Licks Cycles: Yamaha Ténéré 250: Rally Version!

STG Tracker builds a Yamaha Ténéré 250 Rally…

The Ténéré (Tuareg for “Desert”) is a desert area within the south central Sahara — an enormous plain of sand that covers some 150,000 sq. miles, mentioned to be the prehistoric mattress of Lake Chad. There’s little or no vegetation, water, or inhabitants. These difficult sands gained fairly an notorious fame within the early years of the Paris Dakar Rally, and Yamaha rally bikes and dual-sports started to hold the Ténéré identify in honor of their a number of victories within the race.

Since 1990, most Ténéré machines have been huge, twin-cylinder machines. In South America, nonetheless, riders have entry to the Yamaha XTZ250 Ténéré, which is one thing of a child journey bike. It gives a 21-hp air-cooled single-cylinder engine, 21″ / 18″ wheelset, and suspension journey of 9.4″ up entrance and seven.8″ within the rear. The 4.2-gallon tank interprets to a variety of 280 miles, and the bike weighs proper round 300 lbs dry.

“The XTZ 250 Ténéré is a succesful path bike with low weight and a comparatively stiff suspension… It’s an awesome all-around bike that may simply escape the town for an adventurous weekend within the wilderness.” –ADV Pulse

Whereas this “Child Ténéré” is a good all-around performer, it has at all times lacked the aggressive character and rally-bred model of its bigger siblings, such because the Ténéré 700 and XT1200Z Tremendous Ténéré. Not too long ago, a buyer introduced Marcelo Obarrio of Argentina’s STG Tracker a inexperienced, low-mileage 2018 Ténéré 250 with simply this concern in thoughts:

“Speaking with the shopper he wished it to look extra ‘aggressive.’ So we looked for the Tenere 700 Rally version, and there it was.”

Marcelo and group got down to remodel the slightly pedestrian runabout right into a mannequin extra worthy of the storied identify Ténéré, which has been hooked up to a few of the most profitable rally bikes on the planet.

The wheels have been swapped out for a brand new aluminum set, with a smaller 19″ entrance wheel for faster dealing with and beefy dual-purpose tires. The bike is now operating a sump guard, new high-mount entrance fender, LED lighting, and stainless exhaust. The rider will get a pleasant set of fats bars within the cockpit, and the traditional yellow / black Yamaha pace block livery — performed in paint, not vinyl.

Marcelo says the bike rides a lot better with the fats bars and 19-inch entrance wheel, and he’s particularly happy with the pace block design his painter, Alejandro Minissale, (@taller_minissale), managed to put down on the highly-curved tank cowl, recalling a 70s enduro.

All in all, this bike makes us want Yamaha would carry out a Ténéré 250 Rally version…and promote it right here! Beneath, we speak to Marcelo for the complete particulars on the construct. Picture credit score goes to Dario Rodriguez (@darirdz).

Ténéré 250: Builder Interview

• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the donor bike?

The bike is a Yamaha Ténéré 250 inexperienced 2018, with only a few kms.

• Why was this bike constructed?

This bike was a buyer request; he didn’t like in any respect how the unique bike appeared.

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

Speaking with the shopper he wished it to look extra “aggressive.” So we looked for the Tenere 700 Rally version, and there it was.

• What customized work was performed to the bike?

Knobby chunky tires, fats bar handlebar, all blacked out, higher entrance mudguard, and the Yamaha traditional black/white design.

Additionally we modified each rims with aluminium ones, 19” within the entrance. Added a sump guard, LED facet markers, and a brand new silencer with stainless-steel tube.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to experience?

The bike now has a greater place to experience due to the brand new handlebar and 19” entrance wheel.

• Was there something performed throughout this construct that you’re notably happy with?

The onerous half was to use the paint design. The bike has very curved traces on the tank cowl for the flat Yamaha design. We based mostly the ultimate design on a 70’s path bike.