The innovative 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere has a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder, 1199cc Parallel Twin with an 11.1 density ratio. The engine is fed by a downdraft twin bore stiff fuel injection system utilizing 12 whole injectors. The simultaneous brakes consent to the rider to activate front and rear brakes in concert by simply pulling the front brake lever, while applying the rear brake overrides UBS to present established split front and rear brake control. Front 310mm wave-type rotors are close to an aluminium 19-inch front wheel (110/80 tire), while a rear 282mm wave-type rotor spins with an aluminium 17-inch rear wheel (150/70 tire).
The Super Ténéré is Yamaha's answer to such bikes as the BMW R 1200 GS, Triumph Tiger 1050, KTM Super Moto Touring SMT and Ducati Multistrada 1200. "The Super Ténéré is built for adventure," according to a Yamaha spokesman. "Engine mass is kept low for excellent handling. The 2012 Yamaha Super Ténéré features twin downdraft 12-hole injectors with YCC-TTM (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) for optimum throttle control and acceleration, according to Yamaha. Three modes are available to match rider preference, including off.
The Super Ténéré has both an Antilock Braking System (ABS) and Unified Braking System (UBS). With UBS, squeezing the front brake alone also provides some rear-wheel braking; pressing the rear brake first overrides UBS for traditional separate front and rear braking action.
The 6-gallon fuel tank allows for long excursions between motorcycling fueling stops.
The 2012 Super Ténéré's new all-new steel frame is designed to reduce rider fatigue during long rides. Adjustable pre-load suspension allows the rider to adjust the Super Ténéré for varying loads or a passenger. The Super Ténéré comes equipped with an adjustable seat height. A full inch of adjustment provides a low height for shorter riders or a roomier riding position for taller riders in the high position. When the rider stands to tackle more technical motorcycle riding conditions, the rubber compresses, letting the rider's boots contact the metal footpeg surface. The luggage system design has three possible set-ups: standard with no top case/side bags, top case installed, and side cases installed. Genuine Yamaha top case and side cases designed for adventure touring are available as accessories.
Yes, the Tenere’s weight disappears when on the throttle shredding fireroads at 80 mph, but it sure comes back rapidly in a tight corner or on a rough stretch of dirt road! The Tenere’s punchy power could undoubtedly shred dirt-worthy knobbies (if it had them; it comes stock with 110/80R19 and 150/70R17 Bridgestone Battle Wings or Metzeler Tourance rubber), yet the smooth delivery and traction control help make the bike deceivingly quick and easy to control at a pace somewhat below that of an aspiring Dakar racer.
It’s really a techno-geek’s dream bike. There’s a digital dash (with analog tach), three-level traction control, two-level Drive Mode (D-Mode), ride-by-wire Yamaha Chip Controlled-Throttle (YCC-T) and a “unified” braking system that also features ABS. The unified part applies varying degrees of rear brake force (based on load) when only the front brake lever is used. Use of the rear brake pedal alone sends braking force only to the rear.
While there is no ABS Off switch, if the bike is run in second gear on its centerstand for about 20 seconds, the ABS error light goes on and the anti-lock is shut down.