After five years of production the Yamaha Tenere is getting a facelift for 2025 as these spy shots of a disguised prototype show. There’s no question the Tenere 700 has been a huge success for the company since its launch – spawning an array of spin-off variants since – but the base model’s styling has been unchanged since its 2019 release and is in need of a tweak.
The Tenere’s popularity and versatility are demonstrated by a range that’s grown every year since its launch. What started as a single model has now evolved into the Tenere 700 World Rally, the Tenere 700 World Raid, the Tenere 700 Rally Edition, the Tenere 700 Extreme and the Tenere 700 Explore, all offered in some markets alongside the original version. By tweaking the Tenere for 2025, Yamaha will be able to follow up with revisions to those additional models, giving a substantial upgrade to its line-up with minimal expense.
The prototype spotted on test is covered in a thick rubber sheet that disguises the detail of the new fairing, but elements of the redesign can still be seen. Most notably there’s a new headlight, with repositioned lamps behind a clear plastic lens that provides an updated look while retaining a family resemblance to the original version. Above it, the screen is redesigned and the fairing appears to be broader on either side of the light to provide more wind protection.
The new fairing also extends down farther on each side, nearly meeting a restyled engine guard that also gives more coverage than the original. However other elements – like the seat unit and even the fuel tank – appear to carry over the same shapes as the previous model. The front mudguard is also a carry-over part but there are redesigned handguards on display.
The technical changes are minimal, at least as far as the spy camera’s lens can reveal. The frame, fork, brakes and swingarm all look the same as before, as does the CP2 parallel-twin engine. One alteration that can be seen is a redesigned linkage for the rear shock’s rising-rate geometry. It appears to be a handmade prototype component on this test bike, hinting that Yamaha is experimenting with a variety of different linkages.
Given the cosmetic nature of the upgrades and the state of this prototype, we’d expect the revised Tenere 700 to be ready for the 2025 model year, and to be officially launched towards the end of this year – probably around the time of the EICMA show in November.
WORDS: BEN PURVIS
