ADVENTURE
Yamaha’s Ténéré concept gives us a tantalising glimpse of the new adventure bike we’ll be frothing over in 2018: the Mt‚07-powered T7
IT LOOKS LIKE a full-on hardcore Dakar Rally competitor, is powered by the funky parallel twin from the delightful MT-07, and is called the Yamaha T7. Shown at the EICMA show at the start of November it’s currently just a prototype, but make no mistake – this is going in to production and you’ll be riding one in 2018. Yamaha’s now-iconic XT600Z Ténéré first appeared in 1984. The rugged single-cylinder four-stroke was based on Yamaha’s Dakar entrants, and was one of Europe’s best-selling bikes – they flogged 61,000 examples in the first ten years of production alone. The most recent XT660Z Ténéré and the robust XTS on which it was based have reached the end of the line, though, killed off by Euro 4. And nobody buys singles anyway. The T7 will be the new Ténéré. Designed by a gaggle of trail-lovers from Yamaha’s official rally squad, their Italian R&D bods and a design outfit from the Netherlands, it’s based around a tweaked version of the 689cc twin from the oh-so-enjoyable MT-07 naked bike. It’s tuned for torque and an ‘easy’ power delivery that’ll find traction in any conditions. It’s not a jacked-up MT chassis though, but a new lightweight frame supported on proper long-travel suspension, including absorbent Kayaba forks out front. There’s a skid plate and the fuel tank is aluminium, and the prototype features a carbon fairing and custom-made Akrapovic exhaust. Well, it is a show bike. We love the quad lamps, road book-style dash and simple, functional switchgear. The T7 will be a proper enduro experience. ‘Many existing mid-size adventure models are perceived as too road oriented, unsuited to real off-road riding,’ reckon Yamaha. ‘The world needs a new kind of motorcycle that can offer long distance versatility and durability, with contemporary design.’ Don’t think this’ll mean absent road skill. The MT engine is a gem, and Yam say they want to achieve ‘a perfect balance between road and off-road’. While currently a prototype, we’ve seen badly disguised test mules out on the road and, to quote Yamaha, ‘a new chapter from the book of legends will be on the street – and on the dirt – from 2018.’ Get your order in now...
Bike says: ‘Imagine a Ténéré that mixes proper dirt skill with the quality, value and usability of the MT range. When the T7 arrives it’s a guaranteed hit’