Yamaha just got launched the new Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Rally, an upgraded version of the immensely popular Ténéré 700 adventure bike, to pay homage to their illustrious Dakar . protest history. Since they won the inaugural Paris-Dakar Rally in 1979, the Japanese brand has scored nine Dakar victories to its name. That makes them the second winning producer in Dakar (besides KTM).
The Ténéré 700 World Rally honors this legacy with special paintwork and a host of upgrades over the base T7 model. Inspired by Stéphane Peterhansel’s 1993 Dakar racing bike, the paintwork for the World Rally is sure to catch the eye.
Peterhansel is synonymous with Yamaha when it comes to motorcycle racing. He won six of the brand’s nine titles, before switching from bike to car.
The color scheme is a true replica of his 93 bike, starting with a dark blue, almost metallic finish. Silver-pink and blue stripes run along the edge, following the same line as the original, but adjusted to match the T7’s sharper contours. All that’s missing is a bunch of sponsor logos.
The Ténéré 700 World Rally is presented as a premium adventure bike, so it’s not just a repainted base model. It uses some top-of-the-line components, such as premium long-stroke KYB suspension components with a generous 230/220 mm of travel, front and rear. Öhlins adjustable steering damper adds stability.
dual 23 liters [6.1 gal] Side-mounted fuel tanks provide good range, while carrying most of the fuel at a low level. Yamaha says that their design is derived from their actual Dakar racing bikes. Sitting above are enduro-like benches and the cockpit has a 5-inch TFT screen, smartphone connectivity and three-mode switchable ABS.
The T7’s 690 cc ‘CP2’ engine is an absolute peach; on World Rally, it benefits from a matching fruity soundtrack, thanks to a titanium Akrapovič silencer.
Most of the rest of the car fits the base model, but that’s not a bad thing. The Ténéré 700 has been a hit since it came out—not only for its capabilities but also for its modern raid aesthetic. This upgraded spec, along with a Peterhansel paint job, elevates the World Rally model’s vibe to 11.
Yamaha says it will be available at European dealers soon, but there’s no word on whether it will sell in the US. Meanwhile, Yamaha off-road riders Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarrés will also sport these colors during the 2023 race season. So at least we’ll see it riding in fury.
courtesy image of Yamaha Europe
