@@RocketMan_Moto Loved the video.. I'm curious about the 6 speed in the Honda verses the 5 in the Tenere. Were you shifting more often in the Honda because the gears were closer together?? Also which one revs less with lower Rpms on the highway at the same speed?? 👍
Haha, thanks for that, Di. Particularly welcome, as a few weeks ago, someone commented that I was an idiot, because nobody used the word 'aplomb' any more :( Nice to know there are still those who appreciate words of more than one syllable :)
I think you’ll be surprised by the Yamaha. I went into the test ride convinced I wasn’t going to like such an off-road oriented bike, but I really liked it. Ride safe 😊
That was probably the clearest and most meaningful T7 appraisal I've watched to date, and the CB500X benchmarking was extremely useful. T7s are as rare as hens' teeth in this part of the world but I now feel a test ride coming on ASAP. Thank you! 👍
Thank you for taking the time to shoot, edit and post this. Very helpful as the Teneré is getting close to hitting our showroom floors here in the US. Nice work!
Thank you!. A clear and concise review. It seems every review of the T700 is very very positive. Currently waiting to see if we'll get it here in the Philippines.
Thanks for the informative video, nicely done! The 2022 Honda CB500X definitely has an improved front suspension. The stock Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tires are pretty terrible off-road (I would guess they are 80/20 tires), which is why you found the Tenere 700 so much better off-road, since it's stock tires are Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs - a 50/50 tire. With Motoz Tractionator GPS/Shinko E80x/Dunlop Trailmax Mission/Michelin Anakee Wild/Heidenau K60 Scout 50/50 tires, the CB500X feels way more planted and capable when off-roading. The CB500X has enough power for me, anything more just translates to more speeding tickets :-) So, while the Tenere 700 sounds like a very nice bike, I'm content with my CB500X and with Honda reliability. Maybe I'll do a Rally Raid suspension upgrade in future, if and when Rally Raid makes one for the 2022 model year. It will be interesting to see how Honda prices the upcoming Honda Transalp 750 XL. If it has a better stock suspension, it could trump the Tenere 700.
I have recently purchased a Suzuki Vstrom 650 and while I have been commuting mixed with some off road use and being new I haven't been riding it with fuel economy in mind, after my first 1000km I have achieved 26km per litre or 73.4mpg imp. I'm happy with that with it being comparable to my previous bike, a GW250. I find the Vstrom comfortable and being 5'11" I'm able to flat foot the bike which is a blessing with the strong gutsy winds I have experienced over the last few weeks.
Thanks for that, Michael. I have ended up ordering the new BMW F900XR because it’s more road-oriented, but the Ténéré is a great bike if you’re looking to do some off road. Certainly better than the CB500X.
Honestly if I had the dish to fork out on a Tenere after picking up a Rocket, I would over the Honda. I’ve had several large capacity dual road bikes which I enjoyed exploring dirt back roads on day/weekend trips around Melbourne and through Gippsland on the way to Canberra, Australia. I’m currently riding a CB500F but was thinking about trading up to a CB500X. I’m 5’8 so I’d get the Tenere lowering kit and centre stand. For extra comfort I’d fit a sheepskin seat cover or similar product. Look forward to your rocket owner review.
Thanks for your comment, Andrew. Yes, if I had an unlimited budget, then I would swap my Honda for the Yamaha in a heart beat. I genuinely think it's a better bike, and worth the extra cash. I'm hoping to pick up my Rocket around Dec 16, fingers crossed, so expect many videos over Christmas and the New Year. All the best :)
Why not bite the bullet and get a new seat from Russell? If you buy anything less you are just wasting money. By the time you buy your second new replacement seat, you have spent what you would for a Russell seat. Sixty% of the riders who finish the Iron Butt use Russell saddles. Vaughn
good review, I did some testing of this bike on/off road recently as well and I agree on most your assessments. Don''t agree though on nose dive, any bike with so long forks travel will do some diving but when you brake correctly it's not an issue and actually suspension on tenere is quite firm. Also I like engine characteristics and pipe sound a lot. It has power everywhere. Where yamaha missed the mark is fuel tank size, my old tenere has 23 liters and over 500km range...Wind protection is bad indeed for taller people.
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, much appreciated :) I get what you mean re. fork dive, but it is more pronounced than with my 500X. I've also ridden the 1250GS with its admittedly very expensive adaptive suspension that has no dive at all under braking, so I was just a bit surprised by the Ténéré. I soon got used to it, though. Ride safe :)
@@robsonenduro3316 Yes, I know, but having got used to that, it came as a surprise to jump on the Yamaha. I'm not saying the Ténéré is bad, just that a new rider needs to expect dive :)
@Jason Davis only famous around who didn't ride the bike and repeat stupid things. LOL It has soft suspension for racing though, but it's not racing bike.
I will be riding with three of my friends next season that have 700’s on order. We do a fair amount of adventure touring and all have had various adventure bikes. I currently own a 2014 CB500x that I installed the rally raid kit. I was lucky for I found this bike new a few years ago and with the kit installed was a great bargain. My last adventure unit was a KTM690 and although the CB has significantly less power the conversion has made this bike ideal. Hiway cruising and off roading is fantastic.
I loved the 690. I spent a week in Moab on it. Great for off road. As soon as you need to ride some distance with it you vibrate and get numb. I can’t ride nearly as quick with the 500 but everything I do with it makes it sooo much more enjoyable. Exploring is 100 times better. I can ride the highway in comfort then hit a technical trail and get through easily. The rally raid kit is a great up grade. If you want a fantastic all arounder the 500 with the kit hits the spot!
Rocketman you find your bike has lots of vibration? I guess coming from my 690 I found this little twin buzz free. However I changed out my risers and to a fat bar plus hot grips.... I don’t know if that would make a difference... 70mph she is pretty calm.
Stock cb500x is great for rough roads but for offroad you need to spend alot of money for the rally raid kit which would make it pretty close to tenere 700 in price.
with the new Tiger 900 entry level model just £500 more than the Ténére 700 that's going to cause many to pause on the Yamaha. I know they are not quite the same in terms of focus, but I think it will.
I was thinking that, Terry. I’d like to give the new Tiger a test. Problem is, I know I’d be tempted to go up the range, and with the ‘obligatory options’, it’s going to be too expensive.
@@RocketMan_Moto I know, Jan 2018 I went to buy an 800XCx and came away with a 1200XCa, how did that happen! A TFT dash, even if it is the "older" one, tubeless tyres & an extra 200cc for £500 on the 900 will tempt some.
Truly a great review for an everyman rider like myself. Superbly executed review. I have an FJR1300, I'm considering down the road picking up an ADV as I have some buddies that ride adv and I live in Oregon with plenty of great terrain. I was always a Honda man, but it looks like I'm going to solidly be a Yamaha man if I get one of these. :)
Great, glad to be of help. Both bikes are good, but I’d go for the Ténéré today (it wasn’t available back in the spring when I was looking). Ride safe😊
@@RocketMan_Moto Choosing between Africa twin, CB500X and the Tenere 700. The 700 isn't sold here yet. Think maybe it's the best choice. I haven't ridden in years and kind of old now. The AT just sounds too heavy.
Ron Sexton I didn’t gel with the AT when I tried it a couple of weeks ago (see my video on here, if interested) - too big, too electronic, too expensive... Imho, the Ténéré is worth waiting for😊
@@RocketMan_Moto The AT just looks too big and heavy. I am thinking about Las Vegas and some sand and sandy roads during retirement. And the AT looks a bit heavy. Surprisingly the 700 seems within 20 pounds of the CB500X but with a lot more power, albeit less range which is also important. And everyone like you seems to think it is superior on the road for situations like hills and passing. And smoothness. I don't like buzzy! I had an GS1100G that was a bit buzzy on the hands. Surprised people report the CB500X is a bit buzzy. Also the 700 engine is considered extremely reliable. Your review convinced me. I am waiting for the 700. The KTM seem just a bit much and also expensive and not sure about reliability. Like the 790. Have you ridden that?
I’m yet to test the KTM, but I’m not a fan of the brand as a whole. Finish and reliability are concerns for me. I think the next bike I try could be the Triumph Tiger 900, launched today, although the cost is way higher than the back to basics Tenere I enjoyed so much.
You also need to take in consideration changes that Honda made for 2019 model. It is still completely different class in both engine and suspension. 471cc vs 689cc. Regular forks vs adjustable inverted ones. Tires and suspension play huge role off road. I found both cbx and super ten very capable on gravel roads even with road oriented tires. I wonder how T700 handles wind at high speeds. Cruising at 75 mph in wind gusts put me in serious trouble on cbx. At only 20 lbs more and seemingly larger side profile T700 makes me cringe a little. Combined with extra power, more off road oriented tires and lack of traction control it can quickly put somebody in bad place.
thx a lot fo the informative Video. i switched from a KLE 500 to a V Strom 650 and i am happy with it. I travel a lot and make a lot of dirtroads (Kirigstan, Tadjikistan and so on) The V Strom is also 2000 Euros cheaper then the Tenere. The front suspension needs some work for dirt roads, but it is a very comfortable bike with a strong engine. i was thinking to get a tenere, but i wanted something more comfortable for my long journeys which is still able to go on dirtroads.
You can not really compare these two bikes. For 50 % more of the price it is normal to expect 50 % more performance. And I don´t know whether I would prefer a bad seat over vibrations. But this is a personal question. So it is simply the question what kind of bike you want.
Great review. I watched the review on CB500X. Liked it so much Iam going for a test ride. It will be the first bike I have tested. Hope it fits as I am 6'4''.
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, Richard. Despite a few shortcomings, both the CB500X and the Tenere make perfect first biked. I am 6´3 and it’s fine for me, so you should be fine. Ride safe😊
For me, this was an excellent review. I have been interested in both of these bikes. This review has very clearly differentiated the +s and -s of both bikes. And, I think this review has helped me make a decision. It's the Yamaha for me. ;-)
Good for you! I bought my CB 8 months ago, when the Ténéré wasn't yet on the market. If I could go back in time, I would wait and go for the Yamaha, because it's the superior machine in just about every way. I wasn't expecting to like it, but I did. A revelation! Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts and enjoy your new toy :)
Brother: You have a nice voice to listen to. You are informative well spoken and move along in the information not labouring any points. Good video. Thank you for your efforts. Oh yes, I was just reminded as I checked the comments; Thank you so much for not adding music. It is really calming to just listen to you talk and not to listen to music which could go either way depending on your tastes and the taste of the viewer. {In this case myself; but you get the point} Thank you again.
Excellent review. Compared to most of the other Adventure bikes, the Tenere is good value and, from what you say, a good off road performing bike. I bought a Himalayan about 5 months ago and, like the Tenere, is a good off road Adventure bike. Not a good bike for dual carriageways, though.That's not too important for me as motorway riding isn't much fun on any bike, and the Himalayan is very cheap ( just over £4k ) The Tenere, though, could well be my next bike. I'll have to get a test ride on one and see what I think. Also, before I bought one I think I'd try to rent one for 2-3 days in order to get a better feel for it. Hope you enjoy your new Rocket when you get it. I think that every time you walk back to it, where ever it's parked, you'll be pushing your way through the crowd, and answering questions before you can get on it - at least for a while.
Haha, thanks for your comments😊 I agree about motorways on a bike; I always feel very exposed. The Ténéré is a very good bike and I should really be buying that, rather than the absurd Rocket. But I just can’t resist the ‘everyone will think I’m the Terminator’ fantasy😂 Ride safe.
The Yamaha engine cp2 is an excellent power plant. I’m in the USA and bikes are hard to find new and used. I picked up a cb 500 since cb 650 r is impossible to find and for a 500 cc engine I have no complaints. And I have averaged 93 mpg with it. It actually gets better than my crf250l I traded for it.
90mpg out of your cb500x!? most i am getting is 70 and im not pushing hard. Loving this Tenere it seems to tick the boxes that the cb500x doesnt! My gripe is the lack of power. But i have drove that 700 engine before and it is a belter!
Many people have expressed surprise at my claim of 90mpg, but that's what I have averaged in the 8 months I've had the bike. The Ténéré wasn't available when I ordered the Honda, but I'd definitely go for it today. The engine is, as you say, a belter. Ride safe :)
Como assim um youtuber desta qualidade aqui em Portugal e com este nível de inglês, adorei, e o conteúdo ainda melhor um review mesmo bom. Estou a pensar seriamente em comprar uma t7. Obrigado pela tua opinião, continua assim!!
Excellent review.....It's obvious that the inherent design and capabilities of the Yamaha Tenere 700 opened up a new vista for you to enjoy riding that bike.... I would consider this bike strongly and maybe modify the seat for a more custom fit for comfort...It's very good to be on bike that inspires your confidence and allows your experience to be upgraded and enjoyable.... I think that is why i would buy that bike myself.... You gave an excellent review and helped my decision...
Glad you enjoyed the off-road experience on the test ride. Hope you find time to be doing some off-roading. The Yamaha seems like viable alternative to the CB500X. Ride safe...
What a brilliant, honest road test video. I too ride a CB500X (2016 in my case) which I love but will swap for something a bit bigger in the near future. V-Strom 650 is top of the pile at present but I do feel I should try the T7 as well. I've ridden over 3000 miles on the XT660 (way too tall for me) but clearly this is a different beast. Plenty of food for thought in your review. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Patrick😊 I try to be as objective as possible in my reviews. I went into this test ride convinced I wasn’t going to be that bothered about the Ténéré, not being particularly into off-road riding, but it came as a revelation. I haven’t yet tried the V-Strom, but have arranged a test of the KTM 790 next week, so you might want to look out for that video, too. Ride safe😊
I have a 2017 MT07, 80MPG and a 2018 CB500X 90MPG. They are both amazing bikes in their own right and I thoroughly enjoy riding them. I feel exactly the same as you about the MT07 engine and the CB500x comfort. What I would really like is to put the Yamaha engine into the Honda and that for me would be a dream bike. I have taken the MT07 to Croatia and back from England but it is not comfortable. Ride safe, Mike.
Very nice review. I especially like it that you don’t do the talking while riding. The voice-over is so much better to understand than the talking of those other guys with the wind and the engine noise. Great. I’m very interested in this bike for our next big trip (Ushuaia to Canada). We used our BMW’s (GS for the wife and GSA for me) for a 26k km trip in Canada, Alaska and the lower 48 this year, but those are just so heavy off-road. So while the BMW’s will stay with us, for travelling in Europe, to ride elsewhere we are tempted to get these. We also rode 10k km in India and Nepal on Royal Enfields Himalayan. But I didn’t like it and it was too cramped for me at 6’4.
Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you like the format. I did toy with the 'live' commentary as I rode the bike, but as you say, the audio quality is never as good, and I didn't want to be distracted my my talking while riding the bike. Anyway, your American adventure sounds fabulous, and way more hard-core than anything I am ever likely to attempt. 26km is quite an adventure in tiny Portugal, so 26,000 is almost inconceivable, lol. Ride safe :)
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, much appreciated :) The Yamaha is a great bike, but since yesterday I'm also tempted by the new Triumph Tiger 900... a lot more expensive though! Ride safe :)
I'm sure you have already, but if bot, check out the rally raid CB500x, transforms the handling and off road capabilities of the bike, whilst keeping the commuter bit. I've a couple of KTMs, 690 and 1190, the RR CB500x, is as much fun and probably more reliable, at least at my low skill level.
The CB is definitely at the lower end of the gene pool re HP and very difficult to improve on standard power. I've been fortunate to be able to purchase many new bikes, in the past always the biggest fastest etc, with the skill level to use maybe 25% of their capabilities. Now I take my skill level divide by 3 and try and buy the bike, new or used that suits. The bike I use more than any is an 11 yr old st1300, relaxing to ride with plenty of luggage space. Have you test ridden the Guzzi California, if so what did you think.
Great Channel! I’m seriously considering a Tenere. It was a long time coming but it seems all the development time was worthwhile. A future classic methinks, especially in white n red. Subbed 👍
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, much appreciated. Yes, the Ténéré wasn’t available when I got my CB500X, but I would definitely choose it today over the Honda. Ride safe😊
My 9 year old CB500X is probably on it's last season. I've been eyeing the T700 so this is good info, even if it's a couple of years old. Thanks for the review, the Yamaha is looking better and better.
Not sure I’d be so categorical. The Tenere surprised me and I’d definitely consider it for a commuter bike. It wouldn’t make a great tourer, though, imho. Ride safe😊
@@RocketMan_Moto tenere is a new baby after famous tenere 660 which was used by many travelers same as transalp from honda, but it doesnt mean it can't be used as commuter :) both great bikes and it really doesn't metter what you ride as long as you happy, take care!!
Hello. Thanks for the very detailed review. I am mystified however why someone who says they were not interested in off-roading but in touring ever looked at this bike in the first place, since it is one of the more off-road orientated bikes on the adventure bike market.
I heard in another video that the *Yamaha Tenere* - T700 falls / crashes noticeably more than other off road bikes in the same conditions. Opposite of RocketMan's experience. Something to check out if you are "seriously" planning on buying one. BUT... The 2020 Yamaha T700 (Tenere) is a good basic bike. *_I strongly suggest_* you avoid the temptations by the industry & dealers making their videos on the T700. Never, ever buy a brand new design i.e. 1.0. WAIT about two to three years for the: - fixes to the design bugs & issues - improvements/modernizations like on the Honda Africa Twin & now Adventure Sport version - aftermarket parts & accessories to be available - for other folks not wise enough to wait, to buy it and spend their money not yours Something to think about that I am sure the video maker agrees with.
@@RocketMan_Moto A year later after our conversation most bikers that have bought the Yamaha love it except it's weight (452 lbs) & where it carries that weight (top heavy). Some dirt oriented folks are selling their Tenere 700 for smaller/lighter bikes (the CRF 250/300, KLR 300, DRZ 400, KTM 390, etc.) due to this big short coming.
Thanks, Martin :) Portugal is a very nice place to live, although it's cloudy this morning. Pity, as I'm just about to go out and try the KTM 790 for my next comparison video. Ride safe :)
@@RocketMan_Moto I don't know what the laws are in Lisbon but if you can ride about the city on some kind of small vehicle, well, it is the city I've thought about visiting for a long time, what a history, the earthquake and tsunami, the explorer king and the spies of the world wars and the youth culture and always nice to have British and Dutch around too
Great points. I missed the sounds but youtube is full of that. Convincing review. i`d like to own one of these 700 sounds perfect, good weight and easier to maneuver offroad
i currently have mt09 and xr400r. sold my Klr because it was not right bike for me (bad on highway and suspension very poor for offroad). next bike has to be tenere 700 or tenere 1200 or africa twin. cant decide. bike has to be good on road first and decent offroad.
I would strongly recommend you try the Ténéré 700: I wasn’t expecting much on road from such an off-road focused bike, but I was very impressed. Ride safe😊
In the USA the yamaha tenere 700 is $10k vs Honda cb500x coming in at $7200. The Honda CB500x is dang near impossible to find. For an extra $2700 I'm really considering the Yamaha over the Honda. You get a more off road capable bike that is also significantly more powerful which makes it better on the freeway too. Yet it weights the same. Though that weight is concentrated higher.
10,400 euros isn't cheap. Sounds like the bike is worth it, though. I'd rather have the KTM 790 Adventure, I think, but I bet it's a lot more expensive. The Yamaha runs on inner-tubed tyres. I wouldn't ride at speed on a them. Ever had a puncture at speed on an inner-tubed bike? Another good review.
I've ridden the MT07 and you're right, that motor is just superb. Re CB500X Vibes. Loosen all the engine bolts. Run the motor STATIONARY for a minute or two. Retighten and retorque all the engine bolts.
@@RocketMan_Moto My '16 never caused issue but my current '18 was buzzy. Saw the advice on a forum and it helped a lot. I think the MT07 motor is superb, way better than the MT09 triple. If only it could match the X's economy - I regularly cover 15 to 20k per year so big fuel costs.
Would have to be the tracer for me, the Honda 500 range are great bikes all round well proven and well made definitely worth the money, but I think I would get bored of the engines lack of power.
@@thomaspeacock8990 I feel the same, had a Tracer for a couple of months until I had to sell her. But next year, I have the Tracer 700 at the top of my list for my next bike. Down the list would be an MT09, CB650F, SV650, lastly an ER6F.
Great review! Somewhat interestingly, I settled for the CB500X 2019 owing to the extended delay in the release of the Tenere and at 6'41/2" and even though the CB500X is considered reasonably tall, I find it a little low (as are most bikes for me!), but allowing for the fact that you are also tall; I'm quite surprised that you have opted for a lowering kit as the height of the Tenere was one of the attractors for me. I agree that the saddle would feel like riding a razor's edge after a long ride and I suspect that as there is a touring pillion seat available, there may be a rider's option soon? Also, what's up with the old-style fuel cap that fully detaches, messing up tank bag configurations? I'm hoping that they're considering a 'touring' version which is mostly road-focused, with some off-the-beaten-track potential (pretty much like the CB500X 2019!)
Thanks for your feedback and kind words of support, much appreciated :) I generally like low bikes - I have a scooter, Monkey 125 and a 'small' Triumph Street Triple. The Triumph Rocket I have on order will also be very low, so I'm not too bothered about height. I agree about the fuel cap, but many bikes continue to have these, including the new Rocket, and this despite having 'modern' keyless ignition. A touring version of the Ténéré would be wonderful! Ride safe :)
The 7 could well be the better bet. Did you see Michael Neeves' video on the 9GT yesterday? Wow, he's normally very diplomatic, but he gave it a bit of a slating, saying the noise & vibration would put him off buying one completely...
@@RocketMan_Moto Oh. No I didn't. Most of the reviews have been pretty good. I did try the old 900 but preferred the 800 Tiger - Then ended up buying a KTM :-) I need to try the 900 Tiger but they really need some better colours
Triumph's colours are really boring at the moment, and that's one thing that's putting me off the Speed Triple. I'd like a canary yellow paint scheme on such a bonkers machine, not black or grey :(
Thank you. I have narrowed my adventure bike down to these two and the T7 was in the first spot until I sat on it. I realized that the top of the clutch cover where the clutch lever protrudes from clutch cover case touches my shin. I am slightly taller than average and it's a complete deal breaker for me. Is this something you experienced? Your comment about this would be greatly appreciated.
Just recently found your channel. Love your attitude & mannerisms. Best of luck to you, keep it going :). I am sure that in a few years time you can support your hobby with this channel as well.
Thanks for your kind words, John :) Yes, I saw the 44 teeth review (I am sad and scour UA-cam several times a day for videos on 'my' Rocket!) Stay tuned for plenty of uploads on here. Ride safe :)
I thought about buying one of these last October. I've always loved Ducatis too. I've ended up with a second hand Ducati Desert Sled & am very happy with it. I will use it on dirt at times & with its 19" front tyre it won't be as good as the Tenere. I couldn't have justified a new Tenere anyway, but I'l see how things are in a few years when there are pre-owned ones for sale.
Nice review, thanks. I think, for me, Yamaha nailed it with this bike. I am so, so, tired of massive, heavy, hugely expensive, overcomplicated so called adventure bikes (and I should know I have owned a few in the past) which in reality are no longer fit for "adventure" This, surely, is the way to go......where purpose trumps image.....like it used to be before the Costa coffee adventurers came along.....
Thanks for your comment, Marc😊 Yep, Yamaha have hit the sweet spot with the T700. If I wasn’t about to drop £20k on the Rocket, I’d definitely get one. Ride safe.
Really good video one of the best i seen Im planning to get a cb500x or the tenere 700 With would be more reliable for touring planning to have a passenger on the back
I just trying to do my mod 1 and 2 and I've been looking about for a bike . I did think about the normal route of getting a 600 bandit or hornet , but I keep looking at that 500 x
Nice review. T7 still not in USA, but at my age comfort is priority #1 and T7 narrow and thin seat looks like torture. I’ll stick with my Africa Twin with comfy Russell Day Long seat.
Muito bem. Espectacular "review" (mesmo depois de 1 ano e tal). Vejo que foste buscar a mota ao João, na MJPaiva, e andaste a passear na minha terra! Muito bem, parabéns! And to top it all, you have perfect dictation and a magnificent english accent, which makes this review a true pleasure to watch!
Great review. How would it compare against the Moto Guzzi V85 TT? Both are twin cylinders, but with some differences on displacement and engine type. Best regards
Regarding the suspension, did you attempt to adjust sag, damping, and rebound? Those are all very important parts to getting the suspension to work for the individual rider.
One of the key features of the Tenere is the fact that it doesn't have Traction control and fancy electronics (hence the aggressive price). Was that a hinderance to you, or was it easy to control despite the lack of that functionality?
Good question, which I omitted to cover: the engine is fabulous BUT I honestly think you can get away with not having TC. I was gunning it on mixed tyres, in relatively low temperatures (for Portugal) but I never felt the rear give way, even when I took the bike off road. A slip-assist clutch would be nice, not sure what the costs would be, though. Ride safe😊
RocketMan thanks a lot!! This one is way off my budget, but I'm aiming towards the cb500x and the rally raid mods, hopefully that can scratch both my touring and off road itches.
@@riveraluciano It's your choice, of course, but remember that the 500X + RR mods will bring you close to the Ténéré (which doesn't need any mods). Plus, you will still have the same, relatively weak Honda engine, and when you resell the bike, the RR accessories will be almost worthless. Just my €2 worth :)
@@RocketMan_Moto Thing is the costs of even a 500cc bike here are ludicrously high, to the point where I'm not really buying the Honda Cb500 but a clone which includes the rally raid mods. The Ténéré here is expected to cost around 20000USD.
Wow, 20K for a Ténéré😬 That’s how much the Rocket is costing me. I understand now why you’re going with a cheaper bike and then modding it to make it your own. Good luck😊
Enjoyed your top rate video...but is it a fair comparison ...7000 v 10000 euro's. 47hp versus 72hp...... There are plenty of A2 bikes to compare against the Cb500x.. Enfield interceptor ..fantic's Cabrera all priced inthe same region and with the same horse power....
The lack of a slip-assist clutch surprised me, but only for the first few gear changes. You soon get used to it. I don't think the engine is quite powerful enough to warrant TC; I certainly never felt the rear wheel give way, and I was gunning it in relatively low temperatures on mixed tyres...
![Honda CB500X / NX500 vs Africa Twin - should I upgrade? [QuickTest#1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/WqNuzMkyMPk/mqdefault.jpg)
![Honda CB500X / NX500 vs Africa Twin - should I upgrade? [QuickTest#1]](/img/tr.png)
Now that's some honest consumer advice. A lots of information, no faffing about and clear opinions. Thank's man, good work.
Thanks, Lorenzo, much appreciated comment. Ride safe😊
@@RocketMan_Moto Loved the video.. I'm curious about the 6 speed in the Honda verses the 5 in the Tenere. Were you shifting more often in the Honda because the gears were closer together?? Also which one revs less with lower Rpms on the highway at the same speed?? 👍
RocketMan will soon be the benchmark of what an honest motorcycle review should be. Unbiased and relatable. Well done!
Wow, high praise indeed. Thank you for your kind words. I do try to be as objective as I can, so it's nice to see others appreciate it :)
Rocket man
Lamb chops
Ryan F9
(In no particular order)
Yes i agree
Nice and calm voice doing a review of the Yamaha. No explosions or loud music needed. Well done, sir
Thanks for your kind words. Glad you like the format I went with (after much deliberation). Ride safe :)
@@RocketMan_Moto yeah, fuck reviews that have music
Clear accent, pleasant voice and a good review! And fortunately, no noisy background music! Thanks a lot.
Thank you :) Background music drives me insane!
"Aqquitted itself with aplomb" - ah, how sweet to have a review with class....and no distracting music. Applauding :)
Haha, thanks for that, Di. Particularly welcome, as a few weeks ago, someone commented that I was an idiot, because nobody used the word 'aplomb' any more :( Nice to know there are still those who appreciate words of more than one syllable :)
@@RocketMan_Moto If the "someone" was not an attractive, intelligent middle aged woman ... you can ignore the haha ;)
It feels like your reading me a bedtime story... a very informative one.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I was waiting for someone to make a video on this bike, and you've done it brilliantly. Keep on the good work R Man, we love these videos.
Many thanks for your kind words. It’s comments like yours that make all the work worthwhile 😊
Thanks for this thoughtful comparison. It's exactly the toss-up I'm considering right now with my 2017 CB500X.
I think you’ll be surprised by the Yamaha. I went into the test ride convinced I wasn’t going to like such an off-road oriented bike, but I really liked it. Ride safe 😊
I’d seriously consider the vstrom from Suzuki. The engines go for hundreds of thousands of miles.
That was probably the clearest and most meaningful T7 appraisal I've watched to date, and the CB500X benchmarking was extremely useful. T7s are as rare as hens' teeth in this part of the world but I now feel a test ride coming on ASAP. Thank you! 👍
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, Keith. Much appreciated 😊
Not only I find your opinion on bikes clever and accurate but also I get to practice my british English listening skills. Absolutely brilliant :D
Haha, thanks for that. I'm glad you find my reviews useful, both linguistically and motorbikily :D
Dude you define my perception of a no-nonsense, down-to-earth and highly pragmatic review.
Thanks, György. It's comments like yours that make all the effort worthwhile. Ride safe :)
Thank you for taking the time to shoot, edit and post this. Very helpful as the Teneré is getting close to hitting our showroom floors here in the US. Nice work!
It's a great bike. One of the best I rode last year :)
Excellent, real world review without the melodrama & trite language of others. Really enjoyed your work. 👍
Thank you!. A clear and concise review. It seems every review of the T700 is very very positive. Currently waiting to see if we'll get it here in the Philippines.
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, much appreciated :) I hope you do get the Ténéré, because it's a very good bike. Ride safe :)
Outstanding review. Clear, precise and gimmick-free.
Thank you, Byron, much appreciated :)
And no deafening guitars. Voiceover perfect. A hint of 'northern' English. Excellent.
Thanks, Duo. Born in Hull. Ride safe😊
RocketMan long words, too! Brilliant. I'm from Leicester, so half way there!
Thanks for the informative video, nicely done!
The 2022 Honda CB500X definitely has an improved front suspension. The stock Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tires are pretty terrible off-road (I would guess they are 80/20 tires), which is why you found the Tenere 700 so much better off-road, since it's stock tires are Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs - a 50/50 tire. With Motoz Tractionator GPS/Shinko E80x/Dunlop Trailmax Mission/Michelin Anakee Wild/Heidenau K60 Scout 50/50 tires, the CB500X feels way more planted and capable when off-roading.
The CB500X has enough power for me, anything more just translates to more speeding tickets :-) So, while the Tenere 700 sounds like a very nice bike, I'm content with my CB500X and with Honda reliability. Maybe I'll do a Rally Raid suspension upgrade in future, if and when Rally Raid makes one for the 2022 model year.
It will be interesting to see how Honda prices the upcoming Honda Transalp 750 XL. If it has a better stock suspension, it could trump the Tenere 700.
Thanks. Many people are eagerly awaiting the launch of the Transalp🤞
I have recently purchased a Suzuki Vstrom 650 and while I have been commuting mixed with some off road use and being new I haven't been riding it with fuel economy in mind, after my first 1000km I have achieved 26km per litre or 73.4mpg imp. I'm happy with that with it being comparable to my previous bike, a GW250. I find the Vstrom comfortable and being 5'11" I'm able to flat foot the bike which is a blessing with the strong gutsy winds I have experienced over the last few weeks.
Thanks for your feedback, Ian. It sounds as though you have the perfect bike for you. I need to try the V Strom some time. Ride safe :)
Outstanding review. I am currently considering a 2020 CB500X but the T700 is rapidly coming into my radar. Thanks for a great review.
Thanks for that, Michael. I have ended up ordering the new BMW F900XR because it’s more road-oriented, but the Ténéré is a great bike if you’re looking to do some off road. Certainly better than the CB500X.
Thanks for the review. I like both of these bikes and your review helps confirm future purchases.
Thanks for taking the time to send your feedback, Travis. Much appreciated. Ride safe😊
Portugal look so beautiful no wonder so many move and vacation there + had to look up slip/slipper assist clutch but now I think I get it
Yes, Portugal is lovely. Glad you realised what I meant by a slipper clutch. Ride safe😊
Honestly if I had the dish to fork out on a Tenere after picking up a Rocket, I would over the Honda. I’ve had several large capacity dual road bikes which I enjoyed exploring dirt back roads on day/weekend trips around Melbourne and through Gippsland on the way to Canberra, Australia. I’m currently riding a CB500F but was thinking about trading up to a CB500X. I’m 5’8 so I’d get the Tenere lowering kit and centre stand. For extra comfort I’d fit a sheepskin seat cover or similar product.
Look forward to your rocket owner review.
Thanks for your comment, Andrew. Yes, if I had an unlimited budget, then I would swap my Honda for the Yamaha in a heart beat. I genuinely think it's a better bike, and worth the extra cash. I'm hoping to pick up my Rocket around Dec 16, fingers crossed, so expect many videos over Christmas and the New Year. All the best :)
Why not bite the bullet and get a new seat from Russell? If you buy anything less you are just wasting money. By the time you buy your second new replacement seat, you have spent what you would for a Russell seat. Sixty% of the riders who finish the Iron Butt use Russell saddles. Vaughn
@@gaylemesser136 Wasn't aware of Russel seats, I'll check them out. Thanks :)
good review, I did some testing of this bike on/off road recently as well and I agree on most your assessments. Don''t agree though on nose dive, any bike with so long forks travel will do some diving but when you brake correctly it's not an issue and actually suspension on tenere is quite firm. Also I like engine characteristics and pipe sound a lot. It has power everywhere. Where yamaha missed the mark is fuel tank size, my old tenere has 23 liters and over 500km range...Wind protection is bad indeed for taller people.
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, much appreciated :) I get what you mean re. fork dive, but it is more pronounced than with my 500X. I've also ridden the 1250GS with its admittedly very expensive adaptive suspension that has no dive at all under braking, so I was just a bit surprised by the Ténéré. I soon got used to it, though. Ride safe :)
@@RocketMan_Moto R1200GS uses completely different front suspension, it's telelever, that's why it don't dive :)
@@robsonenduro3316 Yes, I know, but having got used to that, it came as a surprise to jump on the Yamaha. I'm not saying the Ténéré is bad, just that a new rider needs to expect dive :)
@Jason Davis only famous around who didn't ride the bike and repeat stupid things. LOL It has soft suspension for racing though, but it's not racing bike.
Great comparison review! Appreciate your summary pros and cons, as well as the clear, relaxed presentation. keep 'em coming! Thx.
I will be riding with three of my friends next season that have 700’s on order. We do a fair amount of adventure touring and all have had various adventure bikes. I currently own a 2014 CB500x that I installed the rally raid kit. I was lucky for I found this bike new a few years ago and with the kit installed was a great bargain. My last adventure unit was a KTM690 and although the CB has significantly less power the conversion has made this bike ideal. Hiway cruising and off roading is fantastic.
Sounds like some great road trips you have planned there, can I come with you, lol? The RallyRaid mods do transform the 500X, I agree. Ride safe :)
How do you rate the extra weight of the CBX after the KTM? Hindrance? Benefit?
I loved the 690. I spent a week in Moab on it. Great for off road. As soon as you need to ride some distance with it you vibrate and get numb. I can’t ride nearly as quick with the 500 but everything I do with it makes it sooo much more enjoyable. Exploring is 100 times better. I can ride the highway in comfort then hit a technical trail and get through easily. The rally raid kit is a great up grade. If you want a fantastic all arounder the 500 with the kit hits the spot!
@@billsbikes Thanks for your feedback. I will be discussing the RallyRaid kit in a forthcoming video :)
Rocketman you find your bike has lots of vibration? I guess coming from my 690 I found this little twin buzz free. However I changed out my risers and to a fat bar plus hot grips.... I don’t know if that would make a difference... 70mph she is pretty calm.
Stock cb500x is great for rough roads but for offroad you need to spend alot of money for the rally raid kit which would make it pretty close to tenere 700 in price.
True enough.
Now that's some honest consumer advice. A lots of information, no faffing about and clear opinions. Thank's man, good work.
Thanks, Lorenzo. Ride safe😊
with the new Tiger 900 entry level model just £500 more than the Ténére 700 that's going to cause many to pause on the Yamaha. I know they are not quite the same in terms of focus, but I think it will.
I was thinking that, Terry. I’d like to give the new Tiger a test. Problem is, I know I’d be tempted to go up the range, and with the ‘obligatory options’, it’s going to be too expensive.
@@RocketMan_Moto I know, Jan 2018 I went to buy an 800XCx and came away with a 1200XCa, how did that happen! A TFT dash, even if it is the "older" one, tubeless tyres & an extra 200cc for £500 on the 900 will tempt some.
Terry Cox haha, kids in a sweetshop🙄 The manufacturers know exactly what they’re doing😂
Truly a great review for an everyman rider like myself. Superbly executed review. I have an FJR1300, I'm considering down the road picking up an ADV as I have some buddies that ride adv and I live in Oregon with plenty of great terrain. I was always a Honda man, but it looks like I'm going to solidly be a Yamaha man if I get one of these. :)
Thanks. I was looking for this exact comparison.
Great, glad to be of help. Both bikes are good, but I’d go for the Ténéré today (it wasn’t available back in the spring when I was looking). Ride safe😊
@@RocketMan_Moto Choosing between Africa twin, CB500X and the Tenere 700. The 700 isn't sold here yet. Think maybe it's the best choice. I haven't ridden in years and kind of old now. The AT just sounds too heavy.
Ron Sexton I didn’t gel with the AT when I tried it a couple of weeks ago (see my video on here, if interested) - too big, too electronic, too expensive... Imho, the Ténéré is worth waiting for😊
@@RocketMan_Moto The AT just looks too big and heavy. I am thinking about Las Vegas and some sand and sandy roads during retirement. And the AT looks a bit heavy. Surprisingly the 700 seems within 20 pounds of the CB500X but with a lot more power, albeit less range which is also important. And everyone like you seems to think it is superior on the road for situations like hills and passing. And smoothness. I don't like buzzy! I had an GS1100G that was a bit buzzy on the hands. Surprised people report the CB500X is a bit buzzy. Also the 700 engine is considered extremely reliable. Your review convinced me. I am waiting for the 700. The KTM seem just a bit much and also expensive and not sure about reliability. Like the 790. Have you ridden that?
I’m yet to test the KTM, but I’m not a fan of the brand as a whole. Finish and reliability are concerns for me. I think the next bike I try could be the Triumph Tiger 900, launched today, although the cost is way higher than the back to basics Tenere I enjoyed so much.
You also need to take in consideration changes that Honda made for 2019 model. It is still completely different class in both engine and suspension. 471cc vs 689cc. Regular forks vs adjustable inverted ones. Tires and suspension play huge role off road. I found both cbx and super ten very capable on gravel roads even with road oriented tires. I wonder how T700 handles wind at high speeds. Cruising at 75 mph in wind gusts put me in serious trouble on cbx. At only 20 lbs more and seemingly larger side profile T700 makes me cringe a little. Combined with extra power, more off road oriented tires and lack of traction control it can quickly put somebody in bad place.
Thanks for your feedback :)
thx a lot fo the informative Video.
i switched from a KLE 500 to a V Strom 650 and i am happy with it. I travel a lot and make a lot of dirtroads (Kirigstan, Tadjikistan and so on) The V Strom is also 2000 Euros cheaper then the Tenere. The front suspension needs some work for dirt roads, but it is a very comfortable bike with a strong engine. i was thinking to get a tenere, but i wanted something more comfortable for my long journeys which is still able to go on dirtroads.
Thanks for your feedback. I fully understand that where you live means that reliability and off-road capabilities are top priority😊 Ride safe
You can not really compare these two bikes. For 50 % more of the price it is normal to expect 50 % more performance. And I don´t know whether I would prefer a bad seat over vibrations. But this is a personal question. So it is simply the question what kind of bike you want.
You're right, but I was looking for an upgrade to my Honda - the same, only better. Ride safe :)
if you want offroad and fun yes swap
if you want practical and commute keep the honda
(t7 is practical too just the cbx is abit more practical)
Makes me want to go to Portugal! Lovely video, thanks.
Thanks, Chris :)
Great review. I watched the review on CB500X. Liked it so much Iam going for a test ride. It will be the first bike I have tested. Hope it fits as I am 6'4''.
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, Richard. Despite a few shortcomings, both the CB500X and the Tenere make perfect first biked. I am 6´3 and it’s fine for me, so you should be fine. Ride safe😊
For me, this was an excellent review. I have been interested in both of these bikes. This review has very clearly differentiated the +s and -s of both bikes. And, I think this review has helped me make a decision. It's the Yamaha for me. ;-)
Good for you! I bought my CB 8 months ago, when the Ténéré wasn't yet on the market. If I could go back in time, I would wait and go for the Yamaha, because it's the superior machine in just about every way. I wasn't expecting to like it, but I did. A revelation! Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts and enjoy your new toy :)
Brother: You have a nice voice to listen to. You are informative well spoken and move along in the information not labouring any points. Good video. Thank you for your efforts. Oh yes, I was just reminded as I checked the comments; Thank you so much for not adding music. It is really calming to just listen to you talk and not to listen to music which could go either way depending on your tastes and the taste of the viewer. {In this case myself; but you get the point} Thank you again.
Thanks for your kind words. Glad you like the format. Ride safe :)
Excellent review. Compared to most of the other Adventure bikes, the Tenere is good value and, from what you say, a good off road performing bike. I bought a Himalayan about 5 months ago and, like the Tenere, is a good off road Adventure bike. Not a good bike for dual carriageways, though.That's not too important for me as motorway riding isn't much fun on any bike, and the Himalayan is very cheap ( just over £4k ) The Tenere, though, could well be my next bike. I'll have to get a test ride on one and see what I think. Also, before I bought one I think I'd try to rent one for 2-3 days in order to get a better feel for it. Hope you enjoy your new Rocket when you get it. I think that every time you walk back to it, where ever it's parked, you'll be pushing your way through the crowd, and answering questions before you can get on it - at least for a while.
Haha, thanks for your comments😊 I agree about motorways on a bike; I always feel very exposed. The Ténéré is a very good bike and I should really be buying that, rather than the absurd Rocket. But I just can’t resist the ‘everyone will think I’m the Terminator’ fantasy😂 Ride safe.
@@RocketMan_Moto Yeah, when you get off it just say ' I'll be back'
geoff newman haha👍😎
The Yamaha engine cp2 is an excellent power plant. I’m in the USA and bikes are hard to find new and used. I picked up a cb 500 since cb 650 r is impossible to find and for a 500 cc engine I have no complaints. And I have averaged 93 mpg with it. It actually gets better than my crf250l I traded for it.
Thanks for your feedback😊
Great,unbiased review,well done.👍
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, much appreciated :) Ride safe.
90mpg out of your cb500x!? most i am getting is 70 and im not pushing hard. Loving this Tenere it seems to tick the boxes that the cb500x doesnt! My gripe is the lack of power. But i have drove that 700 engine before and it is a belter!
Many people have expressed surprise at my claim of 90mpg, but that's what I have averaged in the 8 months I've had the bike. The Ténéré wasn't available when I ordered the Honda, but I'd definitely go for it today. The engine is, as you say, a belter. Ride safe :)
Love your reviews and by good fortune you’re located in an incredibly beautiful part of the world. Ride well, ride safe.
Thanks😊
Great review, glad to hear a review that’s not through a helmet mic at highway speeds.
Thanks :)
Como assim um youtuber desta qualidade aqui em Portugal e com este nível de inglês, adorei, e o conteúdo ainda melhor um review mesmo bom. Estou a pensar seriamente em comprar uma t7. Obrigado pela tua opinião, continua assim!!
Excellent review.....It's obvious that the inherent design and capabilities of the Yamaha Tenere 700 opened up a new vista for you to enjoy riding that bike.... I would consider this bike strongly and maybe modify the seat for a more custom fit for comfort...It's very good to be on bike that inspires your confidence and allows your experience to be upgraded and enjoyable.... I think that is why i would buy that bike myself.... You gave an excellent review and helped my decision...
Glad you enjoyed the off-road experience on the test ride. Hope you find time to be doing some off-roading. The Yamaha seems like viable alternative to the CB500X. Ride safe...
What a brilliant, honest road test video. I too ride a CB500X (2016 in my case) which I love but will swap for something a bit bigger in the near future. V-Strom 650 is top of the pile at present but I do feel I should try the T7 as well. I've ridden over 3000 miles on the XT660 (way too tall for me) but clearly this is a different beast. Plenty of food for thought in your review. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, Patrick😊 I try to be as objective as possible in my reviews. I went into this test ride convinced I wasn’t going to be that bothered about the Ténéré, not being particularly into off-road riding, but it came as a revelation. I haven’t yet tried the V-Strom, but have arranged a test of the KTM 790 next week, so you might want to look out for that video, too. Ride safe😊
Beautiful accent, beautiful scenery, nicely filmed
I have a 2017 MT07, 80MPG and a 2018 CB500X 90MPG. They are both amazing bikes in their own right and I thoroughly enjoy riding them. I feel exactly the same as you about the MT07 engine and the CB500x comfort. What I would really like is to put the Yamaha engine into the Honda and that for me would be a dream bike. I have taken the MT07 to Croatia and back from England but it is not comfortable. Ride safe, Mike.
Lol, thanks Mike. Oh yes, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could cherry-pick different parts from different bikes😊
I think off road tyres would make 500X better on the trail. Tyres always make the biggest difference
Great review. Your down to earth approach made it very enjoyable to watch.
Thanks, Tonny. I tried the KTM 790 today, so if you’re interested, the video should be up tomorrow. Ride safe😊
@@RocketMan_Moto Looking forward to that review. I have ridden both the T7 and the 790 - looking forward to hear how you like the Orange steed :)
@@RoamingViking just putting the finishing touches to the review now. Bit of a surprise in store...
@@RocketMan_Moto Not that surprising to me, as I came to more or less the same conclusion :)
Very nice review. I especially like it that you don’t do the talking while riding. The voice-over is so much better to understand than the talking of those other guys with the wind and the engine noise. Great. I’m very interested in this bike for our next big trip (Ushuaia to Canada). We used our BMW’s (GS for the wife and GSA for me) for a 26k km trip in Canada, Alaska and the lower 48 this year, but those are just so heavy off-road. So while the BMW’s will stay with us, for travelling in Europe, to ride elsewhere we are tempted to get these. We also rode 10k km in India and Nepal on Royal Enfields Himalayan. But I didn’t like it and it was too cramped for me at 6’4.
Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you like the format. I did toy with the 'live' commentary as I rode the bike, but as you say, the audio quality is never as good, and I didn't want to be distracted my my talking while riding the bike. Anyway, your American adventure sounds fabulous, and way more hard-core than anything I am ever likely to attempt. 26km is quite an adventure in tiny Portugal, so 26,000 is almost inconceivable, lol. Ride safe :)
Really appreciate your honest review
Thanks, Joshua :)
Don’t know how I missed this one thank you I’m picking up my new 2022 cb500x Wednesday hope all is good
I’m looking forward to trying the new CB500X. It looks very promising. Enjoy yours, Martin😊
It's the brilliant design of the rear suspension
👍
Thank you RocketMan for the honest review, your review help me decide if i were to get CB500x or Tenere 700 , Thanks alot and keep that going :)
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. Ride safe :)
Thank you for good info! I think this might be my next bike
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement, much appreciated :) The Yamaha is a great bike, but since yesterday I'm also tempted by the new Triumph Tiger 900... a lot more expensive though! Ride safe :)
Great review, thanks.
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement😊 Ride safe.
I'm sure you have already, but if bot, check out the rally raid CB500x, transforms the handling and off road capabilities of the bike, whilst keeping the commuter bit. I've a couple of KTMs, 690 and 1190, the RR CB500x, is as much fun and probably more reliable, at least at my low skill level.
I have tried a RR’d CB500X and did enjoy it. Problem for me, though, is the lack of power and the vibrations. Ride safe😊
The CB is definitely at the lower end of the gene pool re HP and very difficult to improve on standard power. I've been fortunate to be able to purchase many new bikes, in the past always the biggest fastest etc, with the skill level to use maybe 25% of their capabilities. Now I take my skill level divide by 3 and try and buy the bike, new or used that suits. The bike I use more than any is an 11 yr old st1300, relaxing to ride with plenty of luggage space. Have you test ridden the Guzzi California, if so what did you think.
Great Channel! I’m seriously considering a Tenere. It was a long time coming but it seems all the development time was worthwhile. A future classic methinks, especially in white n red. Subbed 👍
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement, much appreciated. Yes, the Ténéré wasn’t available when I got my CB500X, but I would definitely choose it today over the Honda. Ride safe😊
My 9 year old CB500X is probably on it's last season. I've been eyeing the T700 so this is good info, even if it's a couple of years old. Thanks for the review, the Yamaha is looking better and better.
If you can stretch to the T700, it’s the better bike
@@RocketMan_Moto Stretch is funny, I'm 5'6" so I'll figure out lowering it if it's possible without really messing up the riding geometry.
Lol, an unfortunate choice of words on my part, but seriously I didn’t find the T700 that much taller than the Honda
tenere is for people who seriuosly think about adventuring/touring for long distances, cb500x is more a commuter bike
Not sure I’d be so categorical. The Tenere surprised me and I’d definitely consider it for a commuter bike. It wouldn’t make a great tourer, though, imho. Ride safe😊
@@RocketMan_Moto tenere is a new baby after famous tenere 660 which was used by many travelers same as transalp from honda, but it doesnt mean it can't be used as commuter :) both great bikes and it really doesn't metter what you ride as long as you happy, take care!!
Exactly 👍
«Seriously adventuring/touring» with a 16 liter gastank? LOL.....
@@KurtGAndersen good point, maybe they will introduce a bigger one like honda did with africa twin adventure sports
Hello. Thanks for the very detailed review. I am mystified however why someone who says they were not interested in off-roading but in touring ever looked at this bike in the first place, since it is one of the more off-road orientated bikes on the adventure bike market.
I heard in another video that the *Yamaha Tenere* - T700 falls / crashes noticeably more than other off road bikes in the same conditions.
Opposite of RocketMan's experience. Something to check out if you are "seriously" planning on buying one.
BUT...
The 2020 Yamaha T700 (Tenere) is a good basic bike. *_I strongly suggest_* you avoid the temptations by the industry &
dealers making their videos on the T700. Never, ever buy a brand new design i.e. 1.0. WAIT about two to three years for the:
- fixes to the design bugs & issues
- improvements/modernizations like on the Honda Africa Twin & now Adventure Sport version
- aftermarket parts & accessories to be available
- for other folks not wise enough to wait, to buy it and spend their money not yours
Something to think about that I am sure the video maker agrees with.
Good points. Ride safe :)
@@RocketMan_Moto A year later after our conversation most bikers that have bought the Yamaha love it except it's weight (452 lbs) & where it carries that weight (top heavy). Some dirt oriented folks are selling their Tenere 700 for smaller/lighter bikes (the CRF 250/300, KLR 300, DRZ 400, KTM 390, etc.) due to this big short coming.
I enjoyed Portugal and the intelligent descriptions
Thanks, Martin :) Portugal is a very nice place to live, although it's cloudy this morning. Pity, as I'm just about to go out and try the KTM 790 for my next comparison video. Ride safe :)
@@RocketMan_Moto I don't know what the laws are in Lisbon but if you can ride about the city on some kind of small vehicle, well, it is the city I've thought about visiting for a long time, what a history, the earthquake and tsunami, the explorer king and the spies of the world wars and the youth culture and always nice to have British and Dutch around too
@@martind349 Yes, it's a great place to visit, and the climate means you can ride a bike virtually all year round :)
Very good and honest review. Very helpful for me. Cheers mate. John .
Thanks for your comment, John, much appreciated. Glad my video was of help. Ride safe :) P.S. the Ténéré is really good! Lol...
Great points. I missed the sounds but youtube is full of that. Convincing review. i`d like to own one of these
700 sounds perfect, good weight and easier to maneuver offroad
Glad you liked it!
i currently have mt09 and xr400r. sold my Klr because it was not right bike for me (bad on highway and suspension very poor for offroad). next bike has to be tenere 700 or tenere 1200 or africa twin. cant decide. bike has to be good on road first and decent offroad.
I would strongly recommend you try the Ténéré 700: I wasn’t expecting much on road from such an off-road focused bike, but I was very impressed. Ride safe😊
In the USA the yamaha tenere 700 is $10k vs Honda cb500x coming in at $7200. The Honda CB500x is dang near impossible to find.
For an extra $2700 I'm really considering the Yamaha over the Honda. You get a more off road capable bike that is also significantly more powerful which makes it better on the freeway too. Yet it weights the same. Though that weight is concentrated higher.
If you have the money, then I would say go for the Ténéré. As you say, it has more power making it more suitable for longer/faster trips.
10,400 euros isn't cheap. Sounds like the bike is worth it, though. I'd rather have the KTM 790 Adventure, I think, but I bet it's a lot more expensive. The Yamaha runs on inner-tubed tyres. I wouldn't ride at speed on a them. Ever had a puncture at speed on an inner-tubed bike?
Another good review.
All of the above and wider thicker bars!! Too!!
Thicker bars would be nice, true. Ride safe :)
I've ridden the MT07 and you're right, that motor is just superb.
Re CB500X Vibes. Loosen all the engine bolts. Run the motor STATIONARY for a minute or two. Retighten and retorque all the engine bolts.
Good tip - thanks :)
@@RocketMan_Moto My '16 never caused issue but my current '18 was buzzy. Saw the advice on a forum and it helped a lot. I think the MT07 motor is superb, way better than the MT09 triple. If only it could match the X's economy - I regularly cover 15 to 20k per year so big fuel costs.
Really enjoyed this report.
Thank you :)
Great review and some nice roads they look familiar? Do you know cager on two wheels?
Thanks, Thomas. Yes, I know Cager. Met him a few months ago. Ride safe :)
Speaking of Cager, Yamaha Tracer 700 or CB500X ?
Would have to be the tracer for me, the Honda 500 range are great bikes all round well proven and well made definitely worth the money, but I think I would get bored of the engines lack of power.
@@thomaspeacock8990 I feel the same, had a Tracer for a couple of months until I had to sell her. But next year, I have the Tracer 700 at the top of my list for my next bike. Down the list would be an MT09, CB650F, SV650, lastly an ER6F.
I agree and that’s why I’ve just changed to a BMW F900XR 😊
Great review! Somewhat interestingly, I settled for the CB500X 2019 owing to the extended delay in the release of the Tenere and at 6'41/2" and even though the CB500X is considered reasonably tall, I find it a little low (as are most bikes for me!), but allowing for the fact that you are also tall; I'm quite surprised that you have opted for a lowering kit as the height of the Tenere was one of the attractors for me. I agree that the saddle would feel like riding a razor's edge after a long ride and I suspect that as there is a touring pillion seat available, there may be a rider's option soon? Also, what's up with the old-style fuel cap that fully detaches, messing up tank bag configurations? I'm hoping that they're considering a 'touring' version which is mostly road-focused, with some off-the-beaten-track potential (pretty much like the CB500X 2019!)
Thanks for your feedback and kind words of support, much appreciated :) I generally like low bikes - I have a scooter, Monkey 125 and a 'small' Triumph Street Triple. The Triumph Rocket I have on order will also be very low, so I'm not too bothered about height. I agree about the fuel cap, but many bikes continue to have these, including the new Rocket, and this despite having 'modern' keyless ignition. A touring version of the Ténéré would be wonderful! Ride safe :)
@@RocketMan_Moto I think they call it Yamaha Tracer 700!
@@iliseimihai Yes, but the Tracer is too old now :)
@@RocketMan_Moto The New Tracer 700 - 2020
ua-cam.com/video/_WpSuZ9cawU/v-deo.html
Maybe the Tracer is more comfortable for longer distance
I like the look of the new Tracer 9GT.
Me too though I'm tempted to settle for the 7 and then get the Guzzi or the Multistrada 950 :-)
The 7 could well be the better bet. Did you see Michael Neeves' video on the 9GT yesterday? Wow, he's normally very diplomatic, but he gave it a bit of a slating, saying the noise & vibration would put him off buying one completely...
@@RocketMan_Moto Oh. No I didn't. Most of the reviews have been pretty good. I did try the old 900 but preferred the 800 Tiger - Then ended up buying a KTM :-) I need to try the 900 Tiger but they really need some better colours
Triumph's colours are really boring at the moment, and that's one thing that's putting me off the Speed Triple. I'd like a canary yellow paint scheme on such a bonkers machine, not black or grey :(
Nice video man, very informative and neutral. Congrats. NIce to see honest people this days
Thanks, Sebastian. Much appreciated :)
Thank you. I have narrowed my adventure bike down to these two and the T7 was in the first spot until I sat on it. I realized that the top of the clutch cover where the clutch lever protrudes from clutch cover case touches my shin. I am slightly taller than average and it's a complete deal breaker for me. Is this something you experienced? Your comment about this would be greatly appreciated.
I can’t say I noticed that, tbh. I’m 6’3. Ride safe😊
A very good review, thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a nice comment. Audience appreciation makes all the effort worthwhile. Ride safe :)
Why on God's earth would Yamaha equip a machine destined to do Alaska adventures with a paltry 4.2 (US) gallon fuel tank?
Ljoel McHanley I was thinking exactly the same. Strange decision
I imagine it’s for cost and weight saving, but yes a larger capacity tank - even as an optional extra - would be nice to have. Ride safe😊
Seems generous 16litres on a 700cc. Vs 15L on a 850cc bmw
Chris Hart yep, tanks seem to max out at around 20 litres. Ride safe😊
had 250 miles on mine two up around 60 to 80mph how far apart are your gass stations.
Just recently found your channel. Love your attitude & mannerisms. Best of luck to you, keep it going :). I am sure that in a few years time you can support your hobby with this channel as well.
Thank you :)
Superb comparison review!
Thanks, PistolPete! I try to be as objective as possible, so it's nice to see my efforts are appreciated. Ride safe :)
Nice review of the Tenere it is a very practical go any where bike. 44 teeth have just done a review of the Rocket.
Thanks for your kind words, John :) Yes, I saw the 44 teeth review (I am sad and scour UA-cam several times a day for videos on 'my' Rocket!) Stay tuned for plenty of uploads on here. Ride safe :)
I thought about buying one of these last October. I've always loved Ducatis too. I've ended up with a second hand Ducati Desert Sled & am very happy with it. I will use it on dirt at times & with its 19" front tyre it won't be as good as the Tenere. I couldn't have justified a new Tenere anyway, but I'l see how things are in a few years when there are pre-owned ones for sale.
Thanks for your feedback, Patrick. Ride safe :)
Hi nice real world review all the best Phil
Peasandphilshud Price thanks, ride safe😊
Did you try the Versys 650? Should be the one you mentioned right after the V-Strom!
Nice review and very honest. Thank you.
Thanks for your feedback😊
Nice review, thanks. I think, for me, Yamaha nailed it with this bike. I am so, so, tired of massive, heavy, hugely expensive, overcomplicated so called adventure bikes (and I should know I have owned a few in the past) which in reality are no longer fit for "adventure" This, surely, is the way to go......where purpose trumps image.....like it used to be before the Costa coffee adventurers came along.....
Thanks for your comment, Marc😊 Yep, Yamaha have hit the sweet spot with the T700. If I wasn’t about to drop £20k on the Rocket, I’d definitely get one. Ride safe.
Great honest review as always, do you think there would have been more comfort with the stock seat?
I think the seat is the same, only with different mounts
Really good video one of the best i seen
Im planning to get a cb500x or the tenere 700
With would be more reliable for touring planning to have a passenger on the back
I just trying to do my mod 1 and 2 and I've been looking about for a bike . I did think about the normal route of getting a 600 bandit or hornet , but I keep looking at that 500 x
Same situation as me
Nice review. T7 still not in USA, but at my age comfort is priority #1 and
T7 narrow and thin seat looks like torture. I’ll stick with my Africa Twin with comfy Russell Day Long seat.
Having tried the AT, I can confirm it is more comfortable than the Ténéré.
Muito bem. Espectacular "review" (mesmo depois de 1 ano e tal). Vejo que foste buscar a mota ao João, na MJPaiva, e andaste a passear na minha terra! Muito bem, parabéns! And to top it all, you have perfect dictation and a magnificent english accent, which makes this review a true pleasure to watch!
Obrigado :)
Great review. How would it compare against the Moto Guzzi V85 TT? Both are twin cylinders, but with some differences on displacement and engine type. Best regards
Good idea👍 I’m going to try and get a go on the KTM 790 next, and then maybe the V85. Ride safe😊
Regarding the suspension, did you attempt to adjust sag, damping, and rebound? Those are all very important parts to getting the suspension to work for the individual rider.
I must confess that I didn't really have time to play with the suspension settings. I realise these are critical. Ride safe :)
One of the key features of the Tenere is the fact that it doesn't have Traction control and fancy electronics (hence the aggressive price). Was that a hinderance to you, or was it easy to control despite the lack of that functionality?
Good question, which I omitted to cover: the engine is fabulous BUT I honestly think you can get away with not having TC. I was gunning it on mixed tyres, in relatively low temperatures (for Portugal) but I never felt the rear give way, even when I took the bike off road. A slip-assist clutch would be nice, not sure what the costs would be, though. Ride safe😊
RocketMan thanks a lot!! This one is way off my budget, but I'm aiming towards the cb500x and the rally raid mods, hopefully that can scratch both my touring and off road itches.
@@riveraluciano It's your choice, of course, but remember that the 500X + RR mods will bring you close to the Ténéré (which doesn't need any mods). Plus, you will still have the same, relatively weak Honda engine, and when you resell the bike, the RR accessories will be almost worthless. Just my €2 worth :)
@@RocketMan_Moto Thing is the costs of even a 500cc bike here are ludicrously high, to the point where I'm not really buying the Honda Cb500 but a clone which includes the rally raid mods. The Ténéré here is expected to cost around 20000USD.
Wow, 20K for a Ténéré😬 That’s how much the Rocket is costing me. I understand now why you’re going with a cheaper bike and then modding it to make it your own. Good luck😊
What a great review, thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Enjoyed your top rate video...but is it a fair comparison ...7000 v 10000 euro's. 47hp versus 72hp...... There are plenty of A2 bikes to compare against the Cb500x.. Enfield interceptor ..fantic's Cabrera all priced inthe same region and with the same horse power....
Thanks. I understand your comment, but the question I was trying to answer was 'should I upgrade?'. It wasn't meant as a direct head-to-head :)
Thoughts on the combination of no slipper clutch and no traction control? Is that a bit too back to basics?
The lack of a slip-assist clutch surprised me, but only for the first few gear changes. You soon get used to it. I don't think the engine is quite powerful enough to warrant TC; I certainly never felt the rear wheel give way, and I was gunning it in relatively low temperatures on mixed tyres...