November 1, 2007
Welcome to the Yamaha Canada Bike Blog
Hi, my name is Chris Reid and I am the Senior Product and Research Manager here at Yamaha Motor Canada. If you are also a ‘sled head’, you might know me as CR over on our sister blog, ‘Sled Talk‘.
We have assembled a group of Yamaha Motor Canada employees who all love to ride and have some stories to tell. We hope you’ll check in often, and read what we have to say.
(As far as I know, Yamaha is the only motorsports company in Canada to host a blog where we interact with our friends and customers.)
If you have any questions or feedback for us, you’re welcome to add a comment and we’ll try to respond to as many as we can. There are some areas that we won’t be discussing (please see our Terms of Use) but for the most part, be nice and anything motorcycle-related goes!
If you like what you see, you can subscribe (enter email address on the right) and we’ll email you whenever we add a new post, or you can add Bike Blog to your list of RSS feeds. We’ll be populating the blog with a wide selection of content over the next few weeks and we’d love to hear what you have to say about it all.
I sincerely hope you enjoy Bike Blog and if you do, please let your friends know about us.
Cheers cr
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Both Larry and I want to say what a great job you guys have done with this blog it looks and reads great….I bet someone over at Honda Canada,s saying “how come were not doing this! ”
p.s. we want a Yamaha Tessarct in the worst way …can you hear us Syl !
Hi guys… I do hear you… and I want one to!! thanks Syl
November 13th, 2007 at 1:29 pmCheers guys. What an excellent idea to continue the valuable info found on Sled Talk here on Bike Blog. I have been riding Yamaha bikes longer then Yamaha sleds and it will be great to follow the latest info for the bikes. It took along time but I finally bought a new Vmax in 2002 and the wait was worth it. Sorry to see the Vmax go from the bike line-up but I am hoping that Yamaha will bring out something as powerfull to replace it. Good luck with the blog and keep the info coming.
Hey Fox1, thanks for the vote of confidence, the Vmax has been an amazing bike and yes we are working on a replacement, stay tuned
YBB
November 13th, 2007 at 5:40 pmGreat blog site. Now how about getting Yamaha to import the new Tenere’!! The Japanese manufacturers have dropped the ball not importing this type of motorcycle.
Cheers
November 15th, 2007 at 11:17 amRichard
Hi Chris: Great to be able to voice to you what consumers would like to see. I would really like Yamaha to bring more of the Larger Dual purpose bike to Canada. The 660 Tenere would be a good start. I have had a large number of clients purchase either a KLR or the BMW enduros as their first entry level Bike. Imagine a BMW 1200GS as a first ride. I certainly think that Yamaha is not positioning itself very well in this segment. By the way I am now in the market for a new dually as I sold my 1975 Dt400 last year.
Thanks for listening.
Hey Martin, you are not alone! Personally I would love a big single DP bike and I’m not the only one at YMCA who has a keen appreciation for the DP bikes. As I understand it, pricing seems to be the biggest hold-back. We need to be able to position ourselves competitively and the current offerings being built for Europe do not fit the bill… fingers crossed…
December 31st, 2007 at 1:22 pmThx cr
do u know how to clean the oil filterand is it bad to let it run without a tuneup
August 31st, 2008 at 8:59 pmit would be better with other languages support, but thanks..
September 6th, 2008 at 5:11 pmHi Chris,pretty awesome idea to have a yamaha blog.
I’m moving back to Canada this summer and want to bring my ’94 750 super tenere.
Do you know if this bike’s ever been sold in Canada? and if its possible to get it registered.
Hi Igmar, yes we have sold the ST in Canada… please note ‘Under normal circumstances there is no way to import a foreign unit into Canada. However there is a 15 year rule whereby older units are exempt. A 1994 Super Tenere would have been produced in ? December 1993 so it should just be over the 15 year limit.’
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:41 amSuggest when you are ready to return, let us know and we can provide you a letter for Transport Canada… cheers cr
Thanks a lot Chris for offering me such a letter, most certainly appreciate that.
May 3rd, 2009 at 2:40 pmI was just wondering as wel if my bike has to be completely stock to get it certified?
And just out of curiousity, are these bikes rare in Canada? because i’ve never seen one, and is it still possible to get service and parts through Yamaha?
Hi,I would really like the oportunity to purchase a new 2010 1200 Tenere,in Canada. I have been looking at options available to me for my up coming Central and South American tour. The Yamaha I belive would service best with the use of low octane gas or better, one of Yamaha’s new diesel motorcycle engines. Yamaha should consider the same option as with the VMAX… deposite on order, if they are worried about payment in Canada.
Dave
Well Dave, we recognize the demand for a larger displacement on/off bike in Canada, currently the models available to us are cost prohibitive but we are working towards this. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for a diesel motorcycle in Canada but time will tell. Don’t forget, even if we were to bring in a very small quantity on deposit, we would have to set-up our systems to support them, incl parts inventory, service training, literature, programs, admin etc. Sounds like an epic journey you are planning… cheers cr
November 24th, 2009 at 10:31 pmGood day Chris,
Thanks for the reply. I certainly hope you and the Yamaha staff are successfull in bringing the 1200 tenere to Canada for 2010, gas and or diesel.
As far as the technical problems you mentioned eg. parts and service. Please remember that the scope of the travels I and others are interested in, what the Tenere will be embarking on, preclude that the availability of such service in Spanish America, would be pertty much non existant for either Tenere, leaving those of us to our own devises. I would hope that the shop manual for technicians and specilalty tools if required would be made available and a contact for Yamaha parts to be shipped from a central source. As to the diesel, I am sure that arrangments could be made through AVL and Yamaha for direct availability of parts, tools and service manual for thier new 3 cylinder DICR motorcycle engine.
The diesel motorcycle is no longer a concept an we in North America should embrace its attributes before the price of gasoline forces it. For those interested check out the HDT Bulldoge the new American motorcycle or the Dutch Track 800 cdi. But I would much perfer the Yamaha 1200 Tenere given a choice.
Dave
December 1st, 2009 at 7:48 pmChris,
Just a follow up, I have read that the 1200 tenere will be released by mid summer in Europe. What is happening in Canada? The 15000.00 euro is certainly in keeping with the BMW 1200 GSA @ $22500.00 Canadian. There should be no dificulty in selling the tenere family in Canada. I am told that the Honda Veradaro failure is influencing decisions, and it should not be, as the Veradaro is a street bike wantabee true adventure touer, only good on pavement as would any other motorcyle out there for less money.
Hi Dave,
Yamaha Motor Canada is also very excited about the upcoming full release of the new Super Tenere in Europe. Full details will be available on the Yamaha Euro web site on Feb. 25 or 26th. We have heard all the rumours and look forward to studying the viability of this exciting new unit for the Canadian market. We are also aware of the many of the needs of Canadian adventure touring enthusiasts including the request for a high level of off road capability. Thanks a lot for your email ! Johnny B
January 14th, 2010 at 8:35 amWell it has been released in Europe. Now its a race as to who gets the sale in Canada HDT 2010 AT1 Bulldog to be released this summer or Yamaha 1200 tenere ????
Dave
February 24th, 2010 at 8:53 pmDisapointment asside, can we get Yamaha Corporation to at least provide North American (Canadian) documentation and necessary motorcycle labeles and fixed plate ” made for North America (Canada), or what ever is required by DOT and CBSA, to import.
Dave
February 25th, 2010 at 6:51 amPlease bring us the 660 Tenere in Canada!! I just don’t want to be forced into a BMW, but it is beginning to look like that’ll be my only option-Husy’s new TE is too much dirtbike and not enough Adventure Tourer for me. We don’t have many options here in Canada.
Hmm … there seems to be some interest regarding the Tenere series of adventure bikes coming to Canada. Anyone else out there interested in seeing these bikes available in Canada? Where do you live, Dave? What are you riding now? DB
February 26th, 2010 at 12:36 amDB,I live in Nova Scotia and currently reentering the motorcycle world. I have ridden HD, BMW,owned and ridden Triumph as well as Yamaha. The HD and Triumph bikes are not useable for the touring I will be doing and BMW are not proving to be a reliable ride. KTM 990 apparently is very expensive to repair in Central and South America so no. The V-Storm and Varadaro are unsuited for this type of touring as admitted by their respective sales staff.
The Tenere family would be my best option as they are purpose built and reliable. The second option is the HDT – AT1 670 deisel Bulldog to be released this summer. As a matter of interest, I was in a HDT blog and there are more than a few Nova Scotians very seious about purchasing one of these even at 18000.00 US… TENERE OPTION REQUIRED…
My other options are the DR650 Susuki and Honda XR650, both of which require extensive modifications. Advice to Scotty better do your home work befor parting with $$$. Are you looking at C & S America touring also. My great hope is a 1200 Super Tenere shows up befor the HDT – AT1 and my decision is forced.
Aw, the Maritimes … I’m jealous. I’ve traveled out east a few times for motorcross races and vacations, and loved every minute/mile of it. They say patience is a virtue, Dave. I suggest you hold tight until the right bike comes along
Dave
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:55 pmI’m part of the adventure riders who do not like the ADV bike offering in Canada right now (street oriented bike or European with questionable reliability. Only exception is the KLR but…).
If the Yamaha 660 Tenere and/or 1200 Super Tenere would be launch, I would be among the very first ones to put a deposit on the table…
Fred
March 9th, 2010 at 6:41 pmThere seems to be more than an under current in Canada for the Tenere family. Perhaps there would be a more usefull statistic available if Yamaha were to employ a sencess similar to that used by Hayes Deversified Technologies for the AT1 Bulldog. This could really justify a deposite for order as previously mentioned. The dealerships as well as the public should be canvasses electronically.
I am optomistic Yamaha will announce N.A. releasae in April 2010.
March 14th, 2010 at 11:37 amFound this in a NS site. Appears this may be from a CBSA OFFICER. Can Yamaha confirm if we can import from UK / Germany.
Posted: 2010-02-27 at 9:48pm
That is true and it is up to the purchaser. I would advise anyone to ensure they know what the standards are pefore purchasing and if the vehicle can meet the standards. Sometimes they cannot. For instance, there have been container loads of those small Chinese minibikes destroyed after they got here due to the importer’s inablilty to make them meet the standards. Something as simple as reflectors can be the reason for not meeting Transport Canada’s requirements.
Travellers may arrange for the purchase of a vehicle that they will pick up directly from a foreign manufacturer. The vehicle can enter as a Canadian-specification vehicle provided:
(a) it is certified by the original manufacturer to comply with the CMVSS, as evidenced by a statement of compliance label affixed to the vehicle by the original manufacturer or a letter from the manufacturer; and
(b) the vehicle is purchased new (where the importer is the first owner).
Contact Border Information Services 1-800-461-9999
Depending on the Officer it could become quite difficult and frustrating…not all of them are bikers like me…
In response to your inquiry: can you import a motorcycle from Germany or the U.K., the short answer is no.
When the factory manufactures motorcycles it does so according to the requirements (regulations and standards) for the country of destination. Models built for Germany are manufactured to the European Union (EU) standards. Units build for North America are built to the US Federal Motor vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) The CMVSS is derived from the FMVSS so they’re are almost identical (that is why US motorcycles can be so easily imported)
However EU standards are much different that FMVSS and CMVSS and Transport Canada will not accept them as meeting the requirements of the CMVSS.
This position is clearly stated on Transport Canada’s website.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-importation-other-than-index-446.htm
Thanks, Tim C.
March 23rd, 2010 at 12:42 pmInteresting
2011 Super Tenere XT1200Z
Export Company Hefei Changjian Commerce and Trade Co. Ltd., Anhai, China
International Trade shipping to North America
This model is avertized Gas / Diesel
I have not contacted this company for availability or price at this time.
Dave
April 20th, 2010 at 2:41 pmHey Chris,
The minute the 660 Tenere is available in Canada I will buy it. No joke. I will walk into the first dealer that has the bike and pay the price. I currently own a 2008 DRZ SM and want to move up to a bigger bike. I have been looking at the usual suspects – BMW (not enough off road for me) KTM (the 990 is way too big and these bikes are tempermental) KLR (just too damn ugly and cheap looking) But after I saw the 660 last year I have been holding off hoping that Yamaha Canada would get into the game. I live in Coquitlam BC. The irony is that of all the countries with the ideal terrain for this type of bike Canada is the perfect market.
What if that dealer is on the east coast? Could be a long walk for you, Paul, lol. Glad to hear you’re excited about the possibility of the Tenere coming to Canada. We’re excited too, but like us, you’ll have to wait until fall for the official release of the remaining 2011 Yamaha motorcycles…
June 16th, 2010 at 1:01 amDanBro
Hi there,
Tryin got figure out where I can get a SOC for my 2007 998cc Yamaha.
Anyone?
Thanks
D
June 30th, 2010 at 3:23 pmHi D, are you looking for an “upgrade chip” for your ECU? This is possible with many Automobile FI computers, but not MC.
Dave Shepherd
Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd.
Technical Specialist, Motorsports
I currently ride a 2006 FJR 1300 and would love to have a 660 tenere as my second bike!! (please bring it to Canada!)
November 4th, 2010 at 9:20 amNow that we know the 1200 tenere will be made available in Canada for 2011-04 . When will Yamaha Canada start accepting deposites as they already have at Yamaha USA for delivery next April 2011. What will be the minimum deposite, 10 % maybe ?
Dave, thanks for your interest. Does that mean you will be putting a deposit down?? Stay tuned. We’ll confirm early deposit program in December!
November 5th, 2010 at 11:55 amSo what can we do to get the Yamaha 660 Tenere here in Canada ?
A rain dance? Sorry Clarke, but I can’t confirm if or when we would bring in the 660.
February 28th, 2011 at 4:21 pmI made my mandatory deposite the day after Yamaha announced the programe at Pro Cycle, Dartmouth, NS (DEC.). I went to the dealership last week to find out who also was waiting for their delivery the first of May 2011. So that I might contact and place the thought of joining me on my Central and South American trip fall/ winter/ spring of 2013 / 14. I have been informed as of last Thursday I am the only known purchaser in the area. Having given this some thought over the Easter weekend I have come to realize that Yamaha Canada have not placed much emphasis on getting the message out through avertising etc on this unique touring machine, shame. The only reason I knew about the 1200 super Tenere, is through my own efforts to identify an adventure tourer other than the BMW 1200 GSA.
Hence would you and your team please let me know how many 2012 Super Tenere have been ordered , sold in Canada ? and where ?. How may I contact these riders, is or will there be a web site ?.
Also can you advise why the dealer cannot get information, availability, price and delivery on the solas security system for the 1200 Tenere, and other accessories.
Dave
April 25th, 2011 at 11:11 am660 Tenere…need I say more? Where do I send my deposit money? I’d drop a check in the mail TODAY if Yamaha announced they were bringing it to Canada! Not sure how low I can wait though…my KLR is getting long in the tooth.
August 15th, 2011 at 3:29 pm