Yamaha XTZ250 Tenere

If you live in Brazil and have a spare $7000, you can get yourself one of these very appealing mini adventure bikes, the Yamaha XTZ250 Tenere.

Though it's unlikely the bike will find its way beyond South America in the short term future, the idea of an affordable, entry-level learner-legal adventure bike has whet the appetite of a couple of staffers at the Bikesales Network.

With a contemporary design that mimics the bigger Tenere models, such as the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere, the XTZ250 is powered by a fairly simple air-cooled 250cc single-cylinder engine that cranks out 21hp (15kW).

Underpinning the Yamaha XTZ250 is a tubular steel frame, while the suspension and twin-piston front brake caliper gripping a tiny rotor are designed to keep costs down.

Built for on- and off-road riding, the new Yamaha XTZ250 Tenere is the kind of bike that would be ideal for both urban commuting and light-duty dirt action out in the country, but the chance of seeing the new model in Australia is remote.

It should be noted, however, that more Japanese motorcycle manufacturers are finding improved economies of scale at manufacturing plants outside of their home country. In future we can expect to see more entry-level motorcycles and scooters built in places like India, Thailand and Brazil, which will then be exported to markets such as Europe and Australasia.

Mark Fattore is currently in Thailand testing the new Honda CBR250RR, which will rival the top-selling 250cc sports bike in Australia, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, both in terms of price and spec. Watch this space...

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