Yamaha XTZE 1200 Super Ténéré 2014 — Specifications

What if a legend needed a high-tech polish? In 2014, Yamaha tackled this by adding an E behind the XTZ of its Super Ténéré. The idea is clear: facing the hegemony of the BMW R 1200 GS and the assaults of the KTM Adventure, it's necessary to raise the stakes. The large Japanese trail bike retains its soul of an inexhaustible tourer, but it indulges in electronic suspension mapping, a small gem that propels it into the big leagues. Gone are the makeshift adjustments by the side of the road, make way for on-the-fly parameter setting.

The heart of the beast remains this 1199 cm3 twin-cylinder engine, a supple and lively mechanic that delivers its 112 horsepower with exemplary torque generosity. This is its strength compared to competitors who are sometimes more lively but less civilized. The figure answers a frequent question: how many horsepower does the Yamaha XTZE 1200 Super Ténéré have? 112 hp, therefore, but it is especially its 116.7 Nm that makes the loaded tourer happy, offering brisk acceleration without having to rev the engine. With its 265 kg fully fueled, it is not a featherweight, but its low center of gravity and steel frame give it reassuring stability, especially when loaded.

The real generational leap is this electronic suspension system. Piloted from a button on the handlebar, it offers a plethora of settings – 84 in total – to adapt to broken asphalt as well as the highway. We are still far from the semi-active system of some rivals, but the progress is tangible. Coupled with switchable ABS, traction control, and linked braking, the whole forms a very complete package of safety and comfort. The E version even indulges in heated grips and a cruise control, details that count when the kilometers accumulate.

Who rides this machine? For the demanding traveler who prioritizes reliability and comfort over pure performance. It is less radical than a KTM, less status-driven than a GS, but it carves its way with remarkable efficiency. Its price, €15,999, places it in the high range, but it justifies the addition with its abundant equipment. Yamaha even offers a Worldcrosser kit for those who dream of trails, increasing the bill by nearly €1,500 for a more adventurous style and some carbon fiber protections.

Ultimately, this Yamaha XTZE 1200 Super Ténéré is a logical and successful evolution. It does not reinvent the trail bike, but enriches it with a welcome layer of technology, without betraying the robust and traveler spirit that made the name a success. It is the machine of the man who sets off alone, far away, and relies on his mount more than on the thrills of acrobatics.