Released in 2019, Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 is undoubtedly one of the most capable mid-weight adventure bikes currently in production, though the “T7” was designed and tuned for on and off-road use, rather than being a purpose-built dirt-goer. Well aware of the platform’s potential as a hardcore off-roader, Yamaha has now gone back to the drawing board to deliver an up-specced rally-ready version of the twin-cylinder ADV model.
Dubbed the Ténéré 700 Raid Prototype, this Dakar-style two-wheeler was developed by the Tuning Fork Company with help from Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarrés. The bike has been bestowed with a slew of tweaks and upgrades to bolster its off-roading capabilities, including a myriad of components from the manufacturer’s Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (or “GYTR”) team such as a race ECU that’s been paired with a full titanium Akrapovič race exhaust. Other noteworthy upgrades include an oversized radiator, a Rekluse clutch set behind a two-piece cover, a Scotts steering damper, steel-braided lines throughout, larger brakes, CNC-machined triple clamps, a massive skid-plate, a dual-tank extended range fuel cell with Acerbis carbon fiber filler caps, foam grips, RNS Electronics switchgear, a Dakar-style navigation tower, bigger fork guards, an MX-style front fender, a special camo livery, and a factory-built KYB long-travel suspension setup that now affords 10.6″ of travel out front and 10.23″ in the rear.
The 2022 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Raid Prototype has just broken cover at this year’s ongoing EICMA Show in Milan, though the Japanese marque has announced that this rally-spec variant is slated to eventually enter production over the next year or two.
