Is a bigger, more powerful Yamaha Tenere 900 on the way?

A bigger, more powerful version of the Yamaha Tenere adventure motorcycle is in an advanced stage of development, according to sources in Europe.

The venerable Tenere nameplate has been a popular mainstay among Yamaha’s off-road range since the early 1990s with the current generation Yamaha Tenere 700 considered a class leader for its go-anywhere ability and versatility.

However, while the Tenere has previously covered both the lower (600-700cc) and upper (1200cc) end of the engine size bracket, many have petitioned for a mid-range variant using Yamaha’s triple-cylinder ‘900cc’ unit.

Now it finally appears this wish will be granted in the form of a Yamaha Tenere 900, which French publication Moto-Station reports is currently in development and could be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Making use of the flexible 890cc CP3 engine offered in the Tracer 9 sports tourer, MT-09 roadster and retro XSR900, the Tenere 900 would fill the void left by the discontinued Yamaha XT1200Z  Super Tenere and go head-to-head with the Triumph Tiger 900, as well as the incoming Ducati DesertX and MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 9.5.

With the XT1200Z Super Tenere failing to find favour with buyers with his cumbersome weight, the Tenere 900 would be pitched as a lighter, more usable off-roader than its axed larger brother. However, while it will come with more power than the Tenere 700, it’s set to err on the side refinement as a more mature on-road performer than either the standard 700 or the recently-launched ‘harder core’ Tenere 700 World Raid.

According to Moto-Station - which accompanied its article with a rendered artists’ impression HERE - the Tenere 900 will come with 19-inch spoked rims, Yamaha’s flexible riding modes and a steel tube frame. 

Using the price guide of the £9,900 Tenere 700 - which commands a £2,000 price premium over the Tracer 7 - the Yamaha Tenere 900 can be expected to wear a price tag of approximately £14,500.