The New Yamaha Ténéré Isn’t A Downsized 700, It’s A Ground-Up Single-Cylinder
New-age riders know the Yamaha Ténéré 700 as an extremely capable twin-cylinder adventure tourer, which happens to be the weapon of choice for the enduro legend Pol Terres. However, those with a particular interest in the history of motorcycles would know that the legendary Ténéré nameplate started its journey as a single-cylinder thumper.
In 1979, Yamaha took the motorcycle rally world by storm after winning the inaugural edition of the grueling Dakar Rally. The company achieved the feat with the XT500, the predecessor of the XT600 Ténéré unveiled in 1982. And unlike the modern-day twin-cylinder Ténéré 700, Yamaha’s first-gen rally motorcycles had a single cylinder. In that sense, the newly showcased Ténéré 4 concept, which is also a single-cylinder motorcycle, might not just be a namesake. It could be considered a true-blue Ténéré, instead of a shrunken 700.
A New Engine, Not A Shrunk One
Yamaha is yet to disclose precise technical details of the Ténéré 4 but has given away enough to decipher the significance and persona of the motorcycle. It is certainly not based on a downsized Ténéré 700 platform, and Yamaha has, instead, created a purpose-built single-cylinder mill from the ground up.
Although the displacement is yet to be released, it’s a calculated guess that the ‘4’ suffix in the concept’s name is a near-400cc engine size. What Yamaha has clarified, though, is that it is aimed at European A2 license holders, which means power output will be under 47 hp. And the fact that it will be a focused off-road machine is not just mentioned in the brand’s official statement, but several aspects of the concept also make it evident. 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoke wheels with long-travel KYB suspension and block-pattern tyres clearly paint a picture of a serious trail-ready motorcycle.
The A2 Battlefield – KTM 390 Adventure R and Himalayan 450
Despite facing stiff competition from a bunch of really potent adventure tourers, the Tenere 700 has always received high accolades from test riders time and again. It has been the same story with almost every Tenere that came before the modern iterations. Hence, the new Tenere 4 will have some big boots to fill to justify that name. The existing rivals have also set the standard super high with impactful numbers on paper.
The KTM 390 Adventure, with its punchy 45 hp, 399cc single, offers a spectacular 230 mm of suspension travel at both ends. The heavier yet revered Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 also produces 40 hp from its new single and gets 200 mm of suspension stroke front and back. Both motorcycles come with their strengths and weaknesses, and it remains to be seen which side the Yamaha leans on.
Heritage Reclaimed – From XT500 to Ténéré 4
Yamaha’s decision to choose a single-cylinder layout and hardcore off-road-centric hardware like the 21-18-inch wheel combination might be an indication that the Japanese giant is making something capable yet accessible. The formula also seems to be living up to the Tenere name more than its bigger twin-cylinder sibling, as the original 1979 Dakar-winner XT500 and 1983 XT600 both possessed the same cylinder configuration and wheel sizes.
Many contenders are going the twin-cylinder way, with BMW’s upcoming F450GS and CFMoto’s Ibex being prime examples. However, Yamaha is clearly sticking to its roots, not just to make the entry-level Tenere more approachable but also for the name to be justified and make sense. From a purist’s perspective, that means the name is earned and not just given to Yamaha’s future off-road motorcycle.
Concept or Nearly Production? Reading the Signals
How close the Tenere 4 concept is to the final production model remains questionable at the moment. Yamaha Motor Europe president Olivier Prevost is said to have confirmed that the production version is in development in light of the strong demand. There have been mixed speculations about the concept’s readiness, though. Some perceive it as almost ready, barring the license plates and mirrors, while others consider it far from production.
When it comes to concepts, we have seen manufacturers go wild with their designs to such an extent that they seem far from being commercially plausible. The Tenere 4 certainly doesn’t fall in that category. There’s almost nothing superficial about its Tenere 700-like fascia, beak-style front fender, radiator cowl, slim fuel tank, and rally-style seat. Of course, certain elements like the Akrapovic exhaust, knuckle guards, flat seat, and knobby tyres may slide into the optional accessory catalog. But every bit comes together to give away its off-road intent instead of the overflowing imagination of its designers.
What The Ténéré Name Now Means
After the Ténéré 700 has established itself as such a strong player in the off-road-centric ADV category worldwide, it makes complete sense for Yamaha to expand the portfolio and offer its fans a more accessible entry point into the storied lineage. With almost every brand eyeing a piece of the lucrative entry-level ADV pie, how could Yamaha, which essentially pioneered the ‘trail’ bike category back in the late 1960s, be left behind?
An accessible, lightweight single-cylinder adventure bike might not just be Yamaha’s approach to filling the A2 gap, but also a way to echo the original XT machines that originated the iconic Ténéré family. And if the modern 700’s success is anything to go by, the upcoming baby Ténéré seems to have a serious responsibility to fulfill – to deliver an off-road motorcycle capable enough that enduro veterans like Pol Terres can pull off some extreme shenanigans with it.
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