Can we sum up S10 reliability history so far??

[Purificator81]

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

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 2014 CCT or a Manual CCT.

2- cluch issues

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 (by upgrading it to the 2014 one) to reduce engine vibration (especially at 3500 rpm.

3- unexplained engine carbon build

it seems this is an isolated case

4- sudden engine no start or Hard start

If you start the bike cold and stop it before it has warmed up it could eventually happen.
one video suggests that applying half throttle before starting the engine could work (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cN7HrZ0OqE)

5- premature wear of the clutch discs

rare case but check when possible

6- Spoke/wheels

comnmon to spoke wheels in general though not a frequent issue in the case of S10. Just do check them if there are corroded and that they are tight enough.
You can eventually replace the spokes with stainless one : http://supertenere1200.com/modifications/replacing-spokes-with-stainless-steel-versions/


UPDATE 11/03/2015: the percentage of owners having faced one of the above issues is very low (may be 0.1%??)
UPDATE 12/03/2015: video on how to deal with the Hard start "issue"

 

[oldbear]

The S10 is one of the best MC's out there, period. Is it perfect? No, nothing made by man is, however it IS a darn fine machine! ::021::

 

[Big Blu]

Spoke/wheels failures..

Paul

 

[echo_four_romeo]

Of those you listed I have had only one of those issues. CCT failure, however I was pro-active enough to catch it before it destroyed the motor. Only other issue I experienced that you don't have listed is the headlight wiring harness frying itself(fixed under warranty). Unless you aren't including those sort of things then I have had no issues with the bike, as everything has been handled under warranty.

Never heard of the unexplained engine carbon build up? And I don't know if I would call it a clutch issue...some people felt some vibes at a certain rpm range that they determined to be an issue with the clutch basket.

 

[Madhatter]

my bike has had no issues to date, its two years old and14k on milage... had the head light harness recall done , but had no problems.... a very good motorcycle....

 

[streaky]

Three years old 15 k not one problem And it does get rid quite hard !


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[tomatocity]

2012 Yamaha Super Tenere - California
VIN #027
52,200 miles

1- failed CCT: Yamaha corrected this in 2014 with a new CCT
2- cluch issues: No experience with this issue
3- unexplained engine carbon build: Still out for debate... but the new piston and rings might be the solution
4- odd vibration at 3500 rpm: Yamaha corrected this in 2014 with a new Clutch Basket
5- sudden engine no start: No experience with this issue
6- premature wear of the clutch discs: No experience with this issue... but I am looking into it this week

My Tenere is currently in the shop for the results of CCT Failure and Clutch Basket replacement. I am asking them to look at the clutch plates for wear.
[/quote]

 

[trasbeck]

You need to understand that the internet will encourage a "wildfire" sort of response to any posted issues with any machine. I saw this on the stromtrooper forum when I had a 2003 VStrom 1000. Once a handful of people felt there was an issue with the clutch..the dreaded "chudder"....soon nearly everyone thought they had the probem and a cottage industry sprang up to offer solutions to a problem which was hard to describe or diagnose...
I had no problems with mine or the issues with "fuelling" or "mapping"...you should ride a 60's or 70's carbed bike and you will see many complaints are a bit like "separating fly shit from pepper". Another example is the Yamaha FZ-09 cam chain tensioner from last summer. Yamaha would replace CCTs on bikes if, and only if, the service department determined it was making unusual noises. Of course, everyone saw this on the net and wanted a new CCT. This was not a recall, it was warranty working as it should. But I digress....
My 2012 has 15,000 miles, has had the headlight recall, a throttle body balance, oil changes, tires and has given me the reliability of a stone. It did exhibit the hard start symptom twice.....both times I had cycled the key switch numerous times while installing electrical gizmos. I am aquainted with 4 others Teneres none have had any breakdowns at all. 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.....









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[talreli]

I have a 2012 s10 with 10k miles on it. It is ridden fairly hard and so far I have experienced the hard start twice, both after the bike was in storage for a long period of time. I did go through two headlight bulbs before the factory recall, no electrical issues since. Overall, I am very happy with the reliably of the bike.


----
12 Yamaha Super Tenere
04 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
84 Suzuki DR500

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[mrpincher]

Suffered from #5. Only a real showstopper problem once and it was the very first time it happened in 2012.

BUT and I do say BUT regarding #1; my bike has a distinct chainsaw rattle upon start up a couple times per year. With my YES warranty on the downhill side, I worry if/when it will grenade my engine. :-X I'm 40,000 miles + and I'd like to see this bike live up to its potential and last at least another 40,000 ++ miles. Doing everything I can to maintain it above spec.

I believe there's barely over a half dozen true failures of the CCT in the States.....Right? Anyone know Why we don't hear of this coming from the other side of the pond where this bike has been in circulation for several years prior to the 2012 USA release??? I have read of one, maybe two of the carbonite issues prior to the USA 2012 release of the S-10. That's some kinda carbon in those pictures, BTW. Never heard mention of the CCT from Africa or Europe. Guess I need to be my own advocate and quit bitchin' ::012::

 

[polishadam82]

I think someone should ask Nick Sanders what he thinks about super Ten ::015::

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'll take it line by line, like TomatoCity

1- failed CCT
I think there've been a half dozen WORLD WIDE. The thing is that now we know about it, we also know that you can hear the rattle develop for a LONG time before the failure. Consider it something to replace when doing the 52,000 mile valve check.

2- cluch issues -
This is a ridability issue. The slight vibe in mine doesn't bother me and I need to think to realize it is there, while to some it affects their perception of the bike.

3- unexplained engine carbon build
I haven't yet seen something that ties this to the model, versus other potential causes. I'm not saying it won't happen or minimizing somebody else's experience, but I will do a Seafoam carbon blow-out this weekend before this season of riding.

4- odd vibration at 3500 rpm
Again, the clutch basket.

5- sudden engine no start
I had to force mine to get it to do this, largely out of curiousity. For me and not minimizing the experience of others, it was a non-issue in being able to hold full throttle and getting it to clear.

6- premature wear of the clutch discs
I take that one with a huge grain of salt, as these are dual sports. Going off road can be hell on clutches, which comes down to how they are operated.

The Tenere is a machine with potential shortcomings, but in relative terms, it is still the BMW Recovery Vehicle.

 

[jimmy z]

2012 With 24,000 miles clutch chudder at 2,900 rpm,does not bother me.Headlight harness replaced at recall.No other issues.Most reliable bike i have owned to date.Jim

 

[limey]

ABS Unit crapped out replaced under warranty

 

[snakebitten]

It would be redundant, so I won't do the line by line response.

But really?

I mean, if you ARE one of the FEW, and when I say few I mean handful, who have experienced ANY kind of serious problem with your Tenere, then my attitude could seem a bit insensitive,.......And so I don't mean to sound harsh to you half a dozen folks........but seriously?

What does it take to impress these days? What are our expectations?
I personally am in awe of the engineering and production accomplishment of the folks who built this thing.
My advice is ride it harder, Turn off TC1 when you are off the tarmac, Never start it if you aren't gonna let it warm up, check your spokes like they matter, put a manual cct in if Yamaha won't replace yours every time it sounds suspect.

With that simple list and modest effort, I believe the percentages are heavily in your favor of having a long and impressively trouble free experience.

If the Super Tenere isn't worthy of being considered a reliable model, what is?

 

[dandil726]

This question has been posted on every forum for every motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, snowblower, weed wicker, lawnmower I have ever owned. I don't get all the hand ringing about if (in this case the S10) some part on this bike is going to fail. Of course parts will fail, it is only a machine and mechanical stuff breaks down from time to time. You do your research, make your best decision, buy the bike and go have fun. You can drive yourself crazy worrying about mechanical problems. Up until 2007 I was touring on a 1973 BMW...I lucked out, I always returned with no problems, just do your bike maintenance and prep and go.

 

[eemsreno]

I just got mine broke in. What problems should I be looking for?

 

[snakebitten]

It's a hand grenade Steve. Wake up!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I just got mine broke in. What problems should I be looking for?

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



Like Snake, no sense in be redundant. I'll put it this way. Reliability and low maintenance are my first, second, third, and fourth concerns about my primary traveling bike. I'll forgo cool wiz-bang more powerful stuff if it's going fail my main concerns.

When I launch on long trip that will put both my wife and me a couple thousand miles from home, I'm thinking about the trip. I have never once thought, "I hope the bikes will make it." To be fair, once when we were 2000 miles from home I thought her Tenere might have had a transmission issue. A quick check here, and and even quicker squirt of WD40 on the shifter made all those problems go away.

I trust our Teneres. Reliability concerns are not an issue.

 

[rotortech71]

If the Super Tenere isn't worthy of being considered a reliable model, what is?

I think this line pretty much sums it up perfectly.