Trail Bike Adventure Magazine

Super Tenere Has Landed!

Thursday, 25 February 2010 10:52

Released at the Philip Island World Supers, the much anticipated Super Tenere is finally here.

The introduction of the exciting all new transcontinental touring motorcycle whose heritage can be traced back to the origins of adventure riding – the XTZ1200 Super Ténéré. The new XTZ1200 inherits the spirit of the legendary Ténéré models that drove an era of Yamaha dominance during the 1980s and ’90s in the Dakar Rally, widely known as the world’s most demanding endurance rally.

It is designed to achieve a high-level balance of the qualities riders want in an intercontinental long-distance touring, including: 1. Unmatched long distance capability, 2. Excellent dirt road performance, and 3. Light and agile cornering on mountain roads.

To realise the three qualities mentioned above, the engine and chassis were designed from scratch with developmental efforts focused on a centralised of mass chassis design, lower centre of gravity and the desired level of front wheel weight distribution.

Powered by a newly developed liquid-cooled 4-stroke 1199cc in-line twin cylinder engine, the XTZ1200 bristles with new control technologies aimed at offering outstanding long-distance touring performance.

The in-line twin-cylinder engine with a 270-degree crankshaft and 4-valve DOHC head sports a side-mounted radiator that contributes to centralisation of machine mass and mounted on a new frame. Also, the YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) seen on Yamaha Supersports machines now has traction control and a function enabling the rider to select running modes.

Other state-of-the-art technologies like a 3-position ABS system and adoption of a Unified Brake System are added to realise a higher level of touring performance. This is truly a model worthy of being called an ultimate machine for intercontinental adventure.

XTZ1200 development aim overview

1. Long-distance touring comfort and enjoyment

• Liquid-cooled 1199cc in-line 2-cylinder, 4-valve, 270-degree

crank engine.

• Compact design engine (2-axis primary balancer, crankcase

with built-in oil tank)

• YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle)

• 23-litre large-capacity, low centre of gravity fuel tank

• Chassis designed for good performance even when carrying a

pillion rider or baggage

• Chassis design for good wind protection

• Left-side radiator and right-side electrical component layout

for centralisation of machine mass

• Front-rear divided seat with height adjustment, multifunction

carrier (3-way carrier)

• New aluminium rims for tubeless tyres

• 12V outlet and numerous accessories

• Yamaha D-MODE power options

2. Excellent performance on dirt roads

• Telescopic type upside-down front fork

• Unified Brake System (front-rear unified brake system) and 3-

position ABS

• Chassis dimensions designed for light handling performance

(mass centralisation and low centre of gravity)

• Riding position designed for greater freedom, accommodating

standing-position riding, etc.

• Short muffler adopted to contribute the layout for

centralisation of mass and lower centre of gravity

Side mount radiator allows a more

compact design and aids mass

centralisation for improved handling

• Engine character tuned for good off-road drivability

• YCC-T with traction-control function

• Shaft drive with hypoid gear design

3. Light and agile cornering performance on mountain roads

• Chassis layout for centralisation of machine mass and low

centre of gravity

• Fuel injection and YCC-T for better drivability

• Torque curve combining power and drivability

• Wide-ratio 6-speed transmission

4. Eco-friendly performance

• Fuel injection system with 12-hole injector

• 3-way catalyzer and separate O2 sensors for each cylinder

• Twin spark plugs for outstanding combustion efficiency

Check It Out!

Functional design includes air intake for side mounted radiator

and excellent wind protection.

Traction control can be set at strong, limited… or switched off.

Power delivery can be set at Sports or Touring mode thanks to

Yamaha’s Chip ControlledThrottle system.

Final drive is via low maintenance shaft that employs a

compact hypoid gear for less unsprung weight.

Seat is height adjustable and threeway carrier adds to

the creature comforts you’d expect on the ultimate

long distance adventure bike.