Yamaha XTZE 1200 Super Ténéré Raid Edition 2018 — Specifications

Imagine the sand of the Sahara crunching under your gloves, that sensation of warm grains seeping in everywhere, insistent, like a call to adventure. This is not just an image for adventure riders, it's a promise. And that’s exactly what the 2018 Yamaha XTZ1200E Super Ténéré Raid Edition aims to deliver. Seeing it, one immediately thinks of vast open spaces, endless trails, and long-distance travel, a specialty that Yamaha has mastered for decades.

Beneath its serious big trail appearance, this machine hides a crazy ambition: to take you to the ends of the world. It relies on the solid base of the 1200 Super Ténéré equipped with electronic suspension, offering no less than 84 settings to adapt to all loads and all terrains. But the Raid version pushes the concept further. It features a high screen and lateral deflectors to protect the rider from the elements, while an aluminum skid plate and extensions help protect the engine casings from impacts. We just regret the absence of lateral crash bars as standard equipment, a feature found on its European rivals like the KTM Adventure or the BMW GS, which would have been welcome for the inevitable falls along the way.

With its 112 horsepower at 7250 rpm and its torque of 116.7 Nm at 6000 rpm, the 1200 cm3 inline twin cylinder is not a rocket, but it offers a nice progressive feel and a real punch in acceleration. Paired with a 23-liter tank, it promises serious range to get away from gas stations. The braking, with its petal discs and ABS, inspires confidence, while the shaft drive simplifies maintenance on long journeys. The announced weight of 265 kg fully fueled remains substantial, especially compared to lighter competitors, but once in motion, the motorcycle disappears thanks to its balance.

What really makes the difference on this special edition are its raid-dedicated accessories. The fog lights are a valuable asset for facing the night or bad weather. And above all, it features redesigned aluminum panniers, reinforced with polymer protections and offering 37 liters of capacity each. Practical and solid, they are perfect for a round-the-world trip. The look remains discreet, almost dark, with carbon fiber panels that you have to look closely to identify. This Yamaha doesn’t shout its presence, it demonstrates it on the ground.

Ultimately, at a price of 17,999 euros, this Super Ténéré Raid Edition is clearly aimed at the seasoned globetrotter who prioritizes robustness and endurance over extreme performance. It doesn’t have the agility or aggressiveness of a KTM 1290 Super Adventure, nor the latest cutting-edge technological refinement of a BMW R1250GS. But it possesses that indefinable charm of machines built to last, to swallow the kilometers without fail, and to face the most hostile trails with a typically Japanese serenity. It’s a motorcycle for those who see travel as a destination in itself, a reliable and ready-for-anything companion, or almost.