Gotta say, we didn’t expect this. But boy we’re happy to see this new model so soon after seeing the prototype at EICMA. What is it? It’s the Ténéré 700 on steroids, kind of.
More accurately it’s this: It’s the Ténéré as we knew it only with new 23 litre dual side-mounted fuel tanks plus upgraded suspension front and rear with additional wheel travel plus an Öhlins steering damper. A new 5” colour TFT instrument panel controls the switchable ABS which now includes an additional off-road setting where rear wheel ABS can be turned off while the front ABS remains on. New footrests, additional wind deflectors and a 3-piece sump guard finish the package. Yeah, that’s about it.
The World Rally is now the third variant in the Ténéré 700 range, after the standard model and the Rally Edition – and this clearly is the long-distance version, albeit with a suspension upgrade to boot. To put it (very) crudely, it is the GSA to the GS that is the Ténéré 700. Here are the highlights:
23-litre fuel tank
Or rather fuel tanks, as Yamaha has elected to go the route of dual side-mounted fuel tanks, positioned lower than the existing 16-litre tank, locating the fuel pump lower as well. Yamaha says this means the bike’s centre gravity is almost the same as with the standard bike, while the vehicle mass is centralised. The top of the new tanks is lower than the 16-litre tank, reducing the height difference between the tank and seat making for increased rider mobility on the bike.
Flat seat
A flat seat is good news. Not such good news is it’s higher, up from 875 to 890mm. However, the profile is flatter for a more off-road dirt bike ergo’.
TFT screen
Yamaha has succumbed to fashion (or advances in technology if you like) and replaced the LCD screen with a 5” full colour TFT unit for the World Raid, and it comes with connectivity. Screen layout options include ‘street’, ‘explorer’ and uniquely ‘raid’ which incorporates road book features such as countdown trip meters (we’ll have to investigate that one…).
3-mode ABS
Yes, the ABS has been upgraded from the ‘on or off’ of the standard model to a now three option offering. Fully on for (legal) road riding, mode 2 which is front wheel on rear wheel off, and mode 3 which is fully off.
Upgraded suspension
We’re still talking the Kayabas, but the 43mm forks now offer 230mm of travel (an increase of 20mm) plus preload, compression and rebound damping adjustment, plus Kashima coating on the outer fork tubes (which is an expensive top-shelf job). Meanwhile the shock has been upgraded, too, with a new linkage and a piggyback type shock offering 220mm of wheel travel (again up 20mm) and again is fully adjustable. Plus there’s a rubber bump stop in case of bottoming.
Öhlins steering damper
Apparently mounted close to the top triple clamp. With 18 settings.
New air box
With the new tanks it was inevitable that there’d be a new air box. Yamaha say it’s been designed specifically to handle extreme off road.
Taller windscreen
Yep, the new windscreen is 15mm taller, plus there are removable side (wind) deflectors. And the indicators are now LED. Notably, Yamaha say the front fairing panels are made of a tough fibreglass composite material designed ‘to handle rugged off-road riding’.
Bigger Footrests
No dimensions, but they’re bigger say Yamaha.
New Engine guard
It’s a three-piece aluminium unit and now (on account of the taller suspension) the ground clearance is 10mm better at 250mm.
New Radiator grill
Now featuring vertical louvres!
Availability & Price
May 2022
£11,600 including VAT and OTR
Colours
Icon Blue
Midnight Black
In Summary
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
