Classic Crush: the Yamaha XTZ 750 Super Ténéré
It is that time again. Time for a Classic Crush. Honestly.. I love writing these articles. This time, the Yamaha XTZ 750 Super Ténéré takes the spotlight. Let’s get straight to the point; this is the one Classic Crush that will be parked in my garage one day.
The Yamaha XTZ 750 Super Ténéré. It’s a mouthful. But take one glance at this motorbike and you will forget about that mouthful. The XTZ 750 is up to date enough to be practical, but yet endearingly outdated.
YAMAHA XTZ 750 SUPER TÉNÉRÉ
THE BIGGEST CRUSH, EVER?!
I’m going to get personal here. I personally think the 750 Super Ténéré might be the best Classic Crush there ever was. Especially of all Classic Crushes that stand tall on their wheels. Its design is sleeker than that of its biggest rival, the Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin. And it also beats the Honda slightly in power. And no, you are right. Looks and power don’t say everything. But it does say a lot. Especially in my book. I could lie about it, but there is no point anyway.
I think it is sexy, endearing and mischievous at the same time. And so, long overdue.. the XTX 750 is now featured on redridingboots.com.
OFFROAD WAS COOL
AND IT STILL IS, ACTUALLY
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the dual-sport and mid-range adventure segment was on the rise. Yamaha jumped onto that train as well. The popular Yamaha XY500 preceded the XTZ on this off-road train. The brand continued this course with the XTZ 750, among others.
With its 750cc engine and heavier weight, the Super Ténéré falls more into the adventure class than the dual-sport segment. But who says adventure is always off-road?
ADVENTURE, BOTH ON AND OFF ROAD
THE YAMAHA XTZ 750
Because riding the XTZ 750 is also an adventure on the road. At least, that is how it feels. You feel like a true rally rider, while you actually just cruise down the streets. But you also encounter adventure in the heart of Amsterdam on this motorcycle. Because you quite adventurously avoid manhole covers and cyclists. And the XTZ is surprisingly nimble, I might add! Despite the fact that many adventure bikes never saw – and see – dirt roads or mud puddles, the Super Ténéré breathes adventure.
SAND IN THE DNA
OF THE SUPER TÉNÉRÉ
The first Super Ténéré saw the light of day in 1989. It was named after Yamaha’s lighter one cylinder motorcycle. Which, incidentally, was in turn named after the Ténéré. Any idea what that is? Take a guest..
Indeed! Correct. Bull’s eye. That is a dessert. Better said, a desert region towards the south of the Sahara. All in all, the region covers 400.000 square kilometers. In other words; that is a lot of sand.
FROM 660 TO 750
BIG BROTHER
The XTZ once started as the XTZ 660 Ténéré, its smaller single-cylinder brother. The bigger brother with the 750cc engine was the first engine with five valves per cylinder. It was also one of the first off-road models with two front-wheel disc brakes. So it meant serious business.
YAMAHA XTZ 750 SUPER TÉNÉRÉ SPECS
IN SHORT
Engine: 749 cc Parallel Twin
Power: 69.3 bhp @ 7.500 rpm, 68 Nm @ 6.750 rpm
Seat height: 865 mm / 34.1 inches
Fuel tank: 26 litres
Dry weight: 203 kg / 447.5 lbs
Top speed: 119.3 mph / 192 km/h
GREAT COMPANION
ON THE ROADS
Despite Yamaha’s original marketing efforts to put this motorcycle on the market as a dual-sport motorcycle with the necessary emphasis on off-road riding, it turned out to ride pretty darn brilliantly on the roads.
Whether you are whizzing through the streets of a big city or cruising like a hooligan on local dyke roads.. This endearing all-rounder can do it all. Its smooth steering, good brakes – especially for its age – and long suspension travel make it a thoroughly enjoyable motorcycle to ride. And a 26-litre fuel tank gets you about 400 km. Not bad, for a mid-weight adventure bike!
Is your favourite winding road in the same sad state as mine? Then the XTZ 750 will make you a very happy man or woman. Where you normally get sad when looking at the tarmac (I certainly do, with my stiffly sprung sport bikes), the corners of your mouth go up on the XTZ.
YAMAHA XTZ 750
NO MOTORBIKE IS PERFECT
I told you before in my review of the Indian Chieftain; no motorbike is perfect. And so, neither is the Yamaha TZ 750 Super Ténéré. As much as I wish it was. Long, fast cornering is no friend of this adventurous motorcycle.
But can you blame it for it? After all, that’s not what it was built for at all. And so my painful, yet hugely well-meaning statement proves to be true again: owning one motorbike is not enough.
Maybe that is why I love the XTZ 750. For me personally, it is the ideal motorcycle alongside my sport bikes. I have a Yamaha R6 to ride at track days. And an Aprilia RSV4 to pull the bricks out of the streets. In case I want nimble steering without an excess of power, or without nagging cops (the R6 is not street legal) then I would feel very blesses if I could ride the XTZ 750.
ODDITIES
OF THE 750 SUPER TENERE
Furthermore, the XTZ has some oddities. For instance, the fairing vibrates just a bit more than you might like. Also, the footpads are slightly oddly mounted, if you ask me. The front brake is a bit spongy. And you could comfortable squeeze the original front brake to the handlebar. Which is no bueno. Finally, the XTZ also shifts gears a bit clunky.
Fortunately, these are all oddities that are easy to fix. Throw good aftermarket stuff on it, and those issues will be gone in no time. And you will forgive that clunky shifting, don’t you? Considering the fact that it is a Classic Crush.
PRODUCTION STOP
A SAD MOMENT
Sadly, the production stopped in 1996. Just after the YZE750 – the rally version of the XTZ 750 – won the race of all offroad races twice. That was – of course – the Dakar.
THE COMEBACK
OF THE XTZ 750
Like the Africa Twin, the Super Ténéré has been making a comeback in recent years. At least in terms of popularity. The only downside; you don’t see them around much. So you also don’t come across them much in the second-hand bike world either. Certainly not in a decent condition. And that is a shame. Because I would love to see them more often. If only for its cute looks, friendly yet adventurous sound and the enormously playful steering.
CONCLUSION
Of course, this Classic Crush series remains somewhat personal. It depends on what you think of when we say ‘Classic’ and ‘Crush’. Combine the two and again, you get very different results per person. But if you ask me, the Yamaha XTZ 750 Super Ténéré is the true definition of a Classic Crush.
Once conceived for ‘offroad adventure’, but as a motorcycle also a huge pleasure to ride on the streets. As soon as I get the chance and have the financial resources, you bet the XTZ 750 will be added to my motorbike family.
Do you have a favourite Classic Crush of which you are convinced it deserves the spotlight in this series? Please let us know!
