Desert Storm: Yamaha Super Ténéré 750

BIKE Factory resurrects a wrecked Super Ten…  

Back in 1989, Yamaha introduced a Paris Dakar-inspired adventure bike, the XTZ750 Super Ténéré. The Super Ten’s engine was a 749cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin with five valves per cylinder (three intake, two exhaust), which developed a very respectable 75 brake horsepower. This was contained in a package that looked like it was ready to go scorching across the North African desert. One reviewer called it the “Range Rover of motorcycles,” noting the bike’s performance both on the tarmac and off:

“If your name isn’t Patrick Orioli, the Super Ténéré’s real forte is the ability to demolish twisty, bumpy B roads… The plush suspension absorbs all but the worst of craters letting the engine get on with laying the grunt down. This is where the Ténéré scores over any of its road rivals.”

 

Unfortunately, this type of Dakar-inspired machine wasn’t very popular in the States at the time, so the Super Ténéré 750 was never brought to North America. In Europe, however, the Super Ten remains something of an cult classic, and Mateusz Bukład and the boys of Poland’s BIKE Factory have been restoring, customizing, and upgrading these bikes to serve their owners for decades to come. 

Chesterfield Edition: Yamaha XTZ750 Super Ténéré

This gorgeous ’95 Super Ten 750 had been in decent shape before it was struck head-on, damaging the entire front half of the bike. So the BIKE Factory boys decided to give it a new life. The Super Ténéré was “stripped down to the proverbial last screw.”

It now boasts a YSS rear shock, stiffer front suspension, a taller windscreen, fat bars, performance exhaust, crash bars, a heavy-duty rear luggage rack, and more.

Then there’s the paint, a gorgeous root-beer brown that was a bit of a risk for a workshop that often opts for more direct Dakar-inspired liveries, but the colorway turned out beautifully. Nicknamed “Desert Storm,” the bike now resides with its owner in Greece, where it serves as a stand-out adventure mount. All in all, this is one globe-trotting build we’d love to own…now we just need to find a gray-market import here in the States!

You can see an entire record of the build process in this BIKE Factory Facebook album. Below, we talk to shop headman Mateusz for the full story on the project.

Yamaha XTZ750 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. We renovate vintage and classic motorcycles.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

Yamaha XTZ750 Super Ténéré, 1995.

• Why was this bike built?

This motorcycle was built for a client, and since we like retro vibes and the Paris-Dakar rally, something like this was created.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

The design concept was inspired by the Paris-Dakar Rally. We used the livery of one of the teams that competed in the rally in the 1990s. Only the colors were changed, making them more subdued and classic.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The motorcycle has been stripped down to the proverbial last screw. All paintwork has been freshly applied, and steel elements have been galvanized in gold and silver.

An accessory YSS shock absorber is installed at the rear, and spring stiffeners are installed at the front.

A tall front screen and wide FATBAR handlebars protect the entire thing.

Our crash bars serve to protect the exhaust system.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

“DESERT STORM.”

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

Everything factory.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

The ride is fantastic; the owners likes 90s motorcycles, and the revised extension of its handling characteristics.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

From the color combination. I wasn’t entirely convinced of their validity, but I’m pleased with the end result.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Of course, Darek K., the motorcycle’s owner, deserves credit for his many ideas and guidance. And, of course, for the invitation to Greece, where the motorcycle is currently being ridden.

Follow the Builder:

Builder: BIKE Factory
Photography: Fotoryzacja | @fotoryzacja.pl

More from BIKE Factory

---