Rasher said:
The one thing Yamaha could learn from BMW is how to look after a customer when a problem occurs.
. . .
I totally disagree.
Yamaha tends to go privately to the back room to look at issues while we complain, then they come out with a service bulletin or part. It is frustrating while they work out a solution because they do like any company and just seem to take note of your complaint as if it's new. We know they are working on the hard start and yet people recently have heard that Yamaha will look into their complaint, as if it is new. Definitely a frustration for us and my own guess is that Yamaha is not satisfied they know what is the root cause.
Meanwhile and off the top of my head, quick examples of issuing prior fixes that they quietly developed would be the headlight harness on this bike and FJR grounding path spider connectors. BMW is like the KLR650, in living with problem issues for eons until the model is revamped.
There are a couple of threads from when the Gen2 bikes were released in which we all were amazed at how many small things we asked for that Yamaha incorporated. With a new design, Yamaha has more than once given it to a limited market for the first year to beta test. When I was in the FJR forum, we got two changes from Yamaha and recalls were done.
I do think BMW has changed and is getting better, but can't imagine them going this far.
When there has been a service issue, Yamaha has frequently paid for them as warranty issues, even if long out of the warranty period. Fortunately, the Tenere is a reliable rock, so using other models as examples, I'm one of many FJR owners who had their valves replaced on Yamaha's dime even though I was not the original buyer and the bike had a LOT of miles by that time. They've paid for top box racks, key switch assemblies, etc.
Two of our member in this forum have had Yamaha not give up on problems to the point of replacing entire wire harnesses. I know of owners going to two local BMW dealers who relate that if an issue is not addressed by the 2nd or third visit, they feel like they are regarded as "problem customers." (which these guys are not!)
Go talk to BMW about a known issue when you are 6 months out of warranty and see what happens. IF they acknowledge it, sorry but you are out of warranty. The company attitude reminds me of my German ex when she'd say
"Ve do things this vay because it is ze vay things are done."