Yamaha XT660Z Tenere 2016 — Specifications

Far from the pachydermic maxi-trail-GTs, the 660 Ténéré quietly continues its career. The public has eyes only for the enormous machines, full of displacement and promises, more intended for the road than for adventure. The 660 XTZ scoffs at that, cultivates the opposite instead, and that's a good thing. Just by mentioning the name Ténéré, many motorcyclists suddenly see vast sand dunes, rides among the rocks, the scent of adventure. More than 20 years ago, this name was closely linked to the Paris-Dakar. Because the XT range, Yamaha, and rally-raids, it's a long love story. In civil life, the XTZ 660 Ténéré was responsible for maintaining the dream until the end of the 1990s, although its performance was more geared towards road use. And then, the market changed, the trails were ousted, the single-cylinder engine fell out of favor.

10 years later, the market still favors roadsters and character machines. What a surprise then to discover that Yamaha has decided to revive the 660 Ténéré. How will the market follow? It prefers large trails, with a strong GT tendency. But in terms of image, it’s striking! You don’t see many adventurers like this one. And yet, it can take you far, take you out of your environment in a very different setting. Head for the track, without the vibrators but with gravel and dust.

The manufacturer is accustomed to fine-tuning its creations. And this XTZ appears very convincing as a representation of the rally-raid spirit. On-off-road tires mounted on spoked rims, long-travel suspension, fork tubes protected by gaiters (as in the good old days), a significant seat height, a "large mouth" headlamp with dual optics, fairing and trekking look - everything is there to thin the croup. All that remains is to add a few accessories such as cases, an aluminum engine guard or hand guards to complete the kit.

If the appearance evokes the spaces of the south, the XTZ will certainly be more focused on comfort, as the philosophy of the Ténéré dictates, than on enduro or TT. Its large 22 L tank and its weight of 183 kg somewhat distance it from the forest track; the roads of Corsica seem more suitable. Compared to the XT from which it derives, the Z gains an additional brake disc, a new dashboard that is more complete, specific plastic covers for the frame, engine and tank. But up close and from afar, it’s hard to imagine that it’s an XT that serves as a base, as the machine seems so different. Launching a machine of this kind given the current market, the bet is risky... But it doesn't matter. The XTZ 660 Ténéré above all embodies a spirit, a scent of warm sand, allows you to escape, whether it's in Paris, Tunis, Tombouctou or St-Pourçain-sur-Sioule.

M.BPhotos constructeur