25 Feb 2010

Yamaha is pleased to announce the introduction of an exciting all new transcontinental touring motorcycle whose heritage can be traced back to the origins of adventure riding… the XTZ1200 Super Ténéré.

The new XTZ1200 inherits the spirit of the legendary Ténéré models that drove an era of Yamaha dominance during the 1980s and ’90s in the Dakar Rally, widely known as the world’s most demanding endurance rally.

The new bike will be on show at the Yamaha stand at the Yamaha World SBK round at Phillip Island from tomorrow (26 to 28 Feb 2010). Details of availability and price are yet to be announced.

The Super Ténéré is designed to achieve a high-level balance of the qualities riders want in an intercontinental long-distance touring, including:

(1) Unmatched long distance capability
(2) Excellent dirt road performance
(3) Light and agile cornering on mountain roads

 To realise the three qualities mentioned above, the engine and chassis were designed from scratch with developmental efforts focused on a centralised of mass chassis design, lower centre of gravity and the desired level of front wheel weight distribution.

Powered by a newly developed liquid-cooled 4-stroke 1199cc in-line twin cylinder engine, the XTZ1200 bristles with new control technologies aimed at offering outstanding long-distance touring performance.

 The in-line twin-cylinder engine with a 270-degree crankshaft and 4-valve DOHC head sports a side-mounted radiator that contributes to centralisation of machine mass and mounted on a new frame. Also, the YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) seen on Yamaha Supersports machines now has traction control and a function enabling the rider to select running modes.

 Other state-of-the-art technologies like a 3-position ABS system and adoption of a Unified Brake System are added to realise a higher level of touring performance. This is truly a model worthy of being called an ultimate machine for intercontinental adventure.

Here is a list of the key features on the new machine:

• Liquid-cooled 1199cc in-line 2-cylinder, 4-valve, 270-degree crank engine.
• Compact design engine (2-axis primary balancer, crankcase with built-in oil tank)
• YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) with traction control function
• 23-litre large-capacity, low centre of gravity fuel tank
• Chassis designed for good performance even when carrying a pillion rider or baggage
• Chassis design for good wind protection
• Left-side radiator and right-side electrical component layout for centralisation of machine mass
• Front-rear divided seat with height adjustment, multifunction carrier (3-way carrier)
• New aluminium rims for tubeless tyres
• 12V outlet and numerous accessories
• Yamaha D-MODE power options
• Telescopic type upside-down front fork
• Unified Brake System (front-rear unified brake system) and 3-position ABS
• Chassis dimensions designed for light handling performance (mass centralisation and low centre of gravity)
• Riding position designed for greater freedom, accommodating
• Short muffler adopted to contribute the layout for centralisation of mass and lower centre of gravity
• Engine character tuned for good off-road drivability
• Shaft drive with hypoid gear design
• Chassis layout for centralisation of machine mass and low centre of gravity
• Fuel injection and YCC-T for better drivability
• Torque curve combining power and drivability
• Wide-ratio 6-speed transmission
• Fuel injection system with 12-hole injector
• 3-way catalyzer and separate O2 sensors for each cylinder
• Twin spark plugs for outstanding combustion efficiency