Such was its ‘go-anywhere, do-anything’ reputation, that it became the machine of choice for numerous round-the-world travellers, and to this day the original Tenere and its successors have probably clocked up more ‘orbits’ of the earth than any other single-cylinder motorcycle. And at the same time as being the number one choice with adventure-seekers, the original Tenere also became a favourite with riders looking for a tough, reliable and stylish all-rounder that could perform well in almost any environment.

For 2008 Yamaha introduce the all-new XT660Z Tenere powered by a 660cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke single cylinder SOHC engine which has been tuned to deliver strong low to mid-range power. This gutsy powerplant makes the Tenere 660 a strong performer in a wide range of riding situations, from urban commuting through to highway touring and off road exploring. Equipped with a highly efficient 4-valve cylinder head with a 10:1 compression ratio and featuring bore x stroke dimensions of 100mm x 84mm, the new fuel-injected Tenere engine delivers excellent throttle response for lively off-the-line and roll-on acceleration.

The smooth-shifting 5-speed transmission is equipped with carefully chosen gear ratios that are designed to optimise the bike’s strong low to mid-range torque output, and the 2.9 litre transmission oil capacity ensures efficient engine operation even under severe conditions.

The XT660Z Tenere is equipped with an all-new chassis whose rugged, go-anywhere character perfectly complements the big-single engine. The extremely strong yet new light semi-double cradle frame is compact and slim, and has been designed to offer an optimum balance of strength and rigidity for good handling qualities on and off road.

In order to deliver high levels of rider and passenger comfort, and to be able to take handle a variety of off road terrain, the new Tenere is equipped with long-travel forks which give 210mm of front wheel movement.

Complementing this rugged front suspension is a lightweight aluminium swinging arm, which reduces unsprung weight for enhanced rear suspension performance, and offers 200mm of rear wheel movement that’s designed to soak up the bumps.

This generous amount of suspension travel at the front and rear not only makes the Tenere one of the most comfortable machines to ride in any situation – it also ensures good handling performance over poorly maintained paved roads and across pure off-road terrain.

Underlining the machine’s serious long-distance potential is a 22-litre fuel tank which blends seamlessly with the sculpted front cowl. Despite its generous capacity, the width and height of the fuel tank is kept to a minimum by extending the fuel tank beneath the rider’s seat, which has the added advantage of helping to centralise mass for neutral handling characteristics.

With its upright riding position and long dual seat, the Tenere is an extremely comfortable machine, whether it’s from home to work or across a continent. To help reduce rider fatigue on long journeys this rugged new all-rounder is equipped with a stylish front cowl and tall screen which deflect wind away from the upper body. For a distinctive new look, a new dual-bulb headlamp assembly with a vertically stacked low and high beam is used. As well as projecting a powerful beam, this new ‘over and under’ assembly keep the cowl’s frontal width to a minimum for improved aerodynamics.