VOL. 51 ISSUE 15 APRIL 15, 2014 P73
So what's changed from the previous mod-
el? Let's start with the 1199cc parallel twin
that powers the Super Tenere. In an effort to
change the character of the powerplant a bit,
Yamaha made some changes to the shape of
the intake and exhaust ports – straightening
the exhaust port and changing the exhaust port
shape from a D shape to round. The changes
are designed to increase gas flow efficiency
and to make the twin spin up quicker while also
increasing power output. Additionally, in an ef-
fort to reduce friction, the Super Tenere gets
new piston rings, the piston skirt curve shape
has been changed, and the exhaust cam jour-
nal width has been reduced.
The exhaust system has also been revised
with the connector between the two pipes get-
ting eliminated – again to try and improve the
power characteristics. The only other change
to the engine is changing the clutch damper
from a spring type to a rubber type. Yamaha
says this is to reduce mechanical noise and vi-
bration – i.e. get rid of the clunking sensation
from the clutch.
The chassis on the bike is totally unchanged.
It remains a stressed member –designed to
keep the powerplant as low in the stiff chassis
as possible.
On the suspension side of things, the only
change is that Yamaha has changed the inner
cylinder piston rod of its fully adjustable 43mm
KYB fork from steel to aluminum in order to
save weight. The quick-adjust (tool free with a
nice big knob) rear shock remains as it was,
offering up 7.5 inches of travel.
The other changes are mainly for rider com-
fort. For starters, the windscreen gets a new
shape that's an inch and a half wider and half
an inch taller. It's also got better adjustability
– four positions/2.3 inches – that doesn't re-
The ES version of the Super Tenere gets a
KYB electronically controlled suspension
package and heated grips.
