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Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere (2010-current)

Detail	Value
New price	£12,999
Used price range	View Yamaha XT1200Z SUPER TENERE bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size	1199cc
Power	109bhp
Top speed	mph
Insurance group	15

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

There was a time when Yamaha’s Tenere range of bikes ruled the earth, literally. As desert and dirt blasters for Paris-Dakar like competitions, the name Tenere became synonymous with adventure and off-road riding. Then it all went quiet and BMW took on the mantle of Adventure bike champions with its modern-day GS range.
Yamaha’s revival started with the 2008 XT660Z Tenere, a delightful 660cc single-cylinder thumper dressed in traditional desert-romping plastics (high screen and seat height, long suspension). The introduction of the XT1200Z Super Tenere carries this adventure theme further.
The big sticking point is the £13,500 price tag, which makes it more expensive than a fully-loaded BMW R1200GS Adventure, over two grand more than a KTM 990 Adventure and just £700 less than the all-singing, all-dancing Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring.
As good as the Super Ten is, it can’t live with its rivals in terms of on-road performance, build quality and all-round fun-factor.
In short, it’s way overpriced for what it is.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

A 1199cc liquid-cooled parallel twin that is just as adept at autobahn speeds as it is lugging rider, pillion and luggage. Performance isn’t ground-breaking but the engine is smooth and there are minimal vibes. Power delivery can also be tamed (not that it needs to be) by switching to Touring mode via a bar-mounted button. Smoother throttle response and claimed improved fuel economy are the result. MotoGP tech features in this engine – by placing the crankshaft closer to the rider and low in the chassis, while maintaining decent off-road ground clearance, the crank’s gyro effect doesn’t intrude on the bike’s steering. Yamaha’s ECU-servo throttle-injection system also figures.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

A wet weight figure of 261kg borders on hernia-in-the-making. Well, you’d think so. The truth is the Tenere loses any sensation of bulk when its wheels are turning. Yamaha have got the weight distribution spot on and the only time weight is a problem is backing it out of the garage or picking it up. Surprise of the day was how stable the Tenere is at speed. At 120mph it’s rock steady and can cut an easy swathe through fast A-roads and nadgery stuff. It’s easy to get carried away… What is an absolute pain in the neck and upwards is the savage wind buffeting from the top of what is a very low placed screen. If it wasn’t there you could live with a blast to the body, but the low screen accentuates the noise in the helmet to induce a headache. It is height adjustable via four piddly screws whereas the competition has two easy grip thumbwheels.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Super Tenere has ay traction control system that is hardly noticeable when it cuts in and can be turned off for off-road use, 2) clever ABS and linked brake system that can measure lever pressure against speed and balance the braking effort between front and rear. Use only the rear brake and its ABS module doesn’t cut in to allow easy/safe turning around in the middle of the road, 3) fuss-free shaft drive, 4) complete pannier system. It doesn’t come with all the toys you can get on the new Mutlistrada and R1200GS Adventure, though. Compare and buy parts for the Tenere in the MCN Shop.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Purposeful chassis components… in other words there are a lot of component parts that come out of the same bins as many other Yamaha models – at least we know they work. The new engine should not be feared because Yamaha’s relationship with parallel twins is longstanding. There’s a nasty Rickman fairing-type rubber trim on the tank and for £13,500 rubber brake hoses seem cheap.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

There’s nothing wrong with the Super Tenere other than the price. This is a machine with the same kind of build-quality as a Honda Transalp, which is perfectly acceptable but nowhere near worth its £13,500 price tag. If Yamaha had priced it under ten grand it would be a cracking package, but as it is you can have a lot more from the competition for a lot less. Find a Yamaha Super Tenere for sale.

Insurance group: 15

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2010 – XT1200Z Super Tenere First Edition launched

Specifications

Top speed	mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	109bhp
Torque	84ftlb
Weight	261kg
Seat height	845mm
Fuel capacity	23 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group	15

Engine size	1199cc
Engine specification	Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4v four-stroke parallel twin. Six gears
Frame	Tubular steel backbone frame. Cast ally swingarm with shaft drive.
Front suspension adjustment	Fully adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment	Adjustable for preload only
Front brakes	2 x 310mm wave discs with 4-piston calipers
Rear brake	282mm wave disc with single-piston caliper
Front tyre size	110/80 x 19
Rear tyre size	150/70 x 17

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Owners' Overall Rating (8 reviews)

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Brilliant machine.

Chris132

Average rating

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I took one of these out for a long test ride and found it to be quite amazing, so I bought one. There is a noticeable difference in the traction control modes and the riding modes, brakes were very encouraging and the ride is incredibly comfortable, the bumpy roads of Britain will no longer be a chore for me as this bike seems to just take them in its stride. As for people saying they are expensive, well yes but you get a lot for your money. I've ridden a GS and it was plain dull in comparison to this. When you look at the cost of the machine and what it comes with, then compare it to the GS and what you get as standard is far superior. The GS adventure is about £11600 new and you don't get any traction control or ABS. The XT1200Z has some great deals I got mine for £11000 (with crash bars worth £245 for free) and it comes with ABS and traction control as standard, to get ABS on the GS Adventure you're looking at a further £990. It's not the amazing bike it's supposed to be and in my personal opinion (and it would seem a lot of others on this site), MCN got it totally wrong. This is every bit as practical as the GS but with more for your money and more fun. This is worth the money and I'm so glad I got one. I've ridden sports bikes for a few years and a couple of naked bikes, the super tenere takes the best of these and puts it into a usable, fun but practical machine.

20 October 2011
XTZ1200Z MCN got it wrong

ugg998

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I have ridden both the GS and super ten and I now own the super ten. MCN got it wrong,, this bike out classes the Gs hands down, smoother more comfortable better suspended i could go on. Cum on MCN lets have a fair test with Adventure riders not Racers and learn to use the equipment on the bike before riding. I paid £12000 for mine with every extra and I think it was a bargain.

16 August 2011
The review???

xtz00

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I cant understand how the motorcycle world determines its pricing, refering to 'MCN overall verdict' As the owner of a Super Ten i have absolutely no regrets with the purchase. One of the major factors was the price, in Australia a fully loaded GS1200 adventure is about au$33,500 a 990 Adventure is about au$23,000 and a ducati multistrada touring 1200s start at $29,990. The Super Ten was au$18,700 ride away, it is so cheap in comparison to the competition. In regards to value for money i dont think there are to many bikes out there with the features, handling, comfort and performance that this bike offers.An awesome bike.

15 August 2011
break-in

realRider2

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I can say now, after testing the bike over and over, this bike will last a long time, very robust, very stable, good looking, very powerful in S mode, brakes like no other bike in the market (these brakes come straight from MotoGP),don't have to worry about lubricating the chain, very smooth but when you push is like a angry rocket, not heavy at all, very economic, very agile in traffic, very comfortable, good value for what you get,reliable, outstanding finish, and quality everywhere where you look. This is a MOTORCYCLE!, a real one! and I have no regrets after purchasing her. Beautiful!

11 November 2010
YAMAHA

realRider2

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Hello, You guys (from this pretend magazine) don't like Yamaha, do you? Just checking most of the Yamaha reviews and what a coincidence!, not many stars....I wonder why?

11 November 2010
Yamaha's better motorcycle!

passas

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Without doubts, Super Tenere!

03 November 2010
What?

realRider2

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I saw a video from MCN testing the Yamaha, BMW, KTM and the italian (I don't know why that bike was there...???) You forgot about the Yamaha, why? last place?, how?, are you riders or journalists? probably the last one. I don't understand how the best bike around come last!. I had the opportunity to test it, very well, not just one ride. Also I tested the BMW, KTM and the "italian". You know? No surprise at all, the Yamaha was above all of them no doubt! Get rid of "the italian" and you get the Yamaha from 0-100km/h in 3 sec, of course Traction control OFF and sport mode! (Did you guys tested her like that?) The BMW is an Elephant!, too heavy when riding. The Yamaha is so light, is such a good feeling. The KTM is good Off-road and that's it, a bit ugly as well. The Yamaha is so far the best adventure bike in the market. For you guys who still thinking between a BMW and a Yamaha, no more thinking, get the Y. cheers I am glad I have one!

03 November 2010
Oh dear

hughcam

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One more nail in Yamaha's coffin

17 June 2010

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Discuss this

Add your comment

OldGitRay says

What is MCNs problem with this bike. It costs so much because the Yen dropped a third against the pound at the end of 2008. That is not Yamahas fault.

I sold an 09 GSA to buy the XT1220Z and the Yamaha makes the GSA seem neanderthal. It is better in almost all respects. Bad things are the screen, the luggage, the control buttons are not well placed and it does not have the presence of the GSA.

The good things are: it is low enough for humans to use, the ABS is as smooth as silk - even on gravel , the TCS works all the time and does not wait till a problem has developed before waking up. The seat is comfortable for both rider and passenger, the GSAs is just a hard forward sloping ramp. The Yam is so much easier to ride, especially at low speed where the low weight allows safe manouvering even with a passenger and luggage.

I noted comments on one (video) account the the exhaust noise was important - why, its not a poser bike, its an all road tourer.

I did notice in the MCN edition that first tested the Yam that there was 2 1/2 pages of adverts for BMWs and I firmly believe that it the prime reason for knocking this bike.

Get a grip MCN

05 November 2010 10:47

sixofonesays

A few points:

1. It ain't a competitor to the Multistrada.

2. It isn't more expensive that a fully loaded GSA (but it is dearer that a standard 1200GS).

3. You want to try experimenting with the traction control settings instead of assuming it works the same way as a BMW.

4. It's an all new design -- other than switchgear, indicators, light lenses there are no shared parts with any other Yamaha.

5. Have you looked at a Transalp lately? The Ténéré is better built than the Italian built Honda (there was certainly nothing wrong with the Transalp when made in Japan, though) and is significantly better made than the 1200GS.

A lazy review by MCN, but you're not going to find out much by taking the bikes over some fast roads to a hotel stop-over, and back again. Nor if you just expect it to behave in the same way, or have the same appeal, as your favourite bike of the moment (see 1. above).

03 November 2010 09:50