The update, guys, is this. After yamaha dragged their feet for a year, telling everyone involved that they do not have complete engine assemblies for a simple refit operation, they mysteriously found 2 of them as I was told in a warehouse in the states. Brand new, 0 miles, virgin, wrapped up, sealed in a case with throttle bodies, cables, oil and filer all in one piece. This breaking news came a week after yamaha supposedly sent replacement parts surrounding middle drive gear bearing and yoke. This was on august 11th, exactly 1 week after the shaft lockup on the interstate that sent my girl with me on it into a violent drift. I can still hear truck tires screeching in my head.
So on the 11th, dealer was first notified that parts were now on back order, after a week of silence from them while everyone directly involved thought that parts were on the way as per yamaha. I did speak a rep several times during a period between Aug 5th and Aug 11th, re-iterating my concern about engine possibly being contaminated rendering the bike unsafe to operate, but all I got back was that they don't have new engines and they would keep investigating this which could take a while while I pay for the hotels and car rental, no word on the parts being on back order. They also told me that they apparently knew what I wanted. I was certainly curious to find out what yamaha thought that i wanted from them. They thought I wanted a brand new bike, you see ::001:: Silly meeee, how dare I want a new unit
Maybe I should have asked for that. I replied to the arrogant rep on the phone that I wanted a new engine, the same thing I had asked for a year ago, untouched by any dealer. My girl was already tailored to my needs and I didn't want a new one to have to start all over unless absolutely necessary. If they could not furnish a new engine, then a new unit would have to be furnished, which is not unheard of, at least in the triumph world. I mean who wants to ride an unsafe bike that was contaminated with shavings, was opened up twice.
So right after notifying us that parts were not available, they notified also that they have a new motor that was being dispatched out, except that it would take a about week to get to missouri. I had to leave town for that additional weekdue to a state fair and all hotels booked up. I had a car rented out and went about exploring oklahoma, texas, new mexico, utah and colorado. I met up with my buddy in Moab that was riding matte grey tenere back east. We started off together back on Aug 2nd to Cali.
Come Friday Aug 14th, I believe it was, truck brings complete engine as well as middle drive gear replacement parts for the original job. I mean who does that? Does anyone keep tabs on parts coming in and out at yamaha?
I came back to MO on the eve of the 17th. On the 18th i went out for the first break in ride via small local roads. 35 miles, back to dump the oil, change filter. went out again, dumped the oil and filter at 180 or so on the 19th. Put fresh oil and filter headed out east on the 20th. ride back was basically acceleration and engine braking going through the gears 2-5 with an occasional 6th all the way home for about 1300 miles. To my advantage there were a lot fewer vehicles then I expected all the way home for the most part so I was able to pull that break in procedure off safely.
My respect and gratitude to the guys and gals at Yeagers Harley Davidson in Sedalia, Missouri. Not only were they very professional and extremely accommodating, they are great american families, with great sense of humor and I have no words that can describe the time I spent with them. Great home cooking, treating a stranded guy from NY like family. If you are ever passing through Missouri and in need something, Yeagers in Sedalia is a place to do it. They are predominantly HD, but also deal with suzuki, yamaha and polaris.
The bike. I still like the tenere. Even with me on top, loaded panniers, more gear behind me, a tire on the right crash bar and a full tank, she was easy to handle during the drift, like a light dirt bike. Impressed.
Yamaha customer support. Weeeeeell, I'd like to say f***ck you very much to yamaha customer support for the lack of it. Incompetence, lies, carelessness and negligence are some of the words that come to mind. Let me put it this way, had I been less experienced or panicked, I'd be dead. Had I been traveling on a budget both financially and time wise, it would have been a very very f***ked up experience. That's twice in a row. Once last year and once this year, this year topping it at 13 days of trip interruption with last years reaching 7 days, but it was a labor day weekend last year so who cares about that, right. I am not dropping on my knees in sudden burst of gratitude after yamaha reps lied to me. I got plenty of materials to take them to court. I am not a buff of any particular brand, certainly not a yamaha buff. I don't roll around with yamaha stickers all over my tenere or triumph all over my triumph and so on. There is nothing to buff about. I happened to like the tenere and that's where it starts and stops. God forbid something happens outside the lower 48. I don't even wanna go there.
I sincerely hope that all of you have safe travels on your reliable machines. I realize that this may be an isolated exception in a tenere line starting with a clutch spring breaking on its own last year. However I will duly note here, that when I purchase a product and get an extra warranty that promises a prompt part replacement, 13 days is ...... ummm.... This is not a euro bike.
yamaha trip interruption only covers $250 that has to get submitted by a dealer. $250 / 13 = $19.23 per day for wholesome meals and lodging while they dick around at some regional office picking their asses. Yamaha towing is a total garbage at best and it only covers $50, which in NY at least will barely cover a pickup fee. AMA towing has been excellent so far. I used them twice and twice got a tow without any hassles. Just take care of the driver. AMA is up to 35 miles. I believe AAA covers up to 200?
Point is that yamaha yes warranty is a questionable money sucking gimmick. Their towing is worthless. You will spend more time submitting claims then the 50 dollars is worth. $250 trip interruption - I would say unless you are down for less then 3 days, then it may be worth it, unless you like sleeping in a ditch. Pay as least as possible for it. It's not worth a dime at best because you get careless and indifferent representatives who know nothing about bikes. They obviously have no clue as to where the parts are, what they are sending and what the best course of action is in troubleshooting. Yamaha should be including YES for free with every bike. And if they need to investigate your case, you better have some extra vacation time stashed away. If you want to get in touch with a supervisor, they will gladly put in a request, set your case aside and I believe it's 3-5 days for a supervisor to get in touch with you. No one will work on your case, once supervisor request has been placed. I couldn't possibly begin to imagine what this supervisor is so busy doing that you have to wait for at least 3 days. Oh and don't break down during holidays.
