YamahaParExcellence

Thank's Doug! A kid at Christmas, am I this afternoon. Oh yeah...! Joe

Nope..exactly like your M.O. Thank you for your remarks. I am right back to the finger tapping and no longer Beer Wailing...lol. We never saw one in the flesh, Chief, but we destroyed YouTube with repeated playing of all the reveal and demo rider's vids and comments. We pretty much dismissed the comments about the heat...for as we saw that...as an asset for a 60 year old couple. Trust me...if you are near or over 60...you KNOW what I am talking about...to have warmth on your calves, ankles, and even thighs. If you are young...then you have no idea what I am typing about....lol...but give it time...one day...YOU WILL! Chief, we finally saw a grey one in person, for my dealership had one for another early order customer..and on the day we let the dealer show off our trade-in Wing to another couple interested in seeing it...we saw that one close and up front. Of course, we never sat on it, or messed with it in any way. We just squatted and looked at the beauty. From that day...we knew 'on faith and experienced expectation' we made the right choice, to make the offer. To now know that I am getting it...from the 'horse's mouth...wow...like a kid seeing Santa Claus down near the fireplace...that's me this afternoon! Cheers, Joe the Yamaha guy once more...

Finally I got confirmation from the 'horse's mouth'...I'm getting my red SVTC...most likely next month...still at sea shortly approaching the coast of Vancouver, from Japan. Three other red metallic purchasers are also waiting for this shipment, Canada wide. We are the last to be taken stock of. All gone for 2018 already. Here in the Great White North, at least. Joe

Great news today from a VP of Yamaha Canada, Puc. After apologizing for my delay, with explanation...I spelled it out in another new thread...mine is at sea at present, shortly to land in Vancouver (along with 3 other red SVTC's...) and all are getting shipped across Canada to their respective selling dealers. Puc, North American wide. not speaking about any one location or state, province within...the sales and demand totally outstripped what Yamaha thought would be a median amount to produce. His words on the phone...."Joe, we got caught with our pant's down on this one. We will have ample dealer stock for the 2019 model year. I'm so happy for us to be in that position, and again apologizing to you for this very long delay in your delivery of such." So...all good, no more beer to cry into...but to sip and enjoy! In fact..dang...I'm going to go to the fridge and have one RIGHT NOW! Back slaps, Joe

Hi Carl...we now go into celebration mode...like the song now playing in my head..."Ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeelebration....time to celebrate, and have a good time....Ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelebration, da da". VP from Yamaha itself..called me, prostrated himself...and said that myself and three other red metallic purchasers have their bikes still at sea, inbound from Japan...and will land shortly at Vancouver. From there...they get dispersed to all four selling dealers...and then...that's it for 2018, in the Canadian market. If you have friends, that want or are the slightest interested in owning a Canadian SVTC...from this news..I strongly suggest they scream over to their Yamaha dealer that has a floor model left,...and make it theirs. Once they are all gone...they are all....gone for 2018. Cheers, "Ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelebration C'mon...." Joe

I just got a call to my house, from Yamaha Canada, themselves..in fact from a vice-president of sales and warehousing. I'm getting my bike...and so are three other's across Canada that are still waiting on their red metallic's SVTC. Now..for the interested...the rest...of the story.... I'll sort of do it as a bullet format: * Even if Puc's local dealerships are not seeing much movement on their in-stock SVTC and SV's...they have out sold, North America wide, all wild expectations of Yamaha Corp, US and Can. * They had a tremendous total response to the Priority Delivery Program, and because of that, it starved their stock for others that did not sign up. * The red color SVTC has far out sold the grey metallic and again caught them 'with their pant's down'. * It is true, there are no more feasible SVTC's to come for the rest of the 2018 riding season, into Canada. *Whatever the dealers have Canada wide..is what they are going to get for this year. (not my interpretation) *The VP once more apologized on behalf of Yamaha Corp, for not being able to duly ship my red metallic to my dealer and appologied yet again for that. He said that they are shipping a 'surprise' to not only myself, but the other three purchasers that alongside you have been unduly waiting for their delivery. * They will be adjusting their stock output for the 2019 model year, so there will be no long delivery times, or outright shortages. They are thrilled to be in such a position, on a totally new motorcycle platform. We then parted ways... I now know the true value of not calling out person's or organizations, unless you have the smoking gun. It thrills me, to no end, that my initial 'judgement' of my dealer, was valid. They did B.S. me. They did not play me. They did not NOT take the delivery in February, (this was give to me, by another dealer that 'claimed to have insider knowledge. I only say that...and let it pass down the sewer...) They told me the truth. Yamaha Canada could not, would not give them a delivery date, being that my bike wasn't even made upon the asseblly line, but now is only (still at sea) Vancouver...and will be shipped directly to my dealer's location ASAP. Same for the other three customers still waiting for theirs. He did say...that we are the last of the line for this year. So...if anybody from Canada is reading this...and want one...you'd had better haul A** NOW...into your dealer and cut the best deal you can on the showroom floor stock. This is right (whether you believe me or not) from the VP's mouth that obviously had some heat placed upon him to call me directly. So...folks...I shall ride with y'all, in probably some time in May. The ship carring the last of the Candian stock is still at sea...so...I just need to be patient. I can be now...for I KNOW that mine...(and he did say..that it has my name as the customer, and my selling dealer on the ship's manifest. Cool, and cool! So there it is...please mentally delete all my (not knowing one way or the other) prior posts as to if..what.why...dang...posts. She is coming...and my wife and I are going to go out and celebrate that good news. We WANT this bike. Final thoughts...anybody that has one of these babies...you can gloat! You chose a wildly popular first year introduction bike...Yamaha with all the this and that regarding whether they should have gone 4 banger, water cooled, or the way they did...is totally redundant now. This bike's demand (North America wide, pretty much wiped out the production stock...well, for this model year. Obviously they are already ramping up for 2019. One thing I would almost bet on...there ain't gonna be a 5 year warranty offered, next year. They see that is not necessary...it will probably be a two or three, like the competition. To the nay sayers, that thought nobody would take to a fully and traditional large bore, air/oil cooled tour rig. Well, the sales so far disagrees with your assessment of their choice of what engine they ended up, indeed putting into this beast!

-------------------------------------- Hope to...for that was the plan! About that 91 octane sticker...I'm going to use low heat from a hair dryer...fanning it across the decal...and then will try to lift it and peel it slowly as I keep fanning it with the dryer. Somebody said that a little shot of WD-40 will remove the residue. There is one thing I would suggest though Chief, and I'm going to certainly find out BEFORE I remove a government mandated (States and Canada) fuel safety sticker...is...would this VOID the factory warranty, in that they can say you modified the motorcycle...just as you would if you messed with the catalytic converter? Think about it...the decal and the converter are both mandated to be on the bike when shipped, so....something to ponder while still under warranty. Sound's weird? Lot's of thing can sound weird, and yet be exactly as they are...come warranty claim time. FYI. Post Edit: Spoke with a dealer, that said while they could not remove that tank sticker...the owner sure could, and that it WOULD not result in any denial of warranty, should you need to make a claim. So...peel away! Have fun!

What a great post..and sense of humor! LOL I still wear the 'snakes' to church. Hey..for what they cost me...I need some walking on them! I also love wearing my Stetson's from my Arizona Livin' Easy days. Love Stetson's... It appears that I will not be taking delivery of my contracted SVTC. Lessons learned. That's what's nice about having my Kawasaki as my back up...for this season, anyway. Enjoy yours to the max. I'll be waiting for everybody's tour pics in the Picture Forum. I hope you SVTC riders snap some! I just ordered a custom Corbin saddle for my Kawa. Always wanted one...and now will get plenty of butt mileage out of it this summer! Glad that I bought last year, the full pack of Cortech Super 2.0 Saddle bags and matching tail bag. Very nice kit for Sport Tour touring.... Regards, Joe

Puc, how may MPG does one hot dog shoved down the filler cap of the tank, getcha? This could be a new avenue for savings! Unless you put an pickled, ethanol soaked hot dog in there. Then...your mileage will vary...or so I think.

Most seriously...I will think about that...and thank you for the links. So, they did the stock seat...and there is no custom pan, such as in Corbin, and such? Is that right? I have snakeskin cowboy boots..and love the 'look' I get from the priest at our church where we celebrate Mass. You should see the look on his face, as I walk up to receive Communion, LOL! It's worth weekly JUST FOR THAT! Yeah I know...evil...lol. You gotta laugh your way through Life, or Life will always get that last laugh in! Nope..that last snort will be mine, just before seeing the Pearly Gates come into view...or maybe not...lol...lol. Joe

Yep, that's the exact one I got. Takes less than 30 seconds to seat it over the links, making sure the two side feet snug up against the face of the rear sprocket. Move the sight rod to the most forward position, lock down...and gauge it against the right side wall of the chain run. 1 minute, you have a gauge how parallel it is to the front and back sprocket. With the old string, tape, and yard stick method, this could have taken (with adjustment) an hour or more, and it could all fall apart if you hit the front wheel, or the dang string popped off. This thing is fantastic. I'm going to keep it always in the bike, so as if I have to service my tire anywhere...or after a tire install...pop it goes on...take a read, adjust the rear tire/rim, if needed..and back into the secret-handshake-place in the bike, lol. I needed this 50 years ago! Post Edit: Now...it's too bad that you can't use this, or they have something created for Belt Drive installations. Well, I don't know that as I type, for a fact. I'm going to go now and do a Google search for if there is something like this chain tool, to make sure your belt drive/tire is aligned to the pulleys. I can just imagine how a off-set pulley wall ,could chew out your belt, like a guy chewing tobacco! Ok...taking a sip of morning coffee and going to go visit the Google Lady....on this matter.

That's the good thing, Fergie, everybody follows their choices! Enjoy!

I wouldn't run this bike in Florida...you'll scare the h*ll outta the widelife, lol! They'll put a bounty on your head! LOL! $10,000.00 for the Human....

"Ten-Four, good Buddy!" Joe

All good points, Puc. Human nature though, is 'in the eye of the beholder'. I don't think that in the case of the SVTC first year adopter, (including myself), that we are looking at the purchase as an R.O.I. bang for the buck. I think rather, an R.O.E. (return on expectation) with a more emotional draw...and the on board features that cater to that. We also bought into the SVTC, in that, truly for us...if the frame and mechanics proved reliable and strong...this would be most likely that last new motorcycle acquisition by us, and would most likely be passed onto my son, rather than my putting on the market to recover whatever residual value as cash. So that was our thinking this time around. But..if I don't get my reserved one this April...I can and will look once more at the comparable HD mount. Why not? It's game time again. I will go back into it, SVTC biased...but would be foolish, not to at least see what HD has up their sleeve in answer to the SVTC for the 2019 model year. I think they must acknowledge it...for sure...and might drop their price, or add as standard same or most of the features seen on the SVTC launch. That is my personal take on what they will do...to keep HD momentum not being diluted by the SVTC launch. It's a wait and see, and I might once more be in that position to do just that. Not by choice, though!

Add my 'wow' to the above...and...that it is different from what most choose for custom skinning. I LIKE it! You sir, are obviously a very proud SVTC owner..and I like that as much as the seat you put on her. It shows..... Safe rides... Joe

Lenny, I almost lost my coffee all over my monitor, LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL! Well, all I can say, is that I must have a gem of a wife, that hums to the music playing in our helmets,...leans forward and rubs my shoulders including neck massage, gives me hugs from back there...and basically keeps to herself, unless she markedly wants to comment on something coming up ahead...usually someone's landscaping---->and wanting to take ideas from that back home. So...you suggest that I've got gold? I agree! Enjoyed your post, and cheers! I love her dearly! Joe

Quite welcome, enjoyed posting them. The area to my wife and I, is Ontario's answer to Sedona, Arizona. It's just like that...peaceful, has natural splendor, EVERYBODY is in a good mood around you...good vibes area/people just makes for a great long weekend, or even a one week stay.

Your bike looks great! I miss riding in the Senoran Desert. Especially when the cactus bloom! Those blue flowers...that's Arizona's Flower Power! When I lived in Phoenix, we always found riding out to Fountain Hills, a good ride there and back, and then drop into the plaza in Scottsdale for some bistro and beer. Those were the days!

I totally agree, and that's what so peaked our interest in the SVTC over buying the 2018 Honda Goldwing to replace the wing we traded in on. If I don't end up getting my SVTC because the the shenanigans of my contracted dealer, then I'm only being honest, in stating that between May, and next Fall, I will look once more at everybody's 2019 offerings, and make my decision again. We need a dedicated tour bike, for my wife will never ride with me again, if only having my Sports Tour. So...yes...we will be buying another between May and Fall of this year for sure. Still going to look at everybody once more though. That is only an honest intent. Cheers, Joe

Puc, your points and comments, are of course through your eyes, and experience. I respect that. You also ring true on a stand out point. All the Toronto Harley dealerships (including those out of the GTA) are always advertising "c'mon down...have burgers, donuts, coffee...meet and greet other riders, ask them questions on the models you are, or could be interested in"...stuff like that. You are very accurate in that! You NEVER see a 'metric' dealer do such..only if the manufacturer is staging demo rides in their area...but nothing like the aforementioned. That...is true. I never really 'dwelled' on that...but a good point of community, and drive some business up, contact. I like the SVTC ...NO...I REALLY LIKE the 2018 SVTC...and am a strong supporter of its features set. Heck...we 'supposedly' (sic) bought/ordered one! We do hope the deal consummates. If not...I have wasted 6 months waiting on this dealer. Yes, as was pointed out by another, there are other dealers..and I have already been in contact with three of them...not sitting around with my thumb up the nether regions, but all have advised me, that they have their stock in...nothing in stock and 'red', and nothing left in the back room, crated. Just a personal predilection for taking delivery of a new bike..from factory crate, to my hands... I wish that instead of these latest posts coming from me...that it would have been GOT IT HOME...WOW...first ride...here's the scoop. Not the guy waiting at the alter for the no show... We'll see...there's still two weeks left from my cut-off point for having waited enough. Crossing my fingers that the true phone call comes...and we set up a take delivery time. That would be fantastic. Just no longer holding my breath, and accepting the so-far, spoon fed, delay reason, B.S. Cheers! Oh..have you had a chance to use your new chain alignment tool? Mine came the next day after ordering It's great...and is going to put string and scotch tape manufacturers, out of business, ROTFLMBO!

Thanks Puc...and will certainly look into that then... Cheers!

True Don, true, and no, I haven't 'given up'...and yes, there are other dealers (have already contacted three over the last two weeks)...and will explore them...but I want mine from (red color) the crate, not from the dealer showroom floor. From the past, I have my reasons, Like I said, if the deal doesn't come through...and now I have my doubts, I'll lay low..and watch out for the '19's, and still will look at all my competition choices. I'll have the time... Up here, most stock is already on the showroom floors, and red's are (up here..) hard to come by. Thanks for the comebacks and encouragement. You can understand, that in feeling played, and B.S.'ed to (having learned months after the fact) ...I am not so rah, rah, as before, as my natural excitement...well..has waned. Natural fall-out. You see, my personality has always been the guy, with the half-full glass of water. I naturally (by personality) offer first trust, rather than suspicion. This is not the same as reckless, due caution...like being a natural target for con people or scammers/phone/email/at the front door, etc, but I felt 'good' about this particular dealer, when contracting for a bike last October. I never in a million years, would have thought that a dealer would refuse a customers bike delivery from the Yamaha Canada shipping office (for any reason, let alone a self interest one of not wanting to store it over the winter months.) if there was a deposit on that bike, and with such a long built-in waiting time because of the Yamaha call-back, and shipment delay of over three months past P.R. reveal time-line shipping announcements. So, the disappointment is felt stronger with me. I'm being open and honest. I deal honestly with all people, am square and upfront in all my personal, and business dealings, and EXPECT, others to carry on with integrity as well, in this regard. I believe, you are never a fool to MAKE a mistake in judgement or Life, no...but you **are**, if you repeat the same mistake. Only then... Who knows...maybe something will gel, in the next two weeks. I will be contacting Yamaha Canada over this for sure, because they need to know...and also..why THEY have not done a custom reserve call back, to phone their dealer 'what's up' query with this customer's deposit reserved, delivery. Apparently they never did, (from my limited true knowledge of all that behind the scenes, transpired) past the first attempt to deliver to the dealer last February.......so, I need to investigate this all, before lodging a formal complaint. None of this passes the stench test...on a few levels...in my IMPO, anyway. Joe

Yes, up here, they are getting better coverage, it seems. Puc, what I meant by taking delivery to my house, was not directly from Yamaha, but from them shipping the bike to my dealer...his accepting it in Feb...his putting it together...and his trucking it to my house as the delivery point. Never got that option, only B.S. as to ...they are still waiting to hear from Yamaha...when they are going to ship my bike to them. Like I said...total B.S. They refused the delivery attempt. The SVTC's are a lot of money up here....MSRP 31,999.00 but compared to the Harley...more bank for the buck. As for buying one in the States...(unless I was planning to come back home to Arizona....) it's a hassle, that you have to convert the MPH, to KPH and other rigamarole. Like I stated here, I'm certainly not going to 'knee jerk'...but will look at the '19's...and I will certainly look at an Ultra Classic as well for the 2019 model year. Harley dealers up here...are hurtin' bad...and they are very motivated to make a deal. So...if I don't end up with an SVTC at the end of this month...I'm going to go to ground. Get my refunds...drop them back into the bank...and lay low. Enjoy my Kawasaki...my wife can enjoy our horses...and all will be good. This Fall, when they are even more motivated...I'll look back in on Yamaha and Harley. We'll see who courts me with the best bang-fer-the-buck. Still hoping though, within the coming 2 weeks, my vaporbike Yamaha Bull slinger, calls me to tell me 'it came in' and mean it.... Yeah...we'll see...! If I do end up looking once more into Yamaha...will I go back to this dealership? No way...no way.