TÉNÉRÉ 700: A $15.5K ADV Bike!

Yamaha Motor Australia has announced that the much-anticipated new adventure-ready Ténéré 700 is set for an Australian release date of December, 2019. The rally-bred dual-sport 689cc parallel twin will come in three colours – Ceramic Ice, Competition White and Power Black – at a very aggressively priced RRP of $15,499 (including GST). Here are the key components from YMA’s recently released PR about the all-new adventure machine…

THE MODEL, IN CONTEXT

A prototype machine first arrived in Australia in February of 2018 as part of the Ténéré World Raid Tour, where it was showcased by Yamaha Factory Racing Dakar Rally rider, Rodney Faggotter. Now the production machine is confirmed for these shores.
“This news will come as a great relief for a large number of adventure bike customers who have been in contact asking about this model’s release date,” says YMA Sales and Marketing Manager, Matt Ferry. “That’s because the Ténéré 700 is a supremely off-road capable adventure bike that will suit Australian conditions to a tee. We have ordered some pre-production units to arrive in June so that potential customers can see the Ténéré 700 in the flesh – look out for one at key events soon,” Ferry adds.

THE POWERPLANT

The Ténéré 700 is powered by Yamaha’s highly respected 689cc parallel-twin engine. The key characteristic of this compact CP2 engine is its strong and linear torque output that gives instant throttle response, together with outstanding acceleration – attributes that make it a capable and versatile performer on and off the road.
Producing maximum torque at 6500rpm, this engine offers the ideal balance of performance and controllability – and with its excellent fuel economy, it contributes towards the Ténéré 700’s ability to cover long distances between fuel stops.
To cater for the unique requirements of adventure riders, the final transmission is optimised, and together with a range of model-specific fuel injection settings, these features contribute towards the bike’s outstanding versatility and remarkable performance in different riding environments.

THE ROLLING CHASSIS

During the development of the Ténéré 700, one of the key goals was to achieve a slim, agile and light-feeling chassis that would be equally suited to both road and off-road riding. To satisfy these requirements, Yamaha’s designers have developed an all-new lightweight double cradle tubular steel frame that combines a low weight with immense strength, making it ideally suited a variety of riding conditions.
Featuring a compact 1590mm wheelbase and a slim body, this rugged chassis delivers responsive handling characteristics, and with 240mm of ground clearance the Ténéré 700 is designed to tackle the roughest terrain.
Just like the high specification front and rear suspension, the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels clearly demonstrate that this bike is built for serious off-road riding. With their ability to efficiently absorb the continuous impacts experienced when riding in rough terrain, these lightweight wheels give you optimum handling performance and control. Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres are a popular choice with Australian ADV riders and fitted as original equipment.

THE ERGOS & BODYWORK

The ability to shift your body weight forwards and rearwards to suit the terrain ahead is crucial when you want to maintain full control in off-road riding situations, and so the Ténéré 700 is equipped with a flat 880mm high seat and slim body that allows maximum rider agility. The compact bodywork and narrow fuel tank also enable you to grip the tank with the knees whether sitting or standing, giving added confidence and control in every situation.
The new Ténéré 700 is equipped with a distinctive-looking headlight assembly that is a direct spin off from Yamaha’s latest factory rally bikes and the T7 concept machine. A total of four LED headlights project powerful beams of light that can light up the darkest wilderness. Stacked in a 2 + 2 layout and protected by a clear nacelle – and with two LED position lights at the base – this strong face gives a purposeful look that matches this new adventure bike’s imposing character.
The compact rally screen and nose fairing give you excellent protection from the wind while maintaining the slim and lightweight character of the bike, and the competition-type tapered handlebars give a relaxed riding position whether you’re seated or standing.

THE SUSPENSION

When you’re riding in the dirt, you need the best possible suspension systems, and the Ténéré 700’s long-travel fork is undeniable evidence that this is a serious adventure bike with class-leading off-road capabilities. The flex-resistant 43mm fork stays in shape over the most extreme terrain to give precision steering and smooth suspension action. And with 210mm of suspension travel, this high-specification front-end enables you to attack the most challenging off road terrain with confidence.
Offering full damping adjustment, the rally-specification front fork ensures high levels of comfort with lightweight handling performance when you’re on the road, making the Ténéré 700 one of the most capable and enjoyable long-distance tourers.
The Ténéré 700 is equipped with a rally-bred, link-type rear suspension system that gives smooth and progressive action for maximum riding comfort and enhanced levels of control. Featuring a lightweight aluminium swingarm for low unsprung weight, this high specification rear end offers 200mm of travel, which, like the front suspension system, is designed to be able to handle the most severe off-road riding conditions as well as giving a comfortable ride on the road.
Another significant feature is the remote adjuster that lets you fine tune the preload settings while you’re on the go, making it quick and easy to dial in the shock to suit the riding conditions.

THE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

LCD display features gear position, fuel level, two trip meters, estimated fuel range, average and instant fuel consumption and more.

Throughout the development of this new-generation adventure bike, Yamaha’s key goal was to ensure that the Ténéré 700 would deliver class-leading off-road performance, together with outstanding on-road abilities and offer a genuine long -ange potential. The slim design of the fuel tank belies its 16-litre capacity, and narrow rear section offers plenty of rider mobility and excellent knee grip. Whether you’re sitting down or standing up, the compact dimensions of this long-range fuel tank enable you to shift your weight around effortlessly – and thanks to the excellent economy of the twin-cylinder engine, 16 litres of fuel will give a potential riding range of over 350km, which gives the new Ténéré 700 a high level of year-round all-terrain versatility.
Another example of how the new Ténéré 700 has been developed using rally-bred technology can be seen with the compact rally style instruments. Located centrally behind the screen for great visibility, this lightweight instrument panel displays a wide range of information that can be absorbed without having to take your eyes off the road or track. The multi-function LCD display features comprehensive information including gear position, fuel level, two trip meters and estimated fuel range, as well as average and instant fuel consumption and more.

The cockpit is designed to accommodate the fitment of aftermarket navigation devices, enabling you to add extra equipment to suit your own requirements, including GPS, road book readers and smart phones.
The braking system consists of dual 282mm wave front discs and a 245mm wave rear disc that gives high levels of stopping power with plenty of feel at all speeds on the highway or in the dirt. When you’re riding off-road, you have the option to temporarily disable the ABS whenever required by activating the kill switch while stationary. With the ABS turned off, you can take full manual control, and in particular you can choose to lock the rear wheel deliberately in certain situations – such as very tight turns or on steep descents.

KEY TECHNICAL FEATURES

• High-torque 689cc 4-stroke CP2 parallel-twin engine
• New lightweight double cradle tubular steel frame
• Slim, compact and ergonomic body and seat
• Aggressive rally-bred face with four LED headlights and two LED position lights
• Adjustable long-travel 43mm upside down forks with 210mm travel
• Remotely adjustable link-type rear suspension with 200mm travel
• Compact rally style cockpit with tapered handlebars
• 21-inch/18-inch lightweight spoked wheels with adventure tyres
• Slim long-range fuel tank with 16-litre capacity for 350km+ range
• Compact rally-style multi-function instruments
• Switchable ABS for on the fly adjustment
• Screen and hand guards give good rider protection

YAMAHA GENUINE ACCESSORIES: MAKE IT YOURS

Yamaha has developed a full range of genuine accessories to create your own Ténéré 700 – including aluminium side cases and top box, a lower seat, suspension lowering kit, high screen, bar risers, rack, full Akrapovic exhaust system and grip heaters.

The much-anticipated 689cc twin comes in three colours: Competition White, Power Black and Ceramic Ice.