Yamaha Tenere: overlooked bike? Or just not available?
 

"Which one?" you may ask.

Well, with the renewed focus on viable bikes to RTW-ify, most of us are thinking about the 700.

However, I found reference to a new-to-me bike that seems good also.

The XTZ 250 Tenere.

It has very similar specs to the Honda CRF250 Rally, but a tank that is 60% larger at 16 litres and a comfort-leaning seat and 151kg, wet.

Sounds like a viable choice for those who see the logic in the CRF.

The only thing I'm not clear on is European availability.

Anyone had any experience in these? I'd be curious to hear about them.

It's a developing-market bike with an engine that won't meet EU emissions regulations.

In every market where it exists, I would rather have a Honda XR190L...

I think it’s only generally available in South America.

Yes I have tried one, ridden it for an hour or so, 50-60 kms while I was in Brasil during my RTW trip. Its a brasilian made bike and they use the engine from the Yamaha XT250. Which means its a SOCH, 2 valve, oil cooled, 5 speed, 20,7 HP engine. The net weight is 154 kilos which I belive is the same as dry weight. That means its probably closer to 170 kilos wet. Some of it would be fuel of course, so not a totally fair comparison. But it certainly felt heavier than my Honda Crf250 Rally

It is only sold in south America and I think in Mexico too (?)

My brasilian friends were a littlebit negative of its quality and reliability. Although others said it was a great workhorse.

Fuel consumption on the spec sheet from Yamaha says 28,5 kms pr liter, for the Honda the spec sheet says 33 kms pr liter.

For a direct comparison with a Honda Crf250 Rally the latter would come better out of it for almost all features. Its stronger and more powerful, the engine of the Rally is modern while the XTZ 250 is an old relic. And the XTZ also felt heavier and slow. And I think the main «problem» with a 250 cc bike is its power to weight ratio, which is much better on the Rally.

But of course - the price of the XTZ 250 Tenere versus the Rally250 I guess the small Tenere would be much cheaper.

If youre after a small-ish and cheap-ish bike to ride south and central America with - the small Tenere might be a good choice. It has long range, 21/18 wheels - so it shoud be good to go the longer distances in SA...

https://motobike2020.com/new-yamaha-...chnical-sheet/

There are however other alternatives...