Add to this a new single-piece saddle that apparently gets you a little further forward, then add longer and wider footpegs, a repositioned clutch actuation pivot that no longer hinders the rider’ s boot, an additional selector dog in the gearbox and optimised dog angle for gears 4-5-6( woof!), then a reinforced cockpit structure( so less instrument and nav gear wobbles) and a repositioned side stand switch … and you’ ve pretty much nailed it. The styling refresh is subtle, same but different. The quad headlight arrangement stays, but the individual lights are now rectangular, not round and located on a fancy Y-shaped bracket. The fuel tank is still 16-litres, but subtly reshaped, being more forward and at last with an integrated fuel cap. The bodywork panels have all become a little more angular and the tail unit is no longer one-piece. While often new emissions regulations lead to bigger engine capacities, Yamaha has found a way to get the CP2 motor Euro 5 + compliant without resorting to a bigger cylinders. They’ ve even found a little more low end torque. However, there’ s no throttle cable anymore, it’ s taken ride-by-wire with the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle( YCC-T) to modulate the engine breathing to meet the stricter regs. Such trickery means the Ténéré now has two riding modes, Sport and Explore, plus traction control( for the road only). There’ s an accessory quick-shifter too. Those modes mean new switch blocks and we’ re happy to see the recalcitrant thumbwheel

70 KIWI RIDER