Yamaha has unveiled the new Ténéré 4 Concept, giving us our first look at a smaller, lighter adventure bike designed to sit below the hugely popular Ténéré 700.
Featuring an all-new single-cylinder engine, 21-inch front wheel, and proper off-road equipment, the prototype is being developed with A2 licence holders and experienced trail riders in mind.
Revealed in Milan ahead of the EICMA motorcycle show, the Ténéré 4 is Yamaha’s response to what it says is a demand for a more manageable adventure bike that has some serious off-road chops.
And while Yamaha has yet to confirm production plans, this isn’t simply a styling exercise. The manufacturer says the concept is part of an ongoing development project aimed at expanding the Ténéré range.
Before we get stuck in, if you fancy test riding all the latest adventure, touring, and trail bikes then come and join us at the ABR Festival 2027 (25–27 June, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire). The world’s motorcycle manufacturers will be their with their test fleets with one aim in mind: to get you riding.
And that’s just the start. Think Glastonbury with motorbikes, incredible riding, live music, posh loos, hot showers, and a community of people who love bikes as much as you do. It’s one hell of a weekend. Find out more and book your tickets here.
OK, back to the Yamaha Ténéré 4 Concept.
An all-new single-cylinder engine
One of the biggest developments is Yamaha’s decision to build an entirely new single-cylinder engine for the Ténéré 4 rather than use an existing motor from its range.
Yamaha hasn’t revealed the engine’s capacity, power, or torque figures, although it has confirmed the motorcycle is being developed for A2 licence holders. That means any production version must comply with the category’s 47bhp maximum power limit.
The manufacturer says the engine has been designed to provide strong low-to-mid-range torque alongside usable performance at higher revs.
For trail riding, that should translate into an engine that’s easier to control at low speeds, particularly when climbing loose rocky slopes or picking your way through rocky sections.
And for those of us who enjoy riding smaller adventure bikes, the single-cylinder layout offers the potential to keep weight down compared with the larger twin-cylinder Ténéré 700.
Of course, Yamaha hasn’t released a weight figure yet, so we’ll have to see how light the production motorcycle turns out to be.
Is Yamaha building a proper off-road adventure bike?
Looking at the equipment fitted to the prototype, Yamaha clearly intends the Ténéré 4 to spend time away from the road.
It features a 21″ front wheel and 18″ rear, both spoked and fitted with Michelin Anakee Wild tyres.
That combination should appeal to riders who regularly venture off road. The larger front wheel helps when negotiating rocks, ruts, and uneven terrain, while the 18″ rear allows a greater choice of dedicated off-road tyres.
And the Anakee Wilds are particularly telling. They’re a 50/50 adventure tyre designed for people who genuinely want to ride off road, rather than the more road-biased rubber often fitted to smaller adventure bikes.
There’s also KYB suspension front and rear, a newly developed lightweight frame, and a compact titanium Akrapovič exhaust mounted high on the bike.
Yamaha hasn’t confirmed suspension travel or ground clearance, two figures that will be important in determining how the Ténéré 4 performs when the trails become more demanding.
Styling inspired by the Ténéré 700
The family resemblance to the Ténéré 700 is obvious, with a tall windscreen, high front mudguard, narrow bodywork, and a relatively flat seat.
The tank has a slim, low-profile design, which should make it easier to grip the motorcycle with your knees and move your weight around when riding standing up.
That matters on difficult trails, where you need to shift your body position quickly to maintain balance and traction.
The standing position also looks relatively spacious, although we’ll need to get aboard the prototype before making any judgement about the ergonomics.
When will the Yamaha Ténéré 4 go on sale?
For now, Yamaha hasn’t confirmed whether the Ténéré 4 will enter production, or when it might reach dealerships.
That also means there is no indication of its UK price, engine capacity, weight, seat height, or final specification. And despite the name, we shouldn’t assume it will be powered by a 400cc engine, with plenty of rounding up going on the bike world when it comes to cubic capacity.
What Yamaha has confirmed is that the concept is part of an active development project intended to expand its adventure bike range.
For riders who enjoy the Ténéré 700’s off-road capability but would prefer a lighter, more manageable machine, the prospect of a smaller single-cylinder alternative addresses a clear gap in Yamaha’s line-up.
We’ll be talking to Yamaha about bringing the Ténéré 4 Concept to ABR Festival 2027. And remember, if you’re thinking about buying a new adventure bike, you’ll have the opportunity to test ride the latest models from the world’s biggest manufacturers at the ABR Festival 2027, all included in your festival ticket.
Book your ABR Festival 2027 tickets here.
