Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere: Enduro travel enduro in the long-term test

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Endurance test final balance of the Yamaha XT 1200 Z Super Tenere

The travel enduro from Yamaha after 50,000 km

Almost everyone who got on the big Yamaha Tenere was enthusiastic about its comfort and didn’t want to get off at all. That explains why the XT 1200 Z covered its long-haul distance in a short time. But in the end, the new design also held?

The first contact with the Super Tenere is sometimes formidable for smaller people: On the one hand, you have to climb 845 millimeters in height, on the other hand, the comfortable seat of the 1200 from Yamaha is relatively wide and spreads your legs. In addition, the top-heavy enduro bike weighs 267 kilograms with a full tank. The petite MOTORRAD graphic designer Katrin Sdun writes in the logbook on behalf of all the non-giants: “Maneuvering, climbing, balancing – these are real challenges.

But then the Yamaha XT 1200 Tenere is much easier to drive than you might think at first – a super comfortable but large sofa that invites you to go on long tours.

At least when it comes to the character traits of the travel giant. Because travel – all 39 pilots listed in the logbook agree – is their destination. The 1200 offers a high level of comfort on long journeys, which results from a moderate knee angle, the sofa-like seat cushion for rider and pillion passenger and perfectly placed footrests and handlebars. This comfort is supported by the low-vibration running of the twin. The wind protection is also okay. However, if you bring Prussian standards, you should mount handlebar risers (www.touratech.de or www.off-the-road.de) and a higher windshield (www.mra.de). This experience also coincides with those from around 40 letters from almost all enthusiastic Super Tenere owners.

D.And back to the summary of the MOTORRAD long-term test machine, which started its service in the editorial office on October 18, 2010 to eat up kilometers. At this point, however, the bike already had 9747 kilometers on the clock – it had been passed around by the importer to various magazines for tests that obviously nobody spared them. Even when it was taken over, the Super Tenere probably completed countless acceleration and sweater-through measurements and test bench runs. That at least explains why the first entries in the logbook revolve around the dragging clutch. The poor shiftability of the transmission has also been criticized on a number of occasions. As an immediate measure, the hydraulic system is vented, but this does not improve much. It was only when the friction and steel disks were exchanged at odometer reading 22,521 that the criticism fell silent: From then on, the clutch was perfectly coupled, and the gearshift also worked flawlessly.

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Endurance final test balance of the Yamaha XT 1200 Z Great Tenere

The travel enduro from Yamaha after 50,000 km

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During dismantling, it was found that a piston pin was stuck in the piston pin eye. Both the running pattern and the piston skirt show no cause for concern. Noticeable: the relatively strong oil carbon deposits.

For around a third of all pilots, the Tenere engine was simply too unventful. More was expected from 1200 cubic meters. The insults in the logbook range from “bloodless drive” to “yawning boredom” to “where the hell is the tiger in the tank?” However, some complainers had simply overlooked that the twin can be moved in two different driving modes: In the T- In touring mode, the engine reacts much more gently to gas commands than in S mode (sport). However, the performance remains the same. To this day, however, it has not been clarified why the designers reduced both power and torque in the first three gears, because the nominal power of 110 hp is not on the level of an aggressive high-performance engine. In a statement from Yamaha Germany it says: “The performance characteristics of the XT 1200 Z are designed for good drivability in all areas and under all load conditions. An aggressive throttle response would have a very negative impact, especially in city traffic. "

Ultimately, there is only the topic of oil, which runs like a red thread through the logbook. First there is the cumbersome oil check: The large Yamaha Twin is equipped with dry sump lubrication, but optically looks like wet sump lubrication – a self-contained reservoir is built into the engine from which the oil pump draws the lubricant in order to transfer it into to pump the channels. Depending on the system, it can happen that oil seeps from the reservoir into the short engine overnight. If you check in this state, you may add too much oil. And maybe there is a risk of engine damage. Important in this context: The engine is equipped with an oil control lamp that does not warn of a loss of pressure, but rather if the oil level is too low. According to the manufacturer, brief flickering is "completely harmless". Yamaha recommends: Warm up the engine for at least ten minutes, then jack up the machine, wait two minutes and only then check. Another issue is oil consumption. Converted to the entire test distance of 50,000 kilometers, this can be put at 0.23 liters per 1,000 kilometers. Interesting here: consumption tended to increase towards the end of the test distance. This consumption is entirely dependent on the driving style: While the oil consumption in touring and everyday use was consistently quite modest or hardly worth mentioning, the engine not only allowed up to eight liters of super per 100 kilometers (average 6.3 liters / 100 km, minimum 4.5 liters), but also up to 0.6 liters of oil per 1000 kilometers.

Despite this shortcoming: The Super Tenere never stopped, never had to go to the workshop unscheduled. Lucky! Because during the early 40,000 inspection (every 10,000 km), suddenly occurring starting problems were resolved with the replacement of the spark plugs.

Two days earlier, at mileage 38,794, the machine had spent the night outdoors in continuous rain, started the next morning very reluctantly and only reluctantly took on gas. Water had penetrated the spark plug connector seals and bathed the two spark plugs on the left cylinder. Strong signs of corrosion show that this has not happened for the first time. Water probably collects in the area of ​​the left cylinder head when the machine is on the side stand in the rain and then penetrates the smallest cracks in the connector. As part of this inspection, the hydraulic timing chain tensioner was also replaced, because some drivers thought they heard a bright, strange ticking from the engine guts. After the replacement, the engine ran again with the usual background noise.

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Slight pitting on some of the teeth on the bevel gear of the cardan drive. Yamaha’s technicians consider this to be harmless and say: assemble and continue.

And so he ran until the end. On November 9, 2011, 50,127 kilometers were on the clock, and the Super Tenere had to go out one last time to measure the acceleration and put it on the test bench. While the performance has only deteriorated marginally, the engine lacks around four hp and five Newton meters of torque compared to the initial measurement – and that over almost the entire speed range. Dismantling the drive was less of a problem than lifting it out of the frame. MOTORCYCLE mechanic Gerry Wagner speaks of what feels like two hundredweight. In truth, it should be just under 80 kilograms – a unit that seems to have been built to last. Many manufacturers would forge crankshafts from the two balancer shafts, each weighing 1.3 kg. Heavy carbon deposits on the piston crown and in the area of ​​the exhaust valves are indications of the combustion of the oil. The seats of the exhaust valves are widened and have to be milled. Another phenomenon: the two clutch pressure rods have welded to the ball, which is supposed to compensate for differences in speed in the primary drive. None of this was noticeable when driving. Overall, the engine survived the distance well. Yamaha technicians consider small blemishes such as slight pitting on the bevel gear of the cardan shaft or gentle tracks on the shift forks to be harmless. With a set of seals, new piston rings, the obligatory (preventative) replacement of connecting rod and crankshaft bearings and a new clutch push rod unit, the engine would be ready for the next 50,000 kilometers.

The chassis performed even better than the drive because, despite winter operation, hardly any corrosion is visible. All bearings are in good condition, the paint is still flawless and the electrics work perfectly. Even the spring elements have not lost any of their sensitivity or damping capacity over a distance. Seen in this way, the new Super Tenere is a successful big hit. At least for those who not only dream of traveling, but also cure their wanderlust over many thousands of kilometers. In the cozy wanderlust armchair.

Balance after 50,000 km

Bilski

The small ones quarreled with the imposing appearance, the tall ones wanted a higher windshield.

Cylinder head:
Three exhaust valves are leaking, the exhaust valve seats are widened and show stronger traces of burns, the intake valve seats have only slight traces of burns.

Cylinder / piston:
With the exception of small scoring, the cylinders show no abnormalities, the running pattern of the dimensionally accurate pistons is okay, a relatively large amount of oil carbon has deposited on the piston crowns.

Crank drive:
A piston pin is stuck in the associated piston pin boss and shows slight traces of pinching. The running patterns of the crankshaft and connecting rod bearings are inconspicuous, but the bearings should be replaced according to the factory specifications.

Power transmission:
Two shift forks have visible wear marks, and there are pitting marks on the bevel gear of the output shaft. The short and long push rods of the coupling are welded together on the connecting ball due to increased friction. Clutch friction and steel disks as well as clutch basket and hub are in good condition.

Frame / chassis:
The coating of the frame and the swing arm makes an overall good impression, as does the rest of the workmanship of the motorcycle, and the electrical system is also inconspicuous. Swing arm and steering head bearings are OK.

Costs and maintenance

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Welded: clutch pressure rods and ball have joined together due to high loads.

costs

17 liters of oil at 16.64 euros: 282.88 euros
3 oil filters at 11.19 euros: 33.57 euros
1 air filter at 31.29 euros: 31.29 euros
8 spark plugs at 13.39 euros: 107.12 euros
1 set of rear brake pads at EUR 30.70: EUR 30.70
2 sets of front brake pads at 44.39 euros: 88.78 euros
1 clutch disc set: 373.62 euros
Small parts, lubricants: 73.13 euros
Seals: 43.05 euros
Inspections and repairs: 1576.40 euros
Tires (including assembly, balancing and disposal): 1326.79 euros
Fuel: 4944.21 euros
Total costs: 8911.54 euros
Acquisition cost: 14,965.00 euros
Loss of value: 6315.00 euros
Estimate (dealer selling price): 8,650.00 euros
Cost per kilometer (without depreciation): 17.8 cents
Costs per kilometer (with depreciation): 30.5 cents
Cost per kilometer (excluding petrol): 7.9 cents
Depreciation: 42.2%

Maintenance and repair costs

Front and rear tires renewed, Bridgestone BW 501/502 E 8125
Clutch actuation sold 12,653
Rear tires renewed, Bridgestone BW 502 E 14 370
Rear brake pads renewed 20 507
Front and rear tires renewed, Conti Trail Attack 22 367
Clutch discs renewed 22 521
Front and rear tires renewed, Bridgestone BW 501/502 E 33 410
Timing chain tensioner (guarantee) and corroded spark plugs (after water ingress) renewed 38 794
Front brake pads renewed 42 450
Front and rear tires renewed, Metzeler Tourance EXP 47 235

Tire recommendation:
Among all approved rubbers, the Metzeler Tourance EXP convinced with good wet grip, great feedback and impeccable steering behavior. The Conti Trial Attack, which we also drove, is unfortunately not approved, but was a thrill on dry roads

Yamaha takes a stand

… for welding push rods and balls in the coupling:
We are not aware of such defects. We assume that the three parts have connected to one another due to the many test bench runs (performance measurements, silencer recommendations). The large difference between high wheel speed and low engine speed when disengaging the clutch could have ensured that the relevant points were not supplied with enough lubricant. This is a condition that does not occur during normal driving.

… on the premature worn clutch:
The premature wear of the clutch can be traced back to the extreme load caused by test drives in various editorial offices. Regarding the material breakouts on the bevel gear: We consider the slight traces of pitting to be harmless, the components can still be used.

… to the corroded spark plugs:
The sealing lips of the spark plug caps are perfectly fine. The same components do their job inconspicuously and reliably in other models. We will make our customer service aware of the problem. If it occurs frequently, the sealing of the plug must be checked and, if necessary, changed in series. 

… to replace the timing chain tensioner:
We are not aware of any such damage among our customers. We are assuming an isolated case.

… to the wobbly ignition lock:
A phenomenon that occurs whenever the vehicle is washed with a high pressure jet. The finely atomized water penetrates the lock in connection with high pressure and causes corrosion. In this case, Yamaha recommends adding some graphite lubricant to the lock.

… to increased oil consumption:
The average oil consumption of 0.23 liters per 1000 kilometers measured over the entire test distance is still within the tolerance range and, as already mentioned in the scrolling text, also depends on the driving style (continuous full throttle). We consider the oil consumption to be harmless and at this point expressly point out that the measuring procedure must be meticulously adhered to. Because the dry sump lubrication, which is not obvious, can quickly lead to incorrect measurements and overfilling of the engine with oil.  

Yamaha XT 1200 ZE Super Tenere on sale in Germany

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Most used Yamaha Super Tenere have case systems.

Yamaha’s Super Tenere appears on the used market as a motorcycle that is just waiting for the big journey. Most of the models are already equipped with case systems or have raised windshields. The reputation as a comfortable and reliable motorcycle can be seen in the used price of the Super Tenere: used Yamaha XT1200ZE Super Tenere in Germany.

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