Super Ténéré Raid Edition rated
Yamaha Super Ténéré Raid Edition gets the full accessory treatment
Just like those toddlers you see that somehow look like OAPs, Yamaha’s Super Ténéré already looked old when it arrived in 2010. Back then the Dakar-inspired machine wasn’t what you’d call an overnight success. Weighing as much as an elephant, with the heart of a mouse, it couldn’t live with the BMW and KTM adventure bikes of the day and was left standing by the then new Ducati Multistrada 1200. To make matters worse the Super Ténéré was released at a time when Yamaha’s prices went through the roof. Not only was its £13,500 more than the R1200GS Adventure and 990 Adventure (it was only £700 cheaper than the superbike-engined Multistrada 1200 S) it cost more than the £12,199 base model Super Ten does today. Fast-forward to 2018 and the Yamaha trails even further behind. Its 110bhp, 1199cc, 270° parallel twin doesn’t have a hope of living with its glossy new rivals. And with its basic LCD dash, lack of an up/down quickshifter and brakes that seem only to work on dial-up speed, it feels decidedly behind the curve. But you know what? None of that matters, because the Yamaha isn’t aspiring to be a BMW/KTM/ Ducati-beater anymore and can happily serve as the more relaxed, dependable choice.
The Yamaha’s motor boasts low-down grunt, a smooth throttle and gentle power delivery. It takes the 265kg machine time to turn and settle into corners (and sometimes scrape its pegs), but all that weight serves to give you a crinkle-free ride. It’s comfortable, low enough for shorter riders, has maintenancefree shaft drive, a cavernous 23-litre fuel tank and is beautifully screwed together all round. Standard equipment includes a basic non-IMU traction control system and linked ABS, which works well (although it’s a little intrusive), a two-way adjustable seat, spoked wheels and wavy discs. Go for the £13,999 XT1200ZE model and you get electronically adjustable suspension, cruise control, heated grips, centrestand and grab handles.
Now rally-ready
New for 2018, this Raid Edition comes with £2175-worth of Yamaha accessories. Based on the standard ZE, you get a pair of sturdy 37-litre lockable aluminium side cases, a taller screen, wind protectors, a bash plate, fog lights and carbon fibre fairing side panels. Our test bike also features a £151 Yamaha touring tank bag.
It’s still not cheap
Costing £15,849 the Raid Edition is more than a (luggage-less) £11,599 KTM 1090 Adventure, a £14,899 1290 Super Adventure and the funky £13,860 BMW R1200 GS Adventure Rallye. In short, you’ve really got to want the Yamaha to justify the price, but you save over 300-quid on buying the accessories separately.