I installed my Fuzeblock Fuse Block FZ-1 and wired in my Bag Connection tank bag today.
In the beginning…
Where can I mount my fuse block? After noodling around for 30 minutes, the best place for me is near the rectifier.
The question was asked: “Can I fit this bag on the back of a Super Ténéré?”
The answer is a qualified yes. Here are a few pics to prove it.
I had a nice ride today. 304 miles according to my odo.
I needed to take a look at my Mom’s laptop. It had a problem with the DVD drive not working after powering up. The problem was a power setting deep inside the Toshiba Eco crap. The software was telling the system to power off the DVD when the unit was plugged in. That makes no sense.
Anyway, issue resolved.
On my ride down, I did my best to avoid the freeways and even the main highways. I took every back road I knew that would still get me to McMinnville. When I left, I headed out to the coast and did most of the Three Capes Loop. The northern most cape had a road closure. Probably a land slide. I still made it out to Bay Ocean for the sunset. It was a lot of fun setting my traction control on 2 then roosting my way down the gravel covered dike.
Speaking of which, I engaged the traction control more than once today. The first time I was crossing some chewed up tarmac on an uphill climb. The road was pretty bouncy so I was already standing up. Then this little light started flashing on the dash. 
I dragged my feet a couple times today, mostly because of bad tarmac mid-corner. The Three Capes Loop tends to have ripples in the corners. They are hard to see when you’re turning in, but they are still there. There is a definite difference between the way the KTM handles and the way the Super Ténéré handles. The KTM bucks when it isn’t happy. Just a quick snap and it’s back online ready to attack the next corner. The XTZ is almost the opposite. It sinks into the rough stuff. The long travel suspension simply eats the bumps. And when there are too many bumps, my toes drag. Interesting. It was startling the first couple times, then I learned what and when. Still, it’s not something I seek…
The route I took is currently on my “Where am I” page. My Spot GPS will save the route for something like 7 days. The woman likes knowing that I’m still moving (and not in a ditch somewhere).
I’ve done over 650 miles on the Super Ténéré now. It’s time for my first service. Oil change with filter + gear oil change. Hopefully, I’ll get that done on Tuesday at the dealership. I don’t have much time because I’m heading out again this coming weekend to do a 1200 mile trip with some friends. Back to Rattlesnake Grade. This time, we’ll be running through Hells Canyon after a day playing in the desert. It should be fun. What I like best of all? I didn’t have to plan it!
I wonder if my new parts will be here by Thursday?
I’ve put over 300 miles on the Super Ténéré including a run to Klickitat with Scott on Sunday.
Now that I’ve ridden a few miles, I’m getting a feel for the changes I’d like to make to the bike. In other words, it’s time to order some parts!
I put together a reasonably large order from AltRider: crash bars, bash plate, heal guards, sensor guards, luggage rack, side stand foot, and some RotopaX parts for carrying extra gasoline. Black if available as usual. Let’s see if everything goes as planned with that. I’m trying to get Dr. Brown Motorcycle on AltRider’s vendor list, hence my large order. I faxed Gene my parts list late on Monday. I haven’t talked to him to see where things are with AltRider. Maybe I’ll do that tomorrow. Maybe.
Yesterday, I ordered a Bags-Connection “GS” Quick-Lock tank bag from Twisted Throttle. It mounts on the gas cap ring and includes a 12 volt feed. This way, I can keep my phone and and MP3 players charged up while I ride.
I still want buy a Garmin zumo 665 Widescreen Motorcycle Navigator
Another thing on my wish list is a new tent. The one I have right now is the same Eureka tent that I bought back in the early 90’s. Yikes! The tent I have my eye on is a Series II Expedition Tent. Why? Because I can park my motorcycle in it! Seriously! LOL So far the woman is unimpressed.
Rode another 200+ miles today on the new beast. This bike fixes every problem I had with my DL-1000. It’s stable at speed. It’s has more torque for exiting corners. The suspension feels tighter. It’s stable when cranking on the brakes with the ABS engaged.
I’ve been “taking it easy” as I try to follow Yamaha’s brake-in instructions. As a result I’ve left the bike in touring mode and I’m getting an average of 48.8 mpg. Nice.
It’s time to start ordering parts. A tank bag is first on my list. Crash bars and a bash plate from AltRider are next. I know they are back ordered so I’m not in a super big hurry.
It’s arrived so I have departed. 
My dealer called me this morning bright and early at 9. I didn’t get out of bed until about 10. Oops. Anyway… After running a few required errands, the woman and I swung by the Yamaha dealership. Sign some papers and off.
The bike had 1 mile on the odometer when I rolled out. Now it has 73. Tomorrow, if I’m feeling good enough, I’ll see if I can rack up another couple hundred miles. This cough is lingering a little longer than I would like. Still, learning a new bike is a lot of fun.
Well… I’ve been sick for over a week now.
The coughing has gotten bad enough that I get light-headed immediately after a round of coughing. Not good. The woman is telling me to go back to my doctor tomorrow. We’ll see if I can even get an appointment.
I hate being sick and yet my machine isn’t as strong as some others. I got pneumonia shortly after I was born. That kind of set the tone for my general health. My respiratory system has never been the best and things that other shrug off knock me to the ground. It seems like once a year, I get hit hard by something. Such is life.
I find myself spending way too much time surfing for news on the arrival of Yamaha’s Super Ténéré to US shores.
I spotted a new XT1200Z review from a Turkist reporter. Does that mean Yamaha is starting to fill orders and build promo bikes?
The Yamaha website now shows June deliveries. Well… It will be July at the end of this week.
AltRider has crash guards and bash plate…
I missed the Hoh Rain Forest ride.
I missed the PNW Adventure Rally.
I missed the ‘Tag the Deadhorse’ ride. I think that one is really ironic considering Yamaha is sponsoring the AMA Adventure Riding Series for 2011.
And I am still waiting…
Another letter from Yamaha arrived today.
Yamaha is making changes to the Super Ténéré production schedule and now plans delivery to your selling dealership by the end of August, in time for you to take advantage of the fall riding season.
Maybe. Maybe? Fingers crossed. Maybe it will show up sometime soon. Maybe.
I wonder how far down the waiting list I am. My dealership only sold two XT1200Zs. Apparently the other buyer is a collector of some kind. I wonder how many of these will be in the PDX metro.
As you probably know, I’ve got a Yamaha Super Ténéré on order. The idea of riding 5000+ miles to Alaska and back sounds rather appealing to me. The idea of riding the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route is also appealing to me. What can I say? I like picking the road less traveled. The woman thinks I’m nuts. <shrug>
Imagine my surprise when I showed her a picture of the Honda Crossrunner. Her response was, “I could see myself riding across country on that.” I could only smile. Her next comment was, “Are we going to be a four bike family?” In silence, gave her a rather blank look. “Four isn’t enough. Is it?” “Not really. If you get another bike, we’ll be at five.” We’re going to need a bigger garage.
Yamaha is delaying delivery of my Super Tenere. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami did not directly impact Yamaha’s production facilities, but it has impacted Yamaha suppliers.
So…
They are hoping to have all of the bikes delivered by November, 2011. Which means my early release 2012 XT1200Z model won’t be. It’s just a 2012.
<sigh>
I’m a bit disappointed but not surprised. I figured that unless my bike had make it onto a container ship before the devastation, it would be very unlikely that Yamaha could meet their original production schedule.
I can cancel my order and get a full refund of my earnest money, but I don’t think I want to do that. I don’t want the BMW R1200GS/A. It costs too much for what you get when compared with other models. I didn’t like the KTM Adventure. The Ducati Multistrada is a nice bike but it isn’t dirt worthy. Maybe I just like bikes with “Super” in their name especially when they come in black.
In any case, I’m going to sit tight and wait.
The craving is growing. Pieces are lining up. Maybe this summer will be the one to complete the quest: a Saddle Sore 1000 certificate. My conditioning isn’t near where it needs to be, but I still have time and I do have experience on longs days in the saddle having completed multiple 500+ mile days and one 800 mile day. It is all about pacing and knowing when to take breaks (early and often). Scott mubbled something about pushing on the second day to score the Bun Burner.
Saddle Sore 1000 / Bun Burner 1500
It looks like we will do the attempt on the FJR and SuperDuke. That in itself presents a few logistical issues. The FJR range is 300 miles. The KTM fuel light pops on around 150 or 160. Storage. Highway stability at speed. Effort expended in the canyons. Etc. Everything is a trade-off. The basic idea is a hard push at the start to score the cert(s) then an easy cruise back home. Maybe I should mail a few things up to the motel in advance?
View Maywood Park, OR to Stewart, BC in a larger map
BTW: Stewart, BC is just across the border from Hyder, AK. There is no official crossing and Google maps can’t seem to map directly to Hyder these days. It could do it last year.
Now, I need to start burning some miles to get back into shape…
