After dominating adventure bike sales charts in countries all around the world and selling every single Ténéré 700 as fast as their factories could make them, Yamaha has upped the ante with a new Ténéré 700 World Raid.
Closely based on the prototype Ténéré 700 Raid edition that was unveiled at the EICMA Show in Italy late last year, the new World Raid is set to go into production this year, with an eventual on-sale date in Australia in the first quarter of next year.
The World Raid has plenty of updates over the Ténéré 700 that ADV riders have come to know and love, and specifically has a big boost in fuel capacity, suspension and electronics to offer a package that will take this model ever closer to the Ténéré legend that since 1983 has delivered bikes that have become unstoppable overland travellers.
Kicking off the list of World Raid features are 23-litre dual side-mounted fuel tanks. These will not only give a sizeable increase in fuel range over the current Ténéré 700 but will also carry the fuel load lower on the bike. The top of the new tank is significantly lower than the current model, and the World Raid’s ergos are further boosted by a flatter seat design that offers a smoother transition between the seat and tank. The new seat height is 890mm.
Up on the flight deck, the World Raid is fitted with a five-inch colour TFT screen that is connected with the bike’s CCU and is compatible with Yamaha’s MyRide app for connectivity. Three different themes are available on the TFT display.
The World Raid has three-mode ABS: mode 1 is fully on to both wheels; mode 2 is front wheel on, rear wheel off; and mode 3 is fully off.
In the suspension stakes, the World Raid scores a 43mm KYB fork with 230mm travel and the fork features spring preload adjustment in addition to rebound and compression damping adjusters. At the back, the single-shock rear end offers 220mm of wheel travel. An Öhlins steering damper is fitted as standard equipment.
With Yamaha’s CP2 engine as popular as it is, which has seen more than 221,000 units sold since the motor was first introduced, Yamaha has left it unchanged from the Ténéré 700, save for installing a new air filter box.
Other details of the World Raid include a higher windscreen, reshaped front bodywork cowling, LED flashers, larger footpegs with quick-remove rubber inserts, a three-piece aluminium engine guard, new radiator grille and USB power outlet on the dash.
Given the big boost in fuel range and sweeter ergos, there’s no question the World Raid will be supremely suited to Australian adventure touring applications, and as such is sure to be eagerly received when it lands on Yamaha showroom floors. While pricing information is yet to be announced, you’d be playing it smart to get in the queue for the bike at your Yamaha dealer because this is yet another Ténéré that will be finding plenty of good homes locally, no question about it.
TÉNÉRÉ 700 RALLY
The second annual Ténéré
