Yamaha UK announce XT1200ZE Super Tenere

[Rasher]

I like the fact pre-load and damping are independently adjustable with the electronics, the ability to futher fine tune each setting is also very good, when I tested the old BMW GS models it was just three positions which adjusted both pre-load and damping together with no fine tuning, i.e 3 settings total, whereas the Yamaha has a few hundred possible combinations.....

...But unless the adjustment spans a decent range, and the shocks are of decent quality it won't really help much, on the GS my Wilburs setup as I typically left it was more "sporty" with better feel and steering than the GS in "Sport" yet still soaked up bumps almost as well as the GS in the softest mode, the GS also wallowed on anything other than Sports - which was very harsh on bumps.

Still, a damn fine effort from Yamaha and it will attract many folk who are scared of manually turning an adjuster, but seem to think if they press a button it will magically work far better than if they used a screwdriver.

 

[Big Blu]

It must be like this explanation of the ESA on the 2014 FJR1300ES:

•An electronically adjustable suspension has been adopted that adjusts it to fit different riding conditions and bring greater convenience to touring. This system provides a choice of four settings for preload, including “One Up,” “One Up with Luggage,” “Two Up,” and “Two Up with Luggage,” adding a choice of “Soft,” “Standard” and “Hard” for damping force adjustment for each setting. In addition, this damping force can be fine tuned three positions firmer or softer from standard within each “Soft”, “Standard” and “Hard” setting.
•This electronically adjustable suspension function adjusts the damping force of the front suspension and the preload and damping force of the rear suspension in a comprehensive way that maintains proper balance between the two suspensions. The adjustments can be performed quickly with the handlebar mounted switch and then confirmed on the instrument panel display.
•In order to make this electronically adjustable suspension function possible, upside-down front forks with independent right and left damper mechanisms is adopted. In this independent right and left damper design, the compression stroke damping force is generated in the left fork and the rebound stroke damping force is generated in the right fork, just like the suspension proven on the YZF-R1®.

All that equals 84 settings the way I figure it.

My 2006 BMW K1200 had the same algorithm for the EAS. Nothing new here, just took Yamaha a few years to get with the program.

Regards, Paul

 

[Yamaray]

Guy's
When can we expect to see this in the UK, do like that white ::012::

yamaray

 

[snakebitten]

My 2006 BMW K1200 had the same algorithm for the EAS. Nothing new here, just took Yamaha a few years to get with the program.

Regards, Paul

True. But Yamaha has shown that when it does "get with the program", it's usually far more developed and far less beta-testing for the customer.

Example is Super Tenere ABS and TC.

 

[Yamaray]

True. But Yamaha has shown that when it does "get with the program", it's usually far more developed and far less beta-testing for the customer.

Example is Super Tenere ABS and TC.

::026:: ::008::

yamaray

 

[mingo]

Does anyone have a link to high res images of the new S10?

 

[Tremor38]

So all in all YAMAHA seems to be taking it up to BMW with the ES and keeping the Strom side covered with the "Base" model.
Be interesting to see prices.

I am sure the Brit mags will be along shortly to tell us all why it's no good.

Not enough top-end pull no doubt. A sport bike with longer-travel suspension; true Pommie nirvana 8) The Tenere falls a bit short of their the mark.

 

[creggur]

Not enough top-end pull no doubt. A sport bike with longer-travel suspension; true Pommie nirvana 8) The Tenere falls a bit short of their the mark.

I'm telling you guys they're all going to say, "Nice try Yamaha. The '14 Tenere gets some nice updates but falls short of the competition because it doesn't stand up in the all-important, earth-shattering, what-were-they-thinking-by-not-giving-it-150 hp segment..."

 

[greg the pole]

just think...
If I had 150 hp on my tenere, I would be able to get 4000 km out of my rear mitas. Jooooy.

Bragging rights, it's all it is.
I'm ok at riding bikes, but rarely use more than 75% of it's actual potential.
For guys that consider the ST as a touring rig first up, then yes, it might be lacking.
But if it's used as intended, then it's damn near perfect power.

 

[mingo]

I'm telling you guys they're all going to say, "Nice try Yamaha. The '14 Tenere gets some nice updates but falls short of the competition because it doesn't stand up in the all-important, earth-shattering, what-were-they-thinking-by-not-giving-it-150 hp segment..."

Yamaha needs to do a press launch in South Africa, provide the moto press with an all expenses paid junket - like BMW - and you'll be reading things like "stump pulling diesel like torque in every gear, rugged, reliable, bla bla bla.." instead of a stealth PDF / website launch..


I'm fortunate to be able to afford any bike I want and as often as I want. I'm a recent Ducati convert and I have to say the Testastretta 1200 engine is awesome: it's visceral. That's the only word I can think of to describe the engine in my '13 Multistrada Grantursimo. But my all time favorite engine is the one in the SuperTenere. I like the punchy delivery.. the torque in every gear.. it's simply my all time favorite bike and I've owned dozens.. I purchase on average 3 bikes a year, every year. Bikes don't last in my stable very long before I'm onto something else. So, my 2012 SuperTen is going up for sale in the spring and will be replaced by 2nd Gen SuperTen. I've always said life's too short to own the same bike twice, but this bike's the exception. I love everything about it: the riding ergos, the handling, the engine and transmission, the ease of maintenance, the long long valve inspection interval, the reliable no drama ownership, I really like the styling, and as a primo farkelator, I like how all the wiring is easily accessible under the right cover.


I bought a 3rd Gen '13 FJR1300 and as much as I like it, I prefer the SuperTen, so it's going to a new home. The S10 is my sport touring, touring, commuter and off pavement bike.


The press will predictably point out that the electronic suspension is still playing catch up to BMW and Ducati, both of which have active electronic suspensions, but will always fail to mention the superior reliability inherent in the Yamaha design and execution. Let's face it, most bike reviews I read are soft spam infomercials; accentuate the positives and fluff the negatives and keep advertisers happy.

 

[fredz43]

Thank you for that enlightening review, Mingo. While I am not in the position to afford any and all bikes, I would like, I have had a lot of them over the years, have 6 of them right now, and the Super Ten is my all time favorite. I have to love an engine before I can love the whole bike and so my only experiment with a Boxer didn't last long, as I just couldn't connect with it's character. You mention that the Super Ten is your all time favorite engine and it is the same with me. Up until now, my favorite engine was in my 1998 Super Hawk 996 V twin. That is the only bike I bought twice, the exact same bike, as a matter of fact, bought it back from the guy I sold it to. Since I got the Gen 2 flash, the Super Ten engine is by far my favorite. It has character in spades. Smooth enough for touring, yet when I feel like getting into hooligan mode, it responds with visceral sounds, feel and torque that talk to me in a manner that brings smiles to my face every time. The only negative is that it makes me dislike our Midwest snowy winter weather even more, as I don't get to ride it as often as I would like.

 

[Rasher]

I found the stock engine good enough, the De-Catted ECU-U one is pretty awesome and I love the amazing low down torque, still miss the top end rush many bikes have, even the last of the air cooled GS mdoels had a bit of a rush up top which made it feel faster than it probably really is and a bit more exciting, but for 99% of the time the S10 motor is perfect, it only really feels a little flat when I am already going faster than I should anyway.

Money no object this bike would be staying ::008:: I could probably afford a Gen2 or px for a Ducati, but would rather save my cash and use it to buy fuel and tyres and just ride a lot more.

Hoping the "hi tech" spec sheet does bring a few more folk to the joys of the S10, it will help in the UK, a lot of bikers probably fancy the GS but are put off by the BMW badge (although far more are attracted by it) and the Versys 1000 has sold well as a budget Adv bike, if the cost is kept reasonable and it can slot half way between the £10k budget bikes (Versys and V-Strom) and the £15k+ Multistrada / GS / KTM it may stand a chance.

 

[creggur]

Bragging rights, it's all it is.
I'm ok at riding bikes, but rarely use more than 75% of it's actual potential.
For guys that consider the ST as a touring rig first up, then yes, it might be lacking.
But if it's used as intended, then it's damn near perfect power.

I use mine as primarily a sport-touring/touring rig, and with the Gen 2 flash I couldn't be happier.

Maybe my advanced years (42) or the number of years I've been riding on-road (28 ) have mellowed me, but there's plenty of get-up-and-go available from this mill to get it all done.

Not to be cocky, but I'm pretty damn good on-the-road, and this bike delivers every time.

 

[Grumpy]

One thing I would like off it is the gear indicator. And I'm assuming they are keeping the UK only miles/kilometers switching. My FJR could do with that.

 

[Mzee]

One thing I would like off it is the gear indicator. And I'm assuming they are keeping the UK only miles/kilometers switching. My FJR could do with that.

I am oppossed to a perfect bike, it takes out the fun of riding. Surely, a gear indicator is not a necessary item on a bike.

 

[mingo]

One thing I would like off it is the gear indicator. And I'm assuming they are keeping the UK only miles/kilometers switching. My FJR could do with that.

I installed the UK based HealTech GIpro gear indicator. With torque in every gear, it was hard to tell what gear i'm in if I didn't keep a mental note of it..

 

[greg the pole]

I use mine as primarily a sport-touring/touring rig, and with the Gen 2 flash I couldn't be happier.

Maybe my advanced years (42) or the number of years I've been riding on-road (28 ) have mellowed me, but there's plenty of get-up-and-go available from this mill to get it all done.

Not to be cocky, but I'm pretty damn good on-the-road, and this bike delivers every time.

my years are not as advanced...36 going on 37. Riding for 22.
But that's just the thing. A buddy of mine rides an ST, and is all hot and bothered about the new KTM. He rarely uses the ST to it's full potential, and even admitted that if he gets the KTM, he would keep the ST for long trips, as it's more reliable. ::025::

 

[Correcaminos]

No Coments

More information:

http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/eu/products/motorcycles/compareresults.aspx?products=552148,552158&pmc=xtz1200



In Italy: 15.690 €

 

[creggur]

my years are not as advanced...36 going on 37. Riding for 22.
But that's just the thing. A buddy of mine rides an ST, and is all hot and bothered about the new KTM. He rarely uses the ST to it's full potential, and even admitted that if he gets the KTM, he would keep the ST for long trips, as it's more reliable. ::025::

I just wish I had that kind of disposable income....actually, I do, but there's no-way-in-hell my wife would allow me to use it for a brand new hp-monster, just because it's the latest-greatest. She keeps me in-check on this kind of thing, oh well...

Actually, I don't have time to ride the Tenere near as much as I'd like to - an extra (very similar) bike in the garage would be a pure waste of money. I'm thinking since I use the Tenere as a touring/sport-touring mount, a used KLR to thrash in the dirt would be fun...THAT I could get away with...

 

[greg the pole]

I just wish I had that kind of disposable income....actually, I do, but there's no-way-in-hell my wife would allow me to use it for a brand new hp-monster, just because it's the latest-greatest. She keeps me in-check on this kind of thing, oh well...

Actually, I don't have time to ride the Tenere near as much as I'd like to - an extra (very similar) bike in the garage would be a pure waste of money. I'm thinking since I use the Tenere as a touring/sport-touring mount, a used KLR to thrash in the dirt would be fun...THAT I could get away with...

I know i'm going to open Pandora's box...but here goes.
KLR's are rubbish. Had two (99 and 2008) and although they were ok, they are nowhere the bike the ST is. Hear me out.
Crap motor, crap suspension, and crap brakes. The seating position is good, and so is the wind protection. that said, for a true off road dual purpose, I would head for a husky 510 or similar. The Japanese singles are too heavy and use technology that's going on 15-25 years. I've also had a dr400 and 650, and out of all the single bangers, if I had to do it again I would get the dr650. I have ridden a friends ktm 690, and it's a riot. 2nd gear power wheelies at 3500 feet of elevation. Only issue is that he has 350 km on it, and it's stranded him twice already (same friend that wants to buy the 1290 adv ::013:
God knows I attempted to get a mid range off road bike, but can't seem to fill the fun, and solidity of the ST.
my DL build went OK, that said, it's for sale, as it simply does not stack up to the ST. http://thetenerist.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/frankenstrom-build-2/

Why not go to a softer tire on your ST, that's better off road (50/50 mitas) and enjoy the tenere properly as your only bike.
Yeah, you will not get as good of wear from that tire, or fantastic road grip, but man oh man. Off road, it makes the bike shine.

I recently went over my tire logs, and any rear tire I have run, does not last me more than 8500 km. My last mitas lasted 7700km, and the current one is on target for the same wear. I sport tour with them, ride gravel, and wash the bike through the occasional stream.
There's no point in babying the ST. I've put mine through hell and back. As long as you maintain it properly, it will last and last. my early delivery blue, has 37 km on it, and it feels new. Rides like a new bike, and makes me smile every time.