New Owner- a few questions...

[BadNews]

I didn't see it answered, but that plug under the seat in your picture is a diagnostic plug.

As far as skid plate, for what you say you are going to do, I would get something just for the peace of mind. But I would not get a heavy duty one. Something even like the factory one, which is good for forest roads and crap that you pick up on the road just riding. Cheap insurance. Lots of threads on this here.

Mark

Thanks for the under the seat plug info.
I looked at the Yamaha plate online, it seems stout enough for my riding style, I will likely get one of those, thanks!

 

[scopeusa]

I have both the FJR and the Tenere. I had the same problem with the pannier locks on my FJR. When one fell apart I had a hell of a job getting it open to fix it. I noticed that you needed the loc tite as you cannot tighten the screws home too far as it interfered with the lock. I made the mistake of buying the Yamaha luggage for the Tenere, as far as I am concerned the locking system on these is junk. My top box lock sprung apart while off roading. I spent hours trying to reassemble the mechanism but I could not figure out how to seat the cover and retain the box release spring when trying to reassemble. In the end I used a 1/4 stainless steel large pan head machine screw and drilled through the box and retainer mechanism. OK I would have to remove the screw if I want to remove the box but it’s not going to fall off over the rough stuff. My side panniers are evidencing distortion on the plastic mounts and it’s not from overloading the panniers. I would take the Givi luggage any day. I took the FJR on a 4,500 mile road trip around 8 states last year and yes there were some missed opportunities in Colorado, Utah etc but it was still a blast and I find the FJR very comfortable with better wind protection. Oh my profile picture shows me riding a bike with Givi luggage, it was a rental on the island of Corsica, the bike had less than 100 miles on it. If you get the chance go ride on that island the roads are empty, challenging and free of Police. I rode from sea level up to the snow line about a 300 mile trip, one of the best days riding I have ever had and one that convinced me to buy a Tenere!

 

[JBB]

Here's another grateful customer of Mid-Ohio Yamaha. Jason went above and beyond for me last November. I wanted a '14 Matte Gray ES, and I had called about 15 dealers in Ohio and 4 states surrounding me. No luck, nothing. Then Jason found one- in New Jersey! And he was willing to go get it for me! (He had an old college buddy right in that area that I think helped with the motivation, but still....) I was, and am, very pleased with the deal and the service I received from Mid-Ohio. ::018::

BadNews, we should try to hook up. I'm a few miles north of Westerville.

 

[MIKE R]

I ride rain very frequently as a commuter and had a Fender Extender on my 2012.
I will not have another on my 2014 Tenere. I and a number of others have had them get caught on the skid plate. It temporarily locks up the steering and breaks the fender.

I'd suggest using the search function to learn about this and any of the other farkles that you are interested in, for more detail.

I think it all depends on which make of mudflap you get. This one was fitted by the dealer when new. I'm not certain but I think it was made by Pyramid.

Mike

 

[BadNews]

Congrats on the 2015

...
You will like this Adventure motorcycle.

I am definitely liking this motorcycle.
I am not missing the electrically adjustable windscreen from my FJR at all.
The transmission shifts very smoothly. The shifter peg falls naturally to the foot, one has only to think of shifting and its done.
The riding position is very comfortable, the seat I'll comment on after I get about 5k miles on it and get it broke in, but it is already good.
Only 167 miles so far, quite a few on gravel, but this is why I want the fender extender:

I managed to get myself almost lost yesterday in Eastern Knox County/Western Coshocton County. I found myself on a steep (both up the hill and back down the other side) township road that was 50% mud; two cages would have had a hard time getting past each other, it was that narrow. Battle wings did good.
So, yeah, I hosed it off today.

 

[BadNews]

Here's another grateful customer of Mid-Ohio Yamaha. Jason went above and beyond for me last November. I wanted a '14 Matte Gray ES, and I had called about 15 dealers in Ohio and 4 states surrounding me. No luck, nothing. Then Jason found one- in New Jersey! And he was willing to go get it for me! (He had an old college buddy right in that area that I think helped with the motivation, but still....) I was, and am, very pleased with the deal and the service I received from Mid-Ohio. ::018::

BadNews, we should try to hook up. I'm a few miles north of Westerville.

Lot's of good riding up in these parts, just have to watch for the road apples! State Route 514 from Danville to Shreve is one of my favorites! Also 715 to the Walhonding Dam is fun. All paved though.

 

[BadNews]

This bike is the bee's knees! There are only 2 little quibbling things: 1-coming from an FJR, the gear indicator is a bit disappointing. I've read a few threads about it, it seems it is one less thing to go wrong since there is no sensor in the gearbox. OK. I have just gone back to keeping track of what gear I'm in for myself, like I did before I bought my FJR. No biggie.
The second thing is...wait.....I can't remember : Must not have been important!

I bought my first GPS, a Zumo 660 LM which comes with a mounting cradle, I think I'm going to ask a machinist friend to cobble a direct mount to the bar rather than use the Ram Ball mount. Having never used a GPS before, I am trying to learn the ins and outs, I hope it proves to be worth the effort. Yes, they do have Basecamp for Mac now, naysayers notwithstanding, I am determined to make Basecamp work for me. Yes, I know how to use my iPhone, this just seems way cooler! 8)

Ordered Bumot cases, rack, and tool box, should be here Tuesday ::015:: I wanted black, it was a "pre-order" item, so I ordered silver with a black toolbox, got a message the toolbox wasn't going to be keyed the same if it wasn't the same color, so I said just make it a silver toolbox, too. OK. Then the invoice that was emailed to me said the cases and toolbox are black, which is what I wanted in the first place, so now I'm wondering if they are sending me black or silver. Wait, don't tell me, I want to be surprised! I'll be OK with either color, but black will please me more (I think!).
I will post pictures when I get the cases mounted.

Looking forward to getting this set up. Then I'm going to ride the Triple Nickel in SW Ohio, for a shake down.

Later.... ::022::

 

[silvergoose]

Good Luck on the new ride.

 

[HeliMark]

With the Garmin, when you let it do the routing in the motorcycle mode. Not the direct, and allow dirt roads, it takes you on an adventure. I thought I knew of some of the area's I ride, but dang. And the routes can be interesting, which of course is a good thing. Several times using it I have to put it in the automotive and direct, as I run out of time.

Mark

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Yes, they do have Basecamp for Mac now, naysayers notwithstanding, I am determined to make Basecamp work for me.

Learn Basecamp in a day: http://www.newenglandriders.org/Learn_BaseCamp.htm

 

[BadNews]

Learn Basecamp in a day: http://www.newenglandriders.org/Learn_BaseCamp.htm

Thanks for that! I've downloaded the file and will definitely do some home study!

 

[Davesax36]

Thanks for that! I've downloaded the file and will definitely do some home study!

I'm all over that. Garmin software is such a pain.

 

[AVGeek]

I'm all over that. Garmin software is such a pain.

While I agree Basecamp isn't as easy to use as Google Maps, it isn't that bad. Now that I am used to it, I can put routes together fairly quickly with it, and upload them to my Montana.

 

[jimmy da fish]

Badnews, unbold shifter and lube.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[BadNews]

Learn Basecamp in a day: http://www.newenglandriders.org/Learn_BaseCamp.htm

I went through about half of that program yesterday and learned a lot! There were a few differences between the course and the current version of Basecamp, but not enough to throw me off. One thing I learned is that when the instructions say do this or that, many times you can use control-click directly on your route to bring up a context menu more quickly.
Thanks again!