What Is The Yamaha RW700 Explore?
Trademark filing suggests a new ADV model
A year ago, we broke the news about Yamaha filing trademarks applications for a new RW series range of vehicles. The RW125, RW155, RW250, RW350, and RW700 names suggested a range of models in varying displacements, with all but the 350 lining up with existing Yamaha motorcycles. We now have an update in the form of yet another Yamaha trademark application, this time for a logo reading “RW700 Explorer.”
The fact that the new application is for a logo and not a wordmark like the previous findings suggests the RW project — whatever it is — is far enough along the development path that Yamaha is preparing marketing materials. It’s safe to assume the “700” refers to Yamaha’s 689cc CP2 Parallel-Twin engine. The addition of the word “Explore” in the logo also gives us a clue to what the RW range of models will be.
We previously thought the RW models may be a range of retro-style models, styled after the RD models from the ’70s. Seeing the new logo, we now believe the RW series may instead be a range of adventure bikes, with the blocky font and the word “Explore.”
With the discontinuation of the Super Ténéré, Yamaha currently has just one adventure-touring model in its U.S. line-up: the Ténéré 700. Europeans have a few more options for 2025, with Yamaha branching the T7 range into several variants: the Ténéré 700, Ténéré 700 Rally, Ténéré 700 World Raid, and Ténéré 700 World Rally. In 2024, Yamaha introduced the Ténéré 700 Explore, a variant that now draws our attention for obvious reasons.
The Ténéré 700 Explore was an accessible addition to the range, offering a lower seat height and less suspension travel than the base model, but coming standard with a larger windscreen and a choice of side cases. The model was short-lived, offered for just one year, disappearing without a replacement after the 2025 Ténéré 700 update.
That leads us to think the RW700 may be the Ténéré 700 Explore’s successor, a new entry-level adventure-touring model. The RW branding may also signify a more on-road bias, separating the RW700 from the more rally-influenced Ténéré 700. The current Ténéré 700 line-up, including the Explore variant, all run with a 21-inch wire spoke front wheel, which means Yamaha currently lacks adventure bikes with 19-inch cast wheels that could compete against the likes of the Suzuki V-Strom 800, BMW F 800 GS, or Triumph Tiger 900 GT.
If we’re right about this, then the RW700 may be just the first in a whole family of RW adventure models of varying displacements, filling a void in Yamaha’s current line-up.
Or we could be completely off base, and the RW range could be something else entirely. The earliest we expect Yamaha to reveal the RW700 would be EICMA in November. Hopefully, we’ll be able to learn more details before then.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Good bet is it will be like Suzuki's DE Touring variant with a 19" front and cast wheels.
Europe has had a Tracer 700 for ages, we never got that stateside. Basically Yamaha’s answer to the Versys 650, with a way better engine.
Now if Yamaha would stop punishing its fans with $750 per unit tariffs and actually offer some kind of decent dealership discount rates (off MSRP), then the brand wouldn’t be a “because we can” arrogant turd. The other Japanese brands are covering their own import duties like reasonable corporations.