The rear seat was almost comfy for Strech, my 2-meter tall photographer – after he had managed to get his long legs over and around the saddle bags.

The narrow and manually adjustable windscreen provided good protection for the chest and helmet, passing on little air disturbance to the rider’s helmet, and a little more disturbance behind a truck at higher speeds.

With the footpegs right under my bum and the saddle high enough to unfold my knees, the blood flow easily to my legs and hoofies, and then back to the main pump-good for long rides.

Sometimes, you get lost. "Now where in hell did I stick that GPS?" (Photo: Bernard Suquet)

An easy ride
The key to this pudding is in the riding, which we did in one of my favourite riding areas, the Loire Valley, south west of Paris – France that is, not Ontario! (Not that there is anything wrong with Paris, ON!) As the new owner of a large dual purpose bike myself, I must admit to a favourable prejudice towards this type of bike, and the Super Ténéré did not disappoint.

Relaxed riding was a treat, and upping the pace in solo highlighted the agility of the bike on corner entry as well as the nice power surge on exit. The four-piston monobloc front calipers, a happy occurrence on any bike, hauled down everything effortlessly from any speed.

Canada-bound? It has all that it needs to succeed.
This market segment is crowded but also very popular, and we have to believe that Yamaha Canada must be evaluating the model for possible inclusion as a 2011 model.

With the right power and handling and the novel and effective vertical twin configuration and smooth shaft drive, I suspect that judicious pricing would turn the Super Ténéré into a winner on this side of the Atlantic.

Plus
Smooth engine
Comfy ergos
Agile handler
Bespoke accessories

Less
Waiting to see if it comes to Canada and at what price