Dakar Tribute: Smoking Hot Super Ténéré from BIKE Factory…
The 1980s were a heady time for the Paris Dakar Rally and other African rally raids. Machines like the Yamaha XT600 Ténéré and BMW R80GS had opened the door for a whole new world of adventure motorcycling, and the big factories began tasking their motorsports division to design purpose-built rally machines to conquer the desert.
In 1987, Yamaha’s Motorsports Development Division developed the YZE750 Super Ténéré, which boasted a liquid-cooled 4-stroke 5-valve single-cylinder engine that made north of 75 horsepower. Other highlights included a massive fuel capacity of 55 total liters (33L+22L), a 3-section fuel tank to reduce handling issues as the fuel level burned off, and a side stand that doubled as a tool compartment.
One of the first riders to pilot the Super Ténéré in competition was Franco Picco, an Italian rider who’d won the Rookie class in 1985 on an XT600 and become a rising star in off-road endurance racing. From 1987 to 1990, Picco placed 4th, 2nd, 2nd, and 5th on the YZE. In 1988, riding the Chesterfield-sponsored “BYRD” (Belgarda Yamaha Racing Division) YZE750, he battled for the lead all the way to the final stage.
In 2015, Picco was named an FIM legend, and in 2024, at 65 years old, he placed 11th in the Dakar Rally’s “Original by Motul” class, where racers tackle the 12 grueling stages through the Saudi Arabian desert with no support crew.
“It’s as close as you can get to the original Dakar, with competitors expected to live for two weeks out of a single trunk called a malle that’s delivered to the bivouac each evening. It’s not unusual for riders to finish a tough day in the dunes and then come back and spend many more hours repairing their bikes. Sleep is a luxury here. Which makes Franco’s achievement of 11th place in the Original By Motul category all the more impressive.” –Motul
Today, the Chesterfield Super Ténéré remains one of the most iconic Paris Dakar rally bikes of the era. Recently we heard from Mateusz Bukład of BIKE Factory, a workshop based in the small town of Wzdów, Poland. Although they spend a good bit of their time doing traditional motorcycle repair and servicing, they also take on projects restoring, rebuilding, and transforming bikes of all kinds.
Mateusz and his team have a soft spot for the old warhorses of the Paris-Dakar Rally, and they’ve just completed this gorgeous ’93 Yamaha XTZ750 Super Ténéré modeled after Franco Picco’s machine.
Built for a client, the original XTZ was completely torn down “to the last screw” and rebuilt from the ground up.
“All surfaces received new varnish, galvanic coating, and aquablasting. All consumables were replaced with new ones.” -Mateusz
The front suspension was stiffened, and a Dakar-style windshield with GPS supports installed. Other highlights include a fat bar, handguards, Arrow exhaust, and of course that smoking-hot Chesterfield livery that oozes 80s nostalgia. Why were the old cigarette-sponsored liveries so much sexier than today’s?
Chesterfield’s most famous slogan was It Satisfies. We have to say this Super Ténéré Dakar tribute does more than satisfy, It Inspires. It makes us want to twist the grip long enough to break the grip of civilization and explore the roads less traveled, where adventure awaits.
Below is our full interview with Mateusz, with many more photographs and details. Stay tuned for another Dakar-inspired coming soon from this small Polish workshop!
Chesterfield Super Ténéré: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
Our workshop is based in a small town in Poland. We have been running a motorcycle repair shop for 13 years. On a daily basis, we deal with traditional motorcycle servicing. But we also renovate vintage and classic motorcycles.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
The motorcycle is a Yamaha XTZ750 Super Ténéré from 1993.
• Why was this bike built?
We really like dual-sport motorcycles and the Paris-Dakar rally. The motorcycle is made for the customer.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The concept of building the motorcycle was the YZE rally model that raced in the Paris Dakar Rally, led by Franco Picco, with minor changes.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The motorcycle was disassembled down to the last screw and reassembled. All surfaces received new varnish, galvanic coating, and aquablasting. All consumables were replaced with new ones.
The front suspension has bushes that harden the springs. Dakar windshield + GPS support installed. Swapped in a fat bar handlebar + Polisport handguards. Dakar number fields added on the back. Arrow exhaust tip.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
The ride is very pleasant. The motorcycle drives confidently and stably. 70 horses and you can use them. All motorcycle components are new, so the ride is very pleasant.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
An interesting idea was to include graphics of mosques from the original advertising brochure from the 1990s, which was given to us by the owner of the motorcycle.
Follow the Builder: BIKE Factory
