Yamaha recently revealed the higher-spec Tenere 700 Rally Edition for the European market. It is likely to go on sale this month. The Japanese manufacturer has carved a niche for itself in rallying. In 1979, Yamaha XT ADV riders won the first Dakar Rally. To pay homage to the XT 600 Dakar Rally bike used by Jean-Claude Olivier and Serge Bacou, Yamaha has introduced the Rally Edition of Tenere 700. Apart from subtle design changes, this special edition motorcycle will also be equipped with a rally kit similar to the one present in factory bike used by Yamaha in rallies. The price for the ADV is yet to be announced. However, it is likely to be slightly pricier than the base model of Tenere 700.
Cosmetically, Yamaha has added several new features to the Rally Edition. However, the bike borrows a lot of elements from the company’s adventure bikes. The ADV features a 4 mm thick aluminium bash plate, black aluminium radiator guard, grip pads on the tank, off-road hand grip, and has an aluminium laser-cut chain protector. It also gets a rally seat that increases the seat height by 20 mm with respect to what is found on the standard bike. The motorcycle does not offer a bunch of electronic rider’s aid. As compared to its competitors, it just features a switchable ABS. The main reason for this is that the ADV is designed in accordance with the older rally bikes that used minimal electronic features.
The Tenere 700 Rally Edition offers a bright blue and yellow colour scheme that basically pays homage to the 1983 Yamaha XT600 Tenere colours. The Yamaha XT600 motorcycle was used in the 1983 and 1984 edition of Dakar Rally and was ridden by Jean-Claude Olivier (JCO) and Serge Bacou. The black Yamaha speed block graphic gives this bike a historic look.
Under the frame, this Rally Edition is powered by the same 689cc parallel-twin engine that also powers the standard Yamaha model. This liquid-cooled mill delivers 72.4 bhp power and 68 Nm torque. It is linked to a 6-speed gearbox. The ADV comes equipped with a street-legal Akrapovic slip-on exhaust as standard. The Rally Edition is based on a double-cradle steel tube backbone frame. Braking duties are taken care by twin 282 mm front and single 245 mm rear disc brakes.
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