Motorcycle enthusiasts are buzzing about Rough Crafts' latest creation, the YenereZ 700 FT, which is the stunning transformation of the Yamaha Ténéré 700 adventure bike. Under the skilled guidance of Winston Yeh, Rough Crafts has solidified its reputation as one of the most respected names in custom motorcycle builds, consistently delivering exceptional design and state-of-the-art components.
The YenereZ 700 FT is born from Yeh's deep love for flat trackers. He explains, "Flat trackers have always been one of my favorite styles of custom builds. The nimble narrow chassis, upright sitting position, and wide flat handlebars make it perfect for the city streets of Taipei." This passion spurred the idea for the project.
The road to creating the YenereZ 700 FT was not precisely mapped out at the beginning. Initially drawn to the idea of more conventional dirt bikes as potential donors, Yeh's inspiration pivoted when he encountered Faber Studio's personal Ténéré 700. Notably, he noticed parallels between the Ténéré’s frame and Yamaha's beloved YZ450F dirt bike chassis. "I proposed the build to Yamaha Taiwan, and the super quick Photoshop image convinced them; they provided a Ténéré 700 to bring the project to life," Yeh shared.
Partnering with Faber Studio, Rough Crafts began the transformation. The 2021 Ténéré 700 was stripped down to its rolling chassis before being thoroughly modified. The original steel subframe was cut away and replaced with a lighter aluminum one from Yamaha's flagship 450 dirt bike. Much of the unnecessary wiring was also removed, reducing the bike to its core essentials.
Central to this tracker build is the heavy-hitting Yamaha 689cc CP2 liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. Capable of generating around 72 horsepower and 50 ft-lbs of torque, it breathes more freely thanks to DNA air filtration and boasts a custom Rough Crafts x JZO Crafts full 2-into-2 exhaust system, which culminates in a high-mounted muffler placed traditionally for motocross.
To manage performance, Yeh opted for premium Öhlins suspension, featuring RXF48S forks adjusted for flat track racing and YA818 rear shock with lowering linkage. Braking hardware includes high-performance six-piston Beringer supermoto calipers working on 320mm rotors, enhanced through custom Rough Crafts machining. The rear is equipped with dual-pot Beringer calipers stopping on 267mm discs, ensuring exceptional handling and control. All of this is set atop 19-inch Roland Sands Design Traction Flat Track wheels, wrapped snugly with Dunlop K180 tires for optimal grip and handling.
The aesthetic transformation of this bike is equally impressive. With the chassis modifications complete, Yeh and his crew adorned the adventure motorcycle with YZF450F UFO plastics, sporting a sleek and dynamic multi-shade black and grey graphic scheme, courtesy of MTR Wrapping. A seat from the YZ450F was also modified for compatibility, preserving comfort along with function.
Several custom accessories were incorporated to complete the look and functionality of the YenereZ 700 FT. Among these additions are KOSO headlights, Rough Crafts x KOSO ION 3-in-1 taillight, and ZETA foot pegs. A Rough Crafts gas cap along with Renthal tracker bars and Berringer controls rounded off the standout design, ensuring no detail was overlooked.
This custom bike doesn’t just look exceptional; it showcases Rough Crafts' knack for innovation by taking the unconventional route with the Ténéré donor, proving its adaptability as both adventure and flat tracker. Yeh's dual expertise guarantees the bike performs as good as it looks, merging the worlds of rugged adventure biking and thrilling flat tracking effortlessly.
Finished as one-off, the YenereZ 700 FT is already spoken for, highlighting the intense demand for Rough Crafts' remarkable builds. Although this unique bike isn’t available, the shop has opened up for commissions on future builds, promising more innovative designs to captivate motorcycle lovers worldwide.
Winston Yeh continues to expand his horizons, pushing the limits of motorcycle customization with creations like the YenereZ 700 FT. This Yamaha Ténéré 700 converted to a flat tracker showcases how brilliant design and engineering can redefine what we expect from motorcycle builds. It’s not just about looks; it epitomizes performance blended with aesthetic finesse.
Rough Crafts has managed to encapsulate everything enthusiasts adore about custom motorcycle culture, and the YenereZ 700 FT stands as one of the finest examples, blending cutting-edge innovation and skilled craftsmanship.