Yamaha T7 Concept 2017 — Specifications

Although the trend is towards maxi-trails, Yamaha is not planning to abandon one of the key sectors that earned it its reputation: adventure in the mid-displacement class. In Milan, the T7 concept announced the renewal of an iconic model from the manufacturer, the legendary XT600Z Ténéré, unveiled 33 years ago at the Paris Motor Show.

The famous XT600Z Ténéré won over a wide variety of riders who loved its simplicity, robustness, and racing pedigree. Derived from the motorcycles developed by Yamaha for the Dakar and ridden by legendary riders like Stéphane Peterhansel, this trail became one of the best-selling models in Europe.

During its first 10 years, between 1984 and 1994, this motorcycle sold 61,000 units. The Ténéré still attracts today a clientele of enthusiasts, including many proud owners, members of clubs dedicated to this model.

The original spirit of the Ténéré, which made Yamaha one of the biggest names in rally-raid and adventure with a capital "A," is still deeply rooted in the company's DNA. Adventure represents for Yamaha a unique way to appreciate motorcycles: feelings of total freedom and discovery that are available to you when exploring exceptional sites not served by roads.

Today, few models are capable of going after ruts and dunes. The world of adventure needs a new type of motorcycle capable of offering real versatility over long distances, reliability identical to that of the original Ténéré, and a contemporary look associated with a state-of-the-art engine and chassis.

A dedicated team, composed of engineers, designers, and product managers from the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team in France, R&D in Italy, and GK Design in the Netherlands, developed this new T7 concept. Each member of the team is driven by the desire to create a motorcycle that would adapt to the needs of an adventurer and represent what Yamaha imagines for its future generation Adventure range.

Drawing on the DNA that made Yamaha one of the most iconic names in the world of rally, the Yamaha T7 concept is a fully operational prototype. It was developed to achieve a perfect balance between performance on roads and dirt tracks.

This lightweight machine is composed of a completely new chassis created from the universally acclaimed CP2 from the MT-07. The CP2 is designed to deliver a ferocious torque associated with a power delivery to the ground facilitated for perfect traction in all situations.

This concept is equipped with an aluminum tank, 4 LED headlights, a fairing and a carbon fiber protection plate, as well as a custom-made Akrapovi? exhaust line. With also an ultra-refined KYB fork, the T7 represents a vision of the ideal trail bike. It will play a major role in the development of the new generation of Yamaha Adventure models.

A new chapter in the book of legends will open on roads - and on dirt tracks - from 2018.

Credits info and media: Yamaha