After a lot of teasing, no-shows, false alarms, underwhelming prototypes, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 is finally on the road. Yamaha has revealed prices for the midsize adventure touring motorcycle, and for the introductory period, they are ridiculous!
As an introductory offer, the 2019 Yamaha Ténéré 700 will start from £8,399 (AED 40,900 or $11,150). As the introductory offer ends, the Ténéré will settle at £8,699 (AED 42,350 or $11,600). Yamaha will be accepting reservations on the hot new ADV through an online ordering system which will remain open between March 27 and July 31.
First bikes will start reaching customers in July 2019. Keep in mind that the Yamaha Ténéré 700 is not as tech-equipped, powerful, or too much of a looker. However, Yamaha has taken the Plain Jane card and turned it on its head with the Ténéré- bringing affordable high-capacity adventure ability to the masses.
“Simplicity is the art of sophistication”, and all those smart idioms work rather well with the Ténéré 700.
Its immediate rivals are the Triumph Tiger 800, KTM 790 Adventure (and R), BMW F750 GS and F850 GS, Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT, Kawasaki Versys 650, and also the upcoming Moto Guzzi V85 TT. The Yamaha might come off as lacklustre in such distinguished company, but its spartan nature is actually what makes it a true-blue, hardy ADV. And who can forget the legacy of the Ténéré nameplate?
Super Ténérés of the past have regularly been on RTW trips, overland journeys, cross-continent adventures, and also the occasional MX track. This legacy is what the 2019 Yamaha Ténéré 700 aims to live up to. From the looks of it, it is quite up to the job.
Powered by an MT-derived 689cc inline-triple, the Ténéré 700 surrounds the motor with purposeful chassis, suspension, and cycle parts. Coupled with a broader spread of torque, dirt-focussed fuel maps, and a 16-litre fuel tank, the Ténéré should be fairly capable amidst the rough stuff. The bike is also cutting-edge where it needs to be.
Minimalism does not have to mean a descent into the Dark Ages. The Ténéré is well-kitted out, albeit discreetly.
You benefit from a full-LCD dash tower showing groundspeed, engine speed, fuel level, range, trips, and more. Suspension is made up of 43mm USD with long stroke and 210mm of travel, and a remote preload-adjustable link-type monoshock with 200mm of travel.
It is safe to say, we presume, that the 2019 Yamaha Ténéré 700 is one of the most important motorcycles of this season. Come July, and the first of these will hit dealer floors, and ride out, eventually crisscrossing the world’s roads. Exciting times lie ahead!