Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré 2012 — Specifications

So, Yamaha has finally released the big hitter. We’ve been waiting since the 750 Ténéré put away its scrolls, this 2012 XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré arrives with the ambition of teasing the undisputed king, the BMW R 1200 GS. The bet is bold, but the Japanese manufacturer doesn't come empty-handed. Visually, it's a battleship, massive and tall, with that 845 mm seat height that commands respect before you even straddle it. It's far from a lightweight trail bike; we're talking about a machine weighing close to 261 kg when fully fueled, a weight that is felt when stationary and immediately places this Yamaha in the category of large touring adventurers rather than agile off-roaders.

Under the 23-liter tank beats a big, square heart, a 1199 cm3 inline twin-cylinder engine. The philosophy isn’t about excessive power, with 106 horsepower announced, but rather the use of generous torque of 113.8 Nm, available early in the rev range. It’s an engine designed to swallow kilometers without stress, with the suppleness and characteristic rumble of a 270° twin. Shaft drive transmission completes its profile of a grand touring machine, promising simplified maintenance at the expense of perhaps a less direct feel than a chain. Faced with the competition, it positions itself as a serious alternative to the GS, offering a smoother and less pulsating engine than the BMW’s boxer twin.

Where Yamaha really put in the effort is in the electronics and chassis. For a test ride of the 2012 Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré, we discover a motorcycle of its time, with adjustable traction control in three modes and selectable engine maps. ABS and linked braking are standard equipment, reassuring for touring riders carrying a load. The steel frame and 43 mm inverted fork display off-road intentions, but the weight and bulk quickly temper enthusiasm for technical trails. It’s on stabilized paths and winding roads that it gives its best, stable as a rock and incredibly reassuring.

The target audience is clear: the demanding traveler who prioritizes comfort, autonomy, and serenity on the pavement, with the possibility of venturing onto unpretentious tracks. For those seeking a true Swiss Army knife for rallies, the weight of the Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré could be a limitation, compared to a KTM 1190 Adventure, for example. Its price, around €14,500 at the time, placed it in the big leagues, in direct confrontation with the German benchmark. Today, on the used market, it represents a safe bet for a Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Ténéré purchase, robust and well-equipped.

Ultimately, this Super Ténéré has managed to forge a solid reputation, to the point of being chosen by some police units, such as the Brav-M in France, for its stability and ability to maneuver. It may not have dethroned the GS, but it has offered a credible, characterful, and comfortable alternative. It remains, in the minds of many, the large Japanese touring machine that has managed to combine an imposing presence with a pleasant ease of handling, for the greatest happiness of long-distance travelers.