Motorcycle Specs

BMW GS monster eventually becomes impossible to ignore the Japanese. Yamaha Super Ténéré, an adventure tourer with a 1200 cc twin-cylinder engine is to go head to head against the R1200GS iconic when it comes to the U.S. next spring.

Yamaha Grand at Heritage has done its off-road. One of the Ténéré cylinder (not Super) Enduro debuted in 1983. Went to the Super Ténéré in 1989, when two cylinders XTZ750 made his debut in the European market, and won the grueling Paris / Dakar Rally six times. This is the name of the Ténéré (say 10:00 uh-ray), which is an area in the Sahara desert, which came in the P / Q Rally.

This new Super Ténéré was introduced in Europe earlier this year, and Yamaha has recently announced that it would come to America in 2012 on the model. If a 750cc parallel twin has been XTZ Super Ténéré, this new model could be called Super duper Ténéré, because it is a 450cc advantage of the transition.

Dual-class, while only 6% of the total U.S. market has grown steadily since 2005, mainly up-and-651cc segment, which paves the way for the BMW R1200GS. The new Super-10 wants a slice of that pie lucrative market.

And when you hit the big Yamaha trail over the deserts of Arizona and a couple of days, we found the Ténéré be a good match with the dominant GS.

Key among the attributes are the Super-10 features per dollar quotient. Its $ 13 900 has a base MSRP of traction control, antilock brakes, dual-mode horse-by-wire mapping, tubeless spoked wheels and hand guards. In comparison, the version sold less rarely seen BMW for $ 14,950, but not without ABS or traction control or hand guards. BMW option "Standard Package" includes ABS, hand guards and on-board computer, but sold for $ 16,935. Spoked wheels are an upgrade for $ 500, and traction control is another $ 400.

"... We found the Ténéré be a good match dominated by the GS."

Although it is unlikely that OEM build a horizontally opposed boxer-twin engine as the BMW, Yamaha has created a separate fax, but reasonable. His twin is estimated at 108.5 crank horsepower, almost identical to the 110 horses claimed by the SG.

But the arrangement of cylinders Ténéré is offline to-Twin. It uses a slightly smaller bore (98mm vs. 101 mm) and a longer stroke giving 1199cc (1170ccs a real move 1200GS). It uses a 270 degree crank offset, which has two cylinders firing at 270 degrees after cylinder 1 and a cylinder firing again 450 degrees later. The order of shooting is said to improve the uneven adhesion of a tire on a slippery road and also the added benefit of creating an exhaust note very similar to a V-Twin.


This irregular firing order generates a lot of vibrations, so that the engine is equipped with stabilizers have dual to smooth things over. The balance shaft in front of the drum unit from the water pump twice. A dry sump oil helps the engine to be mounted as low as possible so it can be positioned optimally in the steel frame. A side-mounted radiator allows the engine is positioned further forward, resulting in 50.5% of the weight of the bike to be on the front wheel.

The air is mixed with the fuel inside the throttle body 46 mm with injectors 12 holes, shooting inside the heads of two-pin cylinder and OS. Throttle Ride-by-wire system allows the traction control that has two parameters, and can also be disabled. You can also change the cards from one scenario to a Sport Touring Mode softest and aggressively across a button on the right equipment.

The ears are greeted with a nice deep exhaust noise of a great silent hidden along the left side of the bike. His note is equivalent to a 90 degree V-Twin, but with shades of R1 is crossplane-and four-cylinder dunk.

"The ears are greeted with a pleasant tone of deep discharge ..."

A clutch four-position requires a moderate permanent move to activate the package strong coupling of 9 friction plates. Switching action is pleasantly light and positive, and the power transferred to the rear wheel via a shaft to a hypoid gear set on the rear wheel. The height of the hypoid gear design provides less of a bevel helical arrangement, which Yamaha says is 10% more tidy. But there is a price to pay for the event hypoid - whining speed, which is especially noticeable around 60 mph.

Cast aluminum swingarm activates the hydraulic shock absorber with adjustable preload and rebound, as the GS. Both of these changes do not require any tools. Like all arm-driven motorcycle, the rear suspension kicks back to the bumps.

Rear wheel travel is 7.5 inches, the same as the 43mm inverted fork. Yamaha ups in a BMW with the fork adjustments for compression damping and rebound damping and preload. But Ténéré is not available with something like BMW have optional push-button electronic suspension adjustment.

Whether on the street or dirt, provides an action to suspend the Ténéré typical of traditional design, as opposed to the end of BMW interesting but eccentric lever to Telecom. On paved surfaces, carefully Yamaha belts long journey that would suck bumps R1 riders moaned. And it is also competent on any terrain dirt, we try, blasting in more than 80 km / h on dirt roads packed with hammers on rock-strewn roads of four canyon.

Helping 10 super high speed stability is a bit lazy angle of 28.0 degrees to cut 126mm of travel. In turn, the response is nice and neutral, but is not particularly fast - a GS (or Multistrada) requires much less effort to boot into the corner.

Product range is the same as that used on the R1200GS (110/80-19 front, 150/70-17 rear), from either Bridgestone or a Metzeler tubeless design made possible by the Cross spoke wheels through a section of the center outer crust, so no rays reach into the inside of the wheel and release the air.

Our mules have been testing with "Stone Battle Wing tires developed specifically for Ténéré, using what appear to be deeper than the grooves of the tread, the wings straight out of the shelf to produce a surprisingly good grip, dirt, until it is so thick and loose sand. Like the road-biased nature of most of the adventure-touring riders, we Wings is an excellent compromise between the tire.

Yamaha traction control system provided head-of-the-pants data for the effect of the tires. Lock in the least intrusive way TC via a button on the left side of the pod on the rear tires Ténéré hung quite well in the dirt to keep the intervention of TC (indicated by a yellow light on the gauges) of cutting too often.

TC2 setting allows some sliding the first ignition timing and fuel is throttled back to back to the grip, and we welcomed the intervention is never hard - the engine has never declined steadily in the face, but rather modulated the production thin. TC1 is set to a heavy and would be better to use only the slickest conditions.


Rider Helps Others are in the braking system. In addition to the standard anti-lock control, the Yamaha Tenere is equipped with unified braking system that links the rear brake pedal forward, helping to limit the pitch chassis during braking, which is typical of bikes with Long front suspension travel.

To pull the brake lever activates the pump under the seat and apply the rear brake pressure, and the system will automatically apply the rear brake, the more intelligently when the wheel is loaded the extra weight of passengers (depending on the lever to the pressure ) and when the deceleration is high. The back of the helmet and front passenger will appreciate not bonking during braking, and UBS integrates seamlessly with the pilot alone.

A pair of 4-piston monobloc calipers clamp wave rotors on the front 310 mm, while a single-piston caliper biting on the back of a wave of style 282mm disc. The feedback is very good with the levers. A sample of 32-bit wheel speed ECU and other data in 1000 of a second, and these results are well within the parameters of an ABS system that does not travel easily and quickly re-apply the brakes at least sensations cabotage.

But we think this is an enduro bike not wrong to not have the ability to disable the ABS system in off-road conditions, especially during hill descents in slippery conditions, when a locked wheel provides greater deceleration the on-and off-effect of the intervention ABS -.

BMW ABS system can be disabled, so can the Multistrada, so we have to give Yamaha a demerit point not to give its passengers the option. ABS Yamaha is not bad on the ground much better than anti-lock systems before, but the hardcore racers out dirty desire.

An Internet search reveals a few simple way to disable the ABS, which we discovered after we took him. Just put the Tenere on the center stand and start cycling a little. This generates an error signal to the ABS, it turns off. A light ABS fault code on the instruments, and a rider is now free to lock and slide covered with impunity!

The engine has a broad Ténéré, torquey powerband, but given the GS was clearly in the sights of Yamaha, it was somewhat surprising to find Super-10 engine to be superior to box. Seat of the pants is impressive with an engine not quite capable of towing away at low revs that the Beemer, and yet he has not the upper chest expected such a high motor technology.

Motorcycle News, UK-based wheel rag tied to bicycles and Dyno, and has found a very similar power band up to 6000 rpm when the Boxer takes over the top with a wave stronger. Ténéré peaked at 90.3 against 99.6 hp rear wheel hp GS. Beemer more powerful engine is a union of its 30 pounds of some less easy win in dragstrip Ténéré, roll-on high speed and performance.

Yamaha says Empty weight 575 kg tank of 6.1 liters (mostly low-level and between the riders feet), and GS MCN is scaled at 544 pounds for a smaller tank topped 5.3 liters.

Despite the lack of engine performance, the Tenere is nevertheless a fascinating adventure tourer. He has a sharp increase in the average range and is able to satisfy more than 130 miles per hour. Throttle response is fairly smooth, even in the context of sport, engine vibration is not a problem. Sixth saturated contributes to the production of a relaxed highway cruising.


The Ténéré is the driving position is very spacious, with top riders take an inch extra leg room seat with adjustable hook type set at its highest level (34.3 inches) position. A low seat option ($ 239.95) reduces the seat height by 1.4 inches to 31.9 inches a more manageable in its lowest position, but provides padding significantly reduced and thus comfort. His guide is not too large conical and fits riders of all sizes, making it comfortable in sitting and standing while working off-road. Clever footrests are fitted with a central section of rubber that is compressed when you stand to put the boot soles on sticks "scrawled outside edges for better grip.

Protection against the elements is good enough. The windshield deflects air standards sufficient to allow face-up on horseback with minimal tremor, and handguards and pods in the side of the engine for better protection against the leg of the wind. Windshield adjusts to two heights, but unlike the GS hand directional buttons Ténéré requires removing four screws. Better protection against the wind is available from a windshield accessory 2.4 inches taller and adjustable in 3 positions, retail sales of $ 119.95. Windshields made of polycarbonate Page 4 mm is also optional ($ 79.95).

The rear rack is standard, and can be extended to remove the seat to reveal a ride on a flat surface, so that the strap-down large items. Rear Rack also acts as an accessory tray mounted ($ 369.95) large enough (30 gallons) to keep full-face helmet.

Greater storage capacity is provided by the optional saddlebags with 61 gallons of total capacity, and all bags can be entered in the key. They are built around robust construction with injection molded nylon layers of aluminum and retail $ 1089.85 including a mounting kit. In particular, they liked it, but the top of the closures are meticulous and the need to be pressed firmly to stop close properly. I was not alone in mistakenly thinking the launch escape the bags were locked.


These include things like a good analog tachometer (with 8000 rpm redline-) next to an LCD info display that includes speed, drive modes, clock, dual trip meters, average and instantaneous and air temperature. An account of fuel totalizer miles up since the transition to 1.0 gallons Reserve, but the instruments lack an interval mode vacuum and a position indicator of the train. One DC power jack lives next meters.

Some other options may be considered necessities for those who are serious off-road. Key among them is a bash plate to protect the header pipes and the oil filter, which is otherwise susceptible to injury - when the engine is mounted as one member pointed out, there is no lower side members to provide protection, and only a small protective plastic is mounted in stock. Yamaha skid plate accessories ($ 199.95) is constructed from 3 mm thick aluminum, which seems to be very robust, suffering no damage large rock several times during our trip.

Your globe-trotting adventures should also be accompanied by an optional crash bars protect the side of the radiator and other things that you do not want bleeding broken. Consider a powder-coated steel cage ($ 449.95) to be proactive insurance road.

Heated grips are another interesting option that matches the BMW GS, and sell for $ 399.95. In addition, BMW, Yamaha has combined various accessories in three packaging options, including a GoPro Hero camera.

X-Country land package includes the crash bars, skid plate and headlight protection of polycarbonate for $ 749.95. Comfort and Convenience Package includes a top box and line, heated windshield and the wind deflector kit for $ 1,019.75. At the high end and the scale of prices is € 1,519.60 for Adventure Touring Kit, which includes liner bag and side bags, tank bag, windscreen and wind deflector kit.


Conclusion

Yamaha Super Ténéré brings an enemy worthy of the adventure touring category by virtue of its diverse set of capabilities. Its one of those rare bikes that can easily knock over 500 miles of highway travel in a day and also to allow the exploration of unknown and unpaved trails off the beaten track. But its the BMW R1200GS and GS Adventure, a well-developed all-terrain vehicle that has been an icon of the class.

The largely responsible for a huge GS Ténéré is no small thing, and that makes it a cost of thousands of dollars less than its German rival makes it really in that market.


If you want to keep yourself, you must put down the $ 500 deposit to book your bike by Yamaha, first to save the program, the same as that used for FJR1300 and the V-Max. Pre-orders for nearly 31 March 2011. Deliveries will begin in May.

350cc KTM when the project was announced, the riders and the media were enthusiastic about the idea of ​​a lighter and easier to handle open class machine. When the bike arrived, however, told the media motocross was only slightly lighter than the 450 and the torque was much less, readers of a more rapid 250F. However, the machine won the race in the motocross world, as well as KTM had great success in the race off-road with cyclists on board motocross bikes converted 350SX.

By 2012 KTM made the conversion for you off the road, the transmission of a broad relationship and engine modifications that are most appropriate for aggressive power band of off-road racing. The new framework uses a technology liaison WP PDS shock swearing KTM off-road work better. A series of improvements in the clutch, the engine cases, a fork, tripleclamps, the position of shock rear suspension and ergonomics highlight the major changes. KTM has also improved the electric starter and added a more powerful 190 watts of FIM Enduro-legal lighting. The new exhaust system spark arrested and calm, and the EFI settings inviolable secure compliance with "green tag and California EPA.

At the 2012 KTM XCF-W printing AMA National Enduro launch Inyan Kara in Wyoming, we had the opportunity to try all the new KTM bike cross-country running, before a race. Being a two-stroke diehard fans, we really should choose a family-300XC-W race. This opinion will be changed quickly, when we boarded the 350XCF-W. Rotate the light seemed acceptable, do better in terms of speed compared to two shots and was the area most soft power this side of XR100. As the publishers changed the wheels during the day, was always the 350 that could not wait to drive again, and became a wheel in other critical models. Only two of 350S is available in the media we were able to compete elbows and destroyed our way to the line to 

book 350XCF-W as our AMA National racing bike!

So who should buy this bike? Well, we, for starters. If you are a runner and a 450 is just too big and aggressive, youll love the 350th It can not help but be more reliable than 250F swollen and I just want to hang with the 450S in the open tips . The forest is fantastic, the roads and tighter gnarlier best. The 350XCF-W would be fun to play Hardcore bike too. We love him, but if you want, youd better wait in line behind us!

Engine
Type 1298cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder; DOHC, 16 valves
Bore x Stroke 79 x 66.2mm
Compression Ratio 10.8:1
Fuel Delivery Fuel Injection
Ignition TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
Transmission 5-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive Shaft

Chassis
Suspension / Front 48mm fork; fully adjustable, 5.3-in travel
Suspension / Rear Single shock; adjustable preload and rebound damping, 4.9-in travel
Brakes / Front Dual 320mm disc, UBS ABS
Brakes / Rear 282mm disc, UBS ABS
Tires / Front 120/70-ZR17 radial
Tires / Rear 180/55-ZR17 radial

Dimensions
Length 87.8 in
Width 29.5 in
Height 52.2 or 57.3 in
Seat Height 31.7 or 32.5 in
Wheelbase 60.8 in
Ground Clearance 5.1 in
Rake (Caster Angle) 26°
Trail 4.3 in
Fuel Capacity 6.6 gal
Fuel Economy** N/A
Wet Weight*** 637 lb / CAL 639 lb

Other
Warranty 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)

 

Honda Gold Wing for the year was at the top of the luxury market and tourism, which offers the best balance between comfort and performance in its class. But the rule is now under the threat of new BMW K1600 GTL has received a very favorable review editor at Duke a few weeks ago.

In a context of increased competition, Honda has chosen to equip the Gold Wing 2012 with only moderate improvements. This indifference is asked: When Honda retaliate with full model upgrade? Until this case, each time may come, "its the little things that matter" adage should be enough for fans of the Gold Wing.

Honda offer models with both 2012 and 2010 Gold Wing for the back-to-back comparison, minor updates adorn the obvious GL 2012. Trivial as the updates may be available, and the effort at least justifies the $ 300 increase in MSRP between 2010 and 2012 base models ($ 22,899 versus $ 23,199, respectively).

The purpose of Comparo this back to back - is clear on the tight, winding roads of Californias Coastal Range we were in the race - was to focus on better handling of the 2012 Gold Wing . When the old wing bar Dunlop, the new wing are shod with Bridgestone rubber. But as Honda was quick to point out Bridgestone was designed to work in harmony with the 2012 revised suspension, so they will not necessarily revive the old wing.

 

In addition to the internal ring back up and down the fork, Honda could not say that there is a revised suspension settings front and rear wing 2012. Front wheel travel by car is reported in 4.8-inch, representing a reduction of 5, 5 calls for the wings before. However, Honda says the journey is actually unchanged, given the specification of age was a typographical error and confirm the new figure of 4.8 inches.

In any case, there is a slightly improved management of the 2012 Gold Wing ways. I say slightly, because the 2010s were the proper treatment of these heavy machines, but the new model is slightly more prone to fall into a corner. And in a 2010-model requires a little effort more to keep the long line of navigating a corner, 2012 to keep it lean angle and maintain the arc selected driver. Cornering clearance of 10 felt the same wing, and both were equally resistant to the bottom.

The seat-of-the-pants the most notable improvement in 2012-Wing, literally, is headquartered. Hopping out of the old model, and the new model, it became clear that the material of urethane new seats and the cover is really an improvement. Not quite Tempur-Pedic mattress material, but the GL support new headquarters for the level of comfort. And all passengers will be greeted by one of the best seats in the passenger business, a much more relaxing to sit on the drivers seat BMW GTL - if you do not want to whine in the back seat, you hear less him with the blade.

 

Because navigating a 900-pound motorcycle through the area where the motorcycle sport in general required all my attention wander, I have not been able to mess with the Gold Wing is upgraded electronics. Yes, I manage to find a decent station on the wing, XM Satellite Radio (some heavy metals to highlight the heavy grinding PEG), but Honda has improved other aspects of their audio and navigation systems.

New audio system in the squad is MP3/iPod connectivity. Yes, the connection of the device is in the top box, but its location is not important because Honda incorporates the control of the iPod in their handlebar controls and a panel of the screen. You can access playlists, artists, albums, etc, just as if you had the camera in hand. There is also a new dimension in surround sound speakers available to provide a better listening experience. I could hear the rear speakers more clearly, even at high speeds.

Before leaving on our day we had a technical briefing on the new satellite navigation system from Honda. According to Honda the system provides updated information out of date due to a faster connection between cycling and satellite. Display screen is now clear for better viewing.

A very useful feature when traveling into the unknown new band is the GPS-Assist, which tells the driver in advance if you want the ramp to the left or right side of the highway. There is also a new 3-D terrain. Next to the iPod adapter to connect it with a new removable flash card, which allows owners to remove the Gold Wing their way, the download of a personal computer to download and share with the other wings of gold.

Curiously, the Golden Wheel new wing is locked in a burst of clear varnish. Honda says its for easy cleaning and to keep the wheels in better shape for a longer period. For someone who remembers yellow, exfoliation, clear coated wheels in the 1980s, it may seem like a mistake. But Honda has assured me that all the coat clear is the same recipe, the process of application is changed and the process was 30 years ago that got motorcycle owners to spend hours with a handful of steel wool scraping putty fatal turn of the wheel.

The new substance EQ 2012 Gold Wing, the side panels of color, stands out, with almost the same in the new wing added to his predecessor. New look cool profile of the Honda Gold Wing and second, the fairing is slightly wider, better protection from the wind.

Another visual cue of the GL is a new hood, directly above the brake / gear levers. It was the old model of chromium, but now it is black, according to Honda, to look at "modernizing". But instead of chrome or colored to update one of the three trim levels above the base model, this is incomplete, plastic, black panel illuminates all of the 2012 Gold Wings. It looks cheaper in person than in pictures, and it is not appropriate for a high-end motorcycle.

So the 2012 Gold Wing motorcycle to date is better, receive updates on areas that really benefit from its pilot. However, $ 23,199 is $ 28,499, the Gold Wing is the largest GTL BMW K1600, which retails for $ 23,200 is $ 25,845.

The new Beemer faster, lighter, has a Bluetooth and an electrically adjustable windshield. But the wing housing the most luxurious and passengers may have a slight advantage in low-speed handling.

Although better than the wind in your pocket has been difficult to determine during the windy afternoon spent on board the two wings, restyled rear wheel, which has been moved to the rear lights, was a visually pleasing, and its functionality obvious. By centralizing the clearance between the back of the panniers saddlebags, and extends, the new Gold Wing gains seven liters of storage space. Parked side by side, 2012 looks smaller saddlebags, but tis only an optical illusion.