2012 Yamaha Super Tenere Review

Great Yamaha has its own off-road heritage. Having a cylinder (not great) enduro began in 1983. The Ténéré was great in 1989 when the twin XTZ750 makes its debut on the European market, and went on to win the grueling Paris / Dakar six times. Hence the name (eg ten-EH-ray) Ténéré region of the Sahara desert covering the demonstration in P / D.

This new Super Ténéré was introduced in Europe earlier this year, Yamaha has recently announced that it would come to America as a 2012 model. If the 750cc parallel twin was a Super Ténéré XTZ, this new model may well be called Super Duper Ténéré, as it has a 450cc displacement advantage.

 

The category two objectives, although only 6% of the total U.S. market has grown steadily since 2005, mainly in the 651cc segment and-up, which began in BMW R1200GS. The new Super-10 will have a slice of this lucrative pie.

And after hitting Traile big Yamaha on the roads and deserts of Arizona for a couple of days, we found the Ténéré to be a good match for the dominant GS.

The main features of the Super-10 is the ratio of functions per dollar. His U.S. $ 13 900 has a base MSRP of traction control, antilock brakes, dual-mode mapping ride-by-wire, radio tubeless wheels and hand guards. In comparison, the basic version of the BMW rarely sold $ 14 950 but less without ABS or traction control or hand guards. BMW Option "standard package" includes ABS, hand guards and the onboard computer, but sells for $ 16 935. Spoke wheels are an upgrade for $ 500, and traction control is another $ 400.

 

Although it is unlikely that OEM build a horizontally opposed boxer-twin engine as the BMW, Yamaha has created a separate fax, but reasonable. His twin is estimated at 108.5 crank horsepower, almost identical to the 110 horses claimed by the SG.

However, the arrangement of the inline-Twin Ténéré stands. It uses a slightly smaller diameter (98 mm versus 101 mm) and a longer stroke to yield 1199cc (1170cc 1200GS is a real movement). It uses a 270 degree offset crankshaft, which has two cylinders firing at 270 degrees, after a cylinder, and again the cylinder 1 450 degrees cooking later. This irregular firing order is said to improve the adhesion of a tire on a slippery road and also the added benefit of creating an exhaust note similar to that of a V-Twin.

This uneven firing order creates a lot of vibrations, so the engine of the Tenere is equipped with two outriggers to fix things. The balance shaft on the front of the bottle doubles as a pump drive water. A dry-sump oil system helps the engine is mounted as low as possible so it can be placed optimally in the steel frame. A radiator side mount allows the engine to be placed further forward, resulting in 50.5% of the weight of the bike to be on the front wheel.

 

The air is mixed with the fuel inside the throttle body 46 mm with injectors 12 holes, shooting inside the heads of two-pin cylinder and OS. Throttle Ride-by-wire system allows the traction control that has two parameters, and can also be disabled. You can also change the cards from one scenario to a Sport Touring Mode softest and aggressive through a button on the right equipment.

The ears are greeted with a nice big deep voice silencer hidden along the left side of the wheel. The warning is similar to a 90-degree V-twin, but the nuances of cross-R1 to a four-cylinder and the thuds.

"The ears are greeted with a nice deep exhaust noise ..."

Four positions of the clutch requires a moderate effort to pull the switch to connect the burly pack consists of 9 friction discs. Move operation is pleasantly light and positive, and transfers the power through the rear wheel axle hypoid gear set to the rear wheel. Stronger design enables smaller than the hypoid bevel agree that Yamaha says is 10% cleaner. E ', however, the price paid is a hypoid available - driving complaint, which is particularly evident around 60 mph.

A cast aluminum swingarm operates a hydraulic damper adjustable spring preload and rebound, and GS. As the adjustment requires no tools. Like all bikes drive shaft, kicking the rear suspension back on the bumps while accelerating.

Rear suspension travel is 7.5 inches, the same as the 43 mm upside down forks. Yamaha UPS by adjusting the compression of the fork extension beyond the BMW and preload. However, the Ténéré is not available in almost every key optional BMW Electronic Suspension Adjustment.

 

Whether on the street or dirt, provides an action to suspend the Ténéré typical of traditional design, as opposed to the end of BMW interesting but eccentric lever to Telecom. On paved surfaces, carefully Yamaha belts long journey that would suck bumps R1 riders moaned. And it is also competent on any terrain dirt, we try, blasting in more than 80 km / h on dirt roads packed with hammers on rock-strewn roads of four canyon.

Help with Super-10 high-speed stability is a bit lazy rake of 28.0 degrees with 126mm of trail. Turn in response is nice and neutral, even if it is not particularly fast - a GS (or Multi Strada) requires much less effort to turn a corner.

Size of tires are the same as those used in the R1200GS (110/80-19 front, 150/70-17 rear), either Bridgestone or Metzeler tubeless design made possible by the Cross spoke wheels with a section central rays do not reach the inner edge of the wheel and air release.

Our test mules are equipped with "Battle of the wing Pierre tires specially developed for the Ténéré, with what appears to be deeper than the grooves off-the-shelf" Wings to provide surprisingly good traction on earth as long as n is not as coarse sand and loose. Given the asymmetrical nature of the street of most runners adventure tourism, we consider the wings "to be a good compromise tire.

Yamaha traction control system, the seat-of-the-pants efficacy data on tires. Activated to a lesser extent, the TC via the button on the left side of the instrument pod, rear tire hooked Ténéré dirt well enough to keep the TC intervention (indicated by the yellow light meters) from the cut too often.

TC2 setting allows some sliding before ignition and fuel is throttled back to regain grip and we were pleased to note the intervention has never been severe - the engine never fell flat on his face, but instead modulated the production rather subtle. The setting is more intrusive and TC1 would be better applied in conditions smoother.

 

Rider Helps Others are in the braking system. In addition to the standard anti-lock control, the Yamaha Tenere is equipped with unified braking system that links the rear brake pedal forward, helping to limit the pitch chassis during braking, which is typical of bikes with Long front suspension travel.

Pulling the brake lever activates a bomb under the backseat of applying pressure to the brakes and the system is smart enough to automatically apply the rear brakes when the bike is loaded with the extra weight of a passenger (on the base of the lever pressure) and when the deceleration rate is high. The back of his helmet and your passenger will appreciate at least before bonking during braking, and UBS works perfectly with a lone rider.

A pair of 4-piston monobloc calipers clamp wave rotors on the front 310 mm, while a single-piston caliper biting on the back of a wave of style 282mm disc. The feedback is very good with the levers. A sample of 32-bit wheel speed ECU and other data in 1000 of a second, and these results are well within the parameters of an ABS system that does not travel easily and quickly re-apply the brakes at least sensations cabotage.

 

We think, however, is an enduro misstep, if you do not want the option to turn off the ABS system is the soil, especially in slippery conditions bills Hill, when the rear wheel locked offers better braking than the up-and- off effect of the intervention of ABS.

BMW ABS system can be disabled, so can the Multistrada, so we have to give Yamaha a demerit point not to give its passengers the option. ABS Yamaha is not bad on the ground much better than anti-lock systems before, but the hardcore racers out dirty desire.

A little Web research reveals a simple way to disable the ABS, we have found after shooting. Just put the Ténéré in the center up and run the bike in motion a little. This creates an error signal for the ABS system shuts off automatically. An ABS warning lights error code on the instruments, and a runner is now free to hang out and slide the rear wheel with impunity!

 

Engine Tenere benefits from a wide range of power and torque, but given the OS was obviously in the firing line of Yamaha, it was somewhat surprising to find that the super-10 engine that does not exceed the boxer. Seat of the pants impressions are very capable engine not to spread the tractor at low speeds the Beemer, and yet not break the top of the range expected for this type of high-tech engine.

 

New Motor Cycle, a bike rag in the UK tended both bikes and found a dyno power ranges remarkably similar to 6000 rpm when the boxer takes over with a powerful thrust to the top. The Ténéré peaked at 90.3 hp at the rear wheel compared to 99.6 hp at the GS. The Beemer is more powerful engine is coupled with its approximately 30 pounds less to beat in the artfully Ténéré dragster, roll-on and speed performances.

Yamaha says Empty weight 575 kg tank of 6.1 liters (mostly low-level and between the rider's feet), and GS MCN is scaled at 544 pounds for a smaller tank topped 5.3 liters.

Despite the loss of engine performance is always a pleasure Ténéré Adventure Tourer. It has a wave of mid-range and is capable of satisfying more than 130 mph. Throttle response is smooth enough, even in sport mode, and engine vibration is a non-issue. Saturated sixth gear helps to provide a relaxed highway cruising.

Ténéré The driving position is very broad, with the best riders enjoy an extra leg with his claw-inch type adjustable seat set at its highest level (34.3 inches) position. A low seat option ($ 239.95) reduces the seat height of 1.4 inches to 31.9 inches in a more manageable in its lowest position, but offers a significantly reduced filling, and thus comfort. Conical handlebar is too wide and suitable for riders of all sizes, which is comfortable sitting and standing while working off the road. Footrests intelligent according to a central section of rubber that is compressed when a permanent foundation for solving the ankles "lined the outer edges for good grip.

 

Protect from inclement weather is pretty good. Standard windshield deflects enough air to meet a small shield in the saddle of vibration, and hand guards around the side pods and engine complemented by guarantees to protect the feet of wind. Windscreen adjusts to two heights, but unlike the GS hand-turned knobs, hold and remove the four screws. The improved wind protection is available as an accessory windshield 2.4 inches longer and the more adjustable to 3 positions, $ 119.95 retail. Side air deflector 4mm polycarbonate is optional ($ 79.95).

The rear rack is standard, and can be extended to remove the seat to reveal a ride on a flat surface, so that the strap-down large items. Rear Rack also acts as an accessory tray mounted ($ 369.95) large enough (30 gallons) to keep full-face helmet.

Greater storage capacity is provided by the optional saddlebags with 61 gallons of total capacity, and all bags can be entered in the key. They are built around robust construction with injection molded nylon layers of aluminum and retail $ 1089.85 including a mounting kit. In particular, they liked it, but the top of the closures are meticulous and the need to be pressed firmly to stop close properly. I was not alone in mistakenly thinking the launch escape the bags were locked.

The instruments include things like a good analog tachometer (with 8000 rpm red line) with an LCD information display that includes speed, driving mode, a clock, odometer and partial double the average and instantaneous air temperature . A story fuel totalizer miles from the change to the reserve of 1.0 liters, but the instruments are missing a void of quality characteristics and position of the speedometer. A simple dc plug is next to the indicators.

 

Some other options may be considered necessities for those who are serious off-road. Key among them is a bash plate to protect the header pipes and the oil filter, which is otherwise susceptible to injury - when the engine is mounted as one member pointed out, there is no lower side members to provide protection, and only a small protective plastic is mounted in stock. Yamaha skid plate accessories ($ 199.95) is constructed from 3 mm thick aluminum, which seems to be very robust, suffering no damage large rock several times during our trip.

Your globe-trotting adventure, should also be accompanied by the optional roll bar that protects the radiator mounted on the side and other things you do not want broken in a statement. Consider cage powder coated steel ($ 449.95) to the insurance roadside proactive.

Heated grips are another interesting option that matches the BMW GS, and sell for $ 399.95. In addition, BMW, Yamaha has combined various accessories in three packaging options, including a GoPro Hero camera.

X-Country land package includes the crash bars, skid plate and headlight protection of polycarbonate for $ 749.95. Comfort and Convenience Package includes a top box and line, heated windshield and the wind deflector kit for $ 1,019.75. At the high end and the scale of prices is € 1,519.60 for Adventure Touring Kit, which includes liner bag and side bags, tank bag, windscreen and wind deflector kit.

Conclusion

Yamaha Super Ténéré brings an enemy worthy of the adventure touring category by virtue of its diverse set of capabilities. It's one of those rare bikes that can easily knock over 500 miles of highway travel in a day and also to allow the exploration of unknown and unpaved trails off the beaten track. But it's the BMW R1200GS and GS Adventure, a well-developed all-terrain vehicle that has been an icon of the class.

 

Most of the time Ténéré game of the GS is a formidable thin, and it accomplishes this at a cost of thousands of dollars less than its German rival, it is a real player in this market.

If you desire to have your account, you need a $ 500 deposit to reserve your bike with the help of the dealer before delivery of the deposit, the same as that used for the FJR1300 and V-Max. Pre-orders about March 31, 2011. Deliveries begin in May.