I bought a T7 and love it! The simplicity is perfect along with Yamaha reliability. I’ve had bikes with a lot of electronics that I never used so this is fine.
Yea, we can all find some entertainment in the Rider Mode settings that other bikes have, but there's something about the simplicity of the Tenere 700 that we like as well. We get to focus on the riding, the feeling, the travel....instead of what the computer is doing : )
Motorcycle should be raw and not have all the features of a car. Riding a motorcycle is a relationship between man and machine. You don't need all the bullshit you just need to learn to ride!
Best review I've seen on the Tenéré: clear, well-organised, articulate and passionate about bikes. This kind of video is gonna make my wallet ten grand lighter at some point. Damn.
Ha, ha, thanks for that great feedback, and hopefully it's just $10k instead of setup/delivery for $1000 more : ) Yamaha made a great bike, you'll enjoy plenty. RIDE on!
Love mine t700, its the simplicity and ultimate riding experience. You can feel the bond with bike, predictable response to your reactions. Makes me feel 14yrs old again and remember all first time experience with classic motorcycles. Bike is balanced so nice it doesn't need electronics aids. Really impressed since last two bikes had all the electronics interfering connection between me and the road. Nice video and realistic review 👌 👍 👏
Thanks, Peter B., and enjoy that bike! A comparison of the 790 R and Tenere 700 has been filmed, and we'll release it in a couple of weeks, so be sure to Subscribe and hit the Notifications button. Not to give it away, but the video will make you proud : ) Love the way the T7 "gallops" when compared.
noxious456, thanks for that great and fun feedback that we appreciate very much. Our Channel is growing quickly, and we've got more videos ahead each Tuesday. RIDE on!
Hi Eric, and thanks for the great video. I am not a very experienced rider (about 8000 miles in the last two years) and I started with a XR250 which I rode for a year and 4000 miles in Costa Rica on every kind of terrain. I just moved to the US and got a Ténéré 700 from the second container to arrive here, and yes, I did the other 4000 miles on it since September last year. Where to start? All your pros an cons are spot on. I added the Yamaha center stand which is excellent although a little heavy. Also the Yamaha heated grips - these are not hot enough, at least not for New England winters. I replaced the bashplate for the panzer-looking engine bucket from Yamaha (I love the looks). Also added luggage rack, crash bars, and a GPS and I am exploring all the dirt roads in the region (unfortunately not that many here in CT). So, here are my beginner's impressions about the bike. Probably a little too much for a first bike - the XR250 was much more manageable on dirt and in the wild. But for a second bike, oh, my! I have to admit I was impressed when I received it, and it took me a few days to dare ride it after a year. It is tall. I am just shy of 6" (1m82) and 161lbs (73kg) and my feet are just flat on the ground in the street. I didn't have to change the rear shock spring or adjust the suspensions nearly at all. After we got to know each other, I believe it is a very reasonable bike for someone with my short experience: It does not surprise, especially not susceptible to whisky throttle thanks to the linear power delivery. It is remarkably stable, both on the highway (when my head gets kicked side to side by the tractor-trailer's wind, the bike is like planted in the ground) and off-road - I tried it in muddy ruts with slippery stones in curves and slopes. I thought a few times I was going down just to realize that standing in second gear and gassing it just enough to pass the obstacle would have her work her magic and not let me down. What a thrill! It does not overturn like the Harleys I tried. Some people say the braking is sluggish - I respectfully disagree. What's going on is you have to compress the front suspension for the front brake to be efficient and since the suspension has a long travel it takes more time and a more progressive squeezing of the brake lever, but done right is stops very well. And done sub-optimally you still have the ABS. No traction control is totally fun on the dirt. Some say it handles like a dirt bike - I don't have much experience with actual very light dirt bikes but it certainly handles like my former XR250 (aka Tornado, a carbureted version of Honda's CRF250L). Yes: the bike comes with ABS and it can be disconnected, both front and rear. Disconnecting it can be very, very useful, especially going downhill on gravel. Gareth wrote earlier that this kind of video was gonna make his wallet ten grand lighter - let me just say that these are the best ten grand I ever spent. I do not foresee parting with her any time soon. Thanks again for the video. Be well!
Fun write-up, thanks for sharing. Love that notion of "Probably a little too much for a first bike ....... But for a second bike, oh, my!" Great choice for the Swiss Army Knife of bikes that opens so many doors for riders. We wish it was a little shorter, but of course there are options for those who require such. Sounds like you'll be having lots of fun out there, so thanks for commenting. --- Eric
This bike wasn't even on my Radar. I just stumbled across this. I currently Race Moto on a Yamaha 250 2 Stroke and Husky FC 350. I also have a 500 EXC as my Dual sport but this looks like a great step between into a bike that can do more all around stuff... Two Thumbs up on the review!!
Ginger, cool note to read, thanks for sharing. And yea, a bike like this can open some doors that the 250/350 light bikes shy away from, so enjoy that which lies ahead : )
Glad if you think so, too. The market has been asking for more middleweights, and Yamaha sure did stick their chest out (appropriately) with the Tenere 700. Next upcoming video compares the T7 against the 790 R.
Ha, thanks. We're having fun with it, and testing acting chops a little bit for some upcoming skit-type stuff.....but yea, mostly just trying to help folks with the right information. Thanks again!
I'm so tempted to buy one. About electronics, there's one thing. If bike geometry, suspension and engine behavior is good, you really don't need any kind of electronics to stabilize it. After all there's tons of older bikes that really don't need ie. traction control. Only electronics I see as good addition these days is ABS. That's really good thing for ie. wet conditions and let's be honest, if that sudden event happens, it's really hard for even experienced rider to max out braking performance and still keep the bike up. Panic situation is panic situation after all.
Yea, stats seem to show that since ABS, fatalities and such have decreased. Such a great value, this bike, and we have other videos talking about it and comparing it (like to the 790R) if you're still shopping. Hope it helps.
Solid look at a solid machine. Great reliable bang for your buck with the T7. Yamaha has hit the sweet spot. These will be as ubiquitous & trustworthy as all those countless indestructible KLR's in very short order & for many years to come & for all the right reasons.
This is the way a motorcycle review should be like. Informative yet entertaining, unbiased yet opinionated. I want this bike for my daily office commute; a 5 km stretch of the road is pure hell. But I know my wait is going to be endless as here in India, the allure of big sports bikes defeats these practical steeds' demand. And Yamaha has no adv bikes in India. Sad.
Oliverider, thanks for the great feedback! The Tenere 700 has that nice, slim shape that sure would slither through traffic better than a big R1200GS or similar. ---- Wow, did not know that Yamaha wasn't importing such models there. Some good other options are available I'm sure, but yea, the T7 is really great. RIDE on!
Finally! A fine adventure bike that isn't bloated with 47 traction control modes and stupid electronics. I would change my Tiger 800XC (21 front wheel ftw, yeah) for this Yammie but seat looks small and uncomfortable. Correct me if I'm wrong please. Great video and channel!
Thanks for the note, and yea, not mentioned was that I was ready to get off the Tenere 700's original seat after about 30 minutes. I didn't mention it, cause it's usually about 45 minutes with every other original seat bikes come with, so just "industry standard" and not worth mentioning. But yea, otherwise, what a bike!
Ha, yes, good suggestion. Maybe we'll start flashing the conversion up on the screen, as making the words/voice much longer would be perhaps too much. Thanks.
Excellent review!!! Thanks for the well organized highlights. The T7 will replace my current KLR. Please, for the world subscribers, include metric system. Greetings from Bolivia
I just picked up a 22 t7 icon blue. I've got about 400 miles on it. I'm in North Central Florida and a lot of sand out here and the tires aren't the greatest for that but hard pack trails rides nice suspension feel decent so far great gas mileage about 67mpg. I ordered src moto crash bars I've got a bash plate coming for it protect the stator and water pump. Love it might sell my 2021 MT10 .... Maybe. Enjoyed the video ty
Thanks for helping me decide on the Tenere. It's a big bike for someone new. I have a smaller bike to learn on but after two rides my acceleration of learning the bike, its amazing how we can adapt once we breathe and just relax. This bike floats. I was so amazed how how it just takes you unlike a standard bike which is overly propulsion based feeling. This is a sleigh.
Thanks for the note, and yea, it's mostly "like riding a bike." As long as a rider can reach the ground firmly, typically moving to a larger option like this goes quite well. Enjoy, and RIDE on!
Yamaha has said that they’re likely working on like a 300-350cc baby Ténéré. If it weighs like 300-350 pounds and is as reasonably priced as the T7, I’m a guaranteed sale. The 700’s a great bike, with far and away the best-sounding (probably most reliable to boot, certainly with regard to service interval) ADV bike engine out there, but it’s more bike than I want (I’m 5’9”, 155 lbs, with no experience with or desire for bikes with a good bit of power). I have a TW200 for backroads and trails, and a Honda CRF300L Rally for when I need to ride further/faster on the road, but a smaller Ténéré would easily replace the Honda and suit my needs much better in my opinion. The Honda is really dirt-bikey, I’d rather have something like this. I’m not concerned about the stressed member engine, lots of off road bikes use that construction, including my TWs.
Looks like a nice bike,main criticism is no centre stand and a bit quiet.looks user friendly to ride,all the electronic rider aids are unnecessary and add to the price.
Brief comparison to competitors is a good idea. Ie. how likely are you to buy compared to another bike etc etc. just a friendly suggestion since you asked at the end :) big thumbs up from Australia! Cheers
Nice review. Yamaha, if you are reading this, please put out a "premium addition", similar to KTM 6 days. Pimp one out from the factory. premium levers, premium skid plates, premium grips and spec'd to order spring rates.
If you are feeling impacts through the rear end it is more likely to be the compression damping rather than the relatively high pivot point of the swing arm. If anything, a high pivot point should make the rear feel more forgiving, because the rear wheel travel will not arc forwards as it moves through the travel as much as a swing arm with a lower pivot point. There are a number of downhill mountain bikes with high pivot points and the initial rearward wheel travel is a function of the high pivot point. It’s a shame I can’t quickly draw a diagram, it’s hard to explain in words! 🙃 Interesting though, this isn’t the first review I’ve seen make mention of it. Might mean that owners who do a lot of rougher off-road riding might want to look at getting the rear shock revalved.
Howling Mad Murdock, we're interested in getting into more of the physics behind this, and have even reached out to Jason at @engineeringexplained hoping to collaborate. Hoping to hear back, although he is surely busy with that many Subscribers. ---- For sure, the compression settings are a factor, but also that pivot point and steeper swingarm means the wheel has to move backward, and upward in relation to the overall direction of movement, which makes for that little extra "yank," right? If it was moving upward-only (or if less backward movement was involved upon impact) it would roll over imperfections more smoothly, one would think. Anyone know Jason or someone willing to do an interview with us to confirm all this?
RIDE Adventures If the bike wasn’t moving forward then straight up would be the best direction for the rear wheel to travel, but as the bike moves forward the ideal trajectory would be slightly rearwards. Think of the direction of force as the rear wheel hits, for eg, a rock. Because the bike is moving forwards there would be less impact felt if the wheel could move backwards as well as up. In reality, once sag is taken into account, the rearward motion of the Tenere’s rear wheel is likely to be minimal. In contrast, the rear wheel with a traditional low pivot point is already arcing forward as soon as it starts moving up, which will increase the impact felt as it moves towards the rock. Edit: The one aspect where a high pivot could be worse for impacts could be under power, where the chain force is attempting to pull the rear axle in the opposite direction. Downhill mountain bikes get round this by routing the chain over a roller/sprocket at the pivot point.
@@Howling-Mad-Murdock, it's quite a topic that we'll be addressing more intimately. The slight "looping" feeling I get with rear wheel impacts is minimal, but there for sure. ---- Another way I tend to think of it is: What if the swingarm was even more steep. Let's say someone put a swingarm at a 45 degree angle. The unsprung mass would then have to "catch" the rock and loop back even more dramatically then, making that "looping" feeling I was trying to articulate, despite not using that exact word in the video. Above, I see your point: "Because the bike is moving forwards there would be less impact felt if the wheel could move backwards as well as up." But I tend to think, "what if the wheel didn't have to move backwards in the first place? What if it only had to move up?" ---- Anyway, they made a great bike at a great value overall, and we'll be seeing lots more of these on the roads as time goes on. Thanks for talking through it. ------ Eric
Gloss Black, yep, and it'll probably take that title in many other markets if it hasn't already. What a great value and fun bike to ride. Enjoy if you get one, and thanks for the great feedback : )
I think it was no1 overall.. Killed the KTM 790 in sales. 17k seems a bit steep when the Atwin was 15.5k not that long ago. And knowing ktm we will see really cheap 790s going for under 20k soon enough. For 3k difference I'd take the ktm cos im gonna have to spend 3k to get the t7 up to scratch anyway. 790r is good to go out of the box...well almost....... BUT then there those fugly looks on the ktm and the t7 just looks so damn good..sigh. my first world problems.
Ktm is a consideration, but some in europe have spent 30% of their first year at the dealer getting repiared. Forget that. Reliability to me is worth paying adiscount for less hp and adequate suspension, for a lightweight rider.
Good review ty im hoping the Yamaha team that developed this bike get a big bonus for awakening their talent to the world. and their bosses .Now all they need to do is make another one with their 900 triple and finally let the super tenure out to pasture
After a year or so of research into the Yamaha Tenere 700 I have found one or two major *"flaws" or draw backs:* - The Yamaha Tenere 700 is *_top heavy_* & generally too heavy for off road (452 lbs wet), hence the many videos of it falling down more than other adventure bikes. - I have heard the Tenere 700 has a "jerky speeding throttle" in every gear. That is when you first get into gear you always get a surge at the very start of the clutch engagement. This can get old real quick. - Other minor flaws or draw backs are the fuel cap that comes completely off and the NON-LED very floppy turn signals. Beside the surging throttle the Tenere 700is very good on the road though.
It doesnt fall more than other bikes, and is in fact lighter by a longshot compared to most ADV bikes, also, the fueling is perfect on my bike, haven’t experienced anything but a butter smooth engine and character….
Good review.. Are you wearing low profile armour under your shirt? I got a T7 in 2019 and love it.. Like a big Supermoto on road and a big enduro offroad. I'm away down the tracks whilst my mates are still inputting settings into their bigger ADV bikes.
Yep, you can see the type of body armor Eric is wearing in this full gear setup and explanation video. Enjoy that T7! Link here: ua-cam.com/video/t6JJEFD1J1o/v-deo.html
Thanks : ) Get them now, cause the price will probably be going up within a couple of years...but then again, maybe finding a used one then, still with 200,000+ km of life remaining, will be the best move.
Javier B, thanks for the compliment and for subscribing, and please let us know when we can start showing Rides your beautiful country again. Fortunately, we were about 90% done with the last Patagonia season before shutdowns started in March.
I would assume they are at full production, as the T7's are in such high demand. I think we can expect pricing to go up for sure as global supply chain issues and inflation become bigger factors. Plus, Yamaha will probably re-release this bike with a bunch of electronics and stuff to justify a higher MSRP (unfortunately. It's like the perfect bike right now.)
@@RIDEAdventures I agree I like the fact that the t7 has very little electronics. Unfortunately I won't be able to purchase one until the first couple of months of next year then I'll be able to pay cash. Have a great day aloha
Great review on the bike with the detailed Pros and Cons. I too personally feel all those traction controls can get intrusive at times and simplicity in the key to ADVs. Way to go.
Thanks, Dinesh. Yamaha got it right. Those 74 hp......while plenty to have fun with, are not so spastic that Traction Control was necessary. Sure, TC can help in paved "oops, gravel patch" situations, but not necessary in the dirt.
We haven't laid hands on the new KLR yet, but of course it'll probably fit into that "great value" category along with the Tenere 700. (Although a little tough to compare a single cylinder bike to a twin, especially when they basically weigh the same 460lbs or so and the Yamaha is that much more powerful.) ---- While referring to the KLR as a "Great Value," it should be mentioned that we stopped offering the previous versions of the KLR, as they were not holding up well. Burning oil like heating stoves, and with radiators that would crack just from riding (not crashing) they were pretty tough, but also a little nerve-racking. ---- Thanks for checking in with us.
Another feature that kept the price of this bike lower than any other in the class. Yamaha offers LEDs as an upgrade. I just appreciate them keeping the price so competitive, will put the LEDs on when I have some spare shilling 😉
Having just taken one out FOR A test ride on Saturday the steering get to a point then you have to work hard and it feels unnatural. The dash board never stops moving the glare on the screen makes it hard to see what speed you are doing. The engine is working hard at motorway speeds. I'm 6ft tall and the handlebar height made my hands go numb the seat is not comfortable at all. You couldn't ride this for long distances or I couldn't..! On the plus side it sounds great the feedback from the breaks is fantastic the lowdown power delivery is perfect. The fit and finish needs a lot of work the hand covers are very cheap the indicators must be made from melted down combs because they constantly move on very smooth roads. The gear shifts is smooth and your riding position is uncomfortable at best. You really need to try one to see if it will suit you.. ride safe amigos
Actually, I think it's both? Parallel referring to the cylinder arrangements, and crossplane referring to the crankshaft within. Maybe someone else can confirm. Thanks for watching though, and good question.
I wish I could give experienced 1st hand riding knowledge, but my T7 was delivered with forklift damage.... had to reorder! Looks like about another month of waiting 😩.
@@LasseCLand multis just dont work well off road compared to twins and singles. Proven fact. Much as the CP3 motor is a great engine, 115 bhp is not needed. The reason this T7 is so popular is because how good the CP2 motor works off road.
Thanks! Yes, about 6'3" 260 (fully suited up) but with a 32" inseam, which means I can reach the ground pretty/barely well on the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports. That bike, to me, is the favorite right now. Sure, it's not as powerful as the KTM 1090/1290 Adventure or some others, but in the motorcycle rental business, I just cringe at any bike that isn't at the top of the list of "most reliable." Not only is the ATAS outstandingly reliable, but it's an all-around athletic, great bike. Hope that helps - Eric
Steve, good question, and the answer will be revealed in our upcoming September 29th video where we compare the 790 Adventure R and the Tenere 700. So be sure to Subscribe and hit the Notifications bell. Even if the bikes were the same price, the answer to your question is going to surprise some folks, (hint, hint.) It'll be well-explained in that upcoming video. Also, our 790 Adventure R Pro's and Con's video posted last week if you haven't seen: ua-cam.com/video/5HdG1xS-5g4/v-deo.html
Some comments. The US version seems to come with some different parts, compared to the Euro version I checked out just an hour ago. These horribly ugly indicators... The Euro model comes at least with white glass. Even nicer are of course LED indicators - those would be my first upgrade. No more worries with defective light bulbs. Also levers without a predefined breaking point are a no go - how do you get home if not the lever breaks off at half lengh, but the clamp, once you drop the bike? I am also wondering why everyone spends tons of money on expensive skid plates, but the suspension linkage sticks out behind it, ready to be hit by rocks and exposed to all the dirt spray, that won’t do good to the bearings in the long run. For sure no bad bike and I will seriously consider it in maybe two, three years when my 790 is up to 80.000km. You can see that it’s build to a price point, however.
Carl, good question, and the difference would mostly revolve around the feeling of removing 1 cylinder and about 100 lbs from the Tenere 700. When we think "Long Distance," the thought of a slightly-more-buzzy single cylinder engine, and the extra effects of wind on the lighter 701, doesn't sound as appealing. Then again: Depends on the terrain, what you need to bring, and how "long" long really is : )
Didn't think it was too soft, even at about 260 fully suited. Tweaking the clickers, and pumping up the rear preload, and yea.......I could probably use a different set of springs all the way around, but we don't alter those springs much from original on our rental fleet, so this was pretty good. --- Dashboard wiggles on so many bikes, no big deal for us. --Thanks for the positive comment. - Eric
Thanks for the vid again must be my 10th time watching this haha! Any thoughts on the power and how it feels between the tenere and the Africa twin? The weight difference is significant but so is the displacement so wondering which one feels faster? Thanks again!
Kim, the Africa Twin and Tenere have about the same power-to-weight ratio, so they feel similar in terms of power/acceleration. Very similar, smooth, buttery engine with nice frequencies and vibrations. We hope to get such a comparison review up soon. In the meantime, coming this Tuesday: Tenere vs. 790 Adventure, so stay tuned! Thanks for sharing : )
@@CaptainBroadSword, none of us have ridden the F900R yet, but we'll get to it for sure. We have such incredible road-riding around us here in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, next riding season up here will focus more on road bike route development, and riding bikes like this one : )
@@RIDEAdventures I'm a bit torn between the BMW F900R and Yamaha Ténéré because they have the almost the same price, have the same type of motor, almost sound the same and both look badass!!! That's why I wanted a comparison for road use and a smudge bit of off-roading (almost non-existent)!!
@@CaptainBroadSword, and that there is what we all ponder: "How much off-pavement riding will I end up doing, anyway? On the other hand, it sure would be nice to have the option......" Fun times. Just about the only shopping some of us care to do : )
I've been riding street since 1996 however have limited dirt time. Would you recommend the middle weight size for someone like me on the TAT or would you go smaller? (I'm 5"11 225)
Jason, we really can't suggest fitting, but based on those numbers, watch our "Tenere 700 or Africa Twin" comparison video coming up a week from this coming Tuesday. It will help you decide between two very similar bikes (great values, reliable, nicely-priced, agile, capable, etc. ) as it really comes down to which bike you feel best standing over and riding: Size Matters! ----Oh, and I doubt smaller would be better, you're a pretty big guy.
@@RIDEAdventures I've been thinking a lot about the Tenere 700 actually I've been riding my Sv1000S since new in 2005. Ideally I'd prefer the Vstrom 650 AVD but I hear from a lot of you dirt folks that 21 is the way to go over the front 19.
@@jaytate491, that's just Eric's opinion, preferring 21 in the dirt, if he's doing mostly/majority dirt riding on a trip. If it's only like 20% dirt, then the 19" fronts would have a hand-up, biting into that 80% pavement with more 17-inch- like prowess : ) Additional Tenere 700 suspension travel and clearances vs. the other two bikes mentioned will also be nice, depending on what % of rugged/rough dirt you'll be riding vs. pavement. Have fun and let us know what you do : )
nobber d robber, just pick which tour you're interested in on www.rideadv.com, and there should be a form on that page to fill-out. Once you do that, watch your Inbox and Spam folders, as one of us will typically respond within a day or so, but sometimes emails go to Spam. See you there!
Giant Loop Moto, you got that right! Only tough side is if your @ss has taken too much of a pounding over the years. Even then, the Tenere 700 is still fine to ride : )
Ok... Your discription of what the swingarm angle does is totally wrong. Anti-squat is a function of the front cog position relative to the main pivot. You can have plenty (or too much) on a flatter swingarm too. And the fact that it doesn't "graze over bumps" is just the rear shock not being awesome. The swingarm angle should help that as the wheel moves back with the bump more than a flatter one.
Hmm. Not sure we're "totally wrong," but it's also a little difficult to understand how you're explaining we're wrong. The angle of the swingarm is undoubtedly a factor in the sensations that come up through the bike, in addition to the quality/capability of the rear shock. Lower the swingarm angle even further than the T7 currently is (make the swingarm steeper) and the "kick" we feel through the seat will be even further pronounced. Right?
The one in the video sure does have ABS. You can see the "Off" light on a few times in the video. There's also a Tenere 660 in some countries, that may or may not have ABS....which may be the confusion.
$10k is closer to $12k on the road. I like it but, lil too steep for what it is. I'm sure they will be listed for $7k-$8k. I've seen Tracers 900 listed below $8k.
Yep, some used Tenere 700's will be out there soon enough to save some $$$, but whether owners are parting with their bikes or not.....may be the big question : )
@@RIDEAdventures Why used ones? Most manufactures usually have big rebates for previous years models? Those rebates are usually better deal than couple year used bikes. The examples I gave were for brand new bikes. I haven't yet seen bike that was not available at some point. It is only matter of whether somebody is willing to wait or grabs whatever comes first.
@@oknevals, ahh, used, or rebated.... even new...the Tenere 700 is a pretty great value. As long as it holds up, which they appear to be doing : ) RIDE on!
@@RIDEAdventures 😟wish,abd dream, was following since years, waiting for it, but once it reached could not grap, 💔bcoz of $..doing House maintenance🏡,..and can't break more the Bank..😁
Thanks for the review, informative and fun as always. Just wondering how you think this compares to the 1000 Africa twin and a Cb500x for commuting and weekend touring? And is a ktm 790 adventure r that much better off road? Thanks and looking forward to your thoughts!
RIDE Adventures can I make a special request as well? Could you include real world gas mileage on that next comparison? This is hardly ever mentioned in reviews but from what I've seen it almost seems like the Africa twin and ktm are more efficient than the Yamaha but I'm not sure that's right! Looking forward to the next video!
@@KimCruz1, good suggestion, and we'll be sure to mention it sometime after we've had some good samplings. Thanks! Some online sources like this are reporting 56mpg: www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/yamaha/tenere-700/2019/andygbsmith/947311
be a great bike if you didn't have space or couldn't afford a much cheaper dirt bike alongside your street bike. But the reality is you could have both those bikes for way less then this thing is. So maybe at that point it would just be a space issue. Who knows its still neat.
Almost universally, the extra weight and feeling of a twin cylinder feels better to most of us for higher speed highway use. The 690 is great, but just not as comfortable at top speeds.
@@montaego because my 690 is an unreliable POS. 32000 km and 3'rd engine rebuild going on, faulty electronics but mainly the bike is just too small for my needs. I want to be able to take my daughter and a bit of luggage on weekend trips.
@@montaego I guess I have just had bad luck. There are lots and lots of them out there that's actually working great. Some have more than 100.000 km without any work besides valve maintenance
Cool vid - did you state your height and weight at some point? I must have missed that bit of relative data?... reason i ask is imo this bike looks too small for you?
Parallel twin. Another huge minus. Triple or V-twin is the way to go. I have a few bikes in my garage including a BMW parallel twin and it is my least favorite
Eric is about 6'3", about 260lbs (with riding gear) and has a 32" inseam. Because his legs aren't so long, yes, he can flat-foot, but "just barely." Hope that helps!
Thought we noted the adjustability, which alone makes it pretty good. Playing with the clickers will let someone dial it in nicely, and when that is done, the bike gallops quite nicely.
Glad if you enjoyed that movie reference : ) --- Yea, the T7 is so close to being perfect....and at that price.....it'll be a bit of a shame if they over-complicate it and crank the price up.
RIDE Adventures exactly! I know this may sound dumb but I kinda like the 2017 -19 AT and ATAS simple LCD screens more. So I hope with the T7 they leave it alone. Maybe give it a slip assist clutch?
I bought a T7 and love it! The simplicity is perfect along with Yamaha reliability. I’ve had bikes with a lot of electronics that I never used so this is fine.
Yea, we can all find some entertainment in the Rider Mode settings that other bikes have, but there's something about the simplicity of the Tenere 700 that we like as well. We get to focus on the riding, the feeling, the travel....instead of what the computer is doing : )
Motorcycle should be raw and not have all the features of a car. Riding a motorcycle is a relationship between man and machine. You don't need all the bullshit you just need to learn to ride!
Best review I've seen on the Tenéré: clear, well-organised, articulate and passionate about bikes. This kind of video is gonna make my wallet ten grand lighter at some point. Damn.
Ha, ha, thanks for that great feedback, and hopefully it's just $10k instead of setup/delivery for $1000 more : ) Yamaha made a great bike, you'll enjoy plenty. RIDE on!
I second that! 👍👍👍
Don't complain, it's the equivalent of $15K here in the UK. 🇬🇧 😕
@@andrewkitchenuk I am in the UK ;-)
Cool. The currencies got confused and you're correct, £10,000.
Love mine t700, its the simplicity and ultimate riding experience. You can feel the bond with bike, predictable response to your reactions. Makes me feel 14yrs old again and remember all first time experience with classic motorcycles.
Bike is balanced so nice it doesn't need electronics aids. Really impressed since last two bikes had all the electronics interfering connection between me and the road.
Nice video and realistic review 👌 👍 👏
Thanks, Peter B., and enjoy that bike! A comparison of the 790 R and Tenere 700 has been filmed, and we'll release it in a couple of weeks, so be sure to Subscribe and hit the Notifications button. Not to give it away, but the video will make you proud : ) Love the way the T7 "gallops" when compared.
this channel deserves so much more attention/audience! great content, thanks from Germany!
noxious456, thanks for that great and fun feedback that we appreciate very much. Our Channel is growing quickly, and we've got more videos ahead each Tuesday. RIDE on!
Hi Eric, and thanks for the great video.
I am not a very experienced rider (about 8000 miles in the last two years) and I started with a XR250 which I rode for a year and 4000 miles in Costa Rica on every kind of terrain.
I just moved to the US and got a Ténéré 700 from the second container to arrive here, and yes, I did the other 4000 miles on it since September last year.
Where to start?
All your pros an cons are spot on.
I added the Yamaha center stand which is excellent although a little heavy.
Also the Yamaha heated grips - these are not hot enough, at least not for New England winters.
I replaced the bashplate for the panzer-looking engine bucket from Yamaha (I love the looks).
Also added luggage rack, crash bars, and a GPS and I am exploring all the dirt roads in the region (unfortunately not that many here in CT).
So, here are my beginner's impressions about the bike.
Probably a little too much for a first bike - the XR250 was much more manageable on dirt and in the wild.
But for a second bike, oh, my!
I have to admit I was impressed when I received it, and it took me a few days to dare ride it after a year. It is tall. I am just shy of 6" (1m82) and 161lbs (73kg) and my feet are just flat on the ground in the street. I didn't have to change the rear shock spring or adjust the suspensions nearly at all.
After we got to know each other, I believe it is a very reasonable bike for someone with my short experience:
It does not surprise, especially not susceptible to whisky throttle thanks to the linear power delivery.
It is remarkably stable, both on the highway (when my head gets kicked side to side by the tractor-trailer's wind, the bike is like planted in the ground) and off-road - I tried it in muddy ruts with slippery stones in curves and slopes. I thought a few times I was going down just to realize that standing in second gear and gassing it just enough to pass the obstacle would have her work her magic and not let me down. What a thrill!
It does not overturn like the Harleys I tried.
Some people say the braking is sluggish - I respectfully disagree. What's going on is you have to compress the front suspension for the front brake to be efficient and since the suspension has a long travel it takes more time and a more progressive squeezing of the brake lever, but done right is stops very well. And done sub-optimally you still have the ABS.
No traction control is totally fun on the dirt. Some say it handles like a dirt bike - I don't have much experience with actual very light dirt bikes but it certainly handles like my former XR250 (aka Tornado, a carbureted version of Honda's CRF250L).
Yes: the bike comes with ABS and it can be disconnected, both front and rear. Disconnecting it can be very, very useful, especially going downhill on gravel.
Gareth wrote earlier that this kind of video was gonna make his wallet ten grand lighter - let me just say that these are the best ten grand I ever spent.
I do not foresee parting with her any time soon.
Thanks again for the video.
Be well!
Fun write-up, thanks for sharing. Love that notion of "Probably a little too much for a first bike .......
But for a second bike, oh, my!" Great choice for the Swiss Army Knife of bikes that opens so many doors for riders. We wish it was a little shorter, but of course there are options for those who require such. Sounds like you'll be having lots of fun out there, so thanks for commenting. --- Eric
Ride safe
Kudos to Yamaha its exactly what many of us want, we hope they keep it simple but brilliant without interference. Great review, thanks
Oh- and kudos for the F9 mention. Very respectful! Canadian brother getting some well deserved respect - warms my heart...
Ryan and the F9 crew have been making some great videos for sure. Thanks for commenting.
This bike wasn't even on my Radar. I just stumbled across this. I currently Race Moto on a Yamaha 250 2 Stroke and Husky FC 350. I also have a 500 EXC as my Dual sport but this looks like a great step between into a bike that can do more all around stuff... Two Thumbs up on the review!!
Ginger, cool note to read, thanks for sharing. And yea, a bike like this can open some doors that the 250/350 light bikes shy away from, so enjoy that which lies ahead : )
The weight ratio between bike and rider is near perfect on the T7 . Yamaha has nipped it in the bud with this Adventure bike !!
Glad if you think so, too. The market has been asking for more middleweights, and Yamaha sure did stick their chest out (appropriately) with the Tenere 700. Next upcoming video compares the T7 against the 790 R.
Love Your vids! No stupid/bad acting, just straight fwd. no bs reviews!
Ha, thanks. We're having fun with it, and testing acting chops a little bit for some upcoming skit-type stuff.....but yea, mostly just trying to help folks with the right information. Thanks again!
I'm so tempted to buy one. About electronics, there's one thing. If bike geometry, suspension and engine behavior is good, you really don't need any kind of electronics to stabilize it. After all there's tons of older bikes that really don't need ie. traction control. Only electronics I see as good addition these days is ABS. That's really good thing for ie. wet conditions and let's be honest, if that sudden event happens, it's really hard for even experienced rider to max out braking performance and still keep the bike up. Panic situation is panic situation after all.
Yea, stats seem to show that since ABS, fatalities and such have decreased. Such a great value, this bike, and we have other videos talking about it and comparing it (like to the 790R) if you're still shopping. Hope it helps.
@@RIDEAdventures ok, thanks gotta check them out. I thought this was only video about T7, good to know.
Solid look at a solid machine. Great reliable bang for your buck with the T7. Yamaha has hit the sweet spot. These will be as ubiquitous & trustworthy as all those countless indestructible KLR's in very short order & for many years to come & for all the right reasons.
Exactly the parallel that we had in mind: Like the KLR, like the XR650L.....these Tenere 700's could be around and unchanged for a long, long time.
This is the way a motorcycle review should be like. Informative yet entertaining, unbiased yet opinionated.
I want this bike for my daily office commute; a 5 km stretch of the road is pure hell. But I know my wait is going to be endless as here in India, the allure of big sports bikes defeats these practical steeds' demand. And Yamaha has no adv bikes in India. Sad.
Oliverider, thanks for the great feedback! The Tenere 700 has that nice, slim shape that sure would slither through traffic better than a big R1200GS or similar. ---- Wow, did not know that Yamaha wasn't importing such models there. Some good other options are available I'm sure, but yea, the T7 is really great. RIDE on!
Finally! A fine adventure bike that isn't bloated with 47 traction control modes and stupid electronics. I would change my Tiger 800XC (21 front wheel ftw, yeah) for this Yammie but seat looks small and uncomfortable. Correct me if I'm wrong please. Great video and channel!
Thanks for the note, and yea, not mentioned was that I was ready to get off the Tenere 700's original seat after about 30 minutes. I didn't mention it, cause it's usually about 45 minutes with every other original seat bikes come with, so just "industry standard" and not worth mentioning. But yea, otherwise, what a bike!
I wish you could help us save a little googling with a metric conversion in your next video. Cheers and great vids!
Ha, yes, good suggestion. Maybe we'll start flashing the conversion up on the screen, as making the words/voice much longer would be perhaps too much. Thanks.
Thorough and entertaining review. You guys really understand the dual sport experience.
Excellent review!!! Thanks for the well organized highlights. The T7 will replace my current KLR.
Please, for the world subscribers, include metric system. Greetings from Bolivia
I just picked up a 22 t7 icon blue. I've got about 400 miles on it. I'm in North Central Florida and a lot of sand out here and the tires aren't the greatest for that but hard pack trails rides nice suspension feel decent so far great gas mileage about 67mpg. I ordered src moto crash bars I've got a bash plate coming for it protect the stator and water pump. Love it might sell my 2021 MT10 .... Maybe. Enjoyed the video ty
Thanks for helping me decide on the Tenere. It's a big bike for someone new. I have a smaller bike to learn on but after two rides my acceleration of learning the bike, its amazing how we can adapt once we breathe and just relax. This bike floats. I was so amazed how how it just takes you unlike a standard bike which is overly propulsion based feeling. This is a sleigh.
Thanks for the note, and yea, it's mostly "like riding a bike." As long as a rider can reach the ground firmly, typically moving to a larger option like this goes quite well. Enjoy, and RIDE on!
I took a test ride on it here in Australia and I can fully back what has been said in this video. What a gem. :-)
Peter, thanks. Hope you liked it like we do (except for the little extra kick in the butt.)
Should have mine in the next few weeks. Looking forward to having a BDR machine.
Yamaha has said that they’re likely working on like a 300-350cc baby Ténéré. If it weighs like 300-350 pounds and is as reasonably priced as the T7, I’m a guaranteed sale. The 700’s a great bike, with far and away the best-sounding (probably most reliable to boot, certainly with regard to service interval) ADV bike engine out there, but it’s more bike than I want (I’m 5’9”, 155 lbs, with no experience with or desire for bikes with a good bit of power). I have a TW200 for backroads and trails, and a Honda CRF300L Rally for when I need to ride further/faster on the road, but a smaller Ténéré would easily replace the Honda and suit my needs much better in my opinion. The Honda is really dirt-bikey, I’d rather have something like this. I’m not concerned about the stressed member engine, lots of off road bikes use that construction, including my TWs.
One of the best and concise reviews
Thanks for that note! More ahead.
Looks like a nice bike,main criticism is no centre stand and a bit quiet.looks user friendly to ride,all the electronic rider aids are unnecessary and add to the price.
Nice Review. That will be my next Bike.
DR650 is a single and is the middle of all possible uses. It's the ultimate middle adventure bike.
Brief comparison to competitors is a good idea. Ie. how likely are you to buy compared to another bike etc etc. just a friendly suggestion since you asked at the end :) big thumbs up from Australia! Cheers
Thanks, we're on it! Check out the rest of our Channel, we did compare the Tenere 700 to the KTM 790R: ua-cam.com/video/fRIk7625JUI/v-deo.html
Great review man! Makes me happy to see a bike review here in good ol central oregon
Recognizable land textures, eh? Thanks for the note, and RIDE on!
one of the best reviews.have it in Greece one year now.thanks
Glad Greece is getting the Tenere 700, some countries apparently are not. Thanks for the great feedback : )
I would concider this bike a large duelsports bike more so than a small adventure bike. Looks good , seems to handle well. Nice review.
Put on some slim aftermarket led blinkers, cycra hand guards, engine guards and you are done.
Such a great bike.
Nice review. Yamaha, if you are reading this, please put out a "premium addition", similar to KTM 6 days. Pimp one out from the factory. premium levers, premium skid plates, premium grips and spec'd to order spring rates.
There already is the Rally version of the Tenere 700, perhaps you saw? Just do a quick search and you'll see the Blue one.
@@RIDEAdventures
The rally version was disappointing, too expensive for not much more than different colour plastics.
If you are feeling impacts through the rear end it is more likely to be the compression damping rather than the relatively high pivot point of the swing arm. If anything, a high pivot point should make the rear feel more forgiving, because the rear wheel travel will not arc forwards as it moves through the travel as much as a swing arm with a lower pivot point. There are a number of downhill mountain bikes with high pivot points and the initial rearward wheel travel is a function of the high pivot point. It’s a shame I can’t quickly draw a diagram, it’s hard to explain in words! 🙃
Interesting though, this isn’t the first review I’ve seen make mention of it. Might mean that owners who do a lot of rougher off-road riding might want to look at getting the rear shock revalved.
Howling Mad Murdock, we're interested in getting into more of the physics behind this, and have even reached out to Jason at @engineeringexplained hoping to collaborate. Hoping to hear back, although he is surely busy with that many Subscribers. ---- For sure, the compression settings are a factor, but also that pivot point and steeper swingarm means the wheel has to move backward, and upward in relation to the overall direction of movement, which makes for that little extra "yank," right? If it was moving upward-only (or if less backward movement was involved upon impact) it would roll over imperfections more smoothly, one would think. Anyone know Jason or someone willing to do an interview with us to confirm all this?
RIDE Adventures If the bike wasn’t moving forward then straight up would be the best direction for the rear wheel to travel, but as the bike moves forward the ideal trajectory would be slightly rearwards. Think of the direction of force as the rear wheel hits, for eg, a rock. Because the bike is moving forwards there would be less impact felt if the wheel could move backwards as well as up. In reality, once sag is taken into account, the rearward motion of the Tenere’s rear wheel is likely to be minimal. In contrast, the rear wheel with a traditional low pivot point is already arcing forward as soon as it starts moving up, which will increase the impact felt as it moves towards the rock.
Edit: The one aspect where a high pivot could be worse for impacts could be under power, where the chain force is attempting to pull the rear axle in the opposite direction. Downhill mountain bikes get round this by routing the chain over a roller/sprocket at the pivot point.
@@Howling-Mad-Murdock, it's quite a topic that we'll be addressing more intimately. The slight "looping" feeling I get with rear wheel impacts is minimal, but there for sure. ---- Another way I tend to think of it is: What if the swingarm was even more steep. Let's say someone put a swingarm at a 45 degree angle. The unsprung mass would then have to "catch" the rock and loop back even more dramatically then, making that "looping" feeling I was trying to articulate, despite not using that exact word in the video. Above, I see your point: "Because the bike is moving forwards there would be less impact felt if the wheel could move backwards as well as up." But I tend to think, "what if the wheel didn't have to move backwards in the first place? What if it only had to move up?" ---- Anyway, they made a great bike at a great value overall, and we'll be seeing lots more of these on the roads as time goes on. Thanks for talking through it. ------ Eric
I like these pro con videos. Actually I like pretty much all your vids.
Adam, thanks for that note. More videos ahead.....including Tenere 700 vs. KTM 790 Adventure R. The suspense....is even getting to us : )
Great video thanks. The Tenere 700 is Australia’s best selling ADV bike at the moment.
Gloss Black, yep, and it'll probably take that title in many other markets if it hasn't already. What a great value and fun bike to ride. Enjoy if you get one, and thanks for the great feedback : )
I think it was no1 overall.. Killed the KTM 790 in sales. 17k seems a bit steep when the Atwin was 15.5k not that long ago. And knowing ktm we will see really cheap 790s going for under 20k soon enough. For 3k difference I'd take the ktm cos im gonna have to spend 3k to get the t7 up to scratch anyway. 790r is good to go out of the box...well almost....... BUT then there those fugly looks on the ktm and the t7 just looks so damn good..sigh. my first world problems.
Ktm is a consideration, but some in europe have spent 30% of their first year at the dealer getting repiared. Forget that. Reliability to me is worth paying adiscount for less hp and adequate suspension, for a lightweight rider.
Good review ty im hoping the Yamaha team that developed this bike get a big bonus for awakening their talent to the world. and their bosses .Now all they need to do is make another one with their 900 triple
and finally let the super tenure out to pasture
Ha, ha, yea, the Super Ten does well, but is wow-heavy. Lots to enjoy on a more middleweight bike like the T7. Thanks for sharing!
Great comprehensive video from an experienced host, great job!
I would like to hear your opinion about small adv motorcycle like the versys 300
great review. Nice bike!
Thanks, and thanks! We just picked up another one yesterday.
After a year or so of research into the Yamaha Tenere 700 I have found one or two major *"flaws" or draw backs:*
- The Yamaha Tenere 700 is *_top heavy_* & generally too heavy for off road (452 lbs wet), hence the many videos of it falling down more than other adventure bikes.
- I have heard the Tenere 700 has a "jerky speeding throttle" in every gear. That is when you first get into gear you always get a surge at the very start of the clutch engagement. This can get old real quick.
- Other minor flaws or draw backs are the fuel cap that comes completely off and the NON-LED very floppy turn signals.
Beside the surging throttle the Tenere 700is very good on the road though.
It doesnt fall more than other bikes, and is in fact lighter by a longshot compared to most ADV bikes, also, the fueling is perfect on my bike, haven’t experienced anything but a butter smooth engine and character….
@@dasboot9471 God bless & Happy Thanksgiving *_Das Boot!_
Where's the xt09? Guess I'll have to build my own!
Good review.. Are you wearing low profile armour under your shirt? I got a T7 in 2019 and love it.. Like a big Supermoto on road and a big enduro offroad. I'm away down the tracks whilst my mates are still inputting settings into their bigger ADV bikes.
Yep, you can see the type of body armor Eric is wearing in this full gear setup and explanation video. Enjoy that T7! Link here: ua-cam.com/video/t6JJEFD1J1o/v-deo.html
Ma y thanks. That AStar stuff looks good.
Good stuff, love to watch this channel continue to grow.
Thanks, Bruce, and hopefully you don't have to watch Eric's belly grow along with the channel! : )
@@RIDEAdventures Blame it on the COVID lock-down... (i know i'm using that excuse...)
Eric is such a nice guy! And this bike is awesome!
Searching for 9999 $...
Thanks : ) Get them now, cause the price will probably be going up within a couple of years...but then again, maybe finding a used one then, still with 200,000+ km of life remaining, will be the best move.
Great review, well done, new subscriber here! Regards from Argentina
Javier B, thanks for the compliment and for subscribing, and please let us know when we can start showing Rides your beautiful country again. Fortunately, we were about 90% done with the last Patagonia season before shutdowns started in March.
@@RIDEAdventures Thanks, I hope you enjoyed riding in Patagonia, we have amazing roads there, but we can´t ride yet because of Covid.
Thanks for this beautiful video...informative and yet fun.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for commenting : )
Do you think that they are going to ramp up production of these motorcycles in the US? And if they do will the price rise in 2022 and later?
I would assume they are at full production, as the T7's are in such high demand. I think we can expect pricing to go up for sure as global supply chain issues and inflation become bigger factors. Plus, Yamaha will probably re-release this bike with a bunch of electronics and stuff to justify a higher MSRP (unfortunately. It's like the perfect bike right now.)
@@RIDEAdventures I agree I like the fact that the t7 has very little electronics. Unfortunately I won't be able to purchase one until the first couple of months of next year then I'll be able to pay cash. Have a great day aloha
Great review on the bike with the detailed Pros and Cons. I too personally feel all those traction controls can get intrusive at times and simplicity in the key to ADVs. Way to go.
Thanks, Dinesh. Yamaha got it right. Those 74 hp......while plenty to have fun with, are not so spastic that Traction Control was necessary. Sure, TC can help in paved "oops, gravel patch" situations, but not necessary in the dirt.
@@RIDEAdventures You were just right on spot. Awesome.🔥🔥
Is it better in the middle than the KLR? It should be the standard question.
New KLR650 2022 vs T700. What are your thoughts?
We haven't laid hands on the new KLR yet, but of course it'll probably fit into that "great value" category along with the Tenere 700. (Although a little tough to compare a single cylinder bike to a twin, especially when they basically weigh the same 460lbs or so and the Yamaha is that much more powerful.) ---- While referring to the KLR as a "Great Value," it should be mentioned that we stopped offering the previous versions of the KLR, as they were not holding up well. Burning oil like heating stoves, and with radiators that would crack just from riding (not crashing) they were pretty tough, but also a little nerve-racking. ---- Thanks for checking in with us.
I like the bike, but having the rear shock linkage as the lowest point, seems like a poor decision. Good skid plate will solve that of course.
FanOWater, yep, we're looking forward to what some of the hard-parts manufacturers are offering. What a great bike though for the price.
Skid plate will eat away ground clearance, too. It's poor design. Glad, you've adressed it.
1999 called: they want those turn signal lenses back.
Well put : )
Another feature that kept the price of this bike lower than any other in the class. Yamaha offers LEDs as an upgrade. I just appreciate them keeping the price so competitive, will put the LEDs on when I have some spare shilling 😉
@@jonoharper4729 yeah, I believe the bike to want will be out next year.
bwahahahahhahahhhahhahahahahahahhahahahahahhhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhaha so true.
🤣
Really good video!!! Thank you.
Having just taken one out FOR A test ride on Saturday the steering get to a point then you have to work hard and it feels unnatural. The dash board never stops moving the glare on the screen makes it hard to see what speed you are doing. The engine is working hard at motorway speeds. I'm 6ft tall and the handlebar height made my hands go numb the seat is not comfortable at all. You couldn't ride this for long distances or I couldn't..! On the plus side it sounds great the feedback from the breaks is fantastic the lowdown power delivery is perfect. The fit and finish needs a lot of work the hand covers are very cheap the indicators must be made from melted down combs because they constantly move on very smooth roads. The gear shifts is smooth and your riding position is uncomfortable at best. You really need to try one to see if it will suit you.. ride safe amigos
Ha, ha.....melted-down combs and plastic soda bottles. Doubt they will be on this bike by the time the 2023 Tenere 700 comes out. Thanks for sharing.
I still prefer analog Speedometer and Tach.
Isn’t it a crossplane twin? not a parallel?
Actually, I think it's both? Parallel referring to the cylinder arrangements, and crossplane referring to the crankshaft within. Maybe someone else can confirm. Thanks for watching though, and good question.
I wish I could give experienced 1st hand riding knowledge, but my T7 was delivered with forklift damage.... had to reorder! Looks like about another month of waiting 😩.
Oh man that is tough. Sorry to hear. However, the wait will make the first ride that much better
Yamaha should make a Ténéré 350 with the mt-03 engine.
and the 900 with MT09 engine
@@LasseCLand no.
@@michaelhayward7572 why not?
@@LasseCLand multis just dont work well off road compared to twins and singles. Proven fact.
Much as the CP3 motor is a great engine, 115 bhp is not needed. The reason this T7 is so popular is because how good the CP2 motor works off road.
Aha 👌
Great info on this channel. You mentioned in another vid you were 6’3” ? Which is your favorite adventure bike? TIA
Thanks! Yes, about 6'3" 260 (fully suited up) but with a 32" inseam, which means I can reach the ground pretty/barely well on the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports. That bike, to me, is the favorite right now. Sure, it's not as powerful as the KTM 1090/1290 Adventure or some others, but in the motorcycle rental business, I just cringe at any bike that isn't at the top of the list of "most reliable." Not only is the ATAS outstandingly reliable, but it's an all-around athletic, great bike. Hope that helps - Eric
RIDE Adventures Great info thanks again. I look forward to a lot of binging on your channel🙏
Money aside, would you pick the Tenere or the KTM 790 Adventure R?
Steve, good question, and the answer will be revealed in our upcoming September 29th video where we compare the 790 Adventure R and the Tenere 700. So be sure to Subscribe and hit the Notifications bell. Even if the bikes were the same price, the answer to your question is going to surprise some folks, (hint, hint.) It'll be well-explained in that upcoming video. Also, our 790 Adventure R Pro's and Con's video posted last week if you haven't seen: ua-cam.com/video/5HdG1xS-5g4/v-deo.html
Should do a review for AT
Some comments. The US version seems to come with some different parts, compared to the Euro version I checked out just an hour ago. These horribly ugly indicators... The Euro model comes at least with white glass. Even nicer are of course LED indicators - those would be my first upgrade. No more worries with defective light bulbs. Also levers without a predefined breaking point are a no go - how do you get home if not the lever breaks off at half lengh, but the clamp, once you drop the bike?
I am also wondering why everyone spends tons of money on expensive skid plates, but the suspension linkage sticks out behind it, ready to be hit by rocks and exposed to all the dirt spray, that won’t do good to the bearings in the long run.
For sure no bad bike and I will seriously consider it in maybe two, three years when my 790 is up to 80.000km. You can see that it’s build to a price point, however.
Yea, hah, ha, the T7 is getting teased for those turn signals.
Thanks for the great video....any thoughts on the Husqvarna 701 LR as a long distance touring adventure bike instead of the t700 ?
Carl, good question, and the difference would mostly revolve around the feeling of removing 1 cylinder and about 100 lbs from the Tenere 700. When we think "Long Distance," the thought of a slightly-more-buzzy single cylinder engine, and the extra effects of wind on the lighter 701, doesn't sound as appealing. Then again: Depends on the terrain, what you need to bring, and how "long" long really is : )
Hallo ! Danke Gutes Video und Great Reviews. Grüße from Germany 👍😉😁
Hallo, Deutschland ...... Thanks for the great feedback, and RIDE on!
Thanks bunch
Great review, kinda surprised zero talk about soft suspension?? Dash wiggling around a lot?
Didn't think it was too soft, even at about 260 fully suited. Tweaking the clickers, and pumping up the rear preload, and yea.......I could probably use a different set of springs all the way around, but we don't alter those springs much from original on our rental fleet, so this was pretty good. --- Dashboard wiggles on so many bikes, no big deal for us. --Thanks for the positive comment. - Eric
Great review
Much appreciated. More ahead.
I'd buy a new Tenere 700 to finally replace my 08 KLR650 if it had a "Fancy" CRUISE CONTROL.
Nice one. Good job.
Thanks! More videos every other Tuesday (Oregon time : )
KTM 1090R ohhhh yea!
Another great bike, but nowhere near as highly requested as the Africa Twins and 790 Adventures in our Oregon rental fleet.
Thanks for the vid again must be my 10th time watching this haha! Any thoughts on the power and how it feels between the tenere and the Africa twin? The weight difference is significant but so is the displacement so wondering which one feels faster? Thanks again!
Kim, the Africa Twin and Tenere have about the same power-to-weight ratio, so they feel similar in terms of power/acceleration. Very similar, smooth, buttery engine with nice frequencies and vibrations. We hope to get such a comparison review up soon. In the meantime, coming this Tuesday: Tenere vs. 790 Adventure, so stay tuned! Thanks for sharing : )
RIDE Adventures awesome awesome awesome looking forward to it!!!!
This is the 2020 model, right? Or is it called the '2021' model??
Yes, this one was 2020. And fun to ride : )
@@RIDEAdventures Have you ridden the F900r yet or maybe will, in the near future??
@@CaptainBroadSword, none of us have ridden the F900R yet, but we'll get to it for sure. We have such incredible road-riding around us here in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, next riding season up here will focus more on road bike route development, and riding bikes like this one : )
@@RIDEAdventures I'm a bit torn between the BMW F900R and Yamaha Ténéré because they have the almost the same price, have the same type of motor, almost sound the same and both look badass!!! That's why I wanted a comparison for road use and a smudge bit of off-roading (almost non-existent)!!
@@CaptainBroadSword, and that there is what we all ponder: "How much off-pavement riding will I end up doing, anyway? On the other hand, it sure would be nice to have the option......" Fun times. Just about the only shopping some of us care to do : )
The Honda also uses the engine as chassis. Hmmm... Does this affect the overall longevity and reliability? Texas
If you mean the CB500X, yes, we have had 2 rental customers in Patagonia over-pressure the bike to the point of cracking the engine-points.
Thanks
No heated grips? Oh the horror, how will you ever survive 😂
$100 get you a nice one and it won't break the bank.
I've been riding street since 1996 however have limited dirt time. Would you recommend the middle weight size for someone like me on the TAT or would you go smaller? (I'm 5"11 225)
Jason, we really can't suggest fitting, but based on those numbers, watch our "Tenere 700 or Africa Twin" comparison video coming up a week from this coming Tuesday. It will help you decide between two very similar bikes (great values, reliable, nicely-priced, agile, capable, etc. ) as it really comes down to which bike you feel best standing over and riding: Size Matters! ----Oh, and I doubt smaller would be better, you're a pretty big guy.
@@RIDEAdventures I've been thinking a lot about the Tenere 700 actually I've been riding my Sv1000S since new in 2005. Ideally I'd prefer the Vstrom 650 AVD but I hear from a lot of you dirt folks that 21 is the way to go over the front 19.
@@jaytate491, that's just Eric's opinion, preferring 21 in the dirt, if he's doing mostly/majority dirt riding on a trip. If it's only like 20% dirt, then the 19" fronts would have a hand-up, biting into that 80% pavement with more 17-inch- like prowess : ) Additional Tenere 700 suspension travel and clearances vs. the other two bikes mentioned will also be nice, depending on what % of rugged/rough dirt you'll be riding vs. pavement. Have fun and let us know what you do : )
Enjoyed the review. I’m fairly new to your site, what is the device Eric wears around his neck? Thanks...
Jay, thanks. It's an Alpinestars BNS Neck Brace. Hopefully we never have to find out if it works or not : )
How do i contact someone about the tours?thank u
nobber d robber, just pick which tour you're interested in on www.rideadv.com, and there should be a form on that page to fill-out. Once you do that, watch your Inbox and Spam folders, as one of us will typically respond within a day or so, but sometimes emails go to Spam. See you there!
Dang that bike is really tempting!
Giant Loop Moto, you got that right! Only tough side is if your @ss has taken too much of a pounding over the years. Even then, the Tenere 700 is still fine to ride : )
Ok... Your discription of what the swingarm angle does is totally wrong. Anti-squat is a function of the front cog position relative to the main pivot. You can have plenty (or too much) on a flatter swingarm too. And the fact that it doesn't "graze over bumps" is just the rear shock not being awesome. The swingarm angle should help that as the wheel moves back with the bump more than a flatter one.
Hmm. Not sure we're "totally wrong," but it's also a little difficult to understand how you're explaining we're wrong. The angle of the swingarm is undoubtedly a factor in the sensations that come up through the bike, in addition to the quality/capability of the rear shock. Lower the swingarm angle even further than the T7 currently is (make the swingarm steeper) and the "kick" we feel through the seat will be even further pronounced. Right?
Very profesional review
I’ve heard before the Tenere has no ABS!
Do you know if this one does?
The one in the video sure does have ABS. You can see the "Off" light on a few times in the video. There's also a Tenere 660 in some countries, that may or may not have ABS....which may be the confusion.
RIDE Adventures thank you so much! I’ll look it up!!
Great channel!! 🤙🏽
$10k is closer to $12k on the road. I like it but, lil too steep for what it is. I'm sure they will be listed for $7k-$8k. I've seen Tracers 900 listed below $8k.
Yep, some used Tenere 700's will be out there soon enough to save some $$$, but whether owners are parting with their bikes or not.....may be the big question : )
@@RIDEAdventures Why used ones? Most manufactures usually have big rebates for previous years models? Those rebates are usually better deal than couple year used bikes. The examples I gave were for brand new bikes. I haven't yet seen bike that was not available at some point. It is only matter of whether somebody is willing to wait or grabs whatever comes first.
@@oknevals, ahh, used, or rebated.... even new...the Tenere 700 is a pretty great value. As long as it holds up, which they appear to be doing : ) RIDE on!
.. Yes, T7 no doubt is a real deal..
Get them while we can ! : )
@@RIDEAdventures 😟wish,abd dream, was following since years, waiting for it, but once it reached could not grap, 💔bcoz of $..doing House maintenance🏡,..and can't break more the Bank..😁
Thanks for the review, informative and fun as always. Just wondering how you think this compares to the 1000 Africa twin and a Cb500x for commuting and weekend touring? And is a ktm 790 adventure r that much better off road? Thanks and looking forward to your thoughts!
Kim, stay tuned, Subscribe, and hit the Notifications button, cause the answers to those questions (790R and Africa Twin) are on the way : )
RIDE Adventures thanks!
RIDE Adventures can I make a special request as well? Could you include real world gas mileage on that next comparison? This is hardly ever mentioned in reviews but from what I've seen it almost seems like the Africa twin and ktm are more efficient than the Yamaha but I'm not sure that's right! Looking forward to the next video!
@@KimCruz1, good suggestion, and we'll be sure to mention it sometime after we've had some good samplings. Thanks! Some online sources like this are reporting 56mpg: www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/yamaha/tenere-700/2019/andygbsmith/947311
RIDE Adventures hey!! I've been hunting down figures in reviews and never came across this website thank you so much!!
woow superrrrr.
be a great bike if you didn't have space or couldn't afford a much cheaper dirt bike alongside your street bike. But the reality is you could have both those bikes for way less then this thing is. So maybe at that point it would just be a space issue. Who knows its still neat.
Yea, whatever the case, we all know the correct # of bikes we should have is......our current #, plus 1 :)
@@RIDEAdventures Lol very true!
With two bikes you have to chose if your doing off road or road rideing, this dose both.
Great review. I am thinking of trading in my KTM 690 for this but wondering how does it do on the highway?
Almost universally, the extra weight and feeling of a twin cylinder feels better to most of us for higher speed highway use. The 690 is great, but just not as comfortable at top speeds.
690 to a T7..why?
@@montaego because my 690 is an unreliable POS. 32000 km and 3'rd engine rebuild going on, faulty electronics but mainly the bike is just too small for my needs. I want to be able to take my daughter and a bit of luggage on weekend trips.
@@krede99 That sucks! I guess I will cross a 690 off the list for rally conversion. My 990 is fantastic, luckily so.
@@montaego I guess I have just had bad luck. There are lots and lots of them out there that's actually working great. Some have more than 100.000 km without any work besides valve maintenance
Cool vid - did you state your height and weight at some point? I must have missed that bit of relative data?... reason i ask is imo this bike looks too small for you?
Right, and we meant to mention: Eric is about 6'3", 240lbs, and with a 32" inseam. So, kind of short-legged, but we hope this helps.
Great review. 👍🇬🇧
Thanks 👍
TENÈRÈ 700 OR VSTROM 650XT ?
That's easy: More pavement, or wanting to carry a passenger or big luggage? VStrom. More dirt, technical, and need to stay agile? Tenere 700 : )
@@RIDEAdventures Thank you very much
6:48 the signal light waving at camera
Our hope is, they survive better than some others upon impact : )
In the promo video for this bike one signal light is dangling off.
Does it have hard plastics, or are they the softer dirt bike style?
John, they're pretty hard. Not as hard as some others, but definitely not dirt bike soft. Have fun if you get one : )
Great channel!
Street machine, thanks for the great feedback! More videos ahead, including the Tenere 700 vs. 790 Adventure R comparison.
Parallel twin. Another huge minus. Triple or V-twin is the way to go. I have a few bikes in my garage including a BMW parallel twin and it is my least favorite
No TFT screen? Fail.
But for those who commented saying they 'like it simple,' jackpot! : ) Thanks for sharing.
Wibbly wobbly indicators
Yea, but they might hold-up better this way when the bike end up on its side.
@@RIDEAdventures very true
Hi sir, what is your height? Can you flat foot while sitting on the bike?
Eric is about 6'3", about 260lbs (with riding gear) and has a 32" inseam. Because his legs aren't so long, yes, he can flat-foot, but "just barely." Hope that helps!
Yeah I guess the Tenere is “Available” in America 😂 if you can find one you’re probably gonna spend 15k +
nothing on suspension?
Thought we noted the adjustability, which alone makes it pretty good. Playing with the clickers will let someone dial it in nicely, and when that is done, the bike gallops quite nicely.
8:55 LOL
Honestly I don’t think they should change anything about it over the years other than colors.
Glad if you enjoyed that movie reference : ) --- Yea, the T7 is so close to being perfect....and at that price.....it'll be a bit of a shame if they over-complicate it and crank the price up.
RIDE Adventures exactly! I know this may sound dumb but I kinda like the 2017 -19 AT and ATAS simple LCD screens more. So I hope with the T7 they leave it alone. Maybe give it a slip assist clutch?
@@ridewherever, however they evolve, we're sure to see lots of T7's out there in the future. Slipper would be nice for sure.
Awesome bike, if you can find one!
Yea, and it doesn't seem like anyone who's bought one is selling them yet. Great bike, that Tenere 700. Thanks for commenting.
@@RIDEAdventures Awesome channel - keep up the great work!