[David ThorntonMember]

16 weeks 2 days since the saga started, I finally have my bike back with a noise free engine.

When I collected it I asked if the faulty bearing/s had been pinpointed, but only got and answer of the main bearings were the problem.

Whilst I would love to know the exact cause, the how and why, it seems the 2nd Dealer and Yamaha Aust dont care. No one also seems to be bothered about the $3 to $4k bill from Dealer 2 or the $1600 odd from Dealer 1.

In the end I got a complete new crank assy and every bearing and seal in the bottom of the engine. Along with me paying for a new set of rings, which really weren’t required, I should have a motor that will last another 50k without to much bother – or here’s hoping anyway.

While I could make plenty of comments about the way this matter was handled, the time it took and the at times lack of customer service, in the end I got my bike back fixed and without a cost to me so I will leave it there.

Many thanks to the Service Dept at Pro Yamaha Slacks Creek for their assistance, skill and understanding of my frustration at times. I would highly recommend their work on Tenere Engines, this is now the 2nd major Tenere engine problem they have handled for Yamaha here in Brisbane.

As i said at the start – I sincerely hope no one else ever encounters a similar problem.

Dave

[David ThorntonMember]

Thanks for the info TB, I will look into the Dunlop 952 front.

I’ll post some more info on my Ten when I finally get it back.

Dave

[David ThorntonMember]

Hi Nick, I ended up buying an Icom IC-41S.

The bike club I am in here in QLD has been using Icom’s for 15 years and thay are tough as nails and very high quality and super reliable.

Downside is they are expensive and way more than I had wanted to pay, but they are the only fully made in Japan UHF Handheld on the market and every CB forum I have read comments they set the std in UHF Handhelds.

I got a deal from a local Brisbane Company called Delsound which was the best I could find – http://www.delsound.com.au IC-41S $363.44, Speaker Mic $87.32 & Car Charger Lead $16.50

They offer better discounts on qty purchases, my bike club will now be using them as we have been getting stitched elsewhere.

I havn’t used it yet but dont expect it will let me down.

Hope the above info may be of some use to someone else.

Dave

[David ThorntonMember]

Great ride report guys, please keep it coming. Its been great reading and has the 5 of us heading down there in 6 weeks keen as for our ride.

Couple of questions, TB I notice both you and Nick have gone back to the Std Low Front Guards, any particular reason?

And what tyres are you currently recommending?

I have run a Mitas E09 rear and got 6k out of it and loved the grip but hate the trying to get it on & off – tyre machine stuff only in my opinion. I have been running D606 fronts but am not a huge fan and would like to try something else – would appreciate your current thoughts.

I should have an update on my Tenere early next week – I am told the motor is being reassmebled today – the saga is now at 15 weeks.

Dave

[David ThorntonMember]

Hi guys, just wondering what the pick of the 5W UHF’s is at the moment?

I am looking for a reasonable priced 5w UHF and would appreciate some feedback on equipment that has been tried & tested.

Currently considering a Uniden UH078SX-NB kit on fleaBay – UH078 Handheld & desktop charger, 2 x Lith batteries, Speaker Mic, 12v Car Charger, 3 yr warrenty all for $309 delivered. Seems a great deal but are the units up to the rough of ADV riding?

Cheers, Dave

[David ThorntonMember]

Hi TB, I share your thoughts re the skill of many mechanics and in this case have come to the conclusion that the first dealers mechanic should only be used for doing oil changes and cleaning air filters, and then probably only under close supervision.

Mind you after dealing with many car mechanics through my job I could say the same about 95% of the so-called mechanics in car dealerships.

I had a listen to the main bearings yesterday at the 2nd dealership and it would seem that it is most likely the right main bearing that is the main cause but it is difficult to pinpoint as the crank was still in the partially disassembled engine.

Please bear in mind I am only going off what I am told, but I do feel the guys that have the bike now have it under control. Anyway, heres hoping they have diagnosed it correctly and this will be the end of it. What ever they have to do, I dont care – I just want my bike back!!!!

TB I used quite a lot of the trails you sent me – the info was very helpful, many thanks.

I have a huge number of track files for Northern NSW, I will convert the 2600klm trip into gpx and send it to you in the next day or so.

If you dont mind I will also send you a couple of mpeg files of the engine noise – if you have any way of attaching them to my post I am sure it would be useful for anyone else who may encounter a similar problem and I am sure you will find the noise a challenge to pinpoint.

Cheers, Dave

[David ThorntonMember]

No probs Nick – I also have a Garmin Oregon 450T as well as the Montana and rate it highly as well.

The Oregon has been used for 18 months and 13000klms of riding with no problems. It is a smaller unit, has a much smaller screen and the display is not as bright or clear as the Montana – I now mainly use the Oregon on my 530EXCR or loan it to others in my riding group on long rides so we can split up a bit.

One of my mates that bought the Oregon commented he has trouble reading it when riding as he normally wears glasses to read.

Haunted Stream Trail – now thats the type of info I am chasing. I’ll try to find it on the maps.

Dave

[David ThorntonMember]

Thanks STM, I wondered how to get them to load in the message.

Dave

[David ThorntonMember]

Thanks to both TB & Nick for the warm welcome and to TB for the offer of assistance.

TB, no rush, my schedule was to try and have the proposed routes and ride details sorted by mid Jan.

Nick the unit I recommend is the new Garmin Montana – It is a touch screen handheld but also is 100% car navigation capable. The Montana comes standard with Garmin Topo Aust mapping pre-installed (IMO the best Nav software avail) and the car windshield mount which incorporates the speaker and wring setup.

Garmin specially designed a Rugged Mount ($49 extra) for this unit that was designed for use in Snowmobiles, Buggys and Dirtbikes. The Rugged Mount is a quick connect, semi lockable bracket that can easily be fitted to Ram Mounts and also comes with its own wiring harness for permanent connection to any 12V source. The Montana unit slots and locks into the rugged mount power with brass connecters at the bottom of the unit.

The brightness and clarity of the display, memory capacity, features, design and ease of use of the Montana are amazing and after using the unit on a 2600klm ride in Oct, I believe some one at Garmin rides ADV bikes.

The unit aint cheap, I paid $758 (JA GPS) with rugged mount & some new RAM mount pieces, but I reckon worth every cent.

BTW – I dont work for Garmin – Just love stuff that gives me more riding options.

I’ll post some info & pics on my Tenere in the next week – I have an interesting story to share about an engine problem that has had the bike in the dealership for the last 8 weeks.

BTW guys – Love the site and the quality of the info.

Dave

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