The Yamaha Super Tenere XT1200Z Big Thread

Last year, I sponsored a Dutch friend of mine, Sjaak Lucasson, on a lunatic mission.

He intends to ride his Yamaha R1, unaided, from Northwest to Southeast USA. But not the normal summer start, Deadhorse start point. He is starting at Barrow. The northern tip of Alaska and using a sled to ride over the frozen Beaufort sea. He has just arrived in Barrow where the temperature is minus 38 deg C.

He is a complete nut case. He has ridden around the world at least twice, once on a Fireblade and again on an R1 through the deserts. He rides on ice and snow like most of use ride in sunshine. He even makes (modifies) his own tyres as you can see.

Here is his bike and sled: (Wheels removable)


This is his web site which is crazy reading.

http://www.sjaaklucassen.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=241&Itemid=274&lang=en

Just though you might be interested.

Yes, The Strom was a bit easier, BUT the Tenere has more open tie down points and less to get scratched. My rear panels on the strom looked a bit crappy after 2 years. Trade offs. It was dirty underneath all that plastic though.

Hit the local Do It Yourself car wash. Always comes out spotless. Even has a Blow Dryer. Been doing this for 35 years. No ill effects. Works the charm and saves hours with a brush and garden hose.

These things are great for getting into awkward spots. Get a good one
the cheap ones don't work as well.

Please no pics pluric. I really don't want to know what you use that brush for. :eek1

Only to tickle the Tenere. But I like how you think.

You lost me.
I will bring mine to you and you can show me?

Mine gets washed while riding in the rain. I guess yaw are wanting it cleaner than that.

I have hosed it down a couple of times at the house. (So I can find the oil filter) Then commenced to ride it down my dirt/mud driveway to get to the road. Thus, the world has never seen it clean.

Your original route had you passing through the Jacksonville, Fl. area, and my offer still stands for fine meals, drinks, and a warm (or cool, depending on when you pass through) place for you to lay your heads while in the area. Plenty of room in the garage for a second Tenere and 3 dealers in the area if you're in need of parts and such. Hell, if it's oil change time I've got the stuff you need laying around here. Always glad to accommodate a vagabond - my way of ginning up good Karma for the future me that will have the time for such a journey...

If you're into history at all I recommend you venture 30 miles south to St. Augustine for a look-see.

Can't wait to see the ride reports from your trip.

i agree

Who is it?

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Just not serious enough these S10 riders..

Yes on occasions. Like I said it's not a religion, If I don't have time It stays dirty and I am getting slacker as time goes on

But there are a few spots I have noticed over time that have some corrosion so I deal with it. If I'd never got down and clean with the bike I wouldn't have noticed. Given up on the spokes though. They can rust.

@Graham - Wow, quite the process! I've err, never washed the bike. I clean the lenses, headlight and windscreen, but rely upon rain to do most of the rest. sometimes hit it with Honda spray cleaner or Plexas, but that's about it.

I live in the desert though, so that helps. Sand doesn't stick and I avoid the cow patties.

@OGR - We're outside St George, Utah, close to Zion N.P. and other good riding. About 130 miles North of Las Vegas, NV. If you're out our way, give me a shout, PM and email are in the profile. Might manage to let you use the guest suite and pool if we're around. You'll have to tell the missus good stories and suffer with some food and drink though.

If don't want to or you're farther South, Mesquite, NV has cheap hotel rooms at the Casinos. Decent place to spend the night before moving on.

Have tools and can take care of you if you're in need of service too.

Not to beat the whole cleaning thing to death, buuuuttttt I find
I find it's helpful in finding loose bits, missing nuts, hanging bashplates etc
not on the Tenere of course. It's just a good time to get a close look
at the bike, maybe even notice a loose spoke.:eek1

Anyone figured out an easy way to 'unswitch' the DC adapter in the dash?

I'd like to use it when the bike is off, as well as use it as a charging port for the battery tender.

You ain't kidding.

For a bike that is so well appointed for the $$ it cost, the spokes could be off a Chinese scooter. They may be proper strength, but nothing would keep them looking nice.

I think you have been drinking too much Kool Aid there. They're not that good.

My bike's a 2011 with 12,000 km on it and the spokes still look new. I must be doing something wrong ... like cleaning them.

Both you and St Augustine have had a pin in my map for some time now. . See you there around end of April/early May

Even with that 57 point cleaning exercise you documented (very nice, by the way. But I couldn't make myself do it) you yourself said you gave up on the spokes.

I SAID they were strong. :)

But they are the ugliest part of my rarely clean Tenere.

The other day I mounted a new K60 front myself. Since I had the actual wheel in my hand, I cleaned her up really good. (Woulda only amounted to about 2 of your detailing points though) anyways, it looked almost brand new. Even got the rotors shiny. But the spokes were hopeless. They look like crap. Chinese I tell ya! :)


Edited: just realized you agreed with me. Ooops.

Have them in fiberglass coated with carbon mat.



also the side covers and the exhaust cover


Cheers,
Roberto