I owned a XTZ-750 "Super Ten" here in New Zealand for about three years and 8,000KMs. It is high and heavy, but so are most big trail bikes. Lots of fuel in tank, engine powerful enough for all uses, it's a large motorcycle that fits taller riders well. Suspension is strictly average, despite much fiddling by yours truly. Great two up bike, nice brakes, unobjectionable vibration. Riding position very good and I found it comfortable for long trips. Rectifier did die on mine, but that was the only problem ever. The side covers are an annoying joke-they bulge out tremendously in an effort to visually emulate the fuel tanks that the PD race bikes had. They are simply empty and stick way out, getting in the way of mounting saddlebags-I'd remove them and put something homemade if I was to mount panniers. Headlights good, fairing provides something to hide behind in rain. Bikes like this are just too tall and heavy to do any real offroading (and I used race dirt bikes a long time ago in a galaxy far away). It's the motorcycle equivalent of an SUV - looks dirt savvy but is meant for the road, that's why Yamaha turned subsequent incarnations into road only machines. For me, both the Honda and Yamaha are too big and heavy to take anything but the smoothest dirt roads - you can ride them but they are stressful to manhandle. There are aftermarket center stands available, would be nice to have. Good luck!

I have owned a number of Super Teneres and have never been dissappointed. The older models 1989-91 did have a week subframe and it needs to be reinforced. I incorporated a luggage rack that had a dual purpose. Early models had a weak regulator but that is an easy fix. Later models have virtually all probs solved.
My trusted 1996 model has 135,000 kms, has been on many continents with very rough roads and has never let me down with more than a flat tire. I never have to ad oil between 8000kms oil changes. Having to carry oil ads a lot of extra weight.
Tuned properly I get 19 - 21 kms/liter at moderate speeds. The 26 liter tank has a 4 liter air reservoir that can be accessed by punching small holes in the filler neck and will then give you around 600kms range.
It has no catalytic converter so can burn leaded fuel and there are a few third world countries that still use it.
The engine has 69 h/power which is adequate to carry me, my wife and 12 months luggage.
I like the dry sump as it cools the engine better and won't allow all of your oil to be dumped onto the road should you hit a large rock with your engine.
Prices in Europe are fantastic and you can buy 6 for the price of the new XT1200Z.
My second choice for 2 up adventure riding is the Africa Twin and the reasons it comes second are:
10 kilos heavier
10 h/power less
Oil capacity is only 2.5liters instead of 4 for XTZ
23 liter fuel tank as XTZ can have 30
Lights and brakes are better with A/T but that is an easy fix for the XTZ.
Prices are generally cheaper for the XTZ.
Seating comfort on both models are horrible, so it is manditory to modify them, ie gel etc.

Any complaints I have heard normally comes from a poorly maintained bike.

Africa Twins are more popular as they were sold in some countries til 2002 and XTZ only til 1996. If you carry a parts list of either bike, any Honda or Yamaha dealer can order your parts. Japanese dealers are found in even the most remote countries.

Advantages of travelling with an older bike like these are that:
Less likely to be stolen
Carnets are cheaper
Mechanics around the world can still work on them
If you have to leave it because of an injury or a hijacking, it won't break the bank.
Parts are still acessable and cheaper than the latest model
Travelling is not cheap, so you need to save as much as you can to stay on the road longer.
Any specific questions, just ask.
Cheers, Patrick Peck
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/peck

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Patrick and Belinda Peck
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/peck