Yamaha unveils Tenere 700
It’s been a long time coming, but Yamaha’s all-new Tenere 700 has finally been released. Following the ‘T7’ concept presented at EICMA in 2016 and the ‘World Raid’ prototypes that have been ridden around the globe this year, the production version made its debut at EICMA in November.
Reviving a name from Yamaha’s past, the new Tenere 700 remains true to the original’s adventure-ready ethos, but features a bunch of new millennium technologies and distinctive styling.

Speaking of styling, the production bike differs from the T7 in a number of areas, including the side plastics and tank surround, as well as the tail treatment and engine bash plate design.
The distinctive quad headlight set-up remains, though. Inspired by Yamaha’s rally raid bikes, the all-LED arrangement is supported by dual position lights below, covered with a clear nacelle that blends in to the windscreen. That screen is described as providing effective wind protection, with standard fitment handguards offering both hand and lever protection.

With the aim of keeping the Tenere 700 slim, agile and light, the frame is unique to this model, with the double cradle design made from lightweight tubular steel that’s immensely strong, according to Yamaha. Matched to this is an aluminium swingarm and spoked, competition-type wheels in a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear combo.
With adventure touring requiring time up on the pegs, the Tenere 700 body is slim, with the ability to grip the fuel tank with your knees whether sitting or standing, while the 880mm seat (higher than the current 1200 Super Tenere) is flat to allow easier fore and aft rider movement.
Suspension has also been designed to enhance the bike’s abilities off road, with 43mm tele forks up front and a link-type monoshock rear delivering 210mm and 200mm of travel, respectively. The fully-adjustable USD front forks are said to be rally-specification, while the monoshock features remote preload adjustment.

With off-road touring and exploring in mind, ground clearance is a decent 240mm, with a 1590mm wheelbase. 915mm width and 1455mm height. Unlike the T7 and World Raid bikes, which ran off-road knobby tyres, the production Tenere 700 features more road-friendly Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR rubber.
Braking consists of dual 282mm wave discs up front and a 245mm wave disc at the rear, with switchable ABS as standard. Powering the Tenere 700 is Yamaha’s 698cc ‘CP2’ engine that’s essentially the same unit used in the MT-07 and while performance specs have not been revealed, the parallel twin is said to deliver “the ideal balance of performance and controllability” in this application, with Tenere-specific engine mapping and maximum torque arriving at 6500rpm.
The 6-speed transmission is also carryover from the MT-07, but gearing has been optimised to suit the Tenere 700’s adventure touring role. A 16-litre fuel tank promises long-range riding potential (more than 350km, says Yamaha), but the fully-fuelled weight of the Tenere 700 has not been revealed.

Behind the handlebars, the rider is faced with a multi-function LCD instrument display covering all the essentials, as well as fit-for-purpose features like estimated fuel range, dual trip meters and instant fuel consumption readings. The cockpit layout has also been designed to allow for aftermarket navigation devices to be fitted.
To be available in Ceramic Ice, Competition White and Power Black colours when it’s released here late next year, pricing is still to be confirmed, but from release a range of complementary accessories will be available, along with Tenere 700-specific riding gear.
