Photo: Yamaha
Back in 2019 Japanese bike maker Yamaha took the adventure world by storm with the introduction of something called the Tenere 700. It was quite a bet for a company best known for its sport bikes, but one that worked wonders: the model is now one of Yamaha's heavy hitters.
The 700 is still on the market, selling in the U.S. from $10,799, offering in a small package all the gear an experienced rider would need for off-the-road adventures. Yet to some, it may seem a bit toned-down, so Yamaha had to devise something a bit more extreme for them.
In fact, that's also the name it chose for the new version of the 700, Extreme. Dubbed a "hardcore off-road performer", it is basically the same adventure bike we're used to, beefed up where it matters the most.
That means the bike's frame packs the same 690cc engine we're used to for a number of years now, so it's not that which makes the Extreme the monster we see before us.
What sets it apart is the bike's ability to go over rough terrain. For this version, ground clearance was increased by 20 mm compared to the model it is based on, reaching an impressive 260 mm.
The KYB suspension system of the Tenere has been improved as well. Fully adjustable, it can now travel 20 mm more than in the Tenere 700. Separately, the forks at the front have been given a special coating to handle the potential stiction of the moving parts there.
The fender at the front now features two separate bits, an enduro-style one on top and a separate section below, meant to stop most of the dirt and debris the wheel throws up from going any further.
Elsewhere on the bike Yamaha fitted elements that will make it stand out as a special breed of Tenere, including titanium footrests, an aluminum radiator protector and chain guide, and a one-piece rally seat with a flatter look.
Ahead of the rider a 5-inch TFT screen now comes in three themes, including a Rally Raid roadbook-style one to help with navigation.
The bike will be officially presented to the world starting October 20 during the last leg of the Italian Motorally Raid TT championship. It will be ridden there by long-time Tenere experts and Yamaha factory riders Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarrés.
In fact, this is the fine print with the Extreme: it was specifically built for riders with motocross or enduro experience, so not exactly suitable for anyone.
The bike will soon become available to riders in Europe, where it will launch in a single color, Icon Blue, accompanied by dedicated graphics. We are not told anything about how much the ride will cost.
In fact, that's also the name it chose for the new version of the 700, Extreme. Dubbed a "hardcore off-road performer", it is basically the same adventure bike we're used to, beefed up where it matters the most.
That means the bike's frame packs the same 690cc engine we're used to for a number of years now, so it's not that which makes the Extreme the monster we see before us.
What sets it apart is the bike's ability to go over rough terrain. For this version, ground clearance was increased by 20 mm compared to the model it is based on, reaching an impressive 260 mm.
The KYB suspension system of the Tenere has been improved as well. Fully adjustable, it can now travel 20 mm more than in the Tenere 700. Separately, the forks at the front have been given a special coating to handle the potential stiction of the moving parts there.
The fender at the front now features two separate bits, an enduro-style one on top and a separate section below, meant to stop most of the dirt and debris the wheel throws up from going any further.
Elsewhere on the bike Yamaha fitted elements that will make it stand out as a special breed of Tenere, including titanium footrests, an aluminum radiator protector and chain guide, and a one-piece rally seat with a flatter look.
Ahead of the rider a 5-inch TFT screen now comes in three themes, including a Rally Raid roadbook-style one to help with navigation.
The bike will be officially presented to the world starting October 20 during the last leg of the Italian Motorally Raid TT championship. It will be ridden there by long-time Tenere experts and Yamaha factory riders Alessandro Botturi and Pol Tarrés.
In fact, this is the fine print with the Extreme: it was specifically built for riders with motocross or enduro experience, so not exactly suitable for anyone.
The bike will soon become available to riders in Europe, where it will launch in a single color, Icon Blue, accompanied by dedicated graphics. We are not told anything about how much the ride will cost.
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