Yamaha Archives | Wind Burned Eyes

Custom Yamaha Tenere 700 by Holy Moly Motorcycles

Portugal-based workshop Holy Moly Motorcycles has returned to its custom-building roots with a stunning retro-inspired creation dubbed the “XT700.”

Designed to explore what a modern Yamaha XT500 might look like if built on today’s hardware, the project uses a Yamaha Ténéré 700 as its donor platform.

It Looks Like Yamaha Will Bring the Retro XSR900 GP to America

American sportbike enthusiasts can finally celebrate: Yamaha is officially bringing the highly anticipated XSR900 GP to the United States as a 2027 model.

Despite being available in European markets since 2024, the retro-inspired machine was long withheld from American shores, to the frustration of local riders. The official confirmation comes via newly published California Air Resources Board (CARB) executive order filings, which explicitly list the model alongside Yamaha’s updated U.S.-bound 890cc inline-triple lineup.

Custom Yamaha SR500 by Phil Leeke

This Yamaha SR500 café racer named “Minty,” built by retired Bentley Motors engineer Phil Leeke.

Rather than cutting up a complete bike, Leeke built the motorcycle from scratch using a standalone 1984 frame and a 1979 single-cylinder engine.

Custom Yamaha RD350 by Lord Drake Kustoms

The Yamaha RD350 “Black Widow Tribute” is a custom motorcycle built by the Malaga, Spain workshop of Lord Drake Kustoms.

Designed for a client using their corporate colors, the project focuses on sharpening the classic, unhinged 1970s two-stroke twin into a lean, aggressive street machine that lands somewhere between a modern streetfighter and a classic GP racer.

Video Analysis: 2026 Yamaha R7 Review

The gents at Cycle World reviewed 2026 Yamaha YZF-R7. While it has been a staple in the “Blue Crew” lineup since 2021, the 2026 model introduces critical refinements to the chassis, engine, and electronics package that address previous criticisms.

In this article we’ll take a look at the Cycle World video and outline the specifics of the review, and then I’ll provide my take on the new R7.

Video Analysis: KTM 990 Duke vs Yamaha MT-09 SP

The fine gents across the pond at Motorcycle News (MCN) recently pit the reigning middleweight champion, the Yamaha MT-09 SP, against the long-awaited challenger, the KTM 990 Duke R.

This video (included below) is a great comparison piece that’s worth a watch. I’ll also provide my own opinion on these two awesome bikes below.

Custom Yamaha RD256 Tribute by Big Dream Motorcycles

The Yamaha “RD256” is a stunning restomod tribute built by Matt of Big Dream Motorcycles, designed to honor the legendary Canadian racer Michelle (Mike) Duff.

The project takes its name and visual inspiration from the Yamaha RD56, the iconic machine Duff rode to Grand Prix victories in the 1960s. Using a 1974 RD250 as the foundation, Matt blended vintage Grand Prix aesthetics with modern performance components to create a “hybritza” that is as capable on the track as it is beautiful to look at.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 Baja Kit by Holy Moly

Francisco Menezes of Holy Moly Motorcycles has introduced the “Baja Kit,” a comprehensive transformation package for the Yamaha Ténéré 700 that captures the rugged, sun-drenched spirit of 1980s desert racing.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic XT and TT models that dominated the Baja dunes, the kit shifts the T7’s modern, Dakar-style aesthetic toward a classic “Desert Sled” silhouette.

Custom Yamaha R5-B Cafe Racer by JETS Forever

The UK-based workshop JETS Forever has crafted “CROWN JEWEL,” a meticulously executed tribute to a “what if” moment in Yamaha racing history. This is one cool custom Yamaha R5-B cafe racer.

The build is inspired by the legendary Montjuich Class—a specialized endurance racing category from the early 1970s that demanded machines capable of both high-speed tarmac battles and explosive standing-start performance.

Custom Retro-Kitted Yamaha Ténéré 700 by Holy Moly Motorcycle

Francisco Menezes of Portugal’s Holy Moly Motorcycles developed a complete, plug-and-play T7 retro kit, aiming to transform the modern ADV into a giant twin-cylinder enduro that honors its air-cooled ancestors, specifically the classic XT600Z Ténéré.

The Yamaha Ténéré 700 (T7) has been lauded for its lightweight design and capable CP2 parallel-twin engine, making it a favorite among adventure riding purists who prefer an old-school approach to off-road travel. However, many find the T7’s modern styling uninspiring and lacking in resemblance to the storied Ténéré bikes of the past.