2026 Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid Announced for US Market
T7 variant offers longer range, taller suspension, and new electronics
Like most major motorcycle manufacturers of its size, Yamaha has a fairly large portfolio of bikes, with multiple options in different motorcycle categories. The odd exception, at least for the U.S. market, is the adventure-touring segment, where the Ténéré 700 stood alone after the Super Ténéré 1200 was discontinued in 2025.
In Europe, however, Yamaha expanded the T7 range in recent years to include a more hardcore Rally variant, and a World Raid long-distance version. American consumers were left with just the basic Ténéré 700. The middleweight ADV is a fine enough option on its own, but we couldn’t help but envy the options available overseas.
Well, Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. has now addressed a bit of that FOMO, officially launching the 2026 Ténéré 700 World Raid during Daytona Bike Week. It will arrive in dealerships in May, for $12,999, joining the regular Ténéré 700 which is returning for 2026 unchanged, after receiving an update in 2025, which will go for $10,999.
So, what does the extra two grand and the World Raid moniker get you? Quite a bit, actually. The Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid comes with more fuel capacity, a one-piece seat, longer-travel suspension, a steering damper, and a suite of electronics, including cruise control.
The World Raid is powered by the same 689cc CP2 Parallel-Twin engine employed on the regular Ténéré 700. Last year, Yamaha updated the engine with its ride-by-wire throttle, offering a choice between a dynamic Sport mode or Explorer mode for off-road sections or wet surfaces.
The Ténéré 700 World Raid goes one step further, with a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), unlocking lean-sensitive traction control, slide control, and cornering anti-lock brakes. This presents a significant jump in technology compared to the relatively analog Ténéré 700, which only offers conventional ABS and traction control.
Yamaha also equipped the World Raid with a new dual fuel tank assembly, offering a total capacity of 6.1 gallons, a 31% increase over the regular Ténéré’s 4.2-gallon tank. The dual tanks have separate filler ports, but they are internally connected to help keep them level. Despite its larger total capacity, the World Raid’s fuel tank sits significantly lower compared to the regular T7. Combined with the low position of the fuel pump, the World Raid’s weight is more centrally distributed.
Both T7 models share the same steel frame, but the World Raid is equipped with more off-road capable suspension. Up front, it is equipped with a fully adjustable 46mm KYB fork, compared to the regular Ténéré’s 43mm fork, while maintaining the same weight. The World Raid’s fork has revised spring and damping settings, plus a Kashima coating, and offers 9.1 inches of front wheel travel, compared to the Ténéré 700’s 8.3 inches.
The rear KYB monoshock has also been upgraded, offering 8.7 inches of travel (vs. 7.9 inches). Yamaha also revised the linkage to give the World Raid a more progressive rear suspension.
Apart from the cornering ABS, the Brembo braking system is unchanged from the regular Ténéré 700. You still have dual axially-mounted calipers with 282mm discs and steel-braided brake lines up front, and a single-piston caliper and 245mm disc at the rear. The ABS is switchable, with the option of turning off ABS to the rear, or to both wheels.
The spoked aluminum wheelset is unchanged, still with a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel, and the World Raid shares the basic T7’s Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires.
The rally-style one-piece seat is designed for easy transitions between standing or sitting positions, or shifting from front to rear. The World Raid also offers large footpegs for better grip, with removable rubber inserts to improve rider comfort on longer rides. The new windscreen is supplemented with removable side deflectors to improve wind protection.
Other features include a 6.3-inch color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, a four-beam LED headlight, a 35-inch seat height, and a claimed curb weight of 485 pounds. The World Rally is compatible with many of the regular 2025 and 2026 Ténéré 700’s accessories, but it also gains a few model-specific pieces, such as a skid plate, radiator guard, side grip pads, a lowering kit, and fog light bracket.
The 2026 Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid will be available in Redline White or Midnight Black.
2026 Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | 689cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC inline twin-cylinder; 4-valves per cylinder |
Bore x Stroke | 80.0mm x 68.6mm |
Compression Ratio | 11.5:1 |
Fuel Delivery | Fuel injection with YCC-T |
Ignition | TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition |
Transmission | 6-speed; wet multiplate clutch |
Final Drive | Chain |
Front Suspension | 46mm inverted fork, fully-adjustable; 9.1-in travel |
Rear Suspension | Single shock, adjustable preload (w / remote adjuster) and rebound damping; 8.7-in travel |
Brakes/Front | Dual 282mm hydraulic disc; selectable ABS |
Brakes/Rear | 245mm hydraulic disc; selectable ABS |
Tires/Front | 90/90R21 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR |
Tires/Rear | 150/70R18 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR |
Length | 93.3 inches |
Width | 36.8 inches |
Height | 58.9 inches |
Seat Height | 35.0 inches |
Wheelbase | 62.8 inches |
Rake (Caster Angle) | 27°/4.1 inches |
Fuel Capacity | 4.2 gallons |
Wet Weight | 485 pounds (claimed) |
2026 Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid Gallery
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
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Yea! Tubes.
Just a point to acknowledge. The gas capacity is stated "...capacity of 6.1 gallons, a 31% increase over the regular Ténéré’s 4.2-gallon tank. ..." That is a misstatement. The increase is 1.9 gallons. That is a 45.2% increase, not 31%. (1.9/4.2). I'm betting Yamaha would prefer to have it correctly stated as that is more significant when correctly stated.
(Note: 31% would be correct if the capacity had been reduced FROM 6.1 DOWN to 4.2 that 1.9 reduction would be 31% 1.9/6.2)