Ever since the Tenere 700 was first introduced as a concept in 2016, it became one of the most highly-desired bikes among adventure riders. This was at a time when adventure bikes kept getting bigger, heavier and more complex every year. Yet tastes had changed in the segment and many ADV enthusiasts were looking for something smaller, lighter, simpler, and more off-road oriented. The T7 concept, with its aggressive rally styling and compact design, looked like it could be that unicorn bike many had been yearning for.

When Yamaha revealed the Tenere 700 production model about a year later, it was toned down a bit with a lower suspension and some of its bling removed, but it still followed the same basic mold of the T7 concept more or less. After several years of teasers, the bike finally became available for sale last year as a 2020 model in Europe and here in the states we had to wait an additional year to get it. So was it worth the wait? Read on for a full rundown on this new machine after several days of testing on some of our local riding areas in Southern California.

Its long-stroke design is optimized for low-end grunt, giving it lots of traction in the dirt. In addition, the Yamaha’s 270° ‘Cross-Plane crank’ makes a sweet sound that soothes the soul, even with the stock exhaust can. The lawyer said Tuesday during a hearing in federal court in Washington that Riley Williams’ electronic devices have been seized and a search of Williams’ home and vehicle did not turn up the laptop.

What You Get At A Glance 

The 2021 Tenere 700 is powered by a 689cc parallel-twin engine (dubbed the CP2) that was pulled straight out of Yamaha’s MT-07 naked bike, with a few minor tweaks to the ECU. This proven powerplant produces roughly 73 horsepower and 50 lb.-ft. of torque. Its long-stroke design is optimized for low-end grunt, giving it lots of traction in the dirt. In addition, the Yamaha’s 270° ‘Cross-Plane crank’ makes a sweet sound that soothes the soul, even with the stock exhaust can.

As far as the chassis, Yamaha relied on its Rally Racing heritage to develop a narrow, lightweight perimeter steel frame with a rearward weight balance (48% front / 52% rear) that makes it easier to lift the front wheel. Additional bracing ensures it can handle punishment from more-aggressive off-road riding and removable lower frame rails make pulling the engine an easier job. While its subframe is designed for carrying luggage, it’s welded on rather than bolted.

Suspending the bike is a 43mm KYB fork with 8.3 inches (210mm) of travel and a rear KYB shock with 7.9 inches (200mm) of travel. Both front and rear suspension are adjustable for compression and rebound damping, and the shock has a hand crank for adjusting preload. There is no preload adjustment on the fork, nor does the shock have high- and low-speed compression settings.

Yamaha’s new mid-size adventure bike rides on proper off-road wire-spoke wheels sized 21” up front and 18” in the rear, shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR adventure tires. Getting things stopped are Brembo Brake calipers clamping down on twin 282mm discs up front, and a single 245mm disc in the rear. Standard seat height is 34.4”, with a low seat (-1.5”) and tall ‘Rally’ seat (+1.6”) option.

The Tenere 700 comes well-equipped from the factory for adventure featuring a 4.2-gallon fuel tank that Yamaha claims is good for up to 200 miles with an easy throttle hand. Plus it has a decent-sized windscreen, a powerful quad LED headlight setup, GPS mount crossbar, 12V outlet to charge electronics, wide serrated footpegs with removable (without tools) rubber covers, a basic skid plate, wrap-around hand guards, and an adjustable-height front fender (for mud rides) – all as standard equipment. About the only thing missing is a rear luggage rack and maybe a center stand, which are available as factory accessories, along with engine guards, heated grips, a beefier skid plate, auxiliary lights, and more.

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Mexico, North Africa, Europe, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.