Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Ténéré 'Limited Edition' 2012 — Specifications

You’ve always dreamed of crossing the Sahara, but your fuel budget limits you to the national road 7? The Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Ténéré, especially in its 2012 'Limited Edition' livery, is a bit of a symbol of this gentle contradiction. It bears a name that resonates like a banner in the desert wind, but its preferred territory is primarily the asphalt of our beautiful country roads. With its 106 horsepower and 114 Nm of torque, the supple twin just wants to devour the kilometers, but the 261 kg when fully fueled announces a certain solemnity. This is far from a lightweight bike for rocky trails.

This French limited edition is interesting because it tries to spice up the proposition. Yamaha France added a titanium Akrapovic silencer to give the exhaust a little more soul, and a Garmin Zumo 220 GPS, a practical accessory for those who really want to travel without getting lost. The specific side fairings and stickers try to give character to the Black Factory or Blue Factory color schemes. It's cosmetic, but it has an effect. For a price of 13,999 euros at the time, it was the minimum.

On paper, it faces formidable competitors such as the BMW R 1200 GS or the Triumph Tiger Explorer. The GS, more versatile and lighter, was then giving it a lesson in moderate off-road conditions. The Explorer, with its triple, offered a more characterful engine. The Super Ténéré, on the other hand, relies on the legendary reliability of its twin and the smoothness of its shaft drive. It's a high-riding, comfortable, and reassuring touring bike, not an extreme trail beast. Its 43 mm inverted fork and single shock offer 190 mm of travel, just enough to absorb imperfections without claiming to be an enduro.

Who is the target audience? The demanding globetrotter who wants a machine capable of long journeys on the highway as well as on winding roads, with a touch of adventurous flair without the drawbacks of a real trail bike. A beginner will quickly be overwhelmed by the weight and bulk, while a pure tracker will only find its account on the large, sweeping curves. Its 23-liter tank and 845 mm seat height make it a serene companion for long trips for two.

Ultimately, this Limited Edition is a Super Ténéré dressed for the ball. It doesn't fundamentally transform the bike, but it brings a little extra that flatters the ego and the eye. It remains this high-riding, comfortable, and incredibly reliable touring bike, which far prefers smooth tarmac to chaotic trails. A rational choice for the adventurer who likes his comforts, far from the Dakar myth it nevertheless bears the name of.