Yamaha Tenere 700 Is Still Just a Prototype

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Those of you who were intrigued by the Yamaha T7 Concept shown at last year’s EICMA show will be happy to hear that- wait, what? Oh, sorry. Make that disappointed to hear that the 689cc Twin adventure rally bike is still not ready for production, instead appearing at this year’s EICMA show as a prototype.

Officially called the Ténéré 700 World Raid prototype, the bike Yamaha presented in Milan still needs some development before it’ll be put into production. To accomplish this, Yamaha will be taking the prototype around the world to test it on different terrain in the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Europe.

The prototype is powered by a 689cc engine derived from the MT-07 powerplant. The frame is brand new, and Yamaha says it is trying to maintain its off-road capability without making its seat height as tall as others of its ilk.

The Ténéré prototype comes equipped with a rally-stle Akrapovič exhaust, mounted at the same angle as Yamaha’s rally bikes, a 43mm upside-down fork, and a Dakar-inspired four-projector headlight assembly.

Let’s hope for an actual production bike at next year’s EICMA show.

Follow the rest of our 2017 EICMA show coverage

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

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.

More by Dennis Chung

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 50 comments
  • Glenn L. Glenn L. on Nov 08, 2017

    Sorry Yamaha, but no product no sale! Looks like a European bike is in my future.
    I'm totally fed up with the lack of new motorcycles in the Dual Purpose Category. Even the 660 single would have been nice. But no, not for you! KTM, Beta, GasGas, Husaberg, Husqvarna all have bikes available that are wicked off road, are street legal and are for sale TODAY!!! After waiting and waiting, I will wait no more.

  • Matt Howerton Matt Howerton on Nov 08, 2017

    I'm glad there's no "beak" on it, and I'd look to install a high dirt bike style front fender if I was to purchase it when it ever comes out. Cool little bike.

Next