Yamaha Super Tenere 1200 thoughts
Discussion
Evening all, I have a Suzuki V Strom 1000 2016 model as a second bike, which I use for touring and times when I want to keep the KTM Superduke off the road but still fancy going for a spin (winter times etc). I want to keep with the adventure bike style and was wondering if anyone had got any thoughts on the Yamaha Super Tenere? I know they are heavy but the build quality and durability seems impressive. So, fire away with thoughts or alternatives.
A friend has one. He's done just over 100k on it - including a recent 6 week 10k tour around Europe.
Iirc very little has gone wrong, maybe an injector and consumables but it has burnt a little oil.
It's had a LOT of abuse including 2 up to central Africa and back.
I think the main complaint is it is very very heavy feeling
Iirc very little has gone wrong, maybe an injector and consumables but it has burnt a little oil.
It's had a LOT of abuse including 2 up to central Africa and back.
I think the main complaint is it is very very heavy feeling
Biker9090 said:
A friend has one. He's done just over 100k on it - including a recent 6 week 10k tour around Europe.
Iirc very little has gone wrong, maybe an injector and consumables but it has burnt a little oil.
It's had a LOT of abuse including 2 up to central Africa and back.
I think the main complaint is it is very very heavy feeling
They do seem to be incredibly well made and durable. As you say, the weight seems to be the only downside. Mind you, the old V Strom isn't exactly a lightweight, so this may not be an issue.Iirc very little has gone wrong, maybe an injector and consumables but it has burnt a little oil.
It's had a LOT of abuse including 2 up to central Africa and back.
I think the main complaint is it is very very heavy feeling
I looked at these some years ago.
Overall, very capable machine BUT.... weight is significant... It does feel like a big heavy old girl which is fine on tarmac but would be daunting on anything other than a glass smooth gravel road.
The engine is torquey but a bit uninspiring... does the job but zero character or fun.
Shaft drive is a personal choice but there's no reports of final drive or UJ issues compared to the BMW GS's so that's a positive.
Overall, a good capable and decent machine but really, for tarmac use only which kind of questions the Tenere moniker as you'll not be adventuring on one...... also check out the after market, there's not a huge range of bits and bobs for this bike unlike the BMW/KTM ranges.
If you can get one at an absolute steal it might make sense, otherwise, there's better out there...
Overall, very capable machine BUT.... weight is significant... It does feel like a big heavy old girl which is fine on tarmac but would be daunting on anything other than a glass smooth gravel road.
The engine is torquey but a bit uninspiring... does the job but zero character or fun.
Shaft drive is a personal choice but there's no reports of final drive or UJ issues compared to the BMW GS's so that's a positive.
Overall, a good capable and decent machine but really, for tarmac use only which kind of questions the Tenere moniker as you'll not be adventuring on one...... also check out the after market, there's not a huge range of bits and bobs for this bike unlike the BMW/KTM ranges.
If you can get one at an absolute steal it might make sense, otherwise, there's better out there...
robinh73 said:
I do need to try one, just not much choice for a test unless I want to do a fairly hefty drive. I am also considering a Triumph Explorer 1200 which may be a bit easier to try.
the newer version 2022 onwards?CAMS and clutch - at 20K miles mine had new cams; at 14K the clutch went air gets in the system - there is a 'jungle fix' but its a pain in the bum
cams only get noticed at 20k service so it needs to be in warranty - if you do that mileage
triumph say later models have been fixed cam wise as i asked at the NEC last year
I had a gen 1 Tenere 1200 for about 8 years and then changed to a V-Strom 1000.
The Tenere is a heavy beast but a fantastic mile muncher. Some do offroad them and reckon they are good at it, but personally I think 260kg is too much for bog hopping so mine stayed on the tarmac and occasional bit of gravel.
Generally they are very reliable but a few things caught me out.
1. The trip reset button on the dash can fail on the gen 1. It's not a huge problem and if you can work in circuit boards an easy fix.
2. The coils and plugs are susceptible to corrosion and the 24k valve checks means these are often ignored for years. Pulling the plugs and coils every year for a check is a good move.
3. The wheel spokes corrode and look scabby but they are tough and they don't break. The V-Strom uses the same design and has the same issues.
The Tenere is a heavy beast but a fantastic mile muncher. Some do offroad them and reckon they are good at it, but personally I think 260kg is too much for bog hopping so mine stayed on the tarmac and occasional bit of gravel.
Generally they are very reliable but a few things caught me out.
1. The trip reset button on the dash can fail on the gen 1. It's not a huge problem and if you can work in circuit boards an easy fix.
2. The coils and plugs are susceptible to corrosion and the 24k valve checks means these are often ignored for years. Pulling the plugs and coils every year for a check is a good move.
3. The wheel spokes corrode and look scabby but they are tough and they don't break. The V-Strom uses the same design and has the same issues.
GSA_fattie said:
the newer version 2022 onwards?
CAMS and clutch - at 20K miles mine had new cams; at 14K the clutch went air gets in the system - there is a 'jungle fix' but its a pain in the bum
cams only get noticed at 20k service so it needs to be in warranty - if you do that mileage
triumph say later models have been fixed cam wise as i asked at the NEC last year
It would be a 2016 to maybe a 2019 model I would go for. I don't really want to spend more than about £8,000 on one. CAMS and clutch - at 20K miles mine had new cams; at 14K the clutch went air gets in the system - there is a 'jungle fix' but its a pain in the bum
cams only get noticed at 20k service so it needs to be in warranty - if you do that mileage
triumph say later models have been fixed cam wise as i asked at the NEC last year
Steve_H80 said:
I had a gen 1 Tenere 1200 for about 8 years and then changed to a V-Strom 1000.
The Tenere is a heavy beast but a fantastic mile muncher. Some do offroad them and reckon they are good at it, but personally I think 260kg is too much for bog hopping so mine stayed on the tarmac and occasional bit of gravel.
Generally they are very reliable but a few things caught me out.
1. The trip reset button on the dash can fail on the gen 1. It's not a huge problem and if you can work in circuit boards an easy fix.
2. The coils and plugs are susceptible to corrosion and the 24k valve checks means these are often ignored for years. Pulling the plugs and coils every year for a check is a good move.
3. The wheel spokes corrode and look scabby but they are tough and they don't break. The V-Strom uses the same design and has the same issues.
Many thanks for the insight there. I have to confess that whatever bike I end up with, it won't see gravel, well apart from the lane leading up to the house! Out of the Suzuki and the Yamaha, which did you prefer? The Tenere is a heavy beast but a fantastic mile muncher. Some do offroad them and reckon they are good at it, but personally I think 260kg is too much for bog hopping so mine stayed on the tarmac and occasional bit of gravel.
Generally they are very reliable but a few things caught me out.
1. The trip reset button on the dash can fail on the gen 1. It's not a huge problem and if you can work in circuit boards an easy fix.
2. The coils and plugs are susceptible to corrosion and the 24k valve checks means these are often ignored for years. Pulling the plugs and coils every year for a check is a good move.
3. The wheel spokes corrode and look scabby but they are tough and they don't break. The V-Strom uses the same design and has the same issues.
robinh73 said:
Many thanks for the insight there. I have to confess that whatever bike I end up with, it won't see gravel, well apart from the lane leading up to the house! Out of the Suzuki and the Yamaha, which did you prefer?
A good question. I do miss the comfort and general sense indestructiblity of the Tenere, but not the weight. The Stroms is almost as comfy (I needed the high seat and lowered pegs) and is proving to be equally well built. The wife on the other hand much prefers the Suzuki for pillion duties.
They both do the same kind of reliable, long haul thing so for me having one of each wouldn't make sense, the other bike has to be very different.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff