Yamaha Tenere 700 review

Is it as good as they say?

The Yamaha Tenere 700, often referred to as the T7, is a real deal for adventure bike enthusiasts. It’s got a cool, lean look that’s all about purpose and functionality. The quad projector LED headlamps give it a Transformer-like look, which is pretty cool and Dakar-esque. It’s slim and offers a tidy appearance that’s as functional as it is good looking.

The T7 is a friendly and easy adventure bike to ride on and off the pavement. It’s got a rectangular shaped LCD instrumentation (the so called Casio-dash) that shows everything you need, including gear position, fuel gauge/available range, and nothing you don’t need. Plus, it’s easy to read at a glance.

With a claimed curb weight of 452 pounds, the T7 feels light in motion. The motorcycle is well balanced and easy to put where you want, albeit slightly top heavy due to the fuel tank location. This top heavy feeling can be noticed on slower off-road sections where the bike is a bit more difficult to balance than for example the KTM 790/890 Adventure R. The seat is 34.4 inches tall, which might be a bit high for some, but taller riders and those planning on serious off-road rides will value this. I have modded mine with the aftermarket rally seat, which has a flatter slope and offers some additional height. Also it is way more comfortable on longer highway stretches. 

Speaking about highway riding, coming off a KTM 1090 Adventure R, the comfort is quite a step down. Smaller bike, smaller screen, narrow seat, all resulting in less comfort. However, over the years our trips have evolved to longer and further from home. In most countries top speed is lower, especially when taking inland roads. In these use cases the comfort is more than enough to sustain days of riding.

The T7 is powered by Yamaha’s liquid-cooled CP2 parallel twin engine. It’s got a good spread of power that works well both on and off-road. I was skeptical at first, being used to 100+hp motorcycles, but they way the power band is designed it does not feel underpowered until 100 km/h or so. Besides that I tuned the engine by changing the air filter, increasing air intake, different exhaust system and updated fuel mapping.

It’s a relatively simple bike, but it’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into its design, which for me was one of the reasons to get this bike. Also the simplicity is welcome when riding abroad, where electrical failures (KTM, BMW.. ?) can mean the end of your trip. Although getting used to KTM power, power delivery and injection, it is quite a step back on the T7. Especially fueling remains an issue with the CP2 engine, with a major on/off throttle feeling at low speeds compared to the likes of KTM, where fueling is smooth as butter. 

Now, let’s get down to the technical specs of my T7:

  • Engine: 689cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke
  • Horsepower: 74 HP (Stage 1+2 tune to 80 HP)
  • Torque: 50 lb-ft (Stage 1+2 tune to 59 lb-ft)
  • Wet Weight: 450 lbs (204 kg) optimised to 198 kg
  • Seat Height: 34.4 inches (875 mm) increased height to 900 mm

Overall, the Yamaha Tenere 700 is a solid choice for those looking for a mid-size adventure bike that offers value, functionality, and ease of use.