It was named after Yamaha's lighter, single-cylinder models, which in turn were named after the notorious Ténéré desert stage of the former Paris-Dakar Rally in northeastern Niger.

First sold in 1989, the Super Ténéré used a new Yamaha engine design with a DOHC 5-valve cylinder head and a 360 degree crankshaft.

A solid protective guard around the engine prevents damage.

[1] The front brake disks of the XTZ are provided with plastic covers.

For normal road use these covers are beneficial, but they can make cooling of the brake disks more difficult when riding downhill.