Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré 2011 — Specifications

Did Yamaha take too long to react? As the adventure bike market exploded, driven by the dominant BMW R 1200 GS, fans of the brand with the tuning forks waited for their machine, their response. It arrived in 2010, and it’s not a simple evolution. The XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré is a statement of intent, a heavily armed vessel that turns its back on the spartan spirit of the old 750 to enter the era of high-tech adventure touring. With its 261 kg fully fueled and its imposing silhouette, it announces its intentions: this is far from a pure off-road machine. Yet, its name still evokes the desert, a heritage it carries more as a badge than in its DNA.

The heart of the beast is an all-new 1199 cm3 inline twin-cylinder engine, offset at 270° for a deep sound and a full-torque character. With 106 horsepower, the power is reasonable, geared for endurance more than showmanship. It positions itself as a direct competitor to the GS on paper, leaving the excess to others. But where Yamaha really invested was in the electronics. Ride-by-wire throttle, three-mode traction control, two engine maps, ABS, and even an intelligent linked braking system: technology arrives in force in the segment. It’s a motorcycle that thinks with you, or even a little for you, especially with this braking system that distributes force between the wheels when you pull the front lever. A true concentration of R1 dressed for adventure.

On the chassis, Yamaha made a deliberate choice with a steel frame, prioritizing robustness and a certain flexibility for the occasional trail ride. The 43 mm inverted fork is fully adjustable, a serious asset. But the weight, that’s the enemy. At 261 kg, it weighs its worth in equipment. It positions itself as an alternative to the Honda Varadero, even heavier, but remains far from the agility of a GS or, obviously, a KTM Adventure. The shaft drive, practical and maintenance-free, confirms the grand touring orientation. The seat height, adjustable from 845 to 870 mm, is accessible for a bike of this size, but it still requires a good height. For a test ride of the Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré, you must be aware that you are straddling a giant.

So, for whom? For the globetrotter who wants to devour asphalt safely and comfortably, with the possibility of venturing onto a stabilized path. For those seeking a technological and reliable alternative to the GS, with perhaps a less typical character but equally capable. The price at the time, around €14,990, positioned it as a serious challenger. Today, on the used market, it represents a sensible Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré purchase: a hyper-equipped motorcycle, with proven solidity, for a controlled budget. It is also what makes it a favorite among motorized units, such as BRAV-M in France: robust, reliable, and imposing enough to make a way.

It’s not perfect. Its weight is felt at low speeds and in maneuvers. Its shaft drive, although practical, adds a palpable inertia compared to a chain drive. And its 23-liter tank, while not ridiculous, could have been more generous for this type of machine. But overall, this adventure bike has succeeded in its challenge: establishing Yamaha on terrain conquered by others. It hasn’t killed the GS, no one has, but it has offered a different voice, more electronic, perhaps smoother, but terribly effective and comfortable. A monument of reliability that, over the years and through tests of the Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré, has forged a reputation as an indestructible travel companion.