YAMAHA XT1200Z SUPER TENERE (2010 - 2021) Review

Version: ZE

Year: 2014

A vastly underrated motorcycle, the MCN review is of the 1st generation version from 2010 to 2014 so is somewhat misleading. I’m 6’4” /85kg and it’s probably the best fitting bike, from an ergonomic perspective for my size, that I’ve ever owned. Super comfortable.Best features; brilliant reliability, ease of use, load carrying and handling.Worst feature; headlight, really odd/poor illumination at night on unlit roads.

Buying experience: Bought privately for £7k, advertised for 7.2k. It was fully loaded and with a full service history.

Version: BP81

Year: 2017

Slow and boring but easy and comfortable to ride. Great for commuting but you need another bike for fun

Version: Z super tenere

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £60

Can't think of anything negative about this bike comfort is perfect when out a ride I just want to keep going for hours the way it sounds the wide bars it just plods along it really feels like it was made for covering huge miles if any gripe maybe the power but that's Probably not fair as I just came from a zzr1400 the xt is ok for what it is in sports mode

Buying experience: Got from superbike factory was going for 5500 I was offered 5000 for my zzr1400 so only had 500 pounds to pay brought to my doorstep in a van and took zzr away whole experience was good the tenere was immaculate

Year: 2010

Paid $8700 au with all the options and 21000km. These bikes are a steal compared to the unreliable, mega expensive to maintain, euro bikes that command twice as much on used market just because they have a few more gimmicky features. It's a touring machine so I'd trade reliability and part availability over silly gadgets any day.

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer at $8700 au with ultra low km and immaculate condition.

Year: 2013

Best features are durability, reliability, mpg (58 mpg) and comfort. Worst bit, and I had to think hard for this, is that perhaps it feels heavy to push around....... But I will happily accept this as it is the nature of having a solidly built bike. I would definately recommend this bike to anyone, but would suggest that time needs to be given allow the bike positives to get under your skin.

Buying experience: I bought my bike used with 11k miles on it from a dealer and px my ktm 1290 super adventure r against it (I got cash back) The bike cost me £6300 at the time.

Year: 2011

I test drove a GS1250 as well as an XT1200. The Yamaha was a better ride, with a good low CoG.

Buying experience: New from dealer and got Yamaha funded options and the dealer put on a lot more. I paid £12,000 when advertised at £13,500. Got many options included.

Year: 2016

I would definitely recommend to a friend over 6 feet tall. Here is the ugly, the meh, and the elite: UGLY: The seat was uncomfortable for an older guy (66). But after riding it a few years the stock seat is broken in so I'm okay now. Sad to say the pillion is not broken in and my gf doesn't like it. I gave her a little thermarest pad to sit on and that seems to be working. MEH: 1.) The stock windshield is small. Replaced it immediately with an adjustable MadStad. It works GREAT! Problem solved. 2.) 34" seat height. You need long legs and I got 'em so I'm good. I can easily hold it steady at a stoplight and I'm 6'1" & 165 pounds. Don't buy the Super T if you're under 6'. ELITE: Everything else. It's fast, it maneuvers, the cruise control is awesome. It never breaks down and needs little maintenance. It looks hot - I have the Kenny Roberts colors (yellow and black). Looks like the freaking Bumblebee transformer. Steady at high speeds, acceleration is thrilling. Other bikes are either fast but really small, or they are big and awkward. This one rides steady at high speed like a big bike, but is quick and nimble like a smaller bike.I haven't been able to find a bike I'd rather have. I like the Kawi Concours and Yamaha FJR but I prefer the wider grip on the Super T. So I'm staying with my Super T.

Version: Standard

Year: 2012

Excellent bike. Much overlooked in favour of 1200Gs wrongly. It's all about hype and marketing. If you want a normal sized dual purpose adventure bike this one is great.

Version: ZE

Year: 2015

Annual servicing cost: £300

Very solid (low tech) which is a big plus for me. Comfortable, good fuel consumption and can easily carry the summer camping road trip gear. Worst feature is that the ignition coil packs are very susceptible to water and damp conditions. Eventually (at about the 40’000 mile mark) they corrode out and are expensive to replace, the bike having twin spark heads.

Buying experience: GT Motorcycles in Plymouth. They are great to deal with. Purchased with only 4000 miles on the clock for about 9 grand.

Version: First Edition

Year: 2010

This is exactly what you want if you are lanky and love travel and the great outdoors. This is the machine that will efficiently travel as far and fast as you want, and will go anywhere you can reasonably ask it to.The slating MCN and other journo's have given this bike is a scandal and it makes me disregard the opinions given by MCN. I have to distrust MCN as a result. There is no real contest between this and the GS since XT1200's do not have shaft drive failure, or snapping forks. So why claim it falls short in comparison? I call shenanigans on MCN.

Version: (with ECU upgrade to make 2014 power)

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £300

For real world only bike when you don't have a car license and you want comfort, utility, handling, luggage, reliability and anti theft uglyness, hands down best bike in real world. Gutted I sold mine, nothing has beaten it since (zzr1400, mt09, cbf1000, cb1000rr). I could hustle through central London traffic at Rush hour embracing scooters, although am an ex dispatcher so maybe not fair comparison. Number of times I could get through gaps noobs on smaller bikes couldn't. It was so good in town a 125 scooter rider once tried to ram me off the bike after I got bored and did a wide non aggressive overtake. Apologies to the other biker who's bike got hit by his scooter when I dragged the idiot off to give him what for. Bottom line: Never had any issue with low speed control or handling, and I'm of slight build. Out in country roads it's fantastic.

Version: xt1200ZE

Year: 2014

Annual servicing cost: £80

I would recommend this bike to a friend. Best Tank range 300 miles two up with luggage, Comfort , no drive chain, perfect for touring or off road. worst finish on the frame and rear shock could be better, stock screen caused turbulence

Buying experience: bike coast £7500 from a dealer 18 months ago, great value when you compare this bike to the competition.

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £500

Excellent long distance tourer with limited, though useful, off-road capabilities

Year: 2013

No bike should get 5 out of 5 as no bike is 100% perfect, but this is not far off. Garage maneuvering you feel the weight, but you just have to be a little careful. On the move, it's very flickable and it seems to lose its weight, which is low down anyway. Can carry loads of kit for rally camping trips (not done any 2 up riding on it). Seat comfortable for several hours at a time (splash n dash), and bike as a whole is very comfortable to ride. Downers: I found the OEM screen bad for buffeting, so bought the MRA Vario-Touring one and its brilliant, instant cure, along with Touratech adjustable screen bracket. Riding back from Orkney Islands, not stopping (apart from re-fueling), till hitting Carlisle services, my backside was in agony (I'm slim, so no extra padding). Now thinking of a custom seat, or getting off the bike more often at fuel stops (cheaper option) :0) Would definitely recommend this bike to others and who want to be a little different from the GS crowd.

Buying experience: Bought from Wigan Yamaha dealership and they were fantastic. OK, they may be making a sale, but I have not come across a main dealership who were so genuinely helpful and friendly. Great deal was haggled (bike deal I saw for sale had gone), and bought new 2013 model with full pannier set, world crosser decal set, wheel tape, cockpit fairing winglets, heated grips, metal sump guard, crash bars and spot lights, and tank guard for just over £13K and delivered to my door which was several hours away.

Version: Electronic Suspension

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £200

I also have a 2015 Multistrada 1200S Touring - Brilliant bike, different category. Had a 1200GS Adventure, bought brand new - nice bike but top heavy and in Canada way too expensive, and overrated. Super Tenere way better value, not as top heavy and in all other respects just as good or better

Buying experience: Great experience at Argyll Motorsports

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £90

Fantastic bike and very agile for its weight also very sure footed. The power delivery is very smooth and gives the rider a real feel of confidence I just wish the bike came with a gear indicator as it is a feature I have enjoyed on previous bikes

Buying experience: Fantastic experience and the bike was better than described. A big thanks to Gavin at Crescent Motorcycles Bournemouth.

Version: ZE

Year: 2014

Annual servicing cost: £280

brakes and weight balance excellent, needs crash bars to protect fan and radiator, not as common as a GS!

Buying experience: Yam dealer, 2014 64 demo model with 200 miles and 4 months old. £10,600 in early 2015

Version: ZE

Year: 2014

Annual servicing cost: £450

Very comfy, great in the Alps. Great on the motorway. 40000km came round quickly in two years. No issues.

Buying experience: Local Yamaha dealer. Great support and advice. I don't see him often though as it's so easy to work on the bike yourself.

Year: 2012

the best bike I have owned in 30 years of riding

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer with a good discount made it a good deal for such a good motorcycle

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £869

Great: Comfortable ride. Reliable. Great build quality. Comfortable to ride. Inspires confidence. Great for 2 up for short commutes or day-long riding. Fuel efficient. Reasonable maintenance needs. Not so great: Bike is big and heavy, especially if you install panniers and top box. Doesn't come with sufficient protection (crash bars and roost protection, like a bash plate). Slow maneuvering can be a pain especially in heavy traffic but you get used to it. This bike is my daily commute. To and fro work is about 38 miles daily. Tropical heat and humidity. Mostly highway both in heavy and light traffic. Recreational riding on weekends too. Farkle friendly. Lots of stuff you can get aftermarket to spruce up your ride. :)

Year: 2010

excellent combination of long touring bike with off road abilities

10,000 miles in and this bike gets better. Pretty well meets expectations or better in every quarter. Definitely is not better than a sports bike, sports tourer, cruiser, commuter, or an off road bike at what they were designed for, but it’s competent at all. Low speed manoeuvring took a bit of getting used to but practise cured that and now it’s better than any large capacity bike I’ve owned. Holds corners really well with Pilot Road 3’s (not as well with stock Bridgestone’s). Flippablity remains an issue at speed in curve combinations, because it’s a bit of a lump. As my interests changed I considered other more tailor made rides, but after a couple of days decided that the S10 offers the best compromise. As compared with the R1200 GS, well I’ve not owned one so can’t say, but with a 32 inch inside leg the BMW is problematic for me on uneven sloping/ground, and here in Korea the beemer is 20% more expensive, is driven by posers, and has a reputation for unreliability. Main issue with this bike is that its reliability makes it a little boring. It just goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on …. and when others hit problems I’ve gotto wait for them to be fixed or act as gofer.

when yamaha dealers are selling super tenere's old stock 2013 models for less than the cost of the new v-strom 1000 it has to be an absolute bargin

I took a Super Tenere for a test ride 18 months ago and did not get on with it at all. Having spoken at length to other riders including one that raced for Yamaha I concluded that the TDM900 was the bike for me, plenty of power, runs all day without problem either mechanically or me physically. Been around long enough to be well sorted, I brought one, rode it to Marmaris in Turkey, high up into Norway and the highlands of Scotland. I then took it to my local Yamaha dealer for a 12,000 mile service and they gave me a Super Tenere as a loan. I clearly missed something on that first test ride because I instantly fell in love with it. Handling was fantastic, brakes smooth and powerful, willing and silky engine, comfortable to ride and could see no reason why it would not suit my long distance tours. I returned it with reluctance, picked up the TDM and went up to Norway. Every time I saw a GS the ST came into my head, it was going to be my next bike, I would not fall for the hype that is put about around the BMW and who wants to be part of the 'flock' anyway?? The 18,000 mile service came up so I took the ST out again, this time for a full days riding and I did not give it back. I've only had it now for two weeks but have no regrets, it still ticks all my boxes. Yes its heavy when you're pushing it around and I'm sure I'll curse loudly if I ever drop it but bikes are for riding not weightlifting. Yes its expensive but compared to the GS its running costs are going to be lower so cost of ownership over your length of ownership is the more important figure. Yes the standard luggage does not have the toughness of some of the aftermarket kit. No its not a sports bike but it will still beat 99.9% of anything on four wheels from a standing start and with a bigger grin factor, sport mode is a lot of fun. Who truly has produced the perfect bike, they don't exist, if they did why would the manufacturers bring out new models every year? As one other reviewer so rightly pointed out if you look at the reviews from the US and in particular Australia where they do use their bikes in proper adventure conditions this machine competes with anything else on the market. I have no regrets and look forward to my next adventures and not all on tarmac!!

I brought my super Tenere which cost me around £13500, which was fully equipped with panniers and top box and tank bag, and lots, lots more, in May after a test ride. Since then I have covered 5200 miles. This summer did a tour of Europe doing 2500 miles. Previously I could only manage to do about an hour, hour and an half due to wrist pump problems. I think the bike is a fantastic machine and is vastly underestimated. I am at present thinking of up grading to the 2014 model which has a few more gadgets on it, these changes can only make it a a more formidable machine. P.S dependant on who test rides the machine.

Yamaha Super Tenere review from new purchase to sale after 3 years and 24,000 miles Background – I’ve been riding for 35 years and do a 4,000 mile trip each year. On this bike I’ve been to Portugal, the Amalfi Coast and the Alps. After 3 years of use I’ve decided to go back to Vstrom’s as I’ve had 3 before and it's a light, brilliant tourer. Here are my thoughts on the XT1200 Pros· Excellent Headlights· Excellent seat – I did Lake Garda, Italy to London in one day [950 miles] with no problems Good vibration free mirrors· Unobtrusive trouble free shaft drive Reasonable tank range at 220+ Cons Heritage – the much vaunted Paris-Dakar heritage gives you a bike with spoked wheels and a sticker with a sand dune on it. If you take this to the real desert [I’ve lived in Dubai] and drop the bike, you’re going to die if help doesn't come because you can’t pick up a 267kg bike on soft sand or mud. So dirt tracks are what this is for and what all the promotional videos show Weight – many reviews say how light the bike feels when it's moving. Frankly once any heavyweight bike is moving it's easy to keep it up. It’s low speed manoeuvring, particularly with a pillion, that will have you gingerly moving around fearing a drop. This is my main reason for getting rid of it Luggage – once you have established this is not an off-road bike you might then look at whether it makes a good tourer. Luggage is high up for me. The luggage is plastic with aluminium sidings. Neither top box or panniers can hold a helmet. The Panniers are rectangular and if your pillion has short legs they will find it uncomfortable getting their legs to sit over the panniers. The locks periodically shake loose in the housings and have to be tightened and the method of attaching the luggage will amaze you with the multiple operations required compared to, say, Givi’s Monokey system. The soft inner luggage will quickly shed the zip pulls as they break off inside the boxes. Finally, the ignition key used to open the boxes protrudes 2 inches and could easily be accidentally snapped off when in the lock. I had a spare made to avoid this Residuals – I paid £14.5k for this bike and got £5.6 part exchange for a Vstrom. The value plummets faster than the GS it’s meant to be up against Radiator – the radiator fan blows hot air over your left leg and travelling through Spain in 43C it brought home that you don't want to go to the desert on this thing. Insurance – I park it on the road in London. Because so few people bought this bike insurers were loth to insure me as they didn’t know how to price it. On the day I bought it, the Yamaha recommended insurance agent refused to insure it as it wasn’t on their books and I finally found one company that would insure me for £700. Over 3 years I’ve got that down to £500 but its something to watch out for. BTW I have 9 years no claims. Cachet – While I’ve had this bike my pal has had a GS1200 and Multistrada 1200. Nobody looks at the SuperTenere against those bikes. This partly explains the terrible residuals.

Always liked the idea of an adventure bike (ex enduro rider) so why my FZ1 was in for service I took the world crosser for a test drive. From the off I was mightily impressed, I rode it for just above an hour its the comefiest bike Ive ever ridden, it handles well, brakes superbly, its not mega rapid but its no slouch, loads of low down power, easy overtakes, its got a road prescence andis high enough to see over all hedges as I said \i was very impressed and ready to part with cash. I got back and picked up my fazer with all the info and part ex cost printed out for me. I fortunatly didnt buy on the spot because I wanted to check the part ex price to see if it was worth selling privatly. My fazer felt small, harsh and revy by comparison then I realised what the yamaha was missing - sole - the fazer is fun, its involving, its got sole. If you only poddle or only tour the Yam is "probabaly" an ace bike, but its not for me. As a two up or pure tourer if I could afford a secong bike yes (though its VVV expensive) yes but as an only bike no, sorry not for me.

I took one of these out for a long test ride and found it to be quite amazing, so I bought one. There is a noticeable difference in the traction control modes and the riding modes, brakes were very encouraging and the ride is incredibly comfortable, the bumpy roads of Britain will no longer be a chore for me as this bike seems to just take them in its stride. As for people saying they are expensive, well yes but you get a lot for your money. I've ridden a GS and it was plain dull in comparison to this. When you look at the cost of the machine and what it comes with, then compare it to the GS and what you get as standard is far superior. The GS adventure is about £11600 new and you don't get any traction control or ABS. The XT1200Z has some great deals I got mine for £11000 (with crash bars worth £245 for free) and it comes with ABS and traction control as standard, to get ABS on the GS Adventure you're looking at a further £990. It's not the amazing bike it's supposed to be and in my personal opinion (and it would seem a lot of others on this site), MCN got it totally wrong. This is every bit as practical as the GS but with more for your money and more fun. This is worth the money and I'm so glad I got one. I've ridden sports bikes for a few years and a couple of naked bikes, the super tenere takes the best of these and puts it into a usable, fun but practical machine.

I have ridden both the GS and super ten and I now own the super ten. MCN got it wrong,, this bike out classes the Gs hands down, smoother more comfortable better suspended i could go on. Cum on MCN lets have a fair test with Adventure riders not Racers and learn to use the equipment on the bike before riding. I paid £12000 for mine with every extra and I think it was a bargain.

I cant understand how the motorcycle world determines its pricing, refering to 'MCN overall verdict' As the owner of a Super Ten i have absolutely no regrets with the purchase. One of the major factors was the price, in Australia a fully loaded GS1200 adventure is about au$33,500 a 990 Adventure is about au$23,000 and a ducati multistrada touring 1200s start at $29,990. The Super Ten was au$18,700 ride away, it is so cheap in comparison to the competition. In regards to value for money i dont think there are to many bikes out there with the features, handling, comfort and performance that this bike offers.An awesome bike.

I can say now, after testing the bike over and over, this bike will last a long time, very robust, very stable, good looking, very powerful in S mode, brakes like no other bike in the market (these brakes come straight from MotoGP),don't have to worry about lubricating the chain, very smooth but when you push is like a angry rocket, not heavy at all, very economic, very agile in traffic, very comfortable, good value for what you get,reliable, outstanding finish, and quality everywhere where you look. This is a MOTORCYCLE!, a real one! and I have no regrets after purchasing her. Beautiful!

Hello, You guys (from this pretend magazine) don't like Yamaha, do you? Just checking most of the Yamaha reviews and what a coincidence!, not many stars....I wonder why?

Without doubts, Super Tenere!

I saw a video from MCN testing the Yamaha, BMW, KTM and the italian (I don't know why that bike was there...???) You forgot about the Yamaha, why? last place?, how?, are you riders or journalists? probably the last one. I don't understand how the best bike around come last!. I had the opportunity to test it, very well, not just one ride. Also I tested the BMW, KTM and the "italian". You know? No surprise at all, the Yamaha was above all of them no doubt! Get rid of "the italian" and you get the Yamaha from 0-100km/h in 3 sec, of course Traction control OFF and sport mode! (Did you guys tested her like that?) The BMW is an Elephant!, too heavy when riding. The Yamaha is so light, is such a good feeling. The KTM is good Off-road and that's it, a bit ugly as well. The Yamaha is so far the best adventure bike in the market. For you guys who still thinking between a BMW and a Yamaha, no more thinking, get the Y. cheers I am glad I have one!

One more nail in Yamaha's coffin