Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré 2017 — Specifications

Imagine a giant weighing close to 260 kg fully equipped, whose name evokes endless dunes, but which now prefers well-marked highways. The Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré, especially in its 2017 version, is a machine that has followed a clear trajectory: that of comfortable grand touring, with a touch of adventure as folklore. It is no longer the spirited off-roader of the 90s, but a road-going vessel nearly 85 cm high in the saddle, which asserts its authority as soon as you straddle it.

Its 1199 cm3 twin-cylinder engine, revised to meet Euro4 standards, delivers 112 horsepower and a torque of nearly 117 Nm. The figures are solid, but not overwhelming. The goal was suppleness, not excess. Compared to the BMW GS twin or the KTM Adventure V4 at the time, it is less explosive, but it offers progressivity that makes long hours on the road less tiring. The D-mode system with its two maps is there to adjust the character, but the real pleasure lies in this regularity, this ability to swallow up the kilometers effortlessly. The cruise control, which appeared on the evolved versions, confirms this vocation.

The chassis, with its steel frame and 43 mm inverted fork, is designed for robustness. Shaft drive transmission simplifies maintenance, but you feel the weight, these 257 kg all full, in tight maneuvers or overly sporty intentions. It is a motorcycle that requires physical commitment, especially for shorter riders who must contend with this 845 mm seat height. On the road, it is stable, safe, and the coupled ABS is effective. But if you are looking for the agility of a GS or the aggressiveness of a KTM on trails, you will find the Super Ténéré a little too sensible, a little too rooted in its role as a GT.

So who is its audience? The globetrotter who wants a machine capable of crossing a continent without faltering, with ergonomics designed for travel and a 23-liter tank offering respectable range. The buyer who prefers Japanese reliability and the simplified maintenance of the shaft drive to sometimes more capricious European alternatives. And, as proven by its adoption by some police units, those seeking an imposing machine, manageable for its size, and extremely reliable in varied conditions. Its price, around 14,000 euros at the time, positioned it as a serious option, but often less expensive than its German rivals.

In short, the XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré 2017 is a machine of intelligent compromise. It is not the best on the track, nor the most exciting on a winding road. But it is a remarkably versatile and solid travel tool, a motorcycle that has traded part of its adventurous soul to become a faithful and comfortable road companion. For a complete test, you must understand this evolution: it no longer seeks to conquer the desert, but to cross it with all modern comfort.