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When the Yamaha Ténéré 700 was launched in the summertime of 2020, it was a uncommon vivid spot through the darkish time of lockdowns, masks, and bathroom paper shortages. It was a brand new entry within the middleweight journey bike class, slotting between Yamaha’s WR250R and 1,200cc Tremendous Ténéré. In contrast to midsized ADV fashions from BMW, KTM, and Triumph, Yamaha took a “much less is extra” strategy with the Ténéré 700 – aka the T7 – eschewing digital rider aids and different expensive options and pricing it effectively under the competitors at $9,999.
Contributing photographer Kevin Wing attended the T7’s debut in Tennessee, and he took a shine to it. “As somebody who spends most of his time on light-weight dirtbikes with none digital interventions, I felt instantly snug on the Ténéré 700 with its gentle clutch, easy shifting, and glorious fueling,” he wrote in his check for the August 2020 challenge (see Wing’s 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 evaluate right here).
When long-time contributor and dual-sport aficionado Arden Kysley acquired his arms on our Ténéré 700 check bike in California that very same yr, he added some manufacturing facility baggage and different equipment and hit the highway for 3,000 miles. “In my native mountains or out within the desert, the T7 has been a superb companion for exploration, nook carving, and flat-out movin’ down the highway,” he wrote in his 2021 tour check evaluate. Kysely preferred the T7 a lot, he offered his 2009 BMW F 800 GS – which had 65,000 adventure-heavy miles on its odometer – and purchased our check bike from Yamaha.
Commercial
In keeping with the no-frills theme of the unique, when Yamaha up to date the Ténéré 700 for 2024, it didn’t go overboard. The monochrome LCD display screen, which Wing and Kysely stated required an excessive amount of scrolling to entry key data and was rendered ineffective when powdered with path mud, has been changed with a 5-inch coloration TFT show with smartphone connectivity. Just like the previous display screen, the brand new one has a rally-style vertical orientation, and it now has two show modes: Explorer and Road.
Associated: Backcountry Discovery Routes: Two Buddies on Yamaha Ténéré 700s in Utah and Arizona
GEAR UP
Different updates embody a further ABS mode. Whereas the earlier mannequin’s ABS was solely switchable between On and Off, the 2024 mannequin additionally has an Off-Highway mode that deactivates ABS on the rear solely. To raised entry settings and menus on the TFT show and alter ABS mode, there’s a brand new scroll wheel on the best switchgear. There are additionally smooth new LED turnsignals with clear lenses that substitute homely amber “pumpkin” indicators, and the T7’s wiring harness has been up to date to simply accept Yamaha’s plug-and-play accent QSS quickshifter ($199.99), which permits for clutchless upshifts.
We had been testing a 2023 T7 for a number of months – that’s the bike you see on the quilt and within the motion pictures, ridden by our succesful contributor Thad Wolff – when Yamaha hosted a one-day launch for the 2024 mannequin in December. I rode our 2023 check bike right down to Yamaha’s SoCal headquarters, swapped it for a 2024 fitted with a quickshifter, and racked up a number of hundred extra on- and off-road miles.
Modular Motor
Sending energy through chain to the T7’s rear wheel is Yamaha’s CP2 689cc parallel-Twin, the identical compact engine additionally discovered within the MT-07 bare bike, YZF-R7 sportbike, and – in extremely modified type – MT-07 DT racebike that’s utilized in American Flat Observe. For T7 obligation, the engine will get a devoted airbox, cooling system, ECU settings, and exhaust system.
The Twin’s 270-degree crankshaft supplies extra evenly spaced energy pulses than a 180-degree crank. It additionally produces a torquey really feel and a full of life exhaust observe but runs easily all through the rev vary. Fueling is spot-on, and energy supply is linear, reaching a peak of 63 hp at 9,000 rpm and 43 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm on the rear wheel, as measured on Jett Tuning’s dyno. There aren’t any journey modes, selectable engine maps, or traction management; simply calibrate the twist of your wrist for direct outcomes.
Holding the T7 collectively is a sturdy metal perimeter body with a double-braced steering head and detachable decrease body rails for engine upkeep, and the metal trellis subframe is welded to the primary body. The lengthy cast-aluminum swingarm enhances rear-wheel traction, and the gap between the axles is a prolonged 62.8 inches.
Sitting or standing on the Ténéré 700, it feels very slim between the knees. The 2-piece seat is lengthy and slender, with a flat part that slopes down from the pillion to its lowest level instantly above the footpegs after which continues up onto the tank. If the 34.4-inch seat peak is just too intimidating, Yamaha provides some aid with a low seat ($129.99) that reduces peak by 0.8 inch and a decreasing package ($114.99) that drops seat peak by one other 0.7 inch, bringing the seat right down to 32.9 inches.
For our check on the 2024 mannequin, we opted for the accent one-piece rally seat ($219.99), which has cowl materials that’s much less grippy than the inventory seat and a flatter floor that makes it simpler to slip fore and aft when driving over uneven terrain. By eliminating the decrease dished part, the rally seat has thicker foam and sits at a lofty 36 inches.
Yamaha Ténéré 700: Excellent for Roads Much less Traveled
The recognition of journey bikes is essentially resulting from their versatility. The Ténéré 700 can go nearly wherever and do absolutely anything, and it’s geared toward riders who place a excessive significance on off-road functionality. Its 21-inch entrance and 18-inch rear wheels are higher for rolling over technical terrain and accommodate a greater diversity of knobby tires than the 19-inch/17-inch wheels discovered on many journey bikes.
The T7’s Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires have a 70/30 on/off-road bias, and so they work fairly effectively within the filth but additionally present respectable grip on pavement with out being noisy at freeway speeds. The T7 additionally has tube-type spoked rims, that are gentle and can take a beating, however they make flat repairs a extra concerned course of than with tubeless tires.
Furthering the Ténéré 700’s off-road prowess is absolutely adjustable long-travel KYB suspension, which has good damping and soaks up large hits and dips like a champ. Throughout the off-road portion of our photoshoot, Thad Wolff stated he felt snug instantly, permitting him to slip, bounce, and wheelie the T7 like a giant dirtbike. Throughout my off-road journey via the mountains of Cleveland Nationwide Forest, I had enjoyable leaping the T7 off water bars and lofting the entrance wheel over small gullies on the path, maneuvers that have been made simpler by the bike’s 48% entrance/52% rear weight bias and 9.4-inch floor clearance. I respect the brand new Off-Highway ABS mode as a result of it supplies extra confidence within the entrance on sketchy, unfastened terrain whereas permitting rear-wheel skids or slides. The T7’s 452-lb curb weight is akin to different bikes in its class. Although it’s gentle for a streetbike, its weight must be revered when driving off-road.
However when the path journey is completed, and also you’ve acquired miles of slab forward of you – just like the 100 miles of pavement on my route residence after the press launch – the Ténéré 700 adapts like a chameleon to the brand new atmosphere. Its rally-style windscreen is small however does a very good job of managing airflow. The engine runs easily at freeway speeds, and the 4.2-gallon tank was good for greater than 200 miles on the 49-mpg common we recorded throughout our check, which included some aggressive throttle twisting. On the draw back, there isn’t any cruise management, and the inventory seat leaves a lot to be desired for the lengthy haul. If the taller (and thicker) rally seat isn’t a viable possibility, there are aftermarket saddles from corporations like Seat Ideas.
On twisty pavement, the Ténéré 700 handles with confidence with none untoward turning resistance from the 21-inch entrance wheel. Its torquey Twin, average weight, broad handlebar, and slim tires assist the T7 rail via curves like an overgrown supermoto, and its brakes shed velocity competently if not impressively.
Associated: A Yamaha Ténéré 700 Journey from Biarritz, France, to the Bardenas Badlands
Yamaha Ténéré 700: My Subsequent Bike?
Relating to check bikes, I’m promiscuous. As a Rider staffer, I’ve examined a whole bunch of bikes over the previous 16 years. However in relation to private bikes, I’m a serial monogamist. Quickly after getting employed, I began borrowing former EIC Mark Tuttle’s Kawasaki KLR650, which is the bike I minimize my off-road enamel on. After numerous cajoling, Mark lastly offered me the KLR, and the bike and I loved a number of trustworthy, adventurous years collectively. Finally, having grown bored with the KLR’s finicky carburetor and lack of energy, I acquired the seven-year itch. I offered it and purchased our lighter, extra highly effective 2017 KTM 690 Enduro R check bike. It’s unbelievable off-road, however its vibration and lack of consolation on the highway get previous fast.
Associated: White Rim Path on KTM 690 Enduros | Favourite Trip
So right here I’m, at a crossroads, questioning what to do subsequent and critically contemplating the brand new Ténéré 700 for my very own storage. Thad Wolff additionally actually likes the Ténéré 700, particularly its value, simplicity, and functionality, and he may see himself proudly owning one, although he’d wish to make a number of modifications to enhance its consolation and touring skill. I agree on all counts, and Arden Kysely’s 2021 tour check and his long-term opinions of the T7 cowl some helpful upgrades. Arden now has practically 17,000 trouble-free miles on his T7, and he’s a happy proprietor – an endorsement that additional stokes my need for the T7. To assist me determine, I’ll hold our check bike for so long as doable, tailor it to my wants, and report on the expertise. Keep tuned.
Try extra new/up to date bikes in Rider’s 2024 Motorbike Consumers Information
2024 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Specs
- Base Worth: $10,799
- Worth as Examined: $11,219 (quickshifter, rally seat)
- Guarantee: 1 yr., unltd. miles
- Web site: YamahaMotorsports.com
ENGINE
- Kind: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 689cc
- Bore x Stroke: 80.0mm x 68.6mm
- Compression Ratio: 11.5:1
- Valve Adj. Interval: 26,600 miles
- Gasoline Supply: DFI w/ 38mm throttle our bodies x 2
- Lubrication System: Moist sump, 2.75 qt. cap.
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated moist clutch
- Closing Drive: Chain
CHASSIS
- Body: Metal perimeter body w/ detachable decrease rails, metal trellis subframe & cast-aluminum swingarm
- Wheelbase: 62.8 in.
- Rake/Path: 27.0 levels/4.1 in.
- Seat Peak: 34.4 in.
- Suspension, Entrance: 43mm inverted fork, absolutely adj., 8.3 in. journey
- Rear: Single shock, absolutely adj. w/ distant preload adjuster, 7.9 in. journey
- Brakes, Entrance: Twin 282mm discs w/ 2-piston floating calipers & ABS
- Rear: Single 245mm disc w/ 1-piston floating caliper & ABS
- Wheels, Entrance: Spoked, 1.85 x 21 in.
- Rear: Spoked, 4.0 x 18 in.
- Tires, Entrance: Tube-type, 90/90-21
- Rear: Tube-type, 150/70-R18
- Moist Weight: 452 lb
- Load Capability: 417 lb
- GVWR: 869 lb
PERFORMANCE
- Horsepower: 63.1 hp @ 9,000 rpm (rear-wheel dyno)
- Torque: 43.4 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (rear-wheel dyno)
- Gasoline Capability: 4.2 gal.
- Gasoline Consumption: 49 mpg
- Estimated Vary: 206 miles
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