2017 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere Review

2017 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere Review : Arguably the bike that kicked off the super-traillie "Adventure" sector, the Yamaha Super Tenere is, in my opinion, a much overlooked and underated bike. Inspired by the early Paris-Dakar racers of the early eighties how does today's bike stand up against the competition? Stick around and stay tuned to find out!

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My current motorcyles are:-
Honda CRF250L
Triumph Street Triple R
BMW R1200GS
Ducati 899 Panigale

[paulredmond]

Probably the most reliable 1200 adventure bike on the planet, not as hyped as the over priced unreliable BMW/KTM, this bike is well proved and tested.

[triv]

Always liked the Super Tenere, great bike. Solid and very reliable.

[GIGABACHI]

NO, PLEASE ! NO MORE BEAKS ! Leave it ALONE ! 😣
Good work, Mr. Flyer !

[paulredmond]

Bulletproof !! reviews always put the GS vs KTM adv., but the Tenere would be more reliable, I'd say probably the most reliable 1200 adv.on the market.

[thedarrendasher]

Originally I owned an XTZ750 S10 and loved it, when these came out I had to have one so waited a few years after launch and got one, I had one of these for two years (2013 model) from 2014 to 2016 and loved it. spent some cash on it though to get it how I wanted it. ACD bashplate, Alt-Rider heal plates and crash bars, Yam touring screen and aux lamps, Holan Panniers, loads of carbon fibre bodywork and finally a full Arrow exhaust system and ECU re-flash by CJS. Being honest it went like stink after the breathing/ECU mods and on FJ/FJR club runs would leave an FJR for dead. The bike rode very light considering its weight and was very easy to man handle in the garage . It was great on fuel and had true all day long comfort and made a mockery of GSADVs and Tiger Exploders. My issues with it where twofold, firstly the finish on the spokes was crap, Yamaha to their credit replaced two sets under warranty, a complete PITA as the bike looks scruffy with dull and rusty spokes. The second issue was the wife hated being on the pillion because of the snatchy instant take up on the throttle. So it had to go and make way for a 2016 FJR-AE. It doesn't need a beak and for Gods sake don't say that on any Tenere The aux lights mount under the headlights. I'd have another tomorrow, even if the wife wouldn't get on the back I'd raise the seat to it's high position and could do 500 mile days no problem. Neveu rode an XT500 and 550, Peterhansel rode the YZE 750 and 850 (TRX motor) and if I remember correctly one French nutcase fitted an FZ750 motor in one although it wasn't that successful. A good revue about a bike that isn't a BMW/KTM or Ducati!

[vsbiker]

Great review I own a 2017 Yamaha Super Tenere ES Model, just returned from a 14 day 8, 500 Km trip from Dawson Creek British Columbia to Tuktoyaktuk, Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories. I rode 3 gravel roads the Dempster Highway 880 Km one way, Top of the World Highway and the Old Denali Highway. About 2000 km of gravel. I used Mitas E07 Dakar Tires and they worked very well for the whole trip ( no Flats ). I saw many Teneres, BMW 1200GS, 800 GS, Kawasaki KLRs, KTMs, Honda African twins on the Dempster. I found the Super Tenere performed very well and easy to ride long distances. I did the trip solo and on the Dempster you may have a vehicle 1/2 hr ahead of you and one 1/2 behind you not much traffic. I am very happy with the Super Tenere but alot of different bikes made the trip it not so much what you ride its that you ride. Keep up the good videos I've Subscribed.

[johnnovy]

As a former Triumph Tiger 800 rider I was looking for a shaft drive bike. I always considered the big GS's and Tiger Explorer as being too big. Then saw a ST for sale in a local Honda dealership and didn't think this was the case - now purchased and what a great bike! 😎

[tsav]

Nice review as usual. From what I've read this bike has the best feel for stand up slow crawls over the dirt and rocks, if you really would use for that sort of riding. It doesn't have the flash as the competition, but I've also heard the all day comfort is superior. Not a poser bike, but likely a good one. Cheers!

[kevinwestwood]

Great review, nick sanders as done a zillion miles on super tens, and never had a breakdown, super reliable bikes, hope yamaha gets there new tenere 700 out soon.

[jodyreaves]

Went from a 2011 Ducati Multistrada to the 2013 Super Tenere. No regrets, and no more tickets. Great review, well said...

[Con-tpkf]

Finally a decent up to date review of a completely under estimated bike, actually requested a review a few months back of this back :), instead of the beak I recommend the additional fog lights under the head lights instead of a beak

[maradewy]

Have a 2014, ridden it over 60, 000 in two years, mostly touring with some light off road, with no issues at all.
All bikes are subjective, I can only say this is an excellent and honest review in my opinion, thank you kind Sir.

[scottmitchell]

Excellent review as usual, took the non electrically suspended model out on a test ride back to back with a new 1200GS and no offence but preferred the Yamaha. In fact loved it so much have just ordered the yellow 60th anniversary model with electric suspension and it should arrive latter this week. ☺🙃

[hankgs]

Did I miss you changing modes between Sport, Touring and Rain...? The fact is, this heavy ADV bike is a thousand times better than a Stelvio or older 1150 series BMW GS from years ago- We (motorcyclists), are so spoiled with what's available- If the Yamaha is cheaper to service and maintain than a newer (r1200GS), and is clearly cheaper out the Dealer's door, yet still offers the ease of shaft drive, it's almost a hands down winner over a GS... (And I'm a GS guy!)

[cbyam]

A good & accurate review sir. I have just sold my Super Ten after 6 years of trouble free, comfortable & relaxing touring. It really is a great workhorse & is so badly underrated. It doesn't have the superficial appeal of it's German or Italian competitors, which the motorcycle press love, but it just gets on with the job & does it superbly well. It never let me down once, despite some harsh treatment. Despite it's weight, once it's on the move it feels so nimble & is actually a good fun ride, for a Sunday afternoon blast. I only sold it because it was getting too heavy for me to move around the garage. I miss it.

[mikehamilton]

Took a test ride on a Super Ten a few days ago, really nice, comfy bike with a great engine. It has plenty of torque and power, do you really need 150bhp on an adventure bike or any other bike for that matter. I am 6'2" and experienced horrendous wind noise from the screen until I found out how to adjust it and it was night and day. Brilliant bike!

[markblundell]

I purchased mine because we have a friend who rides his ST really hard every weekend on the forestry roads in Canada he is a nutter, and he couldn't kill it. Plus, It was sill in good enough shape for him to trade it in for another one.
I have found this bike does it all, and is very comfortable for long hauls.

[howardmorris]

Bought a 2018
Love this
Thanks for the great

[Smaug]

I think I've got to have one of these. I've always liked the specs of the BMW GS, but not the over complicated design and expensive parts and service. Nor the ribbed tires of other adv bikes. Here, we have Japanese quality and reliability, reasonable parts prices, in something to compete with the GS.

[leandronatale]

Shaft drive does it for me. Seems better value than the big gs.