YAMAHA has just pulled the wraps off its most extreme travel enduro since the original XT600 Ténéré broke cover in the early 80s, as the Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid edition is officially revealed.
Using the highly successful and capable Ténéré as its base, the new bike is being billed as the ultimate long-distance Yamaha adventure motorcycle, thanks to a host of updates and design changes for the new machine.
Headlining the updates for the model is the inclusion of mammoth 23-litre side-mounted fuel tanks. It’s a feature that alone puts the new bike right at the top of the list of middleweight ADV bikes on the fuel capacity front, shared alongside the BMW F850 GS Adventure. Thanks to this new addition, and the frugal nature of the CP2 engine, the new bike is being touted as having a range of around 310-miles.
Yamaha is claiming that the World Raid’s new tank design helps to retain the benign on and off-road handling of the standard bike. With the greater amount of fuel being carried lower, the bike’s centre of gravity is almost the same as that found on the stocker. It’s something that should keep the bike feeling lithe and agile on the trails, despite the extra six litres of fuel carried.
The ergonomics of the bike have also been tweaked to help make it the most focussed and easiest to ride of the family so far. A new 890mm seat is used, with a flatter profile that better fits the shape of the revised fuel tank. It’s a two-piece design, that allows the rider to remove the pillion section should they want to chuck on some luggage or bolt on a rack.
The new bike also gains a big injection of tech, thanks to the inclusion of a very slick-looking TFT. It replaces the stock bike’s LCD display and comes fully stacked with smartphone connectivity already plumbed in and a handy USB nearby.
The ‘Explorer’ screen layout features a modern digital design that provides all of the machine’s key running data in a contemporary and easy-to-read style. The ‘Street’ screen features a tachometer with a circular dial and needle that give a more conventional look from the analogue era, and the ‘Raid’ screen is inspired by a typical rally racing roadbook and features two independent countdown trip meters that enable the rider to see the distance to the next waypoint.
Highlighting the machine's off-road prowess is the introduction of a new three-mode ABS function. Mode 1 is fully on, with full ABS at both ends. Mode 2 is ABS to the front wheel only, while Mode 3 is no ABS at either end.
Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid chassis updates
A major boost is chassis specification comes in the form of Kashima-coated long-travel 43mm KYB forks, that provide 230mm of travel - a healthy 20mm more than the stock bike. As you’d expect they are fully adjustable, featuring rebound and compression damping and spring pre-load adjustability, along with an air bleeding screw.
The rear of the bike features a revised linkage design, along with a piggyback shock with a longer stroke. The new design features bespoke damping and spring rates and linkage ratios, all of which have been optimised to give a better ride, on-road and off it. The new rear shock is again fully adjustable, with the same 20mm increase in travel over the stock bike.
Rounding out the chassis enhancements is an Öhlins steering damper with 18 different damping settings.
The final key elements of the new bike are the introduction of a new taller windscreen and larger footrests, both of which are aimed at improving long-distance comfort. The screen is 15mm taller than that found on the current Ténéré 700 and features wind deflectors that are said to be easy to remove before hitting the trails. The footpegs now feature an increase in surface area, giving greater grip for the rider’s boots, and also reduces pressure on the feet when riding.
Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid colours, availability, price, and PCP
The new Ténéré 700 World Raid will arrive in UK dealers in May 2022 and will be available in Icon Blue and Midnight Black.
The UK price for the bike is £11,600 including VAT and OTR.
Based on a £3,383 deposit, a PCP deal would come in at £109 per month - T&Cs apply.
For more information, head to: www.yamaha-motor.eu
Ténéré 700 World Raid Key Features
- 23 litre capacity dual side-mounted fuel tanks
- Flat Rally inspired two-piece seat
- 5” colour TFT meter with mobile notification connectivity
- USB type A 3-mode switchable ABS
- High specification 43 mm KYB front forks, 230 mm travel
- Öhlins adjustable steering damper
- Aluminium piggyback rear shock, 220 mm wheel travel
- High windscreen, easy to remove side deflectors and LED flashers
- Fully new cockpit area and new front cowling
- New larger rider footrests with easy-to-remove rubber inserts
- 3-piece aluminium engine guard
- New aluminium die-cast engine support
- New radiator grille
