Long-Distance Endurance MT10 Project

[Auburn]

do these bags make my ass look big?

 

[Oldjeep]

Looks fine to me

 

[PhatAir4Me]

do these bags make my ass look big?

Thems some child bearin hips!

 

[Warchild]

I am wondering what kind of nutbag tries to make a Long-Distance machine out of a tiny naked race-bike.

Even the smallest items are a struggle to fit, like a FZ-1 Fuzeblock that's needed to power my electrical goodies.

This problem was solved only because the original owner removed the exhaust servo motor that used to reside where the red 'X' is in this photo below - the servo motor is what that yellow connector was connected to:




Even this plastic enclosure needed some precision dremeling to get rid of unwanted walls and ridges that prevented the FZ-1 from fitting:



Ah yeah, boyzeee.... this is a good start to this important farkle!

 

[Warchild]

I used Hot Grips waaaaaay back in the day on the Gen 1 FJR1300. Nowadays, the favored make among the sport-bike crowd is the Oxford Heaterz EVO Grips. They are one of three layers of hand protection I am trying on the MT10.

To start, you need a sharp blade to cut off the OEM grips, using care near that Switch housing:



The Oxford grips are a very snug fit, so clean off all traces of residual glue before trying to fit them:




Clutch-side installed. Just the wiring remains.





In the Oxford kit is a very nice, black powder-coated bracket for the Heat Controller. I am using the left mirror bolt to retain it here.




Next up in the Hand Protection Arena: SW-Motech Hand Guards. Sadly, those are not slated to arrive until early/mid January.

 

[Warchild]

Now I am starting to get into the gnarly electrical work - always a good time.

Found the first two circuits I need to tap - running lights (pink/blue) and brake lights (yellow):




I am creating a second stand-alone brake light circuit, and this tried-n-true Bosch mini-relay below will power it. The Bosch takes signal voltage from the tapped yellow brake wire seen above, and sends power to down-stream LED Brake Light Bars, as well as yet-to-be-installed LED Brake lights inside the Givi V37 clear lenses:




Still got quite a ways to go here with the electrical goodies - like laying down circuits for Aux Lamps, GPS, Oxford heated grips and Warm-and-Safe liner, are all still to come.

 

[Bounce]

No more DIY gang splitters, eh?

Looking good.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Found the first two circuits I need to tap - running lights (pink/blue) and brake lights (yellow):

Read this before looking at the picture and thought you were adding pink and blue colored running lights.

 

[sloppy]

I did the same thing to my FZ-1 about 10 years ago. It made some significant difference and my son took it from Charlotte NC to Los Angeles CA through the tail of the Dragon, the Gulf states, TX, NM and AZ. He was concerned with range out West and some times camped at some national parks but he said it did well overall. I still ride the bike and enjoy it in the summer but for the weather it can't compare to the versatility, comfort and weather protection like the FJR. I like them both for various reasons. As you can see, I added GIVI V35s, a top case, touring screen, Throttlemeister throttle locks, grip warmers, and a Yamaha comfort seat. I love having them both but the FZ is relegated to second string. If I were you I would add a center stand if you want to really go long distance on it.

 

[Oldjeep]

My FZ1 is set up in a similar fashion, taller bars, throttlemeister, Buell pegs, luggage, GPS. I find the Gen 1 seats to be pretty comfortable, so mine is a stocker. It's about 400 mile a day comfortable, my FJR is good for all day.

 

[Warchild]

The SW-Motech Hand Guards arrived early, so I did a quick install on the clutch side. Holy ****, they look good!



Now to experiment with the OBR ADVGear 3/4 Mitts - these are famous among the Yamaha Tracer community.

Daaaaaayumn, another surprisingly perfect fit!






Doing a full lock right turn to check the clearance between Mitt and closest fairing.... a solid 3/16" gap, this is a major win!







While I don't think I am ready to declare this to be an all-weather MT10 sport-tourer quite yet, these Mitts will make a huge positive enhancement riding in lower temps, just based on personal experience. Once the temps are up, they take just seconds to remove. Hand guards themselves are pretty much appreciated year round.

 

[Warchild]

If I were you I would add a center stand if you want to really go long distance on it.

HA! That would be awesome if it were available for this machine. I have never seen a centerstand available for any model year MT10. It's likely prevented due to that heinously ginormous cat canister in the dead center under the bike, where the centerstand would need to reside.

I did live for over 12 years of no centerstand on the mighty Hayabusa when it served as the Desert Runner, 2008-2020. The centerstand is less crucial when your Pro-Oiler is dialed in correctly - chain lubing is handled! Admitedly, a rear flat tire is a real bummer with no centerstand.

 

[Panman]

I've been running the ADV's for 5 - 6 years now on my S-10. Easy on easy off.

 

[spectreman]

Altho the Puig screen looks good, it looks kinda small. I would've thought the Yamaha touring screen made for the MT10 would've been better suited as it appears taller/wider and designed specifically for the MT10.

 

[Warchild]

Altho the Puig screen looks good, it looks kinda small. I would've thought the Yamaha touring screen made for the MT10 would've been better suited as it appears taller/wider and designed specifically for the MT10.

I would have thought the same, but it really isn't much taller/wider than the Puig. And the bigger driver for me going after the Puig was: this Yamaha screen is still not available, and no known availability date:

 

[KevinLewis]

This bike is looking quite good with all these accessories and never expected a mt 10 to look like this. It is a very interesting project, I'm just wondering how will it going to look when the top case to add to it, what are you gonna do for the top case, you didn't add it till now.

 

[Warchild]

This bike is looking quite good with all these accessories and never expected a mt 10 to look like this. It is a very interesting project, I'm just wondering how will it going to look when the top case to add to it, what are you gonna do for the top case, you didn't add it till now.

No top case... instead, a 4.3 gallon aux fuel cell will reside where a top case would normally sit.

This one that I am moving over from the S1000XR:

 

[Panman]

Some old Iron sitting there.

 

[Warchild]

Some old Iron sitting there.

Coincidentally, this motel is called the Big Iron Motel, located in Riggins Idaho. It is a very cool motel; I try to stay there at least once a year.

"Dogs and horses ok"

 

[Warchild]

Like my Yamaha Tracer 900 GT, the MT10's factory mirrors are basically pointless.

They can be helped considerably with Evo Tech Mirror Extenders (installed here on throttle-side).

Raises mirrors 20mm and moves them outboard 50mm:





These help quite a bit with OEM mirrors. Still, I'll eventually want longer-arm, quality aftermarket mirrors, these Extenders give them a better chance of good final results.

I keep looking at Rizoma mirrors for this job, but I quickly look away when I see their price. Holy ****.