Motorcycle specifications Yamaha700 Ténéré Rally 2026 Let's go further

The 700 Ténéré has gone through a number of incarnations. Extreme, Explore, World Raid... and also a Rally version, with a set of extra parts and a specific color scheme. In 2025, this name is back, but with more assertive pretensions. Watch out, you'll want action at the end of your spikes!

The "T7R" has been loving the Speedblock color since 2020. It's a color steeped in history. It's been used in GP racing for a very long time, and since the late '70s on XT 500s that competed (and won) in the Paris-Dakar Rally. Back then, you could enter the world's biggest rally with a 30-strong trail and aim for top places.

The Dakar era

To mark its origins, the Ténéré Rally is decorated in the same way as its 1983 predecessor, the 600 Ténéré. A peninsula of oasis blue, a few patches of yellow, Speedblock squares on the sides, golden rims - all that's missing is a blue-painted frame and fork gaiters to complete the mimicry.

From the standard T7, the Rally adds a raised front mudguard, a beefier 4 mm thick hoof, a special seat with 15 mm extra padding, wider titanium notched footrests (- 228 gr), and upgraded suspension.

Clearly, this Yam' wants to tackle tougher roads. Its fork features reinforced tubes with a special coating to reduce friction. With 20 mm more travel, the KYB suspension slides 23 cm at the front and 22 cm at the rear. As a result, ground clearance rises to 255 mm. It's starting to look pretty good for venturing into complicated terrain. But don't expect to climb on it easily. Its long legs raise the seat height to 910 mm. It's not as bad as a YZ, but you'll have to hunch over, and not just a little.

The T7 Rally also features an additional "Raid" display mode, a road-book-style display that provides more appropriate information for off-road riding. This little bonus rounds out the richer equipment on both versions of the 700 Ténéré. Its "phase 3" is a little more electronic, without going overboard.

The rider stays in control

A ride-by-wire throttle, two riding modes, disengageable traction control, a larger (6.3") color TFT display, new ergonomics - these are just some of the new features on the T7. This is in addition to the multi-mode ABS (front and rear / front only / off) installed in 2023.

The Ténéré phase 3 is also recognizable by its rectangular eyes, more curved shoulders, some fine design tweaks, repositioned fuel tank and modified clutch housing. Don't look for any changes on the engine side, though. Yamaha has kept the same 73.4 hp and 7 mkg, but a new air intake will give it a little more oomph at low revs.

The upgrades to the Rally version have a few consequences: 2 extra kilos with 210 units ready to ride, and an extra 1,200 euros on the bill. It's the only way to get past these elements, which the normal T7 can't avoid. The Rally just begs to be explored further.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos