In Sport mode, the motor is responsive in the everyday rev range, from 2200 to 6000 rpm, reacting instantly and generously to every twist of the right wrist. This was so much fun that the more relaxed response in Touring mode felt way too tame, prompting my earlier “Why bother” question.

The dash is easy to check under all lighting conditions, with nice big numbers for the speedo. All it lacks is a ratio indicator. (Photo: Yamaha)

Well, sober second thought and a little reading up and discussions with the Moto123.com Technical Team (The self-same Luc Brière) may have given me the answer. When touring at relatively steady speeds, you do not really need the sporty throttle response, but better fuel mileage does come in handy. So here is the plan as I suspect it is: use Touring to calm the bike down when touring or in the rain, and you go further for less in the bargain. They might rename that mode “Green”.

And it gets better, as testing a legal French bike meant limited power, set at 100hp in the case of the Super Ténéré. On a possible Canadian version, look for 110 hp and a useful 10% better everything than what I enjoyed in France.

The right suspension, with advanced braking
Manufacturers are hard at work making bikes safer (Fool-proof really), a smart approach in these days of interventionist governments, worsening roads conditions and marginal riding skills.

These initiatives translate into effective front and rear suspensions for the Super Ténéré, only lacking compression adjustment at the rear. Riding solo and two-up on smooth French roads required a simple preload adjustment at the rear, with the damping left untouched, to produce a smooth ride without bottoming.

With 190mm of travel at both ends, one could even lower the bike 50-odd mm to ease city use while still providing sufficient travel for comfy riding over the worst streets.

Text-book touring ergonomics
The Super Ténéré follows the universal formula for large dual-purpose bike, with a wide, comfortable saddle, a very slight forward lean and easy reach to the grips, and foot pegs in line with your bum. This translates into comfortable hours of touring as well as a reasonable stand-up position with energetic dirt road riding.

Shaft drive: light, solid, effective, maintenance-free, and nice to look at. (Photo: Yamaha)