2012 Tenere Question

Bombadier36

Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
Messages
81
Location
Florida Panhandle
I’ve been looking for a used Tenere for some time now and one popped up in my area (under 100 miles away).

The original plan was to purchase a 2nd gen - mainly for cruise control but I’ve read other things have changed too. It is taking a long time for a 2nd gen to pop up and I don’t have the time to fly and ride right now.

Thoughts on bike below and what do I need to look out for on a 2012?

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2012-Yamaha-SUPER-TENERE-XT1200Z-5009294603
 

LostDonkey

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2019
Messages
97
Location
Perth, Western Australia
My first ST was a Gen1 which I managed to get just over 100k out of trouble free with very little out of the ordinary maintenance, till I hit a tree. I now have a Gen2 and (after the ECU re-flash) consider it light years ahead. More refined overall with very few inherent bugs like those that used to beset the Gen1.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
8,370
Location
Tupelo, MS
I put 109k on a '12. First thing, that's not a '12 most likely. Ask the seller to double check their title and send you the VIN so you can check too. 2012 bikes were sold only in Blue and Black. White is a 2013 color. So either someone swapped plastic, or it's a '13. Find out which. If something seems fishy, it may be. Go look at it in person and verify the VIN and look for signs that it's been re-built.

Now, at 16k miles and nicely trimmed out, that's a decent bike. You can get a Gen II for that price, but w/o any add ons if you find one and you stated you did not want to fly and ride due to lack of available time. There are plenty of Gen I bikes for less money. But you have to be willing to go get them.

The things to look at or be aware of on Gen I bikes are really not that big a deal. Check the spokes. They should be settled in at 16k, but it was common to find loose spokes on Gen I bikes for longer than average. 52 in/lbs is the torque spec. Do it with a 5mm allen bit and 6" extension from the nipple at the hub. It's quick and easy to do. Alternate spokes by doing the ones at the same angle, swap sides, do all the ones at one angle on that side, then go back to the first side and do all the ones at the opposite angle, repeat on the second side and you're done. Many people put zip ties around the cross over points on the spokes. Only one per spoke needed and leave them slightly loose, not cinched down tight. Tight can cause stress cracks over time.

IN 10k miles you'll need to have the valve clearance checked. Around $400 at a competent dealer. Sometime before 52k it would be a Good Idea™ to have the CCT, (cam chain tensioner), replaced with the current version. The originals are known to fail somewhere in the 40-80k mile range. Most get noisy long before they fail. Mine failed at 83k and was one of the first to do so. I would suggest you just replace it at the second valve inspection and not worry about it. You may never get there, depending on how you ride.

The clutch basket was updated for the Gen II. They changed from springs to polymers. Sometime around 30-50k miles most people start noticing more vibration in the 3-4k rpm range under load. Like going up a hill, (not so many of those in FL). When you start noticing this, the fix is to replace the clutch basket with the updated Gen II version. It's about $300 and most people do it themselves. You won't notice any need for this for a while at this point.

Gen II bikes are smoother, (I have a '15 with 38k now). The CC is nice and works well. I would have kept my Gen I for another 100k if not for personal circumstances that had nothing to do with the bike. There is nothing wrong with the Gen I bikes.

Hope that helps.
 

Bombadier36

Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2019
Messages
81
Location
Florida Panhandle
Perfect. Thank you for the information.
The last communication I had with the current owner was requesting images of the damage showing on each side of the engine (hard to see how bad it is from the posted pictures). Makes me wonder now that you mentioned the color not being available on a 12MY.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
8,370
Location
Tupelo, MS
You might also ask if the title is clear or branded. (salvage/rebuilt/etc.)
 

Steve Neal

New Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2019
Messages
19
Location
Australia
As the owner of a gen 1 I fitted a MCCruise electronic cruise from Australia, integrates straight into the bikes system and works perfectly-well worth the money (about $750 AUD) ($500 USD)
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
8,370
Location
Tupelo, MS
As the owner of a gen 1 I fitted a MCCruise electronic cruise from Australia, integrates straight into the bikes system and works perfectly-well worth the money (about $750 AUD) ($500 USD)
Currently $540 USD. Significantly cheaper than on some other models. I suppose due to the throttle by wire. New control switch panel option at no cost for either std or slim, and teases of integration with new products not yet released.

Interesting that they show a switch gear for the left bar that has a hazard switch. Is this Aus or EU Gen I? My US Gen I did not have four way hazards.
 

tbird86

New Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2019
Messages
3
Location
SUX Iowa
Thanks for asking the question, Bombadier - I'm in a similar position at present. Really like the cruise and (supposed?) fueling upgrades on the newer bikes, but seeing lots of 2012's available for significantly less $$.
 
Top