| Author | Message | ||
     Mikef5000 |
I mentioned the phrase 'road trip', and my XT pooped itself (most likely from the frightful memories of the last one). (A bit of background) After my big trip last August, Uly went in for warranty work. Some time later, I got her back with a list of new items including: Fork Seals Piston Rings Cases (!) Complete engine gasket kit Fuel Rail IAC Actuator Front Motor Mount Swingarm Rear Wheel (Short of it, $4200 worth of work under warranty) I'm not complaining about that; the dealership did me right, and I thanked them extensively. BUT, I own this bike mainly for touring. And that's a lot of work to be required of a sub-30k mile touring bike (especially when considering it'd been in for warranty work several times prior to this trip, but that's besides the point). BUT, I got it back, and pushed all my thoughts of trading her in out of my mind. With 3 more years of extended warranty, and all this new stuff, I should be good to go! I got lucky enough to work out a last minute road-trip a couple days ago, and in 10 days, I will be taking the long way south to meet my girlfriend and her family on vacation in Florida. I am planning on heading down through New Orleans (never been), then over to see them in Florida, then down through Key West (never been) and back home, for a total of about 3000 miles in a week. I haven't ridden the Uly much at all this winter, due to a newly acquired dual-sport that's been taking up all of my time, so it only has a thousand miles on it since I got it back from it's major work... but it has winter oil in it. Went about changing the fluids last night to prep for this trip... Pulled the primary drain plug... And here clanks, as metal falls into the drain pan.  Never had the slime before either, but I did this time!   I buttoned everything back up and blasted down to the dealership. They're going to try to look at it today, they'll call me tomorrow at the latest with their findings. The way I figure it, the only possible way I'm riding this thing on my trip next Sunday is if they can't find anything wrong, and I'm willing to risk it. They would have exactly one week to order parts, receive parts, R&R parts, and get it buttoned up and good to go... I just don't have that kind of faith in the system. So I have three good options: Hope for the best on the Uly. Order an oversized gas tank for my dual-sport, hope it gets here in time, and take that bike (which would mean skipping New Orleans and Key West, and basically just taking my time on back roads straight to southern Florida and back) Or, a buddy has offered the use of his (still under warranty) V-Strom. I'm intrigued. It's not going to be worth it if I'm worrying the whole trip about his bike, but if I can shake that, I'd be able to enjoy the whole 3k mile trip. A final note; whichever bike I ride will need a back tire prior to leaving. Meaning, no absolutely last minute decisions. Where the whole thing gets uglier though, is that I'm having a hell of a difficult time keeping faith here. There are some discounted Yamaha Super Tenere's around here. And I want one. I loved the bike before, but couldn't justify it. My Uly problems are making it easier. But I can't get it without the Uly as a trade in, and the Uly is going to be stuck in service for however long... which opens another can or worms, I could tell Harley not to touch it, and go pick it up and take it to the Yam. dealership for a trade-in assessment. I couldn't in good faith give it to them in it's current condition, but it would allow them to assess it, and we could possibly work out some 'give me yamaha now, you get Uly when it's out of service' deal. Unrealistic, I know. I could finance the Yamaha in it's entirety, and just hope to sell the Uly myself when I get it back, but that kind of monthly payment, in addition to my still-new-to-me mortgage, sound terrifying. Well there. Have at it. I'm all ears guys! | ||
| Motorbike |
Did the dealer have anything apart inside the primary case? | ||
| Treadmarks |
Is the trip more important than the bike, or is the bike more important than the trip. 1. If you really want the Yamaha, buy it now. Then spend the week getting it ready for your trip and enjoy. 2. Take your buddy's offer to borrow his V-Strom and have a nice easy ride. But borrow it now so you can get in the groove before your trip starts. I rented a Uly in Alaska for a two week ride. After about 10 days I killed it and the rental folks got me a V-strom the next day. It wasn't a Uly, but my trip was more important than the rental and it allowed us to maintain the adventure. | ||
| Timberwolf |
I got to see and sit on the Super Tenere recently at the IMS. Loved it, and if I were replacing my Uly right now, that is what I would be looking for. How much are they discounting them? Seem to be very few Yamaha dealers around where I live. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Is the trip more important than the bike, or is the bike more important than the trip. The trip is more important. No question. Not necessarily this trip. But the trip in its largest meaning. That make sense? The ability to take trips is my purpose for this bike, and currently the Uly is hindering that ability, leading to the idea that perhaps it is not the right bike. If you really want the Yamaha, buy it now. I really want the Yamaha, but not like this... in a panicked last minute emergency decision. I want it, in a year, when I have a few other purchases made, and I'm more willing to take on the payments, and more time to personalize it. But dang. This would be the perfect break-in ride! Did the dealer have anything apart inside the primary case? No. EDIT: YES! They replaced the whole cases! (Message edited by Mikef5000 on March 08, 2012) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
How much are they discounting them? The local spots are listed at regular price (13,900), but about 100 miles north, they're listing them at 12,500. | ||
| Invisible_monster |
Sorry to hear about your Uly troubles Mike, I saw your post over on ADVrider. Noticed your Uly in ADFarrow all tore apart when I was in last year for fork service on mine so I knew a little about your previous issues. I've definitely got the fever for a SuperTen as well. I would say if you find one on discount to jump on it. Most I've seen are priced at $14500. Dealer can repair your Uly without a deadline hanging over them, you can worry about selling it when you get back. Of course, it is easy for me to spend your money! Good luck. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Found a base model Super Tenere ten minutes away. I'm not mentally prepared to bite the bullet, but it can't hurt talking to them to see if they have any great ideas. | ||
| Mnrider |
If the dealer replaced the cases they had the whole trans and engine apart. From what you've said on here before and from what work was done the dealer caused all of the problems your having. I thought you had a base gasket leak and it snowballed from there. That's alot of shavings and it doesn't look good. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Got word back from the hd dealership. They found parts from a roller bearIng. Primary looks all good. Which means they have to do a complete tear down and split the cases again to get into the transmission. The Yamaha dealership can't give me an answer till tomorrow. They're not going to discount it much though, but they're trying to make a trade work. Still stuck. | ||
| Motorbike |
If the dealer replaced the cases they had the whole trans and engine apart. When Mikef5000 stated in his original note that he had the cases replaced, I thought he meant the side cases or top case luggage. Sorry... What happened to wreck the engine cases? Thanks. | ||
| Debueller |
That much spooge can corrode the needle bearing that supports the clutch basket. It happened to my Uly, and the bearing was easy to replace once the clutch was removed….no case splitting necessary. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
The clutch basket bearing was in perfect shape (that's what the dealership hoped was the issue), so it's an internal bearing that's exploding. It didn't occur to me, but you all are right, they replaced the actual cases (had to get them special made by HD with the correct VIN), so they did have the tranny apart last fall. There was a perpetual base gasket leak, which led to them pulling the jugs off 3 times in about a year. The constant stress, and/or a heavy handed tech, actually pulled the threads completely out of the case, necessitating the original case replacement. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
That sucks pretty bad. I wouldn't trust that bike again until it's covered an oil change interval without pooping out. Pep talk: When I bought my X1 in 2001, it was in the shop all the time. like once a month. I was on the verge of trying to lemon law it out! After that first year (almost 20,000 miles). It stopped doing bad stuff. Nothing broke after that until the mid 40K mark. Those Tenere things look sweet but they are HEAVY. If I were to get something that heavy, I would just get a cushy touring rig instead with a cupholder and a microwave and satellite T.V....... | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Those Tenere things look sweet but they are HEAVY. If I were to get something that heavy, I would just get a cushy touring rig instead with a cupholder and a microwave and satellite T.V....... They're not that bad... less than (alright, about) 100 lb's more than the Uly. A touring bike is another 200-300 pounds more than that. Super low center of gravity too. They're no lightweights, but they do alright. I know of several Ulyers that have happily converted. Next to the new Super Tenere was a new 2010 KTM 990 Adventure.  I bet they'd deal on that, and I'd LOVE that beast. But it'd be fairly rediculous to buy a bike specifically for touring, that requires dirt bike sized wheels, tubes, and chain maintenance. | ||
| Billy_bee |
Why did you take the bike in last year? Was there something wrong with the engine? I would not put it past a dealer to make up warranty work if the shop was slow. I hate to think that their efforts to rebuild the engine resulted in an improperly replaced bearing somewhere... I hope they do you right again. I say focus on the trip, not the bike. You should have a great experience no matter what you ride... | ||
| Mikef5000 |
There were legitimate issues they were fixing. Nothing they did was unjustified. (I brought it in with a list) | ||
| Timberwolf |
Don't know what the Tenere is supposed to weigh, but the one I sat on felt very light. All the weight must be carried pretty low. | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Mike,I Know exactly how you feel. My 08 Xt with 27k has started nickel and dimeing me,nothing that major but I don't trust it any more for long hauls. At this point I'm keeping it,but only for day trips,the Tenere is now the mileage muncher. Besides,it does dirt far better than the Xt. Good luck with you're decision. | ||
| Eulysses |
I t is hard not to get scared. But Ulys have mostly been great. And many have given mega thousands of miles of wonderful riding time. So...instead of stressing this thing...borrow the bike. Go ride. Wait on HD for a new Uly. They are bound to get it right and it won't touch your bank account. But if you are a rich guy...hey...check this out: http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2012-Yamaha-Sup er-Tenere-99569958 | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Wait on HD for a new Uly. They are bound to get it right and it won't touch your bank account. That was the plan last fall. Can you blame me for having a hard time wanting to do it again? But if you are a rich guy Not rich by any means, but motorcycling is my life, and I'm willing to go in debt for a bit to get one that does what I want. BTW: It pains me to see all the happy threads in the BB&D forum, and my thread muddying it up. I don't want to be that guy complaining, I'm just looking for advice anywhere I can get it. | ||
| Etennuly |
Since those shavings are out of the primary and not the engine, I think I would take it out with that fresh oil and hammer the shit out of that gear box for a couple hundred miles to see if it is going to explode. Bring it in, pull the plug, if it is clean you will most likely be good to go. More shavings would be bad. Each of the new Buells that I have bought new had one single large shaving in the primary, on the first oil change, that came out on the magnet. With new side cases these shavings could be from pressing the parts back together, which seems bad, but it may also have found some originals that didn't get cleaned out. The milkyness is probably just from not running it enough lately. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
They said they found roller bearing parts in the Primary. If it wasn't under warranty, I'd do exactly that though. | ||
| Mhevezi |
Mike- Nothing I can say will make you feel any better or worse about your Uly, and those Yamaha's are supposed to be great bikes, so long as you don't have to look at them! (is it just me?) I'm on mile 37,000 on my 1999 M2, and my first two years were plagued with little leaks, failures and just very annoying crap. But since then, I have had very good luck and would not hesitate to take my old Tuber on a trip like that. Take the offer from your friend, let the dealer fix the Uly proper (without having to rush) and give the old girl another shot. Those Yamahas are hot bikes right now and come with a price tag to match! Good luck, have a safe trip and keep us posted on what you decide. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Lemon law that POS and get a Yami To bad Neal isn't still working there... | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Lemon law aint gonna happen; it is 3 years old(ish), and with the time spent on my part fighting them on it (and/or getting a lawyer to fight) I'd be better off to wait for it to get fixed and sell it. And a trade-in isn't going to happen either. Ohio Motorcycle says everyone is giving them super low-ball offers. Wouldn't be near worth my while to trade it in. Till I could sell the Uly, my monthly payments on the Yami would be down-right scary. I don't think I've got the cajones to do it. | ||
| Pnw_uly |
Fuel delivery systems different from Uly to your DS? Any chance you could plumb your Uly auxiliary fuel cell to the DS ? ? Might be the cheapest option. . . | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Thought about that! I'd probably just get a gas can though, and not worry about doing last minute plumbing. With the fuel pump, it's a little tricky linking them. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Well... Iron Pony price matched Comp. Acc, and is giving me a decent price (relatively speaking). They've got a new black Super Tenere with my name on it. I've submitted a credit ap, and will hear back in the morning if all is well. Should be, but the bank's closed, so they couldn't tell me tonight. Then, assuming I don't have an utter panic attack (very possible), I'll go in tomorrow night and sign the papers and take it home. I then have 1 week to break it in and give it an oil change, before I leave on a 3000 mile ride. In competing for the worst for sale ad ever, I'd like to ask... Anyone interested in a 2009 Uly XT? Lots of new internal motor stuff! Somewhat motivated seller! | ||
| Nittanyxt |
Mike,you know the black is slower,right? Enjoy! |
