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ADV BikesNew Yamaha Tenere 700 Prototype Spotted

New Yamaha Tenere 700 Prototype Spotted

A more powerful, smoother and lighter Ténéré poised to replace the XT660Z.

Published on 04.13.2016

 
New spy photos provide the first view of an all-new Yamaha middleweight adventure bike based on the FZ-07 (known as the MT-07 in Europe) naked bike. Yamaha made their intent clear to build several different bikes with the FZ-07 platform when it first introduced the model in 2014 — Now we are finally seeing this become a reality.

Spy photos captured outside Yamaha’s Italian test facility reveal a middleweight Tenere with a clear off-road focus, sporting a 21″ front and 18″ rear wheels along with a stout aluminum skid plate for trail protection. The frame, bodywork, forks all appear to be different from the FZ-07 with only the engine being carried over. There is also a robust subframe visible in the photos, useful for carrying hard luggage.

The FZ-07’s 698cc parallel-twin engine mated to a 6-speed transmission is unlikely to be changed before going to production. With 75 horsepower and 50 lb-ft. of torque, the powerplant provides adequate power for long-distance highway travel and more than enough pep for off-road duties. The lively motor also uses a 270° Crossplane crank that gives it a pleasing sound similar to a V-Twin.


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Yamaha Tenere 700 XT700Z
Photo Courtesy More Bikes

The new Tenere 700 will most likely replace the single-cylinder XT660Z Tenere and if naming conventions remain consistent, the bike would be given the model name XT700Z Tenere. The XT660Z Tenere is expected to be discontinued due to Euro4 emissions requirements starting in January of 2017.

Based on the spec sheet of the FZ-07, the new Yamaha middleweight would offer 28 more horsepower, a 6-speed instead of 5-speed and a smoother twin-cylinder engine. With a wet wet of 397 pounds (180 kg), the FZ-07 offers a relatively light platform to build and adventure bike around. Even if the Tenere 700 gains 35 pounds in adventure trim, it should still undercut the XT660Z in weight by some 40 pounds.

We also expect the new Tenere 700 to be competitively priced like other Yamaha models. With a smooth parallel-twin engine, touring equipment, lighter weight and reasonable price tag, this new Tenere 700 should be serious competition in the middleweight adventure bike category. Think of it as a lighter and more affordable BMW F800GS with Japanese reliability and lower cost of maintenance. Yamaha’s new Tenere 700 prototype adds to the growing list of off-road focused middleweight adventure bikes appearing on the market, including the SWM SuperDual 600 and AJP PR7 600.

Yamaha Tenere 700 XT700Z middleweight Adventure Bike
Photo Courtesy More Bikes

While the new model looks nearly complete in the spy shots, there are still some parts missing like the rear bodywork. Further development will be necessary and we expect the new Yamaha XT700Z Tenere to be launched sometime in 2017.
Photo Courtesy More Bikes

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

Author: Rob Dabney
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22 Comments
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Chris Manke
Chris Manke
April 13, 2016 12:28 pm

There were also spy shots of the “FZ-07” as well and that bike has been pushed out another year from the reports so I wonder how long this will take to get to market.

Cristian Ovalle
Cristian Ovalle
April 13, 2016 1:11 pm

Finally a mid weight adv! I hope Yamaha can do what KTM, Honda and the others have failed to do: a real light off road adv bike!

Thomas
Thomas
April 13, 2016 2:37 pm

Definitely my next bike.

trackback
FZ07 based adventure bike in the making.
April 13, 2016 3:13 pm

[…] will be necessary and we expect the new Yamaha XT700Z Tenere to be launched sometime in 2017. New Yamaha Tenere 700 Prototype Spotted – ADV Pulse ~People who think they are more "super" than superheroes have serious mental […]

trackback
Could it be??? FZ-07 Based ADV Bike?
April 14, 2016 6:10 pm

[…] one has some serious potential: New Yamaha Tenere 700 Prototype Spotted – ADV Pulse The first time I saw a picture of an XT660Z Tenere I was seriously intrigued, until I realized […]

John T.
John T.
April 14, 2016 9:54 pm

I wonder if it will be available in the US since the XT660Z Tenere was not. Fingers are crossed.

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
April 14, 2016 11:51 pm
Reply to  John T.

Hey John. I’d say there is a good chance. We are seeing a few different models make their way to the U.S. that were never made available here before (Honda Crosstourer and Africa Twin). Favorable exchange rates are making it less expensive to import to the U.S. and the strengthening economy means more people are making leisure purchases than before. The U.S. is now a huge market for ADV bike sales that is hard to ignore… So I think we can expect to see this bike come here. Maybe with a 3-6 month delay but it will eventually get here.

Jimmijon
Jimmijon
April 24, 2016 5:04 am

I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT YAMAHA COULD HAVE DONE THIS & HAD IT ON THE MARKET IN WEEKS. DROPPING THE MT07 MOTOR INTO THE WR450 FRAME & ADDING NEW PLASTICS.

Dan
Dan
May 9, 2016 12:09 am

Will be ready to upgrade from the KLR650!

Satmanski
Satmanski
July 19, 2016 2:41 pm
Reply to  Dan

maybe KLR’s ride is coming to an end and they will actually do something with the KLR model.

Charles Webber
Charles Webber
May 11, 2016 1:30 pm

Please make a 700 dual sport for us bigger guys! Before Honda beats you to the punch!

Charles Webber
Charles Webber
May 11, 2016 1:32 pm
Reply to  Charles Webber

Or even in sm trim…just saying

Satmanski
Satmanski
July 19, 2016 2:38 pm

KLR killer? If it has more than 35HP and doesn’t burn oil like a Mongolian grill I’m in.

Brian
Brian
April 26, 2018 11:42 am
Reply to  Satmanski

Hey, as a KLR owner I object to this. But only because the comparison is also unkind to my favorite Mongolian restaurant.

Bob
Bob
September 14, 2016 8:49 pm

This is the one I will buy. Not KTM, not BMW, not Ducati. *This* one.

Soon, please. Don’t let the typhoons slow you down. (May your families be safe.)

Radu Stoleru
Radu Stoleru
December 6, 2016 1:20 am

Now this is the perfect bike!
Finally some manufacturer thought what is the ideal bike! And this is the one!
2 cylinders, 6 gears, middleweight, good consumption, decent HP, and enough travel and damping for adventuring everywhere!
I’m dumping the Honda’s, I don’t like them anymore! I’m moving to YAMAHA! HAHA

trackback
New tenere next year? Long awaited balanced bike?
December 6, 2016 2:14 am

[…] New Yamaha Tenere 700 Prototype Spotted – ADV Pulse Sounds like the perfect bike for me, I will forget about honda ! Reply With Quote […]

tom brundage
tom brundage
December 10, 2016 5:44 pm

cant wait ill buy one the first day out

trackback
New Spy Shots Show XT700Z Ténéré Inching Closer to Production - ADV Pulse
July 5, 2017 12:43 pm

[…] The new bike looks significantly lower than the T7 concept and also a bit lower than the original Spy Shots of the ‘rough’ development model captured in early […]

trackback
New Yamaha Tenere 700 Prototype Spotted – ADV Pulse | AMD.bike
September 8, 2017 1:40 am

[…] New Yamaha Tenere 700 Prototype Spotted – ADV Pulse […]

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