I think you all miss the point. The fact is that Yamaha screwed up. Big time.
Yamaha introduced a brand new motorcycle to fight the adventure bike title held by BMW for ages. What did Yamaha came to the gun fight with? A pocket knife, or rather a diamond in the rough. Let's summarize:
1) Motorcycle presentation: who came with the idea of mono-color black or dark blue bike? How do you want to catch some attention on the dealer's floor? What do you expect the press photos will be? Just compare with the KTM color scheme with a lot of bright orange, or even BMW sober elegance with a steel color engine, chrome exhaust, etc... I had to wait to have the choice of a white Super Ten to sell the GSA and make the jump. And still this whole white gas tank bothers me.
2) Suspension: it was apparent form day one that the suspension were not on-par with the potential of the bike. Oddly, the rear shock is in my opinion quite good. But why the hell a progressive spring in the fork? I changed it for a linear spring, and $80 later the bike was transformed.
3) Probably the main cause of the press disaffection is the ECU mapping. Who, in his right mind, could neutered a 1200cc designed for experienced riders with limitation on the first 3 gears, and utterly stupid mapping globally. I went to an amateur (but a GREAT GUY) known as AVC (search in the threads). He did the re-flash for me and now I have three modes, including a full power mode. It has a lot of torque and bring a large smile on my face every time. Much more than my GSA ever did. Should Yamaha haven't screwed up so badly, the journalist reports would have been way more favorable.
4) I just installed an Akrapovic exhaust. First time in my long motorcycle life that I change the exhaust. Same noise level, but much better sound and more low rev torque. Why Yamaha didn't install such exhaust on stock? Cost? Probably would have been marginal. Impact on journalists and potential buyers would have definitely offset the extra cost.
In conclusion, stop lamenting that journalists are bribed, stupids and misleading. Stop bashing the BMW buyers. The whole responsibility lies on Yamaha's shoulders. And they should be grateful an handful of experienced guys were stubborn enough to give the wonderful diamond-in-the-rough a chance to shine. Yamaha took some corrective actions with the 2014. But they seems too little and too late. KTM features 180 hp, BMW will eventually be a wonderful and reliable machine. And the Super Ténéré will still be an heavy weight, under powered (by choice) proposition in an unappealing sad dress. To get the market shares it deserves, the Super Ténéré team needs to fire a bunch of its people and bring on board enthusiasts.
Amen.
