The Character of the Super Tenere

[fredz43]

I'd like to do a couple of roll-ons with you Fred for comparison with my stock configuration.

Hi Bob,

Sure, we can do that the next time we get together. When I get a chance, I'll do the same with one of my dealer's pre owned S10's. We did that with the gen 1 flash and the biggest difference was 6th gear roll on from low speed, about 50 mph, if I recall and my bike took off from the stock one with a several bike length jump and then they stayed the same difference. Part of that may have been because I had done the TBS with 3/4 turn reference and didn't have the lag that most stock bikes that haven't done that have. I am sure that with the Gen 2 flash it should be a bigger difference, as S mode is really impressive now, right off the bottom and thru the midrange. I can't wait to get it on some good twisties in the Ozarks where it should be really fun. If we can manage to get together, you are welcome to take my bike for a ride anytime.

 

[justbob]

Thanks Fred, we'll get together some time some place.

 

[tenerejack]

Guess I'm behind the times but can someone explain what the TBS with 3/4 turn reference is. Also, what's involved in the Gen 2 Flash? Please share your experience with what these mods are and the process in getting them done.

 

[fredz43]

Guess I'm behind the times but can someone explain what the TBS with 3/4 turn reference is. Also, what's involved in the Gen 2 Flash? Please share your experience with what these mods are and the process in getting them done.

TBS is throttle body sync, which is supposed to be routing maintenance. However, we have found that with USA bikes the right side throttle body screw is closed. it is the reference TB and the left one is synced to it using something like a Twin Max or better yet, a Harmonizer. We found that S10's in other lands, like Euro models came with the right side TB turned out 3/4 of a turn and the left one was then synced to match it. This usually results in a better running bike with some help right off the bottom.

The Gen 2 reflash refers to ECU Unleashed offering to reflash the ECU for better performance, supposedly eliminating some of the throttle restrictions in lower gears among other benefits. This is offered thru ECU Unleashed licensed dealers, such as AF1 Racing in TX, where I had mine done. Recently the company that sells these flashes to dealers has offered a Generation 2 update free to those who had the Gen 1 reflash. I took advantage of that update and am very impressed, as it feels like for sure, it has now removed any throttle restrictions. If you get a flash of a stock ECU now thru licensed dealers, it will be a Gen 2.

 

[briang123]

Just look at that face! That's character. Look at those eyes. 10000 miles on it now, and it does everything I ever want it to do. Other then luggage, And tires, haven't had to do anything to this bike but change the oil and ride it. That's great character in my book.

 

[Rasher]

Guess I'm behind the times but can someone explain what the TBS with 3/4 turn reference is. Also, what's involved in the Gen 2 Flash? Please share your experience with what these mods are and the process in getting them done.

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=7969.msg134187

The Term Character was used when I was growing up in the 80's to describe British bikes, I thought it meant "Leaks Oil and vibrates a lot"

 

[Mike91]

I don't want to bring up cars... but a really good example comes to mind, and I think it is relevant. When McLaren released the MP4-12C (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_MP4-12C) it was pretty clear that it did everything better than all the competition. Faster, cornered better, easier to handle, set faster lap times, etc... Journalists kept admitting that, but saying they'd rather have a Ferrari 458 because it had more character. The Ferrari didn't really do anything better (anything that could be measured) but what limitations or funny tendencies it had came through as character. The point is sometimes we look at quirks as character. Doesn't matter whether you're talking about bikes or cars, when it has a tendency to show a specific (unintended sometimes, undesirable sometimes) behavior, it gets labeled as a character. When the ST doesn't display any of those tendencies (or minimal, it's not perfect), it gets labeled as having NO character.

So by that logic, the better something is, the less character it will have.

And that works fine for me, because I have my own character. I'd rather something with no character, that can adapt to me, as opposed to something with character that I have to adapt to. Something with character has to be a perfect match, and I think that is why there are so many love it or hate it relationships out there with bikes.



That ended up kinda long and rambling, but in summary, I'll take something with no character that just works when I need it to any day.

 

[Salmon Sam]

After starting this, I kind of agree with Hannabone. It is an ambiguous thing ... and somewhat annoying. But also interesting to ramble about.

Just googled "character" and a nice concise definition was: "The distinctive nature of something". Not sure if that helps!
What is distinctive about the ST? Many of you have ridden many more bikes that I have. There certainly is something distinctive about most of them.
At any rate, character is a marketing thing and an important tag for any bike. I am sure we all want Yamaha to consider the ST successful so that they invest heavily in future updates, refinements, and modifications, all the while retaining its current character that we all appreciate. Maybe we want more character?

Me, I just want to ride something that: looks distinctive; takes me anywhere I care to venture; doesn't cause me a lot of time, effort, discomfort, and concern; and is as fun as heck to ride. Anyone know of such a bike with all of this rolled into one? ::26::

 

[snakebitten]

Fred, like you, I have a 1998 VTR.

Ohlins and ART cans from the UK.

And like you, my S10 with the upgrades (flash and Ohlins) now wins the "character" contest.

But, and a big BUT, the VTR still has one character trait that the S10 just can't match when you twist the throttle...........
You see nothing but clouds! Effortlessly. Reaches for the sky!

Wicked character.

 

[fredz43]

Fred, like you, I have a 1998 VTR.

Ohlins and ART cans from the UK.

And like you, my S10 with the upgrades (flash and Ohlins) now wins the "character" contest.

But, and a big BUT, the VTR still has one character trait that the S10 just can't match when you twist the throttle...........
You see nothing but clouds! Effortlessly. Reaches for the sky!

Wicked character.

Yeah, the VTR is still wheelie champ, but the S10 isn't too far behind. Also the VTR with the TBR cans is the best sounding bike I have ever had. Even better than my RC51 with TBR cans. As a total package, though the S10 with mods is my #1.