New to the forum, have a few questions re: Important Mods

[Climb14er]

First post here, came over from Adventure Rider Forum where I've read quite a bit about the S10.

For the last few years, have been thinking of buying a R1200GS, most probably used, low mileage. Have not been able to find one in the area to my liking.

In many ways that's good because I found out about the Super Tenere.

Have been to two of my local Yamaha dealers and saw one with OEM panniers, crash bar and skid plate. Being that I'm familiar with after-market, I began to read about options here in the forum.

Been riding forty years (in a few months) and currently ride a Harley Road King Classic 103 which I enjoy a lot.

Having climbed all of Colorado's 14ers and many other high peaks here in the state and in the west, I've traveled many jeep and forest service roads between the pavement in my Toyota 4 x 4's. This is prompting me to take a serious look at buying a S10. Might keep the Harley, don't like to pay the exorbitant sales tax, registration and plate charges on multiple vehicles here in tax-crazy Colorado... that's why I need to make a decision in the near term.

I'm looking seriously at Jesse Bags, probably the Odyssey in either ten or nine inch width. Haven't decided which size yet.

The bike I'm lookiing at will be black... so I could go either with black or silver bags.

Here's the important info re: the other mods...

I've read many posts here on the forum and want to purchase crash bars and a skid plate. There are many companies to choose from.

Without causing any 'problems' especially on my first post, I've read all the posts on the crash bar and skid plate companies. Still haven't make a decision, if you know what I mean.

I'm not too concerned about saving a buck here or there... just want the best my money could buy. As I'm going to keep the bike for quite some time, no sense in crimping dollars are critical parts such as there.

Your suggestions and experience will be most beneficial. I'm open to hearing what you'd recommend even if you bought one brand but have decided that if you 'had another chance to buy' which would you then purchase.

Much appreciated!

Fine forum! ::008::

 

[~TABASCO~]

We offer a few parts for your new bike. We also offer a crazy strong skid plate. Posted pictures down in vendors. If you have ANY questions we will be happy to help.

 

[rem]

Welcome on, Climb14er. You've come to the right place for Tenereism. If you've perused the Forum, then you'll get the sense that we are pretty happy with the bike. I have a HOnda ST1300 which I will likely sell next year.


To respond a bit to your questions, I have Micatech panniers and I like them very much. I'd get them again. I have SW Motech crash bars and skid plate ... I have not put them in a compromising position yet, but I like them. Easy install and I like the look. I'd get them again.


I have Yamaha heated grips and like them a lot. Pricey, but very warm. I have a 46l Givi topbox and I really like it too. That's about it for me. I don't farkle a lot. Just the basics.


To the main point, I really like the Tenere. I'd get it again in a heartbeat.


Again, ::004:: , and a very Merry Christmas to you. Please let us know when you make the plunge for a Tenere. YOU KNOW YOU WILL> ::025:: ::025:: R ::022::

 

[Tremor38]

Welcome on, Climb14er. You've come to the right place for Tenereism. If you've perused the Forum, then you'll get the sense that we are pretty happy with the bike. I have a HOnda ST1300 which I will likely sell next year.


To respond a bit to your questions, I have Micatech panniers and I like them very much. I'd get them again. I have SW Motech crash bars and skid plate ... I have not put them in a compromising position yet, but I like them. Easy install and I like the look. I'd get them again.


I have Yamaha heated grips and like them a lot. Pricey, but very warm. I have a 46l Givi topbox and I really like it too. That's about it for me. I don't farkle a lot. Just the basics.


To the main point, I really like the Tenere. I'd get it again in a heartbeat.


Again, ::004:: , and a very Merry Christmas to you. Please let us know when you make the plunge for a Tenere. YOU KNOW YOU WILL> ::025:: ::025:: R ::022::

Have you used the Micatechs in strong rain yet? I'm still waffling a bit about panniers. The Trax have had spotty results; the Trekkers all seem to have a bit of leakage; the OEM's allow s small amount of water, but I've yet to hear how the Micatechs stand-up. Maybe 'no news is good news' in this case(no pun intended)? I'm thinking the Hepco Becker Gobis will hold-up well, but they're a bit on the bulky side. I think the Caribous are totally waterproof, but I can't get past how they look on the bike...in photos anyway.

 

[jajpko]

Have you used the Micatechs in strong rain yet? I'm still waffling a bit about panniers. The Trax have had spotty results; the Trekkers all seem to have a bit of leakage; the OEM's allow s small amount of water, but I've yet to hear how the Micatechs stand-up. Maybe 'no news is good news' in this case(no pun intended)? I'm thinking the Hepco Becker Gobis will hold-up well, but they're a bit on the bulky side. I think the Caribous are totally waterproof, but I can't get past how they look on the bike...in photos anyway.

I also have the Micatech cases and really like them.. Rode in some hard rain and not a drop inside. When I first got them I used a water hose to test and they passed that with flying colours.
another nice thing, is you can unlock the case and remove the key. I have left mine unlocked with the latch closed and they have never opened.

Merry, Merry...

 

[rem]

Last September, on the second day of our trip down south, it rained on us for the better part of 8 consecutive hours. Not a drop found it's way inside the panniers. Remember, the Micatechs are side loading, with a big fat rubber gasket. The top, sides and bottoms are either one piece or welded. I like 'em. R

 

[Alan]

I've made extensive mods to my bike. I don't have that many miles on it yet, but you might check out my website: http://www.bopisolutions.com/Tenere/tenere.htm

So far the only thing I would have done differently is the Altrider skid plate. After I made the mods to the bracket, it is fine, but not something that should have to be done by the rider.

 

[ST-venture]

Climb14er,

Rod (ColoRider) and I are up in Loveland (we live only a few blocks apart) and we both have the Trekker bags and Givi crashbar.
If you want, stop by and check our Teneres out.

I like the Givi crash bars because you can take both side covers off the bike without having to remove the bars.
The jury is still out for me on the Trekkers as far as leakage. I just got replacement bags from Givi because the first ones leaked and one hinge pin fell out. I haven't had them on the bike yet.

I don't have a skidplate as of yet. I don't see myself riding into areas that need one (I hope). There are many dirt roads here in Colorado that I haven't ridden on yet, before I get into the real tough stuff.

Randy

 

[Climb14er]

Climb14er,

Rod (ColoRider) and I are up in Loveland (we live only a few blocks apart) and we both have the Trekker bags and Givi crashbar.
If you want, stop by and check our Teneres out.

I like the Givi crash bars because you can take both side covers off the bike without having to remove the bars.
The jury is still out for me on the Trekkers as far as leakage. I just got replacement bags from Givi because the first ones leaked and one hinge pin fell out. I haven't had them on the bike yet.

I don't have a skidplate as of yet. I don't see myself riding into areas that need one (I hope). There are many dirt roads here in Colorado that I haven't ridden on yet, before I get into the real tough stuff.

Randy

Sounds good! I'd come up on the Harley but the snow and ice around my house and street are really packed in, big time. Got twelve inches here the other day. I do business now and then up in Frederick, exit 235 (I think), and I ride the roads up there regularly when they're clear.

The crash bar and skid plate are the important mods and finalizing the choice of luggage and mounts they too are the choices I'd have to make. Seems like there are pros and cons about most of the crash bars and skid plates I've been reading about. Basically I want them to fit well, protect the engine and other 'parts' and with the skid plate, easy to mount and easy to remove when I do the regular oil changes in addition to protecting the vital parts.

Went to another Yamaha dealer and he too had a S10 in stock but no demo... also might be arriving in a few weeks he said. The salesman said the general manager might want to make me an 'offer' before the end of the year (this week) and I told him I'd listen.

Just returned from a dinner with friends and my good friend asked me if I'd sell the Harley and just keep the S10. I told him that I could keep the Harley but in this day and age of 'getting a smaller footprint', selling it might make better sense. We'll see.

I'm enjoying reading about the S10's and personal experiences of the riders on the forum. Very cool motorcycle! ::008::

 

[HoebSTer]

Welcome climb14 , and good luck with your transition.

 

[dcc46]

Welcome to the forums, I have the 10'' jesse Odyssey bags and let me tell you they are bulletproof. I also have the hepco & becker crash bars ,very well made and solid. The side panels come off with them installed , no problem. I haven't decided on a skid plate yet so no opinion there. Anyway best of luck with your purchase. Heres a couple of pics.

 

[Tremor38]

I also have the Micatech cases and really like them.. Rode in some hard rain and not a drop inside. When I first got them I used a water hose to test and they passed that with flying colours.
another nice thing, is you can unlock the case and remove the key. I have left mine unlocked with the latch closed and they have never opened.

Merry, Merry...

Thanks. I just sent them an email asking why they don't offer an S10 specific mounting plate for their top cases. I included a link to the forum and suggested they visit the vendors section if they wanted to find a bike nearby to measure. Hopefully they will do so. I mean they have one for the KLR and not this bike? That's a slap in the face, but I'll cut them some slack since this bike hasn't been out long and they seem to be 'BMW-centric' ::005:: >

 

[NittanyXT]

My bike is going up to Micatech in a few weeks for development work,pilot mounts,rack, etc. Will post with info as it happens,stay patient!

 

[snuffcityrider]

I have the Altrider crash bars and have "tested" them out in a slow speed tip over in the mud. They worked fine for the bike but did nothing for my pride. I'm going with Tabasco's skid plate since it's frame mounted as opposed to engine mounted.

 

[Alan]

I'm going with Tabasco's skid plate since it's frame mounted as opposed to engine mounted.

I haven't seen Tobasco's skid plate but I like the concept of the frame mount.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I haven't seen Tobasco's skid plate but I like the concept of the frame mount.

Tha concept of frame to frame... Does not touch the engine.

 

[colorider]

Welcome aboard Climb14er! Glad to have another Coloradon here! As Randy mentioned, we are both up north in Loveland and you are more than welcome to come take a look at our bikes and check out the Givi stuff.

Good luck!
::022::

 

[Tremor38]

My bike is going up to Micatech in a few weeks for development work,pilot mounts,rack, etc. Will post with info as it happens,stay patient!

You da man!

 

[Alan]

Tha concept of frame to frame... Does not touch the engine.

I have the Altrider. I hated the fact that it used nuts and washers to install so I had nuts welded to the brackets.

The two front mounts attach the engine. The left front is particularly concerning. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not but they use an undersize bolt which basically is just a clamp. It looks like most of the force would transfer back to the rear frame mounts but it still made me a bit nervous.

 

[Climb14er]

I have the Altrider. I hated the fact that it used nuts and washers to install so I had nuts welded to the brackets.

The two front mounts attach the engine. The left front is particularly concerning. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not but they use an undersize bolt which basically is just a clamp. It looks like most of the force would transfer back to the rear frame mounts but it still made me a bit nervous.

This is exactly why I posted the request for comments re: the mods! One could read all about what the manufacturer says about a product... actual use and experience are far more important.

Thanks!