Getting ready to pull the pin!

[gunnytemple]

I have a new 2012 Yamaha Super in my sights. I have been reading this forum for a couple of weeks to try to get the low down on the machine. My dad and his buddies are BMW GS lovers and I'm sure they would like to see me by a BMW. It's not going to happen! I have a local and national dealer who has sponsored my racing for the last few years and he carries the "name brand" bikes. (yamaha, suzuki, honda, kawi, KTM) I am coming to the end of my racing (badly broken wrist in December that just won't heal) and have always told my wife we would do some traveling on a bike when the day comes.

I have a few questions before I jump in...

#1 is there anything I should have the dealer take care of BEFORE I roll it off the floor?
#2 I need bags-panniers or whatever you call them... give me the run down... good bad ugly? Touratech??
#3 offroad lighting? Where and who?

Thanks...looking forward to the change in motion!

 

[Combo]

Hello gunnytemple and ::004::

#1 Make sure he has the 3 lock Cylinders for the Yamaha luggage under the seat no matter if you go with the Yamaha boxes or not. They match your ignition key and come with each bike.
#2 Many to choose from and some better than others. I have the Yamaha boxes including the liners and have not had one problem. The wife and I like them. The side cases hold about the same as the FJR we had.
#3 I like the Rigid light bar. Coastie has one and it works great. I hope to replace the one I have with a Rigid some day. If you look around you can find them for 200.00.

http://www.rigidindustries.com/product-p/sr-series-6dr.htm


I don't think you will go wrong picking the Yamaha. Love this bike. We just change oil and go.

 

[Bigbore4]

All topics generously covered here.

FWIW, go buy it. My local dealer also is multi-line and a race supporter, So that there is a plus in my book.

I have gone a little over the top. But here goes.

And weather you have the dealer do it depends on your skills and his pricing.

Heated Grips, I have the Yamaha grips and love them.
The wind wings or side wings
MRA Vario Shield
I have the Yamaha Headlight guard ordered out of Canada (Not DOT)
I have SW Motech racks and Twisted Throttle (pelican) side cases. If you prefer side open get the pelican, robust, guaranteed, attractive pricing. Several out there doing them, I like TT, good folks.
I have SW Motech crash bars and bash plate. Tested the crash bars in 0 MPH drops 3 times and they owe me nothing. I chose the bash plate as I don't do serious off road and the rear nuts are captive. Easier to remove and reinstall for service.

I have the Baja Squadron lights purchased on an early group buy. I am finally able to recommend them. Had issues with the dimmer module, Baja Designs (Trent) stuck with me and I have their latest dimmer installed and they now work as intended. Daylight at night. Nuff Said.

I was an early adopter and I had MONTHS to acquire goodies while waiting for the bike. I have other goodies, but those are the basics. You can do ECUnleashed and a pipe over winter.........

Go get it and enjoy.

 

[Danno]

Gunny I'm not trying to be a sour grape here but with a bad wrist, you didn't say which side, you might want to seriously consider a bike with cruise control. It can be had or the ST but at a price and I'm guessing a serious installation effort. If you feel cruise is not a factor then by all means, jump in and enjoy.

 

[Twisties]

I found the Yamaha side cases to be fiddly, way too small, and poorly designed. I think Yamaha's would be adequate for a light traveler doing a weekend trip. However, I travel with a CPAP and a full dSLR outfit. They didn't work for me. I don't think I would recommend them for two-up touring. You need to watch a video to learn to use them properly. Now have Jesse. If I were to do it again I might try something else, or I might go with Jesse again.

I don't feel any need for added lights, but I don't ride a lot at night.

 

[jrb_nw]

I bought the Yamaha cases (side only) and they work fine for me solo on week-long trips, with tent and other camp gear in a dry bag on the seat. For two up I would suggest Jesse bags, and may even buy a set someday myself. So much better built and roomier, better locks, etc.

On another note, I second the concern about your wrist and lack of cruise control if it is the right one. If it is the left, I have had some arthritis in my left hand irritated from the vibration when cruising for extended periods at high speeds (over 75 mph/4000 rpm) where there is some buzz in the left grip on my bike. I have heard this can be reduced with heavier bar end weight a or a "bar snake".

The bike works pretty well out of the box however - no need to make too many mods. Only other thing will be a windscreen to your liking.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[rem]

Welcome on, GT from IN. I just wrote a whole bunch of stuff, but it didn't post. So this time I'll just say ::004:: to the Forum, and good luck with your decision. It's a great bike. R. ::022::


I'm gonna move you down to the Member Intros section so more folks will pick up on you. R

 

[gunnytemple]

Thanks everybody for the replies!

Its the left wrist and looks like I'll have to do something with it reguardless. Long story short when they go in they will probably limit my movement. Trying to race at GNCC A level speeds won't work if you can't bend your wrist very well. Right now I have pain in it 24-7. blah blah blah

I'm sure my wife and I will be doing mostly pavement riding with the occasional dirt/gravel road. Staying on the road for weeks at a time will suit her and I just fine. Being from Indiana I would like to see everything out west that I haven't had the opportunity to. I've been from NY to Florida racing for about 5 years so I can say we have seen a lot of the east coast. That being said I would like to see it from a bike and not a race rig.

Good travels and hope to see you all soon!

 

[True Grip]

Hey Gunny

If you have a broken navicular that won't heal (they never do,low blood supply) find a doctor who will do a proximal row carpalectomy. He'll take out the navicular and the other 3 bones in that row . You will only have 4 bones in that wrist instead of 8 hince alittle less range of motion but the pain will be gone. I broke my right when i was 22yo playing basketball and struggled with it healing for almost ten years before i had the surgery. The pain is gone and i have no trouble twisting a grip all day long. Good luck with the wrist and congrats on the bike you and your wife will enjoy it I'm sure.

 

[Rasher]

1. Not really
2. Have a look around, I found the Yamaha ones too small for us (I think they are about 62L) so I bought SW-Motech which are decent quality and much less than Touratech, also have a neat quick detach rail system, as well as a handy 82L capacity. If you look around the forum there is loads on panniers to trawl through
3. No idea

Lots of other worthwhile stuff such as ECU Flash - which will help a lot for two-up as it gives a lot more smooth low down shove, suspension upgrades are well worthwhile, and then whatever protection and other farkles you like the look off - all well covered on these hallowed pages ::008::

 

[gunnytemple]

True Grip, thanks for the heads up! Going to see Kleinert & Kutz next wednesday in Louisville KY! Known world wide for being one of the best. And yes, it's actually 2 of the inner bones. They look like a crumbled up chips a hoy cookie in the MRI!

 

[jajpko]

Gunny, there is a member on here(chadx) that has a pair of Micatechs for your bike. He is a great guy and will not screw you.
I had the Micatechs on my Tenere and really like them. They are very well built and will not leak. They are side loaders and that is a nice feature in my opinion. They have a 4" well so nothing falls out. Just a really great set of cases..

 

[clint64]

Welcome and good luck with your purchase.

1 none that I'm aware of.
2 I wanted top loading bags this time. Went with the Holan panniers. Really like the jesse as well
3 I went with the baja designs onx light bar. Very well built and bright

 

[motoguy]

Welcom Gunny
Your situation sounds almost identical to mine. I had to sell my super moto after surg. on my wrist and arm. I was in the market for a GS but just couldnt justify the $$ for it. I have over 3K on my S10 now since this past April. I love the bike so far. I would recomend a Cramp Buster for the throttle, it helps alot but a bit twitchy on sport mode. I also have the Yamaha luggage, works verry well.
and have your dealer sync the TB's. Mine was off over 10" from factory, made a huge differance. One more thing, my wife likes the bike too(allways a good thing).

 

[klunsford]

::004:: to the forum from Oklahoma... Just remember one thing. Friends don't let friends ride BMW's.... ::025::