2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Second Ride Review

[Hugh Janus]

The wait is over. We swing a leg over the US-spec 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700. (Joseph Agustin/)

After decades of the rest of the world having all the dirt roosting fun with the original XT660 Ténéré middleweight, Yamaha finally lets US riders in on the mid size adventure bike action with its hotly anticipated and T7 concept based 2021 Ténéré 700 ($9,999). New from the wheels up, the Ténéré 700 pairs function, value, and ease of use for those who want to taste what real-world rally adventure is about.

Editor’s Note: The Yamaha Ténéré 700 was available as a 2020 model in Europe.

Aesthetically, Yamaha nailed it with the 700’s styling. Its shape is lean and purposeful, plus it mimics the styling of Andrew Short’s Dakar WR450F Rally racebike. The quad projector LED headlamps afford a Transformer-like look. On a side note, handy headlight adjustment knobs make it easy to tweak the beam of light.

Slim and trim. Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 offers a tidy appearance that is as functional as it is good looking. (Joseph Agustin/)

From the way the front brakes are tucked inside the spoked 21-inch wheel to its well-thought-out ergonomics that afford a natural and modern dirt bike-type experience, we appreciate its slim overall design. It’s obvious the Tuning Fork brand had its sights aimed on its orange 790 foe.

The Ténéré 700 is an exceptionally friendly and easy ADV bike to ride on and off pavement. (Joseph Agustin/)

A rectangular shaped LCD instrumentation shows everything you need including gear position, fuel gauge/available range, and nothing you don’t. Plus is easy to read at a glance. A horizontal crossbar above the display facilitates GPS or other accessory mounting. A 12-volt power port provides power.

We love the Ténéré 700’s nose highlighted by a quad set of LED headlamps. Adjustment knobs inside the cockpit make it easy to adjust the beam of light. (Joseph Agustin/)

With a claimed curb weight of 452 pounds the Ténéré 700 feels light in motion. Although its 4.2-gallon fuel tank is mounted in a conventional location (ahead of the rider’s seat and above the engine), the motorcycle is well balanced and easy to put where you want. In standard configuration the seat is 34.4 inches tall, which is a tad on the high side. This isn’t a bad thing and will be valued by taller riders and/or folks who plan on serious off-road rides. An even taller option (1.6-inch higher) is available, as well as a 1.5-inch lower option (including shock link) as OE accessories. Overall we liked the shape, density, and comfort that the OE saddle provides for our 6-foot-tall frame.

The Ténéré 700 has a wide, but not overly so handlebar. It has a pleasing upright bend, which makes it easy for taller riders to stand up comfortably at the controls. (Joseph Agustin/)

A fixed windscreen provides adequate wind protection, however for whatever reason, the visor of our AGV AX-9 helmet made for a strange buffeting effect. We appreciate the OE-fitted plastic hand guards which keep your mitts out of the elements. Heated grips are available as an accessory as well for those who rack up the odometer in chilly weather.

Comfortable, peppy, and competent. The Ténéré 700 is as refined feeling on road as it is off. (Joseph Agustin/)

The aluminum handlebar is wide, but not overly so, and offers a relatively tall bend that makes it easier for big fellas to stand comfortably. The footpegs are appropriately sized and the vibration damping rubber inserts can be removed for enhanced grip against the sole of your boots.

Although the brake hardware lacks the visual bling of other ADV bikes in this category the sum of the components nets a braking package that is very easy to use especially over slick terrain. (Joseph Agustin/)

Whether riding on pavement or off of it, the suspension offers excellent action. When loaded with brakes, the fork offers just the right amount of pitch that presses the OE-fitted Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires into the terrain. This nets a pleasing sensation of grip. Independent spring preload and damping adjustment allow riders to tweak things to their liking. We also like the shock’s handy preload adjustment knob which makes it easy to modify ride height based on handling preference or vehicle load.

The Ténéré 700 footpegs are adequately sized and the rubber inserts can be removed for added grip against the sole of boots. (Joseph Agustin/)

Further complementing handling sensation are a set of feel-rich front brakes. Although the hardware isn’t brag-worthy, the sum of the components net anchors that are surprisingly effective—especially over slick hard-packed terrain. This helps boost front end feel and lets the Ténéré rider feel comfortable over challenging terrain. Conversely, the rear brake is oddly devoid of feel making it more difficult to trust the bike over challenging terrain downhills. Smartly so, Yamaha includes an LCD display-mounted button that fully disables ABS. And as long as you don’t turn the key off, the ABS remains off even if you stall the bike.

The 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 ($9,999) strikes a hard bargain in the middleweight adventure bike segment. (Joseph Agustin/)

Powertrain-wise, we’re fans of Yamaha’s liquid-cooled CP2 parallel twin. Although a tad tall dimensionally, the engine is narrow and pumps out a wide, flexible spread of power. This permits early upshifts running a gear high and lugging the engine up steep hills and obstacles.

With a fully fueled claimed curb weight of 452 pounds, the Ténéré 700 is an agile adventure motorcycle and is especially easy to command. (Joseph Agustin/)

Of course, if you want to rev the engine out, it happily complies, however we preferred the way the bike felt at lower rpm in the dirt. The cable-actuated clutch is weighted well, fade-free, and responsive, say, if you feel the need to lift the front wheel over a log. On that note, a sturdy alloy skid plate helps shield the undercarriage from damage. Yamaha also offers a heavier-duty component as an accessory.

The 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 is powered by a CP2-type 689cc, liquid-cooled parallel twin. The engine offers a wide powerband with pleasing character. (Joseph Agustin/)

An uneven 270/450-degree firing interval affords a pleasing engine character while also boosting traction. There is a hint of vibration at the controls, but it doesn’t feel out of place like it does on other ADV bikes. Some will likely gripe that the Ténéré doesn’t offer traction control after all, even the Orange Bridgade’s $6,199 entry-level adventure bike includes this feature, however the CP2 mill is so smooth, refined, and balanced that it feels like it has organic traction control built into it. Well done, Yamaha. This makes for more friendly power slide and/or drift maneuvers without having to worry as much about the engine biting you with a hard power hit.

Although a tad tall in stock configuration, the OE saddle is supportive, comfortable, and well suited to long rides. (Joseph Agustin/)

Riders seeking a practical and no-nonsense adventure bike capable of taking them well off the beaten path with control will look fondly at Yamaha’s 700 ADV rig. Although it lacks some of the bling available on other middleweight rigs, as a package, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more easy ADV bike than the Ténéré 700.

Riders seeking a real-world adventure bike that’s capable of taking them well off the beaten path will appreciate the function and value afforded by Yamaha. (Joseph Agustin/)

Gear Box

Helmet: AGV AX9 Carbon

Jacket: Dainese D-Explorer Gore-Tex

Gloves: Racer Guide

Pant: Dainese D-Explorer Gore-Tex

Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7

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2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Technical Specifications And Price

PRICE	$9,999
ENGINE	689cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel twin; 8 valves
BORE x STROKE	80.0 x 68.6mm
FUEL DELIVERY	Electronic fuel injection
CLUTCH	Wet, multiple disc; cable actuation
TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE	6-speed/chain
FRAME	Double cradle steel-tube chassis
FRONT SUSPENSION	43mm Kayaba USD fork, fully adjustable; 8.3-in. travel
REAR SUSPENSION	Kayaba shock, fully adjustable; 7.9-in. travel
FRONT BRAKES	4-piston caliper, dual 282mm discs w/ ABS and Off-road mode (disengaged)
REAR BRAKE	1-piston floating caliper, 245mm disc w/ ABS and Off-road mode (disengaged)
WHEELS, FRONT/REAR	Spoked wheels w/ aluminum rims; 2.50 x 21 in. / 4.50 x 18 in.
TIRES, FRONT/REAR	Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR; 90/90-21 / 150/70-18
RAKE/TRAIL	27.0°/4.1 in.
WHEELBASE	62.8 in.
SEAT HEIGHT	34.4 in.
FUEL CAPACITY	4.2 gal.
CLAIMED CURB WEIGHT	452 lb.
WARRANTY	1 year
AVAILABLE	June 2020

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