It seems you have to put a lot of stuff on this bike to make it a allrounder I test rode a 700 and like tomkat mentioned too top heavy Last year I test rode a Aprilia 660 and it was easier to ride had more power and wasn't top heavy It was a joy compared to the Yammy T
Im sold on the Aprilia Out of the Box a Way Better bike. Put a header a light exhaust and a decent skid plate
A true enduro that nobody has come close to building.
seriously Yamaha why cant you put tubeless rims on your beast. I remember the Africa twin 1000 that had tube rims WTF were you thinking for a bike north of 20 grand

I think alot comes down to priorities,

For us at the moment Japanese reliability was paramount the last thing we need with dad's prostate cancer is a bike stuck in a workshop with a technical fault for months on end (speaking from experience with modern 2014 on bmws, and 2x 2020 ktms, an a 2022 Himalayan) that I think was the numero uno deciding factor, 270 degree crank an what can I say we both love the looks if your bike doesn't make you take a 2nd look I think its the wrong bike.

I've own an Aprilia (Road/race bike) currently sat next to my bed which I've owned since 2008 the biggest problem with them over here in the UK at least is parts availability, something goes you can have a 3 month wait for bits especially if it's the summer. Great fun bike but I wouldn't trust one from a niggles / parts availability point of view that's exactly what hampers the Enfields as well a friend of mines been waiting 12 months for a cat under warranty an I experienced the same issues when I had the Himalayan.

I did actually consider the 660 Aprilia but I decided it didn't fit our needs from the standpoint of experience with the brand.

I think it all comes down to what your list of priorities are an ultimately what you wish to live with in the longrun. That was a huge decider in going for the T7 the other consideration was a Vstrom 650xt again as I loved mine alot an had 0 complaints but dad really liked the Yam so Yam it was an I've got yo admit I've really enjoyed it so far to

I completely agree that the Japanese companies need to step up with suspension components, the 300 Rally was abysmal the T7 isn't to bad tbh for the steady pace I'm running an especially for dad itl be OK. Although I belive in having the best suspension setup you can for that one moment where you need it so at some point I'll be dealing with that for us an suspension is far better than any engine mod.

I think it must be with me coming from the 1150gsa but I'm really not noticing the top heaviness everyone's commenting on, having said that I've not had to pick her up so I might change my opinion on that.

I've been doing a few things on the T7 today wiring in the nav etc an things seem really thought out plastic screws that are 1/4 turn full release with torx heads an a socket head so if one method fails u have another way of removing those fasteners.

Clips to hold indicator connectors in just little common sense touches that are nice when you are working on it.

I think how much you need to spend comes down to intended use, for me a revalve (need that on any bike for my weight) screen again any bike because I'm tall an a comfort seat an I'm thinking of an axp bash plate *anyone used one*

an I don't intend on anything else bar luggage and riding

Although I'm curious about aftermarket plastics for it.

The exhaust hanger naturally is the main weak point on the T7 that's well documented but then everything seems to have some inherent design flaw so just depends what you wanna live with I think.

Ultimately we are all different with different needs an it comes back to the great thing of lots an lots of choice.
Which is brilliant.

I'll be interested to see what the T7 is like when we get round to putting a lowering link on to make it more accessible for my dad.

I do agree with the tubeless although I know a few Norden an 890 owners whose had constant issues with sealing on the front wheel an we experienced that on dad's 390 wouldn't hold air.

I always find it fascinating to get others takes an opinions best way to learn is differing view points.

The inspiration for the T7 vids wise for us was Pavlin (motorcycleadventures, Adam Riemann, an Johannes Dalen really good T7 vids from both the pros an the cons Nomad Sweden as well is another good one.

Pavlins doing similar style trips and gravel riding to what we intend to do nothing to hard enduro more about travel an seeing places providing dad's able after his cancer treatment.

We've both got no intention to be the Next Pol or Adam, just a nice bit of travel

Hopefully I should be having a few days away to stretch the T7s legs a bit in-between hospital stuff.

I'm really gonna miss alot of things from my 1150gsa I think the two bikes majorly compliment each other. Unfortunately with the house downsizing and my having to support my parents now that means letting a few of my bikes go an the 1150 is the biggest space wise so the next logical one to sell.

All being well I can get the Nortons through a house door if needs be.

Speaking of bike prices I do think a few of them are getting a bit wild I specced a 1300gs an it wound up at £28,500 ouch! Could buy 3 t7's second hand and an 1150gsa for that.

Sorry to hear about your dad, hope he gets sorted soon

Yamaha RD350LC now there’s a blast from the past, had a go on one in my younger days and it scared me, it was quick for them days hahaha

Wayne

__________________
The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Hi Wayne thanks for taking the time to Comment

They are great fun that's for sure I actually prefer the 250lc although they are pretty much the same bike the 250 spares are usually a bit easier to come by cylinders etc

had to sell mine a while back, did 2k Miles in a week on one looking forward to finishing this 350 though together an getting it on the road as its the first ever bike dad an I got together. Its not to far off so when the 1150 sells ill get it finished an the rest will go on bills.

This was the progress I'd made on her a short while back bottom end is all built just gotta get the top end done an send the oil pump off to a friend who does them, set of tyres stator some carbs, grab rail an a few other bits the remainder of the tyres an she's ready to ride not far off at all