Yamaha is proud to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the iconic Ténéré. Since its inception in 1983 with the XT600Z, the Ténéré has captivated the hearts and minds of adventure enthusiasts around the globe and this milestone calls for a grand commemoration.
Over the past four decades, the Yamaha Ténéré has forged its legacy as a symbol of the adventure spirit, exploration and resilience. From conquering the treacherous terrains of the Paris-Dakar Rally to inspiring riders to push the boundaries of what is possible, the Ténéré has become a true legend in the motorcycle world.
In the decades since Cyril Neveu claimed a historic double victory in the first and second Paris-Dakar rallies in 1979-80 on the XT500, Team Yamaha has accomplished some incredible rallying achievements. Ténéré icons such as Jean-Claude Olivier, Serge Bacou, and ‘Monsieur Dakar’ Stéphane Peterhansel, whose record of six Yamaha victories that began in 1991 remains unbeaten to this day, took their machines across some of the world’s most demanding terrain. Most recently, legendary adventurer and Yamaha ambassador Nick Sanders finished his latest trip around the globe on his Ténéré 700, while factory riders Pol Tarrés and Alessandro Botturi continue to make rally racing history on their the GYTR-kitted Ténéré 700 World Raid’s.
To celebrate this remarkable journey and these legendary riders together with the Ténéré community, Yamaha has embarked on a 40th Anniversary tour across Europe. A collection of historic Ténéré production models (1983-2010), as well as original Dakar classics will be showcased, allowing enthusiasts to witness first-hand the evolution of this iconic adventure machine.
In addition to a full line-up of the latest Ténéré models that event participants can test ride, the 40th Anniversary tour will also see the public launch of the new Ténéré 700 World Rally. Displayed in striking factory racing colours inspired by the YZE 850 that took Peterhansel to victory in 1993, the Ténéré 700 World Rally is a fusion of Yamaha’s desert racing heritage with modern, world-class performance. A name synonymous with desert racing success and boundary-pushing technology, the latest generation Ténéré 700 represents four decades of experience and success coming together in a machine unrivalled in ability and adventurous spirit.
The Ténéré 40th Anniversary tour made a triumphant stop at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival, the largest adventure riding festival in Europe. The event was a resounding success, with a vibrant atmosphere and an overwhelming sense of excitement among attendees. Yamaha celebrated this momentous occasion alongside the passionate Ténéré community. Festival-goers had the opportunity to experience the Ténéré’s prowess firsthand through thrilling off-road and on-road test rides on the latest Yamaha models. Expert demo rides showcased the Ténéré’s capabilities in challenging terrain and to top it all off, Yamaha’s ambassador, the legendary Nick Sanders, joined the festivities and shared his captivating adventure movie, leaving everyone inspired by his incredible journeys. The Adventure Bike Rider Festival proved to be an unforgettable celebration of Yamaha’s 40-year milestone with the Ténéré, solidifying its legacy as an icon in the world of adventure riding.
The Ténéré 40th Anniversary tour will visit the following upcoming events:
Ténéré Spirit Aguilar de Campoo | 31 June – 1 July | Spain
MaxlRIDE Motofestival | 25-27 August | Germany
Alpes Aventure Motofestival | 8-10 September | France
More events might be added to the schedule throughout the year. For more information please contact your national Yamaha distributor.
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