down twice. The first was a rear tyre puncture in France when the bike had about 5k miles on it and then it fell over at 15k when I hit a myopic car driver turning right who hadn't seen me.

My latest one was registered on March 1 this year. It's a ZE with all the Worldcrosser parts from my previous (repaired) bike. No problems yet but it's still in my garage with 0 miles due to the lousy English weather at the moment.

I don't know why I keep buying these unreliable machines!

Mike

 

[Purificator81]

They neeeeeed ammo against the Tenere over there.

It's ok with me. But I don't get it. I have bikes much less reliable than the Tenere. ALL of them, in fact.
Why would I be happy if my Tenere DID have a problem?

Coocooo

Who are "they"?


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[Purificator81]

Reliability is very different to "essential modifications"

At 16,500 miles I have had a headlight harness on a recall (it was still working) and a few hard starts - the only thing close to a "common problem" IMO, but if you compare this bike to the best selling Adv bike which has had a myriad of recalls and a fair few needing entire gearboxes / clutches / engines we can probably say it is pretty robust.

Compare it to the Journo's favourite toy which shits its engine within 10k if it is used outside an oxygen tent and it is even more impressive, especially when you look at Nick Saunders 52,000 mile Americas record where the bike ran for 50k over 12 weeks with about 2 oil changes and a few pairs of tyres.

I never even noticed the "Vibration Issue" until it was pointed out here and I went looking for these vibes, and still thought it was no less than what I would expect for a large V-Twin, and it is still far smoother at 16k than my GS was at 6k.


Now "Essential Mods" are far too subjective.

ECU Flash - Yep makes a big difference if the bike is ridden a certain way, and a small difference if it is ridden another certain way, although everyone would find an improvement it is not like the bike is utter crap without it.

Shock - For two-up or for heavy folk the shock is a shade soft, for most solo riders it works very well, I replaced mine as I did a lot of two-up touring, but I did the same on my GS, and my ZZR 1400 as they too were not great when two-up and loaded either - if anything the S10 shock is better quality than either of my last two bikes.

The Forks seem oddly sprung, but maybe Yamaha had to do this due to the wide range of uses the bike may get, again not exactly awful in OE spec, for my 99.9% road use the mods I did make it far better, but hardly essential.


Jury will be out for a few more years / another 20k, but I think this may well be the best bike I have ever bought.

I did not include mods as they are really subjective. All what I want is to have a mindmap on things to pay attention to in order to avoid expensive consequences either by doing unnecessary changes or not doing them
I came from a versys 650 (2008) and I did not care about any comparison not did I say this bike is more reliable than that one....the passion in the forum seemed to have misguided some if the comments to either question the intention or simply not getting the point if having a mindmap


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[eemsreno]

Don't worry...go back to sleep.

Thanks for helping me out guys,
With my bike just broke in and then hearing about all these problems I was starting to lose sleep.

 

[Berg_Donk]

Mine, and a few others here in Oz, have had the fairing frame mount snap off the steering head. Not catastrophic, but it does appear under strength. Mine is now much beefier.

My stock Yuasa battery just collapsed internally leaving me and her stranded with no electrics last Sunday. Bike is less than 2 years old, now with 27,000 kms.