Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict

Yamaha presented its new contender in the travel enduro maxi class, the 1200 Super Tenere. A maxi disappointment...

I was one of those who was looking forward to seeing the new Super Tenere, being heavily inclined towards off-roaders and maxi enduros like my Quota, the Stelvio and the likes. When Yamaha launched the XT660Z Tenere I bought one, as some of you might remember. It was a proper solo world tourer, albeit a bit - Toyota'ish, if you know what I mean. Being a Guzzisti I'm used to bikes with character and soul. The Tenere had neither.

But perhaps Yamaha could make a big brother that had the necessary bite in that department. Today at 1900 hrs GMT they showed it off for the first time. And it is a huge disappointment. 19/17" tyre combo, short travel on the springs, no proper bash plates and spill protection - at least not in the department I was expecting - too much electronics, with fly-by-wire, two traction control settings, coupled brakes and whatnot.

Weighing in at 260+ kgs (albeit topped off with fuel and oil) it's a beast best compared to the now obsolete Honda 1000 Varadero, which I incidentally also used to own some years ago.

I'll stick to my Guzzis for the time being, and let other people have a go with the new Super Tenere. Unless, of course, they unveil a proper desert/off-road edition of it. Then I might have to have another look...

More pics of the beast here.