A strange idea?
Of course Yamaha's European product planning picked up on this new market trend. They caused a surprise in the Yamaha Japan headquarters in 1981, when they suggested to produce a replica of the Rally machines with a 30 litres fuel tank and a big single, or even a twin, engine. This was a concept hard to understand in Japan, where the adventure dream had not picked up yet, and  nobody could imagine normal motorcyclists wanting to ride around with these big fuel tanks.
But the engineers finally took up the challenge and created the first Ténéré for the model year 1983!

Image and function
Paris-Dakar rally was at the top of its popularity. The Ténéré, named after the famous African desert that was one of the most difficult stages of the Rally, proved to be a new kind of all-round touring motorcycle, able to go anywhere, simple to maintain and sold at an affordable price, while giving the valorising image of a big bike as well.
Soon the bike became one of Yamaha’s bestsellers! In total, 61 000 units of the Ténéré 600/660 were sold in Europe in the first 10 years after it had appeared.
(Including 20 500 in France, being the biggest single market.)

Model development

1983: First generation: A new category
XT600Z Ténéré with type code 34L is launched at Paris motorcycle show in October 1982. Its first colour scheme became legendary: white with a red chain blocks as the Yamaha brand colours and blue with black chain blocks which was inspired by the colour of the Yamaha Motor France (Sonauto/Gauloises) racing team.
The first Ténére brought a lot of innovations to the Enduro segment, like a front disc brake when drum brakes were common, and a progressive mono cross suspension with aluminium swingarm that featured a long wheel travel of 235 mm. The front fork was a similar high-spec: 41mm, air assisted, with a stroke of 255 mm. The engine (a bore-up version of the XT 550) had 595 cc, lots of low-end power, and delivered 43 hp with a remarkable top speed of 160 km/h. There was no electric start and only a small head cowl but a huge fuel tank containing 30 litres!

1986: Second generation: Electric starter
At the Paris show at the end of 1985, the second generation XT600Z Ténére with type code 1VJ was launched to an enthusiastic crowd. The new bike was even closer to the factory rally bike although the fuel tank contained now "only" 23 litres. This was partly due to the air filter being moved from under the seat, to under the fuel tank. The electric starter system was a contribution to the bike’s daily use.
The performance was increased to 46 hp as a result of bigger valves, modified carburettors and the new air filter box. Top speed increased to 163 km/h.

1988: Third generation: Full protection
A complete redesign made the third generation of XT600Z, with type code 3AJ, look remarkably different and again closer to the Rally versions. The large frame-mounted fairing with dual headlights was novel in this category and fitted neatly with the 23 litres fuel tank. The engine saw some significant changes like a modified cylinder head, and the cylinder body had larger cooling fins. For increased cooling the engine lubrication system was changed and the front mudguard lowered. A disc brake improved the rear brake power.

1991: Fourth generation: New 5-valve 660cc engine  
Eight years after the first Ténéré, Yamaha continued the dream with the XTZ 660 Ténéré, following Yamaha's tradition to incorporate the latest engine and frame technology.
Yamaha used a sophisticated five-valve, liquid-cooled engine which first seemed to contradict the simplicity of the concept, but guaranteed reliability, minimum maintenance, improved environment friendliness and a good 48 hp.
The new Ténéré was slimmer and less rugged than before, following the trend to increased road usage versus offroad usage at the time. For example the suspension strokes were shorter and the fuel tank was more compact, with 20 litres capacity.

1994: fifth generation: Streamlined
The last generation of the 5-valve XTZ 660 Ténéré appeared in 1994. This last evolution had a completely new streamlined bodywork with a dual front headlamp inspired by the famous Super Ténéré 750cc twin. There were no significant mechanical changes to engine or chassis.

Rally History