Who doesn’t love a surprise? And for a flock of 75 or so of the most dedicated Ténéré enthusiasts you will find anywhere on earth, there was no bigger surprise than the sight and sound of Aussie factory Yamaha Dakar Rally racer Rod Faggotter wheelstanding the one and only Ténéré 700 World Raid prototype across the official group photo that signalled the start of the 2018 Ténéré Tragics Bay to Bush Run.

Jaws dropped and fists pumped as the booming twin-cylinder adventure machine roared into the heart of the world’s biggest annual gathering of Ténéré disciples.

For the next four hours the Tragics got to see, touch and feel the silver, black and blue prototype as it played the role of guest of honour at the event’s official welcome dinner in Hervey Bay, Qld.

The next day, Rocket Rod rode with the pack on the event’s 400km opening-day route through Queensland’s lush green Sunshine Coast hinterland to Australia’s peanut capital, Kingaroy.

Faggotter and the prototype were shadowed throughout by a European film crew, compiling footage for the debut episode of Yamaha’s online World Raid promotional tour, in which Yamaha Dakar racers and legends will ride the prototype in far-flung corners of the world.

Alas, Rod was the only person allowed to ride the prototype during its time on Australian soil, despite the best efforts and bribes of countless Tragics. Still, the appearance of the World Raid machine gave the Tragic faithful enough to gain confidence that the next chapter in the Ténéré legend will be well worth the wait.

Frustratingly, the wait for the production machine feels like it’s been endless. After all, the original T7 concept broke cover in late 2016 at the EICMA Show in Italy, and then the Ténéré 700 prototype was displayed at EICMA 2017 late last year.

Since then, the World Raid promotional tour has fired into life this year, though Yamaha is still to announce an official timeline for the on-sale release of the 700.

“C’mon Yamaha, just build it already … and take my money!” barked eight-year veteran of the Tragics Run, Troy Mattson – who has owned both the latest XT660Z Ténéré and XT1200Z Super Ténéré models.

On day two of the Bay to Bush Run, Faggotter and the prototype veered back toward the Queensland coast and more World Raid filming duties on Rainbow Beach, while the pack of Tragics continued their long trek south down the Great Dividing Range to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW and the finish of the five-day run.

For the eighth consecutive year, the Tragics Run was another fabulous celebration of the Ténéré legend, and brought together bikes and riders, both young and old, from all around Australia.

Fingers crossed the Ténéré 700 production model will be ready to join the 2019 event! 

700cc of Ténéré goodness

How close is the Ténéré 700 World Raid prototype Rod Faggotter rode at Hervey Bay to what will ultimately be the production version?

Yamaha isn’t saying, but an educated guess suggests it will be similar – just don’t expect the carbon-fibre body panels and Akrapovič exhaust to make it to the showroom floor. Not as standard fitment anyway; maybe as optional extras, or perhaps fitted to a limited-edition, or a higher-spec off-road variant, should Yamaha elect to produce multiple versions.

The prototype’s frame, 698cc twin-cylinder CP2 engine from Yamaha’s MT07 and Tracer 700 models, long travel suspension, and much of the bike’s running gear did look very production ready, and if that’s the case, the Tragics have plenty to be excited about.

After spending five days in the saddle, Rocket Rod (who is also a Yamaha dealer in his hometown of Longreach, Queensland) was enthusiastic of the promise the new mid-size adventure mount is set to offer.

“Right away, straight out of the box, the Ténéré 700 World Raid prototype felt a big step forward from the latest Ténéré 660 model,” he said. “It feels lighter, it handles better, it has better brakes, better suspension and a lower centre of gravity.

“I really liked everything about it, and was impressed with just how capable it was as soon as I climbed aboard it, especially in off-road conditions. The twin cylinder engine is so smooth and torquey, and just so easy to ride, on the dirt and on the tar. It felt extremely versatile.

“If the production bike is like this one, it will be very good.”

Where in the world?

Yamaha’s 2018 World Raid Tour has already included stints in Australia and North Africa, and there are more to come – in South America and Europe. The promotional tour will see current Yamalube Yamaha Dakar team racers Rod Faggotter and Adrien van Beveren, as well as former Yamaha racers David Fretigne and Stephane ‘Mr Dakar’ Peterhansel, riding the new bike. Noted big mile muncher and accomplished global roamer Nick Sanders will also join the final leg in the European Alps. Coverage of the Australian sector of the tour has already gone live – check it out at www.world-raid.com

By Andrew Clubb