Will Yamaha Increase the S10 Power? If so, When?

[copb8]

Here is why I do not think they should increase the HP-
You have to feed ponies. Higher HP generally= decreased MPG
You have to fix ponies- high strung bikes need more and more expensive repairs
You have to pay the pony- more HP= More $ part of the ST appeal is its cost relative to the competition.
Most of the riding I do I would be avoiding the extra HP- too much HP on wet dirt just means flying mud and a napping pony.

Not to ::002:: and all..

Great post!

 

[shrekonwheels]

Folks need to remember the original was a post about WHETHER Yamaha would increase power and not about how the S10's current power sucks. I LIKE my bike. That's why I bought it in the first place and why it'll be replacing my 145hp 150+mph FJR. The only time I think I want more power is when I'm loaded up, in the hills, and need to pass in a hurry. I love how the bike handles in the slow stuff and it's low-down tractor torque.

How much more?

20hp





For now...........

I weight every bit of 245 lbs geared up, not counting my wife (small to be fair) and my gear, going up passes here in Montana I have no problem whatseover with passing, as with anyplace I tend to be a bit cautious however as I prefer not to be a hood ornament, I am ok with arriving someplace 5 minutes late.

 

[SuperTenSteve]

My previous bike was a SV1000, it put about 110hp to the ground, 0-6 in about 3sec. I very seldom wacked the throttle open because it would jump past the speed limit in a few seconds. I just did not really use the power that often. The 2015 Super Ten is supposed to do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. I doubt I will be able to tell the 1/2 sec difference.

 

[Yamaray]

I rode Triumph Explorer, BMW and Tenere. Bought the S10 because of perceived quality, function and price.

I do read comparison tests, reviews, owner blogs, etc. And then I make my own mind up, after all, it's my money.

::026::

 

[copb8]

My previous bike was a SV1000, it put about 110hp to the ground, 0-6 in about 3sec. I very seldom wacked the throttle open because it would jump past the speed limit in a few seconds. I just did not really use the power that often. The 2015 Super Ten is supposed to do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. I doubt I will be able to tell the 1/2 sec difference.

This is what I'm saying. You and I ride completely different. First of all, you're concerned about the speed limit. Many are, several aren't. Those that aren't will run their bikes occasionally (sometimes more) up to red-line in most gears.

0-60 tells a very small story of a bikes performance. Big Torque and low gears can get you that but often at the cost of the upper end. Higher speed passing requires a motor to wind out and use the upper range of it's power band. That's the power I'm talking about and here the Tenere falls off a bit. As I said early. I'm very satisfied with the low end grunt, pulling off from stop lights loaded, tractoring along on trail without have to constantly clutch it. All of those things are great and make it the off-road capable bike that it is. I was just hoping for some tarmac help.

 

[Rethy]

Yamaha did a nice job for their first big adventure bike. It is already seeing improvements so factory must be listening. The dealers here in Midwest cant sell them and don't stock them. This bike is a bargain at the discounted prices they are being purchased currrently. All new factory bikes are chokedup with emissions and leave some power on the table. Talk about horsepower. Ride a loaded KLR650 with itswhopping 33 rwh and try passing on a 2 lane highway. Yet it is 1 of Kaws best sellers. Not everyone is caught up in the horsepower war. I rode a KTM 1190 with its 148 horsepower and it is impressiveto saythe least. Now the 1290 has 180 horsepower with no shaft drive power loss. I don't think I could keep my license even with the 1190. But if I did not have 3 other. Bikes in the garage I would have bought it. I have owned over 60 motorcycles and don't claim to be an expert. But there is a reliability price to pay for horsepower. I think they built a decent bike for their first try. It is a little embarrassing the factory limits 40% of power infirst 3 gears On a 90hp bike ::007:: but overall a good first attempt.

 

[Velvet]

Here is why I do not think they should increase the HP-
You have to feed ponies. Higher HP generally= decreased MPG
You have to fix ponies- high strung bikes need more and more expensive repairs
You have to pay the pony- more HP= More $ part of the ST appeal is its cost relative to the competition.
Most of the riding I do I would be avoiding the extra HP- too much HP on wet dirt just means flying mud and a napping pony.

Not to ::002:: and all..

This sounds much like the '10 Ducati Multistrada that I HAD and precisely why the Tenere is on my RADAR.

 

[Donk]

You just made my point for me, another garage guy managed to pull 30 more HP from his, maybe Yami needs to hire him.


Hell if you notice most people say they bought the super T do to getting a great deal from slumping sales.
You can still go on eBay and find a brand new 2012 SuperT waiting for a home, How about their competitors?
Nope, not a leftover GS or KTM to be found, which is to be expected as both companies are addressing the demands of their client base, with marketing and advertising to match.

Ask yourself, if yourself if you were a dealer would you want another Tenere sitting on your showroom floor for three years?
Nope, soon dealers will stop ordering the T and as I stated earlier, it will be no longer.

Overall I like the bike, I would like to see it stay, I am fine with the current HP but then again I am not most of the Market and I am not a "Want more" type person, most people however are.

As I said earlier my friends built VMAX was 190hp at the rw with no, as in zero, reliability problems, ever.

When I bought my '14ES last spring it was a head to head choice over the KTM. Cost difference was a about $1K. That's not a significant difference when buying a new bike. The Yamaha dealer also had a '13 on the floor that I could get a better deal on. I chose the '14ES not because of price but because it is exactly what I wanted in a bike. I have not been disappointed for a minute. By the same token if said bike had another 10-20 hp I wouldn't complain about it either.

 

[Donk]

Just thought of something interesting. Everyone in the magazines say the motor in our S10 is a bit underwelming. The same magazines rave about the FZ/MT-07 motor. They are both 270 degree parallel twins. Clearly the power is there and Yamaha could pull a few more ponies out if they desire

 

[Rethy]

Very observant there Donk. There is definately more power in the tenere. The factory does not even think the average consumer can handle the 90hp in the first three gears. I suspect they assume we are newbie riders. Alledgedly the adventure market is the fastest growing. The factory is not realizing the average tenere consumer has decades of experience. And most have extensive off road experience in addition to coming from much more powerful bikes. It is already the heaviest with lowest power output. I think they built it to.be a reliable workhorse. I think going after the 180hp KTM would be a mistake. But who among us would complain with a little more torque and horsepower? Not me.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Just thought of something interesting. Everyone in the magazines say the motor in our S10 is a bit underwelming. The same magazines rave about the FZ/MT-07 motor. They are both 270 degree parallel twins. Clearly the power is there and Yamaha could pull a few more ponies out if they desire

:lamp: Seems simple enough.

I do not buy that reliability is an issue with another 20-30 HP either, it's not like the any of the sport bikes or sport touring bikes are grenades waiting to happen. ::003::

 

[Donk]

Agreed Don't need 160 hp but 20 more sure would be nice.

 

[mrpete64]

Who/how are people getting 30+ more hp out of this bike?

Mr. Pete--------->
aging hippie

 

[cosmic]

Urban legends...

 

[kgfire]

Who/how are people getting 30+ more hp out of this bike?

Exhaust pipe and re-flash?!? Wonder why Yamaha never thought of that?

 

[copb8]

I doubt people are getting 30+hp with the simple upgrades. I'd guess a header, exhaust, intake and flash may be good for 10-15hp max.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Urban legends...

No, but it took a lot of money for the German who got 130+ at the wheel.

He did the exhaust and ECU, but as I remember also bored the cylinders and installed larger pistons. This was probably 3-3.5 years ago. I imagine it took new cams, too.

 

[Dogdaze]

I cannot see the benefit of more hp for the S10, but do see the benefit for all of the hp to accessed throughout the rev range. ECU flashing will, so I been led to believe, do that, so an increase of 20-30hp, in those first 3 gears is possible, but 30hp more at the top, is costly, and then you have reliability issues..........

 

[longride]

I figure Yamaha will boost the power up the KTM level when they want to toast top ends every 25K. Until then, ride yours for at least 100K trouble free.

 

[copb8]

Well, as of today I guess I'm going to find out if the S10 power is going to be able to feed the beast. The FJR is sold and the S10 is now my primary ride.

I'm looking forward to taking a trip to Arkansas and the Hill Country in a few months with my wife and loaded down with gear. It'll be a big test and I'm hopeful it'll come through with flying colors.