Yamaha Xt1200z Super Ténéré

Guys, let's get back to the main subject:

TENERE

The only advantage of a Super Tenere over you can list (if you must) over a TDM900 is the off-road performance. Rest of the bits and gizmos are all nice things to play with, but some how feels unneccessary if you have already ride a 9'er

On spec the Tenere is no doubt going to perform better off road as it has more suspension travel, proper diameter wheels (why give the TDM that 18 inch wheel, Yamaha, why???), and it looks a bit more "drop-able" (provided you're strong enough to pick it up).

In reality I suspect many of those sold will rarely leave formed dirt roads, in which case the TDM will keep up just fine. In fact, due to the lower weight, lower complexity, proven reliability, and leftover cash for accessories, I suspect a slightly modded TDM will make a better soft-road tourer for many people....

Just as a disclaimer, I actually think it looks like Yamaha have done a very good job of taking on the big BMW GSA. If I was in the market for that class of bike (and had the cash) I'd definitely go with the Yamaha purely because it's a Yamaha. However I'm really after a bike in the F800GS class, and a modified TDM is as close as Yamaha come to that type of bike (the 660 Tenere is a single and is too heavy given the trade-off that comes with that, while the 1200 Tenere is just too big and heavy. A 900 Tenere, however....)

I would defenitely invest in a new version of TDM with the new 1200 engine, better suspensions but no unneccessary gizmos and I bet a version like that would easily run over the GS, Tiger and Multistrada1200 as well.

Besides, if you're going for off-road, XT660 Tenere is the better option, as it is lighter and slimmer. (Despite the traction control, the new Super Tenere did really bad on slippery, muddy and wet surfaces cause it is F.cking heavy.)

The 660 is only about 10-11kg lighter then the 900..... why? If I were a Yamaha engineer I reckon I could drop 10kg from the TDM (exhaust, headlight brackets, footpeg mount brackets, rear guard extender, titanium or plastic fuel tank, oil tank in frame), without adding more than AU$1000 to the new price. Give me a 900 with 660 suspension and life will be good...

85hp of the 900 is plenty for me on road, and way too much off road. Can't see the need for a 1200...

I find myself riding my 850 TDM pretty much all the time, except for longer rides these days, and as my signature will show (and it's real) I have 2 1200s as well. The 850 has more than enough power 1 up, is lighter, and has a linear feel to it all around - it's a very forgiving engine (say, compared to the K1200S) - tugs through lower RPMs w/o an issue and revs up sweet. For longer, 2 up rides, the 1200s pretty much kick its ass - they just pull harder, work less, and the extra weight could even be considered advantageous when touring.

Don't take the above comment as a dig on my BMWs - they're both excellent bikes. I just have a love affair with my old MK1 and like how it feels - has that 'fits like a glove' thing working for me.

If I were a Yamaha engineer I reckon I could drop 10kg from the TDM (exhaust, headlight brackets, footpeg mount brackets, rear guard extender, titanium or plastic fuel tank, oil tank in frame), without adding more than AU$1000 to the new price. Give me a 900 with 660 suspension and life will be good...

85hp of the 900 is plenty for me on road, and way too much off road. Can't see the need for a 1200...
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I love you man....we have the exact same sentiments....


I am totally in dilemma.I love the TDM engine.I tried to make it dirt worthy and also all round worthy.After owning it for close to 5yrs,I have parted with it as someone really keen on having it.So it was sold.Next,I got myself and XTZ750.not in a good state in some mechanical areas not to mention how terrible the outlook is.The bike landed straight to the workshop to get those wear and tear sorted out...And while it is still at the workshop,waiting for some part replacements and powdercoating stuffs,someone wants to buy it.

So the chances to buy the XT1200Z is in the mind.But,pricey yes i must say.Not to mention the extra 300cc is not needed.It seems bigger than the XTZ750.
The 660z is a single.I already have the XRR,i don't need another big singles.I've tried a friend's 660z,i have those love hate feelings.The love feelings is not about riding it offroad,and the hate feeling is when riding it offroad.Which I personally feel the XRR does the job better.

I just want a 900cc with those dirt capabilities wishlist that have been planted to those XTZs.....


yamaha...are you still there?i can't figure out what other bike in the market that could feed my needs....I just totalled a new to me '96 GS1100 gearbox department just 2weeks after purchasing it from a seller who really takes good care of the bike on his 10yr of ownership...just by running around the regular routine when purchasing something new on a dirt weekend to see if it's really worthy....NOT!

Edited by AJ.., 31 August 2010 - 03:50 pm.

The 660Ten has got the oil tank in the frame, it has a 22 litre tank (which obviously makes the wet weight higher, than a piffly small tank)...the tank may be plastic...I can't remember now, but I seem to think I couldn't use my magnetic tank bag...

For all you chaps who are interested in this bike, here is a write up i stumbled upon.
Enjoy.

http://www.wilddog.z...p?topic=50530.0

Thanks Dab,
The more I review this bike the more I like her

Ur welcome m8,,,,,,fook i'm gettin to like it after reading.

MCN this week has info on the 2011 model - post 'First Edition'. Due in January but no word on prices from Yamaha yet.
New colour - all black. Panniers, sump guard, and 'other trinkets' move to the Options list. Still prefer the blue myself - to me
there's something very special about that colour.

BTW folks these are the same (exactly the same) as the panniers I had on my 660 Tenere.

a) They are expensive

b) They are small (great for commuting because they are not wide) but for touring, far too small!

c) They are easy to fit and take off, and on the 660, with them off the mountings were very neat.

d) Although they have changed the locks (because people kept snapping keys) I had the new lock system from new, and I snapped my key in there after three months...and those that know me will know I am a fastideous bugga at being kind, gentle and loving my machinery...these locks are still crap.

e) If you buy the bike, save the panniers as new and sell them to some other sucker next year when they have to buy them as an extra, in the meanwhile buy yourself something up to the job.


That's an honest review of the same panniers, albeit on a different bike.

a) is a bad thing

b) and c) are good things incl touring (good to encourage peeps to take less balast).

d) is a bad thing

a)-d) won't matter as no one is doing e)

Blue for me too, though I'd like to see a yammy yellow one with the speed blocks too

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

Edited by makku, 08 September 2010 - 08:58 pm.

I've almost made the decision to sell both the TDM900 and F800GS, then buy a Super Tenere. I finally sat on one today and height is not a huge issue.

Under pressure lately to sell the TDM since aquiring the F800GS. I can't do that as that would leave me with a BMW only garage (it's 4:1 now), I cant allow that to happen. Less regos to pay per year, plus garage space would be a little less tight.

Al

Edited by AL-58, 10 September 2010 - 12:13 pm.