Watch out BMW, here comes Yamaha!

The wait is over. Yamaha released details of the new XT1200Z Super Ténéré adventure touring machine, and from what we see, it had better be coming to Canada.

270 degree crank and balance shaft should keep vibes at bay.

At the heart of the machine is a liquid-cooled parallel twin engine displacing 1,199 cc. Crank pin throws are offset at 270-degrees for a broad spread of torque and a V-twin sound, and dual counter-balancers do away with vibration.

The dry-sump engine claims 108 hp. A six-speed gearbox transfers power to the rear wheel via shaft drive.

Power is controlled through Yamaha’s ride-by-wire throttle control system (YCC-T), which will offer two maps for different riding conditions (Sport and Touring). The bike is also equipped with three-mode traction control.

Computerised linked ABS will monitor several parameters and adjust braking proportion between front and rear brakes, yet the rear brake alone can be used for low-speed manoeuvring if the rear brake is applied before the front.

Yamaha uses a rigid steel tube frame instead of aluminum because “it holds up better under the demands that off-road adventure riding can place on a large bike.”

A fully adjustable 43 mm inverted fork and a single rear shock adjustable for rebound damping and preload provide 190 mm (7.5 in) of suspension travel.

Wheels are laced and tubeless, much like the Super Ténéré’s obvious competitor, the BMW R1200GS Adventure. Wheels sizes are 19-inch front and 17-inch rear.

Shaft drive too!

The Ténéré’s long-distance adventure-touring potential is reinforced with a 23-litre fuel tank, adjustable windscreen and seat height and a 12-volt power socket. Tons of touring accessories are also available.

According to Yamaha’s literature, the Super Ténéré will be available in Europe in 2010, but the company will offer it as a one-year “First Edition” model, with aluminum side cases, headlight protector and aluminum skid plate. These will be options on the 2011 model.

No news yet if the bike will make it to Canada this year.

MORE PICS ...

Clocks (obviously)	Steel tube frame.
And the view from the LHS.	And from a little higher up ...

What's wrong with 750/800 ccs ?   Does the world need a 1200 cc Adventure Yacht ?  Have fun takin' that one down a long gravel road.  Sheesh... Posted by TK4 25-02-2010 11:07 » Report this comment to administrator Yeah that's right, making it a 750/800 cc will make it much more manageable off road.     Embrace the fact that we have another choice other than BMW, and quit your whining.    Not for me but I think it's awesome anyways!! Posted by P.Dhanjal 25-02-2010 11:30 » Report this comment to administrator Proof positive that the entire idea surrounding the Hummer is far from dead. How much 'off road' crap do you need on a bike that most will never take off the pavement? Posted by Dave 25-02-2010 11:34 » Report this comment to administrator Sweet!!! I'd consider buying one. As long as it's not as heavy as the varadero and the shaft doesn't upset the applecart too much.  "Have fun takin' that one down a long gravel road.", I bet it will work as well as the BMW on loose surfaces though not as well as my KTM. Posted by joelph 25-02-2010 11:38 » Report this comment to administrator i may as well put offroad tires on my fjr. Posted by jim 25-02-2010 11:49 » Report this comment to administrator Claimed wet weight: 575 lbs Posted by greg 25-02-2010 13:31 » Report this comment to administrator When will Pete take it on an "Iron Butt" run Posted by danno 25-02-2010 13:59 » Report this comment to administrator The windscreen looks to be very vertical and far from the rider. I wonder if it will suffer from the buffeting problem that made my V-Strom so intolerable? Posted by Rob 25-02-2010 14:12 » Report this comment to administrator Another V-Strom. Looks nice enough, but who's kidding who about being a "dirt bike"? Put on a 17-inch front wheel and it'd probably be a great street machine. Posted by larry 25-02-2010 14:19 » Report this comment to administrator Love it! Posted by Patrick 25-02-2010 14:41 » Report this comment to administrator Why is it awesome when it weighs more than a Suzuki Dl1000, a decade-old design. Why is it awesome to have another so-called 'adventure' bike whose bulk will get it stuck in the mud just like Ewan & Charlie's BMW pigs? Why is it awesome that it's not realistic for this world? Tell you what's awesome: KTM and the fact that Suzuki still make the DR650. And yes, the windshield's too far forward and will buffet like a DL. Goddamn gay 'engineers' and 'designers' who don't ride. Only thing smart with this bike be the wheels. Long may you rule KTM. And long you will with such lame Jap designs. Posted by hipsabad 25-02-2010 15:39 » Report this comment to administrator Come on folks, there's no mystery here! Now, just like a lot of motorcyclists whose riding experience involves that infamous "willing suspension of disbelief", all those Yuppies who like to pretend that they're riding the Paris Dakkar while on their way to the local Tim Horton's have another choice (to go with the BMW GS's, Triumph Tigers and Honda Varaderos etc.). Be honest, we all know why Yamaha built the bike like this, rather than build a REAL adventure tourer... BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT SELLS!!! Posted by partsfather 25-02-2010 17:44 » Report this comment to administrator What do you ride, partsfather? Posted by Jim Bob 25-02-2010 18:04 » Report this comment to administrator Great looking bike in my opinion and I trade my bikes in every two years and currently have one more year left on my 2009 v-strom. I will consider this bike if it comes to Canada next year. We are always saying I wish I wish they would bring out such and such a bike and then when they do all we do is sit around and cut it up before we give it a chance. Posted by William Gareau 25-02-2010 18:37 » Report this comment to administrator I can't wait to see it in the US. I want one! Posted by William Lloyd Garden 25-02-2010 19:06 » Report this comment to administrator Comes with emergency hydraulic jack, refillable heated 2 liter Starbucks House Blend tank, 2-year subscription to "Couch Adventurer", 2 year On-Star Assist with special Nearest Starbucks emergency button Posted by colin_chapman 25-02-2010 20:29 » Report this comment to administrator They look nice not for off road though. Kinda like when Suzuki was making the DR 800 but more weight. City slickers dream bike. Posted by 8Ball 25-02-2010 20:35 » Report this comment to administrator Did'nt Honda try out a 900 twin back in 1986-87,  onve? Looks cool though,I'd be intersted. Posted by mike montagne 25-02-2010 20:35 » Report this comment to administrator A 750-900 twin would have been plenty, but I understand the bigger is better concept... Well in some instances anyways....    Speaking of more: http://www.gizmag.com/yamaha-super-tenere-xt1200z-specifications/14310/ Posted by A Smart A$$ 25-02-2010 22:08 » Report this comment to administrator I bought my V-Strom (1000) as a lightweight sport touring type bike that just happens to have some faux "Dakar" type styling and good legroom. I think it handles like crap on loose surfaces.    Anyway, this is going in the wrong direction for me. Basically I think it's a stand in for a large bore sport-tourer (like the FJR mentioned above) with more comfortable ergos for the long-legged types. I'm thinking my next bike (whenever that is) I'd like to be lighter, not so tall (good for leg room, not so much for handling) and a less snatchy engine. This thing is just a Yamaha GS1200. Posted by RyYYZ 25-02-2010 22:47 » Report this comment to administrator Yes, it's big, it's heavy - just like the GS1200 that BMW sells a shitload of. Posted by Willi 26-02-2010 08:33 » Report this comment to administrator had a vstrom 650 with TKCs on it,was better on gravel ,sucked on hwy,with stock tires was so-so on hwy sucked on gravel, The 650 was just to heavy to take off road,I cant imagine taking this on some loose graveled fire rd. Posted by B.C.biker 26-02-2010 11:04 » Report this comment to administrator If you think the DL650 with TKC80's handles like crap on really loose gravel you need to spend more time riding and less time on your computer... Posted by spokes81 26-02-2010 12:53 » Report this comment to administrator I think this bike looks great! I'm not sure that 575 vs 555 on the DL1000 is enough for everybody to whine about...especially since the DL1000 is still chaindrive and top heavy. If they bring this bike to Canada I will be trading my V-Strom on it for sure! Remeber people, Adventure Touring is about adapting your riding to your motorcycle....not the other way around Posted by spokes81 26-02-2010 12:59 » Report this comment to administrator Some of you are irritating me a bit with your comments. Perhaps it is because I like the look of this bike and I actually own a 1200GS Adventure. I bought the GS because it does what I want it to do. Long distance touring and gravel roads and it has leg room and is quite comfortable. Don't like it, don't buy it, but don't be an armchair critic. Ride it first then give your opinion. If I want to do heavy duty off road I will borrow my gfs WR250R. That being said I have seen a number of VERY talented riders handle the GS Adventure as if it were a lightweight motocrosser... Posted by Chris V 26-02-2010 13:31 » Report this comment to administrator Nice job Yamaha. I like the new FZ8 better. Posted by PAt 26-02-2010 15:56 » Report this comment to administrator Nice looking bike compared to the BMW 1200GS. Safer design than the BMW paralever single shaft. But I think Yamaha missed the boat last year not bringing over the 650 Tenere over. BMW's best selling bike last year was the F800GS. The little Tenere would have given BMW a good run in sales. This super, like the 1200GS is too big heavey and tall for riders like myself. Posted by triplepete 26-02-2010 17:10 » Report this comment to administrator Soon as they hit Yamaha show rooms in the US I am selling my DL100K7 and getting one! Posted by William Garden 26-02-2010 19:18 » Report this comment to administrator I like it, but if is going to cost like the R1200GS Adventure I will definitely not afford it. Posted by Mario C. 26-02-2010 20:02 » Report this comment to administrator SPOKES 81 read my comment,said sucked on pavement with TKCs Posted by B.C.biker 26-02-2010 20:13 » Report this comment to administrator I like it, but if is going to cost like the R1200GS Adventure I will definitely not afford it. Posted by Mario C. 26-02-2010 20:14 » Report this comment to administrator BC BIKER - Your right, maybe I should spend more time learning how to read and less time on the computer (I musta been in a bad mood this morning) , sorry for the mix up brother!    still looks like a wicked awesome bike though! Posted by spokes81 26-02-2010 22:15 » Report this comment to administrator Curb weight on a V-Strom is 525, not 555, although that's before adding hard luggage and the racks necessary to mount them. That would be 50 lbs lighter, which while not a huge amount, is significant. Still, 575 doesn't seem unreasonable for the new Yami for what it is - I'm just not sure that what it is is the direction I want to go for my next bike. I'm sure some riders will find this thing just their cup of tea. Not the Germans, though - they'll just keep buying BMW GSes because they know deep inside that anything German made is better than anything that isn't. Posted by RyYYZ 26-02-2010 22:38 » Report this comment to administrator Yes we will let the Germans keep thinking that anything German made is better than the rest. Anything myself or friends owned that was German made spent more time in the repair shop than it ever did on the road. Posted by William Gareau 27-02-2010 09:16 » Report this comment to administrator This bike is just a bunch of mis advertising in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I love big cc bikes and I love Dual sports but this really isn't both. It is a street bike with some farkles on it to make it "appear" more dual sport like. From anything I've looked up the only true big cc dual sport is the KTM Super enduro R. at over a hundred pounds lighter and almost the same hp I'd much rather saddle up on that one for true dual sport riding. However my KLR will do for that job for now and my old XS1100 will do for my road trips. Posted by DCofell 27-02-2010 11:44 » Report this comment to administrator "I love big cc bikes and I love Dual sports but this really isn't both. It is a street bike with some farkles on it to make it "appear" more dual sport like."    Kinda like the Ducati Multistrada... Posted by Willi 27-02-2010 12:32 » Report this comment to administrator Or the V-Strom, although it at least has a 19" front wheel, for what that's worth. Personally I found my ZRX1100 easier to handle on loose surfaces than I do my V-Strom. Lower seat height and center of gravity probably helped in that regard. Posted by RyYYZ 27-02-2010 21:35 » Report this comment to administrator I like the look but wouldn't want to be using it offroad. Still waiting for something like the old Africa Twin to re-appear. Husky and KTM are the only easy options but dealer support is still a little sketchy if you doing high miles in remote regions. Posted by 2XSPORT 27-02-2010 23:13 » Report this comment to administrator Lots of comments, the Yamaha is getting interest both good and bad. Price point will be the final word. Posted by Blue Sky Guy 28-02-2010 13:48 » Report this comment to administrator i think it looks great, if its just a bigger twin version of the brilliant XT660X Tenere thats fine by me, i have no problem off road on my gs1150 adventure, but i`m 6 foot 7, ps bikes like the gs are tourers here in the uk as roads are so shit, when you ARE on road its kind of like off road. Posted by proper rider 28-02-2010 16:33 » Report this comment to administrator Nice looking bike, but... I think I'll stick with my bulett proof Kawasaki KilLeR 650.  Goes pretty much anywhere I want to go, no problemo. Posted by dave 28-02-2010 20:23 » Report this comment to administrator Yes that's the only thing I have found wrong with Yamaha motorcycles is they tend to expensive. I've heard this bike will be over 18,000 U.S. which might put it out of reach in these economic times. Posted by William Gareau 28-02-2010 21:22 » Report this comment to administrator Yes that's the only thing I have found wrong with Yamaha motorcycles is they tend to expensive. I've heard this bike will be over 18,000 U.S. which might put it out of reach in these economic times. Posted by William Gareau 28-02-2010 21:27 » Report this comment to administrator All Yamaha is doing is paying attention. V-Strom sales are huge. Honda missed the boat by not making the Varadero (who many don't even think is available in Canada) not shaft drive. The 1200GS accounts for 35% of BMW's worldwide sales. That's one model making up a third of their sales. Thank you Yamaha for giving us an alternative. Posted by tony morgan 01-03-2010 14:22 » Report this comment to administrator Could anyone give me a good reason Yamaha doesn't import the Ténéré 660??? Seems to me that Canada would be a perfect market for such a bike (I'd buy it tomorrow). Have a look: http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/products/motorcycles/adventure/xt660z.jsp# Posted by Etienne 17-03-2010 14:04 » Report this comment to administrator etienne, they dont bring it here because "yamaha canada" is a "separate" company from yamaha japan and they know us SO well that they think we will buy anything they shove down our throats. WELL I BOUGHT MY FJR SOUTH OF THE BOARDER FOR HALF THE PRICE.     ITS A GLOBAL MARKET NOW. WAKE UP YAMAHA. Posted by jim 17-03-2010 19:28 » Report this comment to administrator Hi, I agree with the fact that Yamaha should wake up and focus on the other side of the motorcycle spectrum i.e. non cruiser. I can't understand why they don't import bikes like the XT660R, XT660Z Tenere and XT1200Z Super Tenere. Wouldn't even a smaller piece of the pie be nice instead of giving it to BMW and a lesser extend Susuki. You have to start somewhere and I just don't buy the argument that those bikes won't sell over here. Just go on ADVrider, stromtroppers or kawasakiversys.com and look at the devotion people have for bikes like that. As for the bike, I like it and darn you naysayers Posted by Versys Chris 17-03-2010 21:08 » Report this comment to administrator