The 2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES Is The Adventure Bike Worth Buying Today
Used Price Range – $8,000–$16,000
2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES parked off road.Yamaha
The Yamaha Super Tenere ES is an adventure motorcycle that we wish were not discontinued. In its last model year, this Yamaha was priced at $16,299. Not particularly an enticing price tag, as Yamaha had not extensively upgraded the Super Tenere ES for a long time. Additionally, by 2024, we had many exciting and modern alternatives, including the updated Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES and the BMW R 1300 GS, which pack more than enough features to justify their premium price tags.
Yamaha Super Tenere ESYamaha
But today, the 2020 MY of this do-it-all Yamaha ADV is a steal deal because you can have a very capable adventure tourer for under $10,000. Thanks to a tried-and-tested engine and proven reliability, this machine remains a standout with its “Super” features. CycleTrader offers a selection of used Super Tenere ES models for sale, with fully loaded, touring-ready options available for $16,000.
But the caveat here is that these are fast-selling bikes, and they rarely stay available for long. So, if you’re lucky and stumble upon a sub-$10,000 Super Tenere ES, consider yourself fortunate. In fact, you can also find much newer 2023 models selling for under $10,000. According to JDPower, the average retail value of a used 2020 Super Tenere ES is $10,500.
Its Value-For-Money Quotient Just Got Doubled
An ADV With Electronic Suspension And A Shaft Drive For Under $10,000
2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES cinematic shot off-roadYamaha
The 2020 Super Tenere ES was impressive for what it offered. However, for a price tag of $16,299, it was steep, despite featuring electronically adjustable suspension at both ends and a low-maintenance shaft drive system. But today, with used specimens selling for under $10,000, the cards have flipped. The Super Tenere’s value-for-money quotient literally doubled. Cruise control is standard, too. Its dual cat-eye projector headlights are designed to throw enough light at night, instilling confidence in riding. All of these features, at an average used price of $10,000, are a steal of a deal.
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A Capable Adventure Touring Motorcycle
With Commendable Off-Roading Skills As Well
2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES front third quarter view while touringYamaha
Yamaha has thoughtfully put together the Super Tenere ES’s underpinnings to make it both an excellent touring machine and off-roader. Its steel-frame construction offers added rigidity when taking the road less traveled. Its engine serves as a stressed member, which helps lower the center of gravity and also increases space for a larger fuel tank—a sizable 6.1-gallon tank in this case. Couple that with its frugal engine, which returns 43 MPG, and we have a touring bike that can cover over 260 miles on a full tank of gas.
The rear detachable sub-frame is made of aluminum to keep the rear section lighter. Additionally, the cast-aluminum swingarm serves as the drive shaft housing, helping to keep the weight in check, specifically the unsprung mass at the rear wheel. This feature significantly enhances its off-roading capabilities, as a lighter wheel helps improve the suspension’s ability to maintain contact with the surface.
2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES accessoriesYamaha
Talking of which, the hardware feature on this “affordable” used Yamaha is electronically adjustable suspension. This helps tweak ride quality on the go. Elevating the Super Tenere ES’s robust off-road package are features such as wire-spoke rims, a skid plate, handlebar brush guards, and a standard center stand. This is a unicorn among touring ADVs, striking a fine balance between on-road comfort and off-roading finesse. If we were to summarize this Yamaha, it would be as a “dual-sport touring bike.”
Lastly, almost all the accessories provided with the Super Tenere ES are designed to enhance its touring capabilities. The most popular among the lot is its luggage solution that includes aluminum side cases and a top case. The mounts for the side cases were available separately. Comfort and protective features were also offered; the most notable of them being heated grips and side wind deflectors. An accessory low seat is also available for shorter riders to maximize the enjoyment of this touring bike.
Summary Of Notable Ride-Enhancing Features
- Adjustable Seat Height
- Adjustable Windscreen
- Ride Modes And Ride-by-Wire Throttle
- Electronic Suspension
- Cruise Control
- Traction Control
Chassis
Steel Double-cradle
Front Suspension And Travel
43 mm Inverted Forks; Fully Electronically Adjustable With 7.5 inches Of Travel
Rear Suspension And Travel
Monoshock; Electronically Adjustable Spring-Preload And Rebound-Damping With 7.5 inches Of Travel
Front Brakes
Dual 310 mm Discs Coupled To 4-Piston Calipers
Rear Brakes
Single 282 mm Disc Coupled To A Single-Piston Caliper
Front Wheel And Tire Size
19-inch Wire-spoke Wheel Wrapped With 110/80 Bridgestone Battle Wing BW501 Tire
Rear Wheel And Tire Size
17-inch Wire-spoke Wheel Wrapped With 150/70 Bridgestone Battle Wing BW502 Tire
Wheelbase
60.6 inches
Seat Height
33.3–34.3 inches
Fuel Efficiency
43 MPG
Fuel Capacity
6.1 gallons
Total Riding Range
262.3 miles
Rake Angle
28 degrees
Curb Weight
584 pounds
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Powered By A Tractable Parallel-Twin Engine
Power: 107.5 HP
2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES corneringYamaha
Powering the Super Tenere ES is a unique 1,199cc parallel-twin engine that has been around since 2010. So, this is a thoroughly tired-and-tested mill. This is a short-stroke, liquid-cooled engine featuring a relatively high compression ratio of 11.0:1. Peak torque is achieved early, at 6,000 RPM, with the low-end and mid-range torque particularly robust. This helps the Super Tenere accelerate quickly and linearly while also being relaxed when doing triple-digit highway runs.
Yamaha incorporated cutting-edge technology features to enhance the engine’s butter-smooth character. The Yamaha Chip Control (YCC-T) monitors and controls the ride-by-wire system, smoothing out any discrepancies between the rider’s input and the powertrain’s output. This engine also gets Yamaha’s D-Model throttle, which offers two response settings.
2020 Yamaha Super Tenere ES front 3/4 shotYamaha
“T-mode” is for touring and general riding scenarios. “S-mode” is for more spirited riding when there is a higher demand for performance. With the “S-mode”, the Super Tenere ES is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 136 mph. That’s pretty swift for a 584-pound touring bike with an off-roading vigor!
Engine And Gearbox Specs
Engine Configuration
Parallel-Twin; Liquid-Cooled
Displacement
1,199 cc
Bore x Stroke
3.858 X 3.129 in. (98.0 X 79.5 mm)
Compression Ratio
11.0:1
Torque
84 LB-FT
Fueling
Mikuni 46 mm Throttle Body with YCC-T
Ignition
TCI: Transistor-Controlled Ignition
Transmission
Six-speed, multi-plate wet clutch
