As early as 1985: the first prototype
Yamaha Motor Europe made up a prototype machine with a 900cc bore up version of the XS 650 twin engine. This air-cooled classic twin was mounted in an XT 600 Tenere framework with a special front fork and rear suspension plus wide street tyres. Yamaha testriders together with the product planners tested the machine in real conditions in the Alps and were all of the same opinion: a great bike to enjoy a sporty ride on mountain roads. The enthusiasm however was cooled down after market research. The focus of most sports riders was on the upcoming supersport road machines, like Yamaha FZR 1000 or the earlier Suzuki GSX-R 750.
Yamaha Motor Europe made up a prototype machine with a 900cc bore up version of the XS 650 twin engine. This air-cooled classic twin was mounted in an XT 600 Tenere framework with a special front fork and rear suspension plus wide street tyres. Yamaha testriders together with the product planners tested the machine in real conditions in the Alps and were all of the same opinion: a great bike to enjoy a sporty ride on mountain roads. The enthusiasm however was cooled down after market research. The focus of most sports riders was on the upcoming supersport road machines, like Yamaha FZR 1000 or the earlier Suzuki GSX-R 750.
