Top Ten Best Yamaha Tenere Bikes of All Times

After Yamaha revealed plans to release the Ténéré 700 Extreme, an off-road variant of the company’s well-loved twin-cylinder adventure bike, for 2024, we thought: so far. How many Ténérés have there been, and what kind of bikes were they?

So we decided to investigate, and the short answers are: “more than 10” and “from liquid-cooled, 1200cc twins to air-cooled, 600cc singles – and more.”

Top Ten Best Yamaha Tenere Bikes of All Times – Top Rated

1983 Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré (internal designation 34L)

Yamaha won its first Paris-Dakar Rally motorcycle category in 1979 with a customized XT500 ridden by French ex-motocrosser Cyril Neveu. Neveu will return next year with more “Factory” entries. Subsequently, Yamaha decided to build a commemorative, limited-edition “replica,” which was essentially a 43-bhp, big-board XT550 with a rally-style 30-liter tank, increased suspension travel, front disc brakes and Was inspired by the race.

With a name inspired by the Ténéré desert (which coincidentally served as the brainchild of event organizer Thierry Sabin when he got lost there at a different event in 1977), it was launched at the Paris Show in October 1982. And it quickly became popular, especially in France. The motorcycle is also included in our Top Five Famous and Five Forgotten Adventure Bikes

1986 Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré (1VJ)

The first significant modification, which included a redesigned airbox under the tank that reduced fuel capacity to 23 liters, larger valves, modified carbs, and other changes aimed to give the Ténéré up to 46 horsepower. It was to bring closer to the rally bike with the power of It was presented at the October 1985 Paris show. Additionally, an electric starter was added for the first time.

1988 Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré (3AJ)

The most significant date changes have been made to the third-generation Ténéré, the most noticeable being the addition of new instruments and a new frame-mounted fairing with twin headlamps. In addition, the lubrication system was changed, a new “low” front mudguard was added, the engine was overhauled with a redesigned cylinder head and longer cooling fins, and drum rear brakes were added and replaced for the disk.

1989 Yamaha XTZ750 Super Ténéré

An all-new, massive 749cc parallel twin with 70 horsepower is built to rival Honda’s original 650cc V-twin Africa Twin. It featured a more significant 26-liter tank, twin front discs, a liquid-cooled, five-valve engine, and a new chassis and bodywork. The race version, starting with the 750 and later the 850, won the Dakar seven times, with rally hero Stefan Peter Hansel taking six of those victories. He won eight more in the vehicle class. The motorcycle is also included in the list of Top Ten Best Rated Adventure Bikes of All Times.

1991 Yamaha XTZ660 Ténéré

The fourth-generation Ténéré Single’s all-new, liquid-cooled, five-valve engine was housed in a larger, sleeker, more road-oriented chassis with rectangular headlamps, a short-stroke suspension system, and a smaller, 20-liter fuel tank.

1994 Yamaha XTZ660 Ténéré

Essentially a redesigned 660 with a new dual-beam headlight “face” based on the Super Ténérés and more streamlined bodywork. In 1998, this model was discontinued.

2006 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré

The Ténéré name reappeared after an eight-year hiatus on an all-new single-cylinder vehicle based on the 659cc, four-valve XT660R trail bike (as well as its sister supermoto, the XT660X), which was unveiled. In 2004, The usual larger tank (22 liters), touring screen, long-travel suspension, and race-inspired colors were present, but the essential mechanics remained the same.

2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

With an all-new, 1199cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected parallel twin with shaft drive, the Super Ténéré name is back. Despite being a great all-rounder with 110 horsepower, two riding modes, traction control, and other features, it doesn’t stand out in a class dominated by BMW, Ducati, and KTM. In 2021, this model was dropped. The motorcycle is also included in the list of Top Ten Best Rated Yamaha Bikes on Bikes Catalog.

2019 Yamaha Ténéré 700

An all-new “middleweight” adventure bike inspired by the 72-hp MT-07 roadster twin and retaining the Ténéré name. Its sub-£10K debut price contributed to its immediate success, and it spawned several spin-offs, such as the 2022 World Raid with an upgraded suspension system and a larger tank than the 2020 Rally Edition. The motorcycle is also included in the list of Top Ten Best Rated Motorcycles of 2019.

2024 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Extreme

The latest Ténéré 700 model is designed for more severe off-roaders. So, it has long WorldRide travel, fully adjustable KYB forks (without the big tank), an off-road-specific one-piece seat, and a two-piece, high-front mudguard.

Top Ten Best Yamaha Tenere Bikes of All Times – Top List