Super Tenere maintenance

[KCW]

My local dealership has a very small service department, and is very difficult to schedule service into.

I am somewhat of a mechanical neophyte, and so I am wondering .. if I changed my engine oil and FD oil, and changed my tires, and did nothing else until the 24k mile service, at which point I'd do engine oil, FD oil, brake and clutch fluid, valve check, and spark plug change, is that adequate maintenance?

You see, I can do oil changes myself, and final drive oil changes myself. I can get the tires changed at a number of places. So basically I want to only show up at the dealer every 24k miles to do valves and spark plugs.

Reasonable? Unreasonable?

Next task is how to determine when my brake pads need to be changed.

 

[AVGeek]

My local dealership has a very small service department, and is very difficult to schedule service into.

I am somewhat of a mechanical neophyte, and so I am wondering .. if I changed my engine oil and FD oil, and changed my tires, and did nothing else until the 24k mile service, at which point I'd do engine oil, FD oil, brake and clutch fluid, valve check, and spark plug change, is that adequate maintenance?

You see, I can do oil changes myself, and final drive oil changes myself. I can get the tires changed at a number of places. So basically I want to only show up at the dealer every 24k miles to do valves and spark plugs.

Reasonable? Unreasonable?

Next task is how to determine when my brake pads need to be changed.

That's perfectly reasonable. There will be a lot of opinions on the oil change interval; for my piece of mind I do it every 4K miles as detailed in the owner's manual. For your brake pads, I would inspect them at least every change (depending on what interval you use), given the reports of fast wear. By checking them frequently, you will be able to gauge how fast they are wearing.

In my opinion, working on the ST is pretty easy, but I was also fortunate enough to spend time wrenching with my father and grandfathers when I was growing up.

 

[Dogdaze]

Very easy to do basic stuff, youtube is full of videos that will help with brakes, etc. Use a bent coat hanger to keep the callipers from touching the bike and straining the hose's. Also change out the air filter if you live in a dusty climate or ride rough trails. But, yep, do it yourself.

 

[Juan]

I'm not a mechanic but my bike has never been to a workshop. My 2013 S10 is on 22k kilometers (say 15k miles). Did oil change and oil filter change every 5k kilometers (book says every 10k). Removed wheels and took them (first time) for tyre change at 18k kilometers (this wasn't really necessary because there was still some thread on them - but I like to play it safe). Just bought rear break pads and will change them (first time) this week. Never changed spark plugs and air filter.

This obvously very much depends on how you ride. Wet/muddy conditions might require shift pedal lub. Very dusty conditions might require air filter change. Hard accellerating and breaking would eat up your tyres more. Hard breaking would eat up your break pads more.

Therefore, as other said, if you check and do the basics you're good to go without a visit to the workshop.

 

[ejy712]

Get the service manual for the S10. It gives you a list of things to do at various mileages and how to do it. Good investment.

Use a torque wrench when changing oil. Neophyte mechanics have a tendency to over tighten bolts, which is a sure recipe to strip threads in your oil pan.

Check the spokes every 4k miles. They have been known to loosen, especially during the first few thousand miles.

 

[78YZ]

As mentioned, the spokes can be problematic. Keep a close eye on them. Once you have the right tool, it is easy. There are a ton of threads on here about this.

 

[HeliMark]

My local dealership has a very small service department, and is very difficult to schedule service into.

I am somewhat of a mechanical neophyte, and so I am wondering .. if I changed my engine oil and FD oil, and changed my tires, and did nothing else until the 24k mile service, at which point I'd do engine oil, FD oil, brake and clutch fluid, valve check, and spark plug change, is that adequate maintenance?

You see, I can do oil changes myself, and final drive oil changes myself. I can get the tires changed at a number of places. So basically I want to only show up at the dealer every 24k miles to do valves and spark plugs.

Reasonable? Unreasonable?

Next task is how to determine when my brake pads need to be changed.

That is what I have done, although at 24K I changed the spark plugs and air filter. If you can do all that, with proper tool, you can check the spokes as been mentioned. Not much more to this bike. I had a dealer do my valve check at 26K and had them go through the bike re greasing all the bearings.

I ended up replacing my rear brake pads at 18K. Still have over half left on the front ones. Easiest way to check is buy a set of rear pads (fronts are $$) and use them as a gauge. Use a flashlight to see the pads, and if they look like they are about a quarter of what the new ones look like, change them. Very easy to change. I am not a fan of trying to get every little bit out of my brake pads.

Mark

 

[Ramseybella]

I do my Oil, break fluids and break pads this bike is so easy to do breaks.
I use the EBC Double-H Sintered pads, last a long time and run cool with no apparent heavy wearing on the rotors.
And the rear last three time as long as OEM or organic pads.
Check the air filter from time to time, replace it if needed and clean out the air box.
I hand my mechanic the plugs when valve check time comes, he doesn't mind some shops do.
Still $17.26 shipped for four NGK 6607#CPR8EB9 Rock Auto, the best price I have found so far.

Go to the search link below and type in NGK 6607.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/partsearch/

 

[Big Blu]

Reasonable KCW, not to worry!
With the Super Tenere, as with many modern motorcycles, basic service is very simple and doesn't require and special skills or tools. Even I can do it. ::025::

Major service includes a valve check/adjustment and you'll want to have the shop do that for you. It will be many many laps around he island before you'll need the major service.....

Paul