Low Speed with clutch out?

[Harry Dresden PI]

Often I ride in slow traffic and wondered what is the slowest speed the S10 can run at with the clutch fully out?

I found this but do not believe the answer ?

FOUND ON THE NET

Yamaha Super Tenere XTZ1200 Gearing?
I've read a review that states the slowest the Yamaha Super Tenere XTZ1200 will go in 1st gear (without using the clutch) is around 12 Miles per hour (20Km/h).

Isn't that a little fast for difficult off road sections? Can any 1200 Super Tenere owners please help with this question, as I am considering buying one?

Also, considering it has shaft drive, do any Yamaha mechanics know if it is possible to change (lower) the gearing by somehow altering the final drive gears in the gearbox (not the rear differential) as I noticed there are 2 gears before the output shaft? Thanks in advance!
Update : The speed quoted (12 mile/hour) is at idle in 1st gear with the clutch out , the motor won't go any slower or else it would stall.

 

[echo_four_romeo]

On my bike with clutch out in traffic slowest I can go is 7-8 mph. It is lugging pretty hard, I don't like doing it often or for extended periods. If I slip the clutch I can go as low as 3 or 4 mph.

 

[RED CAT]

Why would you want to bother lowering the gearing without even test riding one. 1st gear is plenty low. There is also the Sport and Touring mode which comes into effect while idling that slow. Must say, you sound like a real novice.

 

[fredz43]

I've and a 12 and 14 and both would run at 8 mph with the clutch out and no throttle. If I need to go slower than that, I slip the clutch, which is very rare.

 

[Kiwi Graham]

To ride that slowley in first gear without moderating clutch, brakes and throttle would make you a very dangerous rider in traffic.
I'd suggest attending a rider training course that will cover slow riding techniques and you'll find riding in slow traffic a lot less stressfull.

 

[markjenn]

Things can get a little snatchy below 10 mph, but you can go somewhat lower if you need to. At some point in the 5-8 mph range clutch slipping becomes mandatory. Fortunately, the S10's clutch seems pretty rugged - I've had a few instances climbing rocky jeep trails where I have had to abuse it and it has held up well. While a bit of a PITA to be starting/stopping, I don't think you'd ever need to re-gear just for with slow-speed traffic.

To me, the gearing is consistent with the mission of the bike which does not include tight trail work or rock crawling. That's not to say that some might not like lower gearing. Unfortunately, with shaft drives bikes, this isn't generally an option and I know of no re-gearing options for the S10. One of the big advantages of a chain drive bike is being able to customized the gearing. This is but one of many reasons why the KTM's are so much better bikes in the really slow-speed stuff.

- Mark

 

[TimLaw]

I just use the clutch as my throttle at low speeds in traffic. Being a wet clutch, it's not harmful.

 

[Doug C]

Its gearing is a bit tall in first for slow work in very rough stuff pretty much have to pick your line and go for it, oh yeah remember to turn traction control to 2 or off before you start its amazing where it will go. In traffic just slip clutch to regulate speed.

 

[Sckill]

When in really slow traffic, I slip the clutch and also gently use rear brake as needed. Sometimes I'll even overlap a bit of throttle, clutch, and brake at the same time to maintain a certain speed while preventing the engine from lugging. It sounds complicated, but it's a technique picked up from slow speed practice and courses. I can get the bike down to about 3 mph without much issues this way.

 

[Harry Dresden PI]

Thank you all for your inputs.

FYI

I have noticed at a few of the Police Motorcycle Rodeo Riders, that at such events, they keep throttle at a constant RPM and just slip the clutch to control the low speed acceleration.

 

[oldbear]

Thank you all for your inputs.

FYI

I have noticed at a few of the Police Motorcycle Rodeo Riders, that at such events, they keep throttle at a constant RPM and just slip the clutch to control the low speed acceleration.

That is typically done while also moderating the clutch and lightly dragging the rear brake. Doing so you can do some SERIOUS low speed maneuvering. Takes practice to get there though....Do NOT try to ride "clutch out" at very low speeds, you will, eventually, drop it.

 

[Mzee]

I have done 12kms per hour. I heard with some changes to the ... folks get down to 8kms per hour.

 

[Rasher]

I would say the lowest speed the bike will run smoothly and respond well to opening the throttle is about 12-14mph, of course it will go slower at tickover in 1st whilst smashing up the gearbox and transmission.

As a complete numpty off-road I would prefer a lower first gear, but knowing my limits I stick to easy tracks and trails, if I wanted to do proper off-roading I would probably get a smaller bike - and / or get some serious off-road training. With a bit of clutch slipping here and there I can muddle along an easy trail no problem.

IMO all large (1000cc Plus) Adv bikes will have similarly high 1st gears.

 

[20valves]

If I spent that much time riding that slowly, I'd use a scooter for those trips.

 

[dirtsailor]

Yeah try riding in bumper to bumper traffic "crawling" towards the front gate of NAS Jax especially during day check hours. ::002::

 

[TimLaw]

Id say practice at stop signs and red lights or in minor traffic. Work the clutch and brake together where you are not completely stopped and get it to a point where the bike is standing without your feet on the ground and if needed, at the last second, balance by putting a foot down or move forward. Sometimes, you may have to slightly wobble the front tire like on a bicycle if you get my point. The purpose of the exercise is to learn the balance between the clutch, the brake and no throttle while in first gear.

 

[Baja Explorer]

I think the best solution is to ride an automatic clutch moped. ::012::

 

[EricV]

In terms of pavement riding, slow, but moving traffic, 8-9 mph is about as slow as I'll go. Throttle response isn't an issue in these conditions, you're just chugging along. I'll practice parking lot drills at those speeds, (speedo healer installed, fwiw), doing U turns inside two parking spaces, etc. The wife's F650GS2 only goes down to about 11 mph before you have to slip the clutch, ditto for the F800GS. The S10 is a lot easier to do slow speed work on in pavement conditions.

Not many big bikes are geared so low that you can easily do below 10 mph in gear.

 

[TwoLukes]

I had my ECU flashed last year through AFI and Jaxon, and it REALLY helped smooth the engine at very slow speed . . . Just a thought . . .

 

[Didg]

The great thing about the Super Tenere is that it is so much easier to balance at slow speeds due to it's low centre of gravity design. I can ride mine at walking pace (sat down) very easily. Obviously as others have said, good clutch / throttle / brake control is essential.