Yamaha’s MT-07-based Ténéré 700 adventure bike on tour
Round-the-world challenge will prove new Yamaha’s credentials
Yamaha’s new Ténéré 700 will hit dealerships in 2019 and the firm are hoping to demonstrate just how good it is by taking the prototype on an action-packed world tour.
The Ténéré 700 is powered by the 689cc parallel twin from the MT-07, which is one of the most entertaining engines Yamaha have ever produced. Although the peak power of 73bhp might not blow your mind, the easy-revving nature makes it a rewarding ride. It’s packaged into a new lightweight steel frame that Yamaha have slimmed-down in the middle for easy handling. To make the 700 a proper adventure weapon, Yamaha have fitted it with long-travel inverted forks and a rear monoshock as well as 21in front and 18in rear wheels with off-road tyres. The Ténéré 700 prototype also boasts a Rallystyle Akrapovic exhaust which we expect to be listed as an extra in the accessories catalogue.
The Ténéré 700 has been designed to follow the trail that Yamaha blazed through their years of domination at the Dakar in the 1990s, so it has a large tower to house the navigation equipment and big fuel tanks, which will double up as practical touring features on the finished bike. Although it maintains the same rally silhouette as the T7 Concept unveiled in 2016, the machine has clearly now been fine-tuned for production, including a lower seat height to make it more accessible to a wider range of riders.
Racing pedigree
To test the the finished production bike’s mettle ahead of the launch, Yamaha have sent the bike off on a World Raid, starting in Australia where it’s being ridden by factory rally rider Rodney Faggoter. From there it travels to Africa where it takes on some of the classic Dakar route in the hands of rally legend Stephane Peterhansel, before heading to South America to be ridden by rally racer Adrien van Beveren. Finally it will arrive in Europe, where it’s picked up by global traveller Nick Sanders, before facing the punishing Hard Alpi Tour in Italy. Targeting BMW’s F860GS and KTM’s forthcoming 790 Adventure, it’s expected to be priced at around £8000 when it arrives next year.