Hardcore offroad rally variant of the Ténéré 700
This bike was well-trailed before Christmas, with a prototype displayed at the Milan bike show, and nearly-production-ready machinery shown off online. And here it is – the 2022 Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid. It takes the basis of the standard 700 Ténéré – the parallel twin engine and steel tube frame, but turns the off-road kit up to eleven, with a gigantic new 23 litre fuel tank, long-travel suspension, Öhlins steering damper, new 5” colour LCD dash and much more.
The fuel tank is pretty interesting (bear with us here…). It is a double-tank layout, with twin fillers, so it can be located much lower down on the bike, sitting either side of the frame and engine rather than on top, as a conventional single tank would need to do. It cuts fuel ‘sloshing’ around, which can be destabilising on a big single tank and helps centralise and lower mass too.
Most importantly, the twin caps give sweet hardcore rally styling, rather than a dull, commuter-bike single cap… The 23 litre capacity gives a range of around 310 miles, which is a lot of commutes from Surrey into London.
The new 43mm USD KYB front fork has a mighty 230mm of travel – 20mm more than the Ténéré, and have new lightweight internals, a tough bronze outer coating and full adjustability. The rear suspension is similarly-specced, with 220mm travel from the piggyback KYB shock, 20mm more than the Ténéré again and also fully adjustable.
The new 5” colour dashboard has three display modes: Explorer, Street and Raid, with different layouts for each mode. It has full Bluetooth connectivity to the Yamaha app on your smartphone, and has a USB charging socket built into the dash.
Yamaha’s specced a three-way adjustable and switchable ABS, for ultimate offroad performance. Mode 1 is standard road mode, Mode 2 turns off the rear channel, and Mode 3 is full off for proper dirt experts.
The standard Ténéré engine is unchanged, apart from a modified airbox to better cope with dusty and dirty offroad conditions. It keeps the 270° crankshaft layout for torquey power delivery, and is protected by a new three-piece aluminium engine guard and die-cast engine support. The windscreen is taller and more protective, and there are new quick-release side deflectors and LED indicators.
The new World Raid will cost £11,600 on the road, and will be in the shops around May this year. More info: www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/#/
TECH HIGHLIGHTS
- 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