Yep, you're right. XRV - not XLV. On the ruling issue, however, I'd guess there are some dicrepancies between your view and, say, the average BMW rider ;-)

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

I have had XTZ 750, now riding XTZ 660, several friends ride AfricaTwin. My opinion XTZ 750 vs. XLV 750? Africa apsolutely!

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AnteK

i used an XTZ 750 to go from England to Cape Town in 1995 2 up and then solo around the middle east for 2 years in 2000/1.

Because it was cheap to buy, I bought h/d white power fork springs, and an Ohlins rear shock because I knew the suspension would take a hammering and left the engine standard.

the bike was 100 per cent reliable on both trips despite minimal maintenance

Super Tenere's biggest problem is a weak frame, specially around the upper engine mounting bolts - bit of welding needed to strengthen it properly.

The engines last: I've seen several Supers with +200.000 km in their clock without any greater problems. Biggest reason for reported bad mpg is wear of carb needles and specially needle tubes - have to replace them every 30.000 km or so. The nature of the engine is more rev-happy compared to AT; some say it's because of the tilted carbs of Yamaha's Genesis concept giving on-off response (also the position is the reason for needle tube wear), some say because ST pushes 10hp more than AT. I'm happy with certain point-and-shoot power delivery; certainly a big grin factor on gravel roads...

Parts availability shouldn't be any problem specially since the differences between year models are mostly different colours and stickers... The best EU source for parts & accessories must be German KEDO (http://www.kedo.com) - specialized in 1- and 2-cylinder Yamahas (and nowadays also DL- and SV-Suzukis) but basic service parts should be found from any general Yamaha shop.

My "Winter Project '05/'06" is a '89 Super Tenere. Into bits and pieces (see www.heikkil.com/supertenere/pics/runko.jpg) and back to life again. As Dick previously said, the price difference between ST and AT gives a chance to upgrade suspension properly and also bolt on other goodies (here we go again... :-) ).

Indu: Have a GREAT time in Iceland! I spent there 11 months 2001-2002 and the place is just amazing!


[This message has been edited by TenereHeikki (edited 09 November 2005).]

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- Heikki & R1200GSA + V50 Monza -

Hi Heikki,
Can you explain more clearly exactly where and how the frame needs strenghtening on the XTZ. I'd like to do it as pat of my rebuild but would like to get it right first time so that my welds don't interfere with reassembling the bike?

1st of all sorry about late response...

The most important welding point is the rear upper engine mounting area; see http://www.heikkil.com/supertenere/vahvistus.JPG It's easy job for professional welder and engine fits in w/o any problems.

You could also weld the holes that hold the spark plug wire supports (those black plastic things) and in case you plan to carry heavy side / rear bags also subframe.

Here the completed ST: http://www.heikkil.com/supertenere/valmis3.jpg

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- Heikki & R1200GSA + V50 Monza -

Both bikes have their pro's and cons, as riding bike's is an emotional issue get what you like, personally i find the AT more of a Touring bike, so more comfy on highways, and Tenere more suited for off road riding, and easier to ride off road because it pulls from 1500 rpm and the power is linear, so lots of traction in poor conditions, and you can ride the bike slowly off road, The AT below 3000 rpm therés nobody home, but goes better to 7000 rpm's, more shifting needed, than a super tenere, AT tends to stall if you ride shiftlazy, the super you can idle through deep sand, and town, and will go 200k.
I've riden both Supers and AT's extensively, also in Enduro's, both wonderfull bike's, and like both alot, both bikes are very reliable, and both have their isue's that need dealt with, if they would be cars i'd say the S10 would be the Landrover and the AT would be the Range Rover, his and hers
Good luck shopping
Just get what you like

If you get A super Tenere, from ''94 they have the relyable clutch and rectifier, no issues, very 40k's replace emulsiontubes in carbs.
Also check floatbowl levels, often the reason for rich fuel mixture.

AT different issues, mainly with fuelpump every 40k, not cheap, generatorissue's at every 50 k, so get a heavy duty one, brake calipers need to be cleaned at regular basis, since they are single piston.

Hi Everyone


Go the Africa Twin Bring them back into production as they were.
Dont have one and unless they are bought back into production am never likley to have one here in OZ
Being mechanically minded I love their reports, their apperance alone is a stand out in the crowd.

Cheers Champ
Go the AT

Sorry, another AT vote here. Mine was a 1998. Just run-in at 19,000miles when I got her.

The bits that break are well known and fixable in advance (fuel pump, choke cable, regulator/rectifier). Can't imagine why the frame needs strengthening - we did brighton2capetown with loaded, large, metalmules. The bike was well over 300kg on the scales and the subframe was straight even after all the crashing I indulged in! People are carrying that AND a pillion too. I did replace the rear shock with an Ohlins partly because the originals are ALL tired by now and the variable ride-height adjuster was a nice thing to play with out in Africa.

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Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk

Over the last 19 Years i drove 160000 km with my ST in Australia,NZ,US,Asia,Europ.
No Breakdown's, exept Weelpunkture,s.
New Valveseats at 70000 km was all wich was be done on the Engine.

Now everything on the Bike is worrn out, but the Bike is still running Superb.

Greetings Peter

I owned a XTZ-750 "Super Ten" here in New Zealand for about three years and 8,000KMs. It is high and heavy, but so are most big trail bikes. Lots of fuel in tank, engine powerful enough for all uses, it's a large motorcycle that fits taller riders well. Suspension is strictly average, despite much fiddling by yours truly. Great two up bike, nice brakes, unobjectionable vibration. Riding position very good and I found it comfortable for long trips. Rectifier did die on mine, but that was the only problem ever. The side covers are an annoying joke-they bulge out tremendously in an effort to visually emulate the fuel tanks that the PD race bikes had. They are simply empty and stick way out, getting in the way of mounting saddlebags-I'd remove them and put something homemade if I was to mount panniers. Headlights good, fairing provides something to hide behind in rain. Bikes like this are just too tall and heavy to do any real offroading (and I used race dirt bikes a long time ago in a galaxy far away). It's the motorcycle equivalent of an SUV - looks dirt savvy but is meant for the road, that's why Yamaha turned subsequent incarnations into road only machines. For me, both the Honda and Yamaha are too big and heavy to take anything but the smoothest dirt roads - you can ride them but they are stressful to manhandle. There are aftermarket center stands available, would be nice to have. Good luck!

I have owned a number of Super Teneres and have never been dissappointed. The older models 1989-91 did have a week subframe and it needs to be reinforced. I incorporated a luggage rack that had a dual purpose. Early models had a weak regulator but that is an easy fix. Later models have virtually all probs solved.
My trusted 1996 model has 135,000 kms, has been on many continents with very rough roads and has never let me down with more than a flat tire. I never have to ad oil between 8000kms oil changes. Having to carry oil ads a lot of extra weight.
Tuned properly I get 19 - 21 kms/liter at moderate speeds. The 26 liter tank has a 4 liter air reservoir that can be accessed by punching small holes in the filler neck and will then give you around 600kms range.
It has no catalytic converter so can burn leaded fuel and there are a few third world countries that still use it.
The engine has 69 h/power which is adequate to carry me, my wife and 12 months luggage.
I like the dry sump as it cools the engine better and won't allow all of your oil to be dumped onto the road should you hit a large rock with your engine.
Prices in Europe are fantastic and you can buy 6 for the price of the new XT1200Z.
My second choice for 2 up adventure riding is the Africa Twin and the reasons it comes second are:
10 kilos heavier
10 h/power less
Oil capacity is only 2.5liters instead of 4 for XTZ
23 liter fuel tank as XTZ can have 30
Lights and brakes are better with A/T but that is an easy fix for the XTZ.
Prices are generally cheaper for the XTZ.
Seating comfort on both models are horrible, so it is manditory to modify them, ie gel etc.

Any complaints I have heard normally comes from a poorly maintained bike.

Africa Twins are more popular as they were sold in some countries til 2002 and XTZ only til 1996. If you carry a parts list of either bike, any Honda or Yamaha dealer can order your parts. Japanese dealers are found in even the most remote countries.

Advantages of travelling with an older bike like these are that:
Less likely to be stolen
Carnets are cheaper
Mechanics around the world can still work on them
If you have to leave it because of an injury or a hijacking, it won't break the bank.
Parts are still acessable and cheaper than the latest model
Travelling is not cheap, so you need to save as much as you can to stay on the road longer.
Any specific questions, just ask.
Cheers, Patrick Peck
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/peck

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Patrick and Belinda Peck
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/peck

The AT is a more expensive bike though.

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DoubleTapper
http://DoubleTapper.blogspot.com

you are wrong , xtz 750 super T and the HONDA AFRICA TWIN are two of the best bikes ever made . I have a 1989 model first edition and it has never let me down , if you maintain any motorbike they will run and run and run .Stay away from BMWs you only have to watch LONGWAYDOWN , they were only two or three weeks into their trip and 2 of their BRAND NEW BMWs broke down in Africa , also BMWs are well over priced you are paying the fat cats at BMW just for the name , so if you want to throw your money at them more fool you ......All BMWs bike problems are coming to light now so beware . The new TENEREs ARE FAR BETTER THAN ANY NEW BMWs