DIRT NEWS
YAMAHA TENERE 700 RALLY EDITION
T
he Yamaha Tenere 700 is one of the most
refreshing motorcycles we’ve ridden in the
past 18 months, with a no-frills approach
to adventure it packs in the value while also
excelling at its mission brief. Now, Yamaha
Europe is releasing a special edition of the topselling
model to celebrate the very legends
that gave birth to the Tenere nameplate.
The Tenere 700 Rally Edition pays homage to
the early Yamaha Dakar Rally victories in 1979
and 1980 with an exclusive Sky Blue livery, gold
rims and a host of off-road parts from the
Yamaha official parts catalogue as standard fare.
While Yamaha hasn’t messed around with the
Tenere’s performance, leaving both the engine
and suspension as originally intended, the Rally
Edition has some tasty additions worth the
special edition premium.
Priced in the UK at £10,447 ($20,200) the Rally
Edition clocks in at a £1300 ($2300) premium.
Considering the Akropovic exhaust is a $1500
option it seems like good value for everything
that’s included.
Included is Yamaha’s tough off-road bash
plate for the (brilliant) 689cc CP2 engine, which
is not only thicker than the standard unit but
also offers more coverage of the engine’s
critical components. Adding to the protection
is a radiator guard, a much-needed accessory
in our books.
Naturally, the normally optional Rally seat
- which makes for easier transitions while
riding off-road - is also included, as well as the
Akropovic exhaust silencer which adds a throaty
burble into the mix and gives the impression
of more performance.
Other additions include a chainguard, LED
flashers, grip pads and off-road hand grips.
Yamaha Motor New Zealand is yet to confirm
to Kiwi Rider whether the Rally Edition will make
its way to our shores but with Yamaha Motor
Australia already putting the kibosh on the
model making an appearance over the ditch
we’re not hopeful. We rather hope it does for
the Sky Blue paint alone, though.
KIWI RIDER 93