Tag Archives: lightweight adventure motorcycles

Yamaha Ténéré 400 Concept: The Lightweight ADV We Need?

Posted on November 13, 2026 by MotoADVR

amaha built this machine as a reply to my open letter, but I’m optimistic that we might finally be looking at something close to the motorcycle I asked for.

In late 2023, I published an open letter asking Yamaha to revive the 350. Among my proposed “trifecta of tree-fiddies” was a Ténéré 350: an enlarged twin cylinder from the R3 stuffed into a bespoke adventure frame, bringing 37 HP, at least 3.5 gallons of fuel, 10 inches of suspension travel, with a 21/18-inch wheel set, and ideally, tipping the scales close to 350 pounds. This new concept could be that motorcycle, albeit with a different engine configuration. However, there are still significant blanks on the spec sheet. Continue reading →

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An Open Letter to Yamaha: Revive the 350

Posted on December 5, 2023 by MotoADVR

At this stage, I shouldn’t need to convince anyone that putting an MT-07 engine into an adventure frame and launching an all new 700 adventure bike is a good idea. That idea was so good, I think Yamaha should take it further. Please revise the R3’s twin cylinder engine to 350cc and place it into a bespoke adventure frame, and launch an all new T3 for the ADV crowd that is clamoring for more Light adventure motorcycles. This new rally-esque machine can take cues from it’s larger sister, while offering a superior choice over Honda’s 300L Rally or Kawasaki’s Versys-X 300. This new T3 would need to bring at least 3.5 gallons of gas to the party, be equipped with at least 10-inches of suspension travel, wear a 21/18-inch wheel set, and weigh in close to 350 pounds. It’s understandable that beating the 300L Rally’s weight of 330 pounds may prove difficult for a twin engine, but as long as this new T3 tips scales under the Versys-X, KTM 390 Adventure, & the new CF Moto MT450 Adventure, and brings 37 ponies to the party, it’s a winning formula.   Continue reading →

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