SCOOP Yamaha’s plans for an 850cc, 115bhp adventure bike - March 3, 2017

barkingllizard

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http://www.advridermag.com.au/scoop-yamahas-plans-for-an-850cc-115bhp-adventure-bike

SCOOP Yamaha’s plans for an 850cc, 115bhp adventure bike

Updated: March 3, 2017

From morebikes.co.uk

Yamaha is working on an all-new, big ,900cc, triple-cylinder off-roader to take on the likes of Triumph’s Tiger range, BMW’s GS and Honda’s Africa Twin.

That’s the news from factory insiders who say recent rumours about the 998cc triple cylinder engine (the motor used in the firm’s YXZ1000R side-by-side off-roader buggy thing) being used to power a big off-roader to replace the ageing Tenere in the model range are not true.

That motor in the sand buggy is a 110bhp, 998cc triple powering a belt-drive and revs to 10,500 and whilst it might make some sense to use that motor in a large capacity bike designed for the rough stuff, we’ve been told that Yamaha bosses ARE seriously looking at using the already popular 115bhp, 87.5Nm, 850cc triple that powers the MT-09 in a pukka off-roader that’s road legal.

The MT-09’s motor is going to be used in the new bike.

If this is true then that’s a similar outlook on the class as Honda has with its new-for-next-year Africa Twin. That bike is a 98bhp motorcycle that favours a slim layout and big-clearance suspension over unusable power and lots of weight high up – something which has been commonplace in the big adventure bikes with off-road leanings over the past couple of years.

We’ve got this information this morning and there’s no more about how far along the production timeline this motorcycle is. We’ve been told that this is something that Yamaha bosses are looking at and, as you’d expect, there’s no word from Yamaha officially about this at all. But in terms of Yamaha’s brilliant output and engine designs over the past few years then this really makes sense. Especially as the current Tenere is feeling its age against the current competition and will soon be left further behind by the next wave of emerging motorcycles like the updated Tiger 800 and the new Africa Twin.
 

Ron Earp

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If that machine would come out with a shaft drive I'd be really interested. Chain? No thank you.
 

WJBertrand

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This strikes me as an old message just before the FJ-09 was released. The FJ has quasi-ADV styling and the Africa Twin would have not yet been released.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Checkswrecks

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Not really new news as Yamaha's been working with some small customizers since 2014, getting them to build concepts for adventure bikes built on the 700 & 900 engines. Kinda like "where there's smoke there must be fire" my guess is that something new will pop out before too long. I thought this one from 2015 was interesting, built on the MT-09. Throw a small fairing on and think about how it'd compare with Honda's new Africa Twin.
 

shmitty

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WJBertrand said:
This strikes me as an old message just before the FJ-09 was released. The FJ has quasi-ADV styling and the Africa Twin would have not yet been released.


I'd agree with the theory that this is an older story, especially in light of the T7 concept that was shown at EICMA last October. The smaller, lighter twin from the FZ/MT-09 would seem to make more sense in a more off-road focused bike. But what do I know?
 

AVGeek

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Well, I can refute one statement in this report. The YXZ1000R is NOT belt driven, but has a 5 speed gearbox/transfer case. I've been looking at these as the eventual replacement for my YFZ450 quad...

And while a 900cc ADV bike from Yamaha would be nice, I think the T7 concept is more where I'm looking for my next bike.
 

snakebitten

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I'm excited about any\all new entries into the "ADV" genre.

Noting that the last few years has really really stretched the definition, I want to clarify that my excitement is far leaning to those bikes you actually wear out knobbies on because they are dirt-worthy enough to be shod with them, but rode-worthy enough to ride many many miles of tarmac to get where you going.

Obviously the 2-up Big Pig portion of the genre is not lacking. And I've clearly cast my vote with ZERO regrets.
But I'm psyched about the potential of new bikes that are rumored to be slightly downscaled with the same mission statement.

And honestly, a chain will not be a deal breaker for me for as long as I still have my beloved Super Tenere.
When the trip actually demands a shaft, I have the weapon.

Man I love this new golden era of old-man bikes!
 

Dirt_Dad

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snakebitten said:
I'm excited about any\all new entries into the "ADV" genre.
::026:: give us more, more, more, more, more. I love increasing options. It's not usually the way things go for me.

snakebitten said:
Obviously the 2-up Big Pig portion of the genre is not lacking. And I've clearly cast my vote with ZERO regrets.
Tomorrow morning I'll be registering my 4th vote in this category since September, 2010. Actually I stated voting in this category back in 2007, but in the last 5.5 years I've considered the ever increasing field of candidates, and the Tenere has been an easy choice every time.
 

Checkswrecks

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Well put, as always!
snakebitten said:
I'm excited about any\all new entries into the "ADV" genre.

Noting that the last few years has really really stretched the definition, I want to clarify that my excitement is far leaning to those bikes you actually wear out knobbies on because they are dirt-worthy enough to be shod with them, but rode-worthy enough to ride many many miles of tarmac to get where you going.

Obviously the 2-up Big Pig portion of the genre is not lacking. And I've clearly cast my vote with ZERO regrets.
But I'm psyched about the potential of new bikes that are rumored to be slightly downscaled with the same mission statement.

And honestly, a chain will not be a deal breaker for me for as long as I still have my beloved Super Tenere.
When the trip actually demands a shaft, I have the weapon.

Man I love this new golden era of old-man bikes!
 

racer

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After a bout with cancer and chemo, I was left so weak I could barely roll the S10 out of the garage much less put it up on the center stand. So I started looking around at a lighter bike. I don't ride off road that much anymore, so the FJ-09 seemed like the perfect bike for a weak and aging 70 year old. I found a well farkled FJ-09 just 10 months off the show room floor and brought it home. Wonderful bike, great motor and tranny, liked the looks, but something just wasn't right.

I took me about 500 miles to finally figure it out. I just didn't feel safe on the bike and it was because it has only a 56 inch wheel base. No wonder it wheelies so easily, though I'm not a wheelie guy. Sold the bike, started lifting weights to get back in shape and the S10 is still my favorite ride.

However, I'm taking a French Alps tour in May and have opted for the Africa Twin, thinking if I like I'll buy. 62 inch wheel base and about a hundred pounds lighter. The chain thing doesn't scare me, I've lived with chains my whole life. However, this thread gives me pause. I've always thought the 900 triple would make a good ADV bike for me despite the torque thing and I think the T7 will surely be a short wheel base bike. So this news of a triple in an ADV format is good. I may have to hold off for a little while longer. I don't know how much longer I can hold off though with this cancer thing. Time will tell. Looking forward to Daytona next week. See you guys down there. I'll be the one in blue jeans, t-shirt, sunglasses and a big smile on my face. Racer
 

Sierra1

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BEFORE I started riding the Tenere, I agreed with those who desired a lightweight version of it. Not that I consider 600lbs all that heavy, considering my riding history. But now that I have been piling up miles on the Tenere, "I" would not want a lighter version. My son, on an R6, and I were riding the other day in a heavy cross wind. The Tenere tracked down the road fine. The R6 was all over the place. The R6 is compact, and aerodynamic. The Tenere is not, by design. The bike's whole is better than the sum of it's parts. It makes sense, to me, to have different versions/models of the bike. But "I" don't think they should drastically change "this" Tenere.
 

Tenerester

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barkingllizard said:
http://www.advridermag.com.au/scoop-yamahas-plans-for-an-850cc-115bhp-adventure-bike

SCOOP Yamaha’s plans for an 850cc, 115bhp adventure bike

Updated: March 3, 2017

From morebikes.co.uk

Yamaha is working on an all-new, big ,900cc, triple-cylinder off-roader to take on the likes of Triumph’s Tiger range, BMW’s GS and Honda’s Africa Twin.

That’s the news from factory insiders who say recent rumours about the 998cc triple cylinder engine (the motor used in the firm’s YXZ1000R side-by-side off-roader buggy thing) being used to power a big off-roader to replace the ageing Tenere in the model range are not true.

That motor in the sand buggy is a 110bhp, 998cc triple powering a belt-drive and revs to 10,500 and whilst it might make some sense to use that motor in a large capacity bike designed for the rough stuff, we’ve been told that Yamaha bosses ARE seriously looking at using the already popular 115bhp, 87.5Nm, 850cc triple that powers the MT-09 in a pukka off-roader that’s road legal.

The MT-09’s motor is going to be used in the new bike.

If this is true then that’s a similar outlook on the class as Honda has with its new-for-next-year Africa Twin. That bike is a 98bhp motorcycle that favours a slim layout and big-clearance suspension over unusable power and lots of weight high up – something which has been commonplace in the big adventure bikes with off-road leanings over the past couple of years.

We’ve got this information this morning and there’s no more about how far along the production timeline this motorcycle is. We’ve been told that this is something that Yamaha bosses are looking at and, as you’d expect, there’s no word from Yamaha officially about this at all. But in terms of Yamaha’s brilliant output and engine designs over the past few years then this really makes sense. Especially as the current Tenere is feeling its age against the current competition and will soon be left further behind by the next wave of emerging motorcycles like the updated Tiger 800 and the new Africa Twin.
I recall reading this (or a similar) article a few years ago and it appeared just before the Yamaha FJ09 (the adventure sport version of the MT09) came out. It is also referring to a 'new Africa Twin' which suggests the current Africa Twin was yet to be released when the article was written.

According to a Yamaha source the current Super Tenere will continue to be produced as it is for the forceeable future. Yamaha has no plans to upgrade it or replace it with another bike soon. Instead a new Mid-size adventure motorcycle will be produced replacing the Tenere XT660 single (was not sold in NA and now demised due to new Euro 4 emission control rules). The new mid size will 'most likely' be based on the 700cc parallel twin motor currently available on the MT07 and will directly compete with the F800GS, Tiger 800 XC and Africa Twin. This is what I heard. We will have to wait and see what really happens in 2018!
 

snakebitten

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Racer, great post and bravo for your outlook, in so many ways. (I took the liberty to read between the lines)

I'll be very interested to hear your feedback after your jaunt through The ALPS on that African Twin.
I hope it's a legendary adventure!
 

Checkswrecks

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racer said:
After a bout with cancer and chemo, I was left so weak I could barely roll the S10 out of the garage much less put it up on the center stand. So I started looking around at a lighter bike. I don't ride off road that much anymore, so the FJ-09 seemed like the perfect bike for a weak and aging 70 year old. I found a well farkled FJ-09 just 10 months off the show room floor and brought it home. Wonderful bike, great motor and tranny, liked the looks, but something just wasn't right.

I took me about 500 miles to finally figure it out. I just didn't feel safe on the bike and it was because it has only a 56 inch wheel base. No wonder it wheelies so easily, though I'm not a wheelie guy. Sold the bike, started lifting weights to get back in shape and the S10 is still my favorite ride.

However, I'm taking a French Alps tour in May and have opted for the Africa Twin, thinking if I like I'll buy. 62 inch wheel base and about a hundred pounds lighter. The chain thing doesn't scare me, I've lived with chains my whole life. However, this thread gives me pause. I've always thought the 900 triple would make a good ADV bike for me despite the torque thing and I think the T7 will surely be a short wheel base bike. So this news of a triple in an ADV format is good. I may have to hold off for a little while longer. I don't know how much longer I can hold off though with this cancer thing. Time will tell. Looking forward to Daytona next week. See you guys down there. I'll be the one in blue jeans, t-shirt, sunglasses and a big smile on my face. Racer

Getting back into shape and going off to the French Alps - You ROCK!


You're going to love the French side of the Alps. It's got the grandeur of the Swiss side but is more laid back and the traffic enforcement isn't so draconian. Like Snake wrote, looking forward to hearing what you think.
 

racer

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Should be a great tour, Snake. It's an Edelweiss Extreme tour. Been on a few of these before. They are a little more challenging than the usual Euro tours with some gravel and tiny paths through the mountains. We rode the Pyrennes Extreme a few years ago and rode up to an old monastery built in the 1400's on the side of a cliff. We had to ride on the side of a cliff to get there! You really get to see some places most people don't go.

As far as the cancer, it was in my pancreas which is usually fatal. They caught it early however, and got it out of there and so far blood work and CAT scan shows no recurrence. Still lovin the S10, but it's fun to look around to see what else is out there, and a bike tour is a great way to test a new bike. I'll let you know how is goes. Racer
 

Checkswrecks

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racer said:
Should be a great tour, Snake. It's an Edelweiss Extreme tour. Been on a few of these before. They are a little more challenging than the usual Euro tours with some gravel and tiny paths through the mountains. We rode the Pyrennes Extreme a few years ago and rode up to an old monastery built in the 1400's on the side of a cliff. We had to ride on the side of a cliff to get there! You really get to see some places most people don't go.

As far as the cancer, it was in my pancreas which is usually fatal. They caught it early however, and got it out of there and so far blood work and CAT scan shows no recurrence. Still lovin the S10, but it's fun to look around to see what else is out there, and a bike tour is a great way to test a new bike. I'll let you know how is goes. Racer

We did Edelweiss along the Norwegian coast and it was stunning. For the Alps and Pyrenee, I rent out of HotBikes in Toulouse and just see where my nose will lead.
 

racer

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Thanks for the comments, CW. I'm also riding the Austrian Alps again with the daughter and her husband. I was supposed to do this two years ago, then this cancer thing got in the way. Anyway, when daughter called and said they were going back again this year and wanted me to go along, what could I say? Anything for family! We'll be renting out ofKarl Maier BMW in Munich. I've wanted to to the Norway tour also. So many places to see. I wish I'd spend less time racing and more time touring the world. Racer
 

Cycledude

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If the Tenere came with chain or belt drive I would not have bought one. Other than no cruise control and no self cancelling turn signals I'm pretty well satisfied.
 
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