Yamaha Tenere 700: yes or no?
 

About to bite the bullet and buy one. Tell me why I shouldn’t. Interested in the opinions of people who own or have ridden one only. Intended use would be primarily for extended overlanding; so what are the pros and cons for this?
I was lent one to test ride for a week and really liked it, but what are they like to live with longer term? I know it has a smallish tank and uncomfortable seat, but the engine is brilliant. Ergos were good (for me), I didn’t find it too heavy and it was enormous fun to ride. So, tell me........why shouldn’t I get it?
Ta

(For reference: I’ve had an XT660Z for 10 years and also a CRF250 in the shed)

You should.....cracking bike . But I would want to address the seat though .
We sell shed loads of them and I'm struggling to think of any issues unlike Ktm .

I've had 2 660Z's in my career and put a combined 100.000+km on them. I also had the opportunity to ride the T700 for a few hours on a press event on varied terrain. It's better than the 660 in all regards, except autonomy.

But whether it is the best bike for you for "extended overlanding" depends on how you like to spend that time. It might be that the CRF250 is more suitable (I'm assuming an L or a Rally here). It all depends on how you prefer to travel.

I have a good friend who recently bought one. He loves it. It looks like a fantastic bike. He and I just got back from a weekend camping trip.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-no?authuser=0

I looked at the Tenere 700, and the features that led me to the CB500X is the fuel mileage, fuel range, and weight. The CB500X has a larger tank and gets better fuel economy. It's also about 15 kg lighter.

The extra cost of the Yamaha had a small effect on my decision also.

Jamie

Thanks all. I did rent a CB500X for a few days a while back now. Nice bike, but I felt a bit cramped on it. Being “too” tall: I’ve got higher than stock seats on both my XT and CRF (yes, the Rally) so the CB wasn’t comfortable for me.
So, unless one of you talks me out of it before, the deposit goes on the T7 tomorrow.
bier

good solid bike but make sure that you are comfortable with the fact that 1. it is a road bike at heart, 2. it is heavy, top heavy at that, 3. tank range is limited.
good luck with your decision :)

whats the tank bag on the CB pictured above?

Mosko Moto Nomad

God damn I'm in the same boat as you.

I was pretty dead set on a CB500x Rally Raid after months of research and debating all possibles bikes. Came down to the CB vs the T7.

The CB with all of the upgrades comes close to the T7 base price and actually surpasses it by some bits. So price for me are pretty similar for both bikes fitted like I want them to.

CB is a tad lighter, more importantly less top heavy. Easier to ride, bigger fuel range.

But ... Because there is a but... The T7 is just a different beast. 21" front wheel, more powerful... And that face... :drool:

I went and looked at one in my Yamaha dealer today and I just fell in love with it. Yeah it's bigger, heavier, less fuel yadda yadda yadda... But damn me if that bike isn't a piece of art. Itr just screams adventure.

So there you go... From my side: Head says CB, Heart says T7.

Oh and they have it in stock. Could be mine tomorrow if I pull the trigger.



Still, I'll give it another month to try both of them (if I can find a CB in Switzerland to try mind you).

In case you missed it, and you haven't made up your mind, maybe Ryan's insights and review will be of benefit - it appears he wants to now sell his GS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WJvQqeQpe8

I have two friends that bought the T7 and both are very happy.
They use it 70/30 on-road/off-road

:scooter:

The claimed wet weight of the CB500X is 197 kgs, while the T7 is 204 kgs. Only 7 kgs heavier. It is 3K cheaper though. Anyway deposit has been put down on the T7; decision made, no going back now. Thanks all.bier

Having had a CB500X (with all the RR level 3 trimmings) and now running an XSR700 Yam, same engine as the T7, I presume, I much prefer the Yamaha, and mine is still A2 learner restricted, but its so much more torquey and flexible than the Honda.
I wouldn't expect the XSR to be any better than any other road bike in stock form, off road. But I'm sure the 700 Yamaha engine would be a lot more satisfying for a trail bike

At last! One manufacturer who didn't follow the crowd.
 

I beg to differ. It is not a road bike, it is a dual purpose, adventure bike and is a lot easier to ride off road than the Honda and most of the other big adventure bikes out there. Overlanders strap on spare fuel when necessary, it's just part of your luggage. I used to lead expeditions on GS's from London to Cape Town down the West side of Africa and never once ran out of fuel.

My plan recently has always been to buy a 2002 Africa Twin and head back to Africa. One of the guys on my expedition rode on one and the only maintenance he did for the 5 month trip was oil the chain.

I was also just considering the option of a newer 660 Tenere vs 20 year old AT and then, suddenly, there was a new Tenere! After months of being stuck at home during the Covid lock-down with too much time on my hands... I decided it was time to buy a bike and I could still get out of the house and social distance by riding alone. My local dealer had a demonstrator on offer. I took a test ride which was the first time I have been on a bike in 10 years (I don't enjoy roads in the South of England after being in the wilds) and bought it the same day.

The engine is bullet proof and Yamaha have improved on the 660 all round. They have kept it simple. The only sophistication is ABS on demand and fuel injection, so not much to go wrong in the middle of nowhere.

Unless you're planning to spend as much time as possible off-road, climbing over rocks, I believe this is the best new bike on the market for a combination of practicality, reliability, comfort and handling for that next RTW trip :mchappy: :palm:

...life would be boring if we all had the same point of view and the same bike...:thumbup1:
I hope the OP finds the right bike for him

get it, it rides awesome - not perfect bike but from current offerings probably the best money can buy for adv trips. Sure bigger tank would be nice and sure tubeless wheeels would be good as well. Also is most off-road orientated from the rest.

All this talk got me thirsty, so I went down to the Yamaha dealer yesterday afternoon to sit on one.

...they don't even have a floor model, too much demand. :thumbup1:

Bought one; collected it a few days ago. Early days, but it is a very impressive bike. Zero regrets; only wish I'd got one sooner.

I had a quick ride on a mates T7 and I'm sold
Put my KLR up for sale and it went to a new owner late last week

Will place an order for a T7 early next year. Looks like a 6-8 week wait here in Australia

I sat up on one last year and immediately found the position just about perfect for me. A friend test rode one and raved about it, in fact his first comment was that it was just the bike that I needed.

Having done a lot of research last week I done a deal to trade mc NC750x in against a new T7.

I'm now patiently counting the days.

Used Yamaha T700
 

I might be interesed in buying a second hand 2020 or 2021 T7 (Yamaha T700) model in northeast, or Minneapolis radius, in the USA.
It can also be a model used by dealers or test bike!

My son will finish his studies the next summer, so I'd love to join him and after that, spend a sort of sabbatical for around 4-5 months. So I'm open to hear offers to find an unit that can fit what I'm planning, and let me ride 6 or 7K miles (or even more).

Thanks in advance!

So I picked up the Tenere 700 3 weeks ago and have put almost 1800 km on it already.
The bike is everything I had hoped for, the nearest I have to a complaint is the seat height. But then that is something that I just have to aclimatise to.
Comfortable (firm seat), powerful, well balanced, great brakes and suspension. It handles beautifully on the road, very light to turn. For the little bit of light off roading I have done it handled it very well.

It feels very much like my old XRV750, except lighter and with better fuel consumption.

T7 Awesome
 

I have had one now since 2019. Done about 6500 miles most of which has been done off road. Had some great adventure trips of a few days. The bike has never missed a beat and is a very capable bike both on and off road but mostly I am using it as a big trail bike for the UK until the world reopens.

For off road you will need better tyres for sure.

The suspension is adequate but will need stiffer springs for luggage and if you are over about 80kg.

Plenty of wonderful aftermarket products for this bike if you like to tinker with it.

I honestly think its the bike most of the other manufacturers are kicking themselves for not making. Kicks the F800/850's arse in every respect.

I considered the T7 and the 790 side by side when looking for a bike to take to Magadan and back. What swung it was the 790 came on sale earlier. I don't regret my choice, as the KTM is a superbly capable machine and I've done some tweaks to make it better for overlanding, but by the time I'm back next year it'll have 40,000 miles on the clock and I reckon it's time to let someone else enjoy it, who maybe won't be taking it so far from home and workshop support as I would. And then I'll probably buy a T7 after all. From owners reports it's still a very capable machine, but it's a bit taller, carries the weight a bit higher, and is a bit of a softer ride. Which is kinda where I'm heading myself, so I think it'll be a good fit.

I am picking up a used T7, 4000 miles on it, up in Pennsyvania this weekend. I have not ridden one or even been on one yet, so this is a bit of an experiment for me. I am coming from an AJP PR7 (Portuguese 610 Rally dual-sport bike) that is 100 lbs lighter, with the same power, and an R1200GS, so this kind of slots in-between. Time will tell if I like it. I am a bit worried about the weight compared to my AJP.

Hi all, new HUBB'r here, my penny's worth is that I tried the T7, wasn't real keen as it appeared to just be an improvement on the XT660, sold my XT660X and bought a 2 yr old Super Tenere. No chain problems, and that same bullet-proof reliability.
Yes it's heavy, but low down weight and the weight is not noticeable at all on the road.

Since I wrote my last post I've ridden a T7 at the Yamaha Off-Road Experience., and liked it. That wasn't a balls-deep dive into mud but rather a spirited trundle round some nice forest tracks. I have to say the Tenere handled it really well and the engine is an absolute joy. Less technology benefits these bikes IMO. What I didn't like, and may influence my future choice to buy one, is the high CG. You don't feel it when you're riding, but picking one up on your own after it's gone down on slippery mud is a right b*stard.

The CoG is one of the most important factors for me, not for picking it up but for riding off road.
I tried the T7 on road and thought it excellent but yet to try off road - perhaps I will look at the Yamaha experience.
Perhaps it is because I’m tall - a high peg puts me way up in the air and must transfer a lot of weight up there.
I had a WR250R for green laning, which was great due to it’s lightness but I honestly found my GS better on easy tracks due to the low CoG.
I’ve tried big KTMs and F800gs on big bike trails and preferred my GS. I’m not sure that there is any trail I would ride on a T7 that I wouldn’t on my GS ie dry big bike trails.

IMO CoG is not discussed enough when I look at bike reviews so thanks for bringing it up.

So shades of the XT660Z. I liked the high CG when riding the 660 as the instability made it quicker to respond, though when I dropped the bike (before I had pannier rails fitted) there was nowhere to lift it. I was riding solo in an unfrequented side gorge off the Cirque de Jaffar in Morocco however after a couple of hours a group of French silver-haired walkers came along and helped me get the bike upright again.

You should watch the romaniacs 2021.....guy uses a T7 , first person to enter an adventure bike . Yes he is an extremely skillful rider to say the least but it shows what the bike is capable of with some mods done .

As always, it’s all about the rider - wish I was a Romaniacs level rider :scooter:

I'm also fairly tall, and I used to ride a WR250F. It's a great green lane bike, perhaps a bit more sports inclined that I needed, but narrow, light and well balanced. Of course none of the big adventure bikes are remotely comparable. On my 790 I've fitted lower pegs and handlebar risers, which for me makes a big difference in the standing riding position. It also gives the bike a bit more of an "armchair" feel on the road. The pegs on the Tenere are quite high and I'd want to look for similar mods if I bought one of them.

Well we sell loads of T7 s and they dont come back for issues either......that pretty much goes for yamahas full stop , their cp2/ cp3 engines are pretty much bulletproof if our workshops are anything to go by . Unfortunately the same cant b said for a certain Austrian make ...... :thumbdown:

I test rode one and decided to not buy it. Like others have mentioned the COG is very high, it made trivial things like U-turns feel difficult.

Other than that it's almost a perfect bike.

I could put up with the problems if only KTM didn't try to wriggle out of warranty claims. I can't see me buying another, partly because of this, but mostly because as an adventure biker I totally disassociate myself from the 'ready to race' mentality.

Tim that's one of the issues , another is their electronics . The brand is known as keeps taking money or keeps traumatizing mechanics :censored: .

I agree with much of this, and the way KTM treat warranty claims also makes me unlikely to buy another. The bikes do attract more than their fair share of gobshites, unfortunately, and seem to have supplanted a certain other marque in the "must-have" stakes for hardcore mudplugging (and cafe/forum posing). But the 7/890 is a seriously competent adventure tourer and I don't regret buying mine. Time and mileage will tell if it's the machine to do the central Asian loop, god knows when that will be at current rates, but I'm still hopeful ;)

Toyark....have hopefully replied to ur PM re how far you can lower a T7 .
In case I havent and for others benefit....using the gen Yamaha lowering links and lower seat kit its 38mm in total. Dropping the forks is only really poss up to about 5mm max .

t7
 

I would buy a t7 in a heartbeat if I had the money a proven Japanese engine yes
Parts yes on road capability yes off road the same yes No fuel tank wrapped around the engine yes where do these guys come up with these ideas Humm power and weight ratio perfect you dont need more than 70 horses to have a well balanced moto, derating the power curve is reliability. I have put all the power down on my f700gs in first gear in the sand and when it started to get traction it was a Whoa Nelly to control I almost flipped her over it scared the shit out of me
The t7 will be a moto that's going to be around for a long time with the weight well just get used to it The height is probably a turn off for many but I wish I would of bought a f800 to make it easier to go over obstacles but that is only when you are committed on your chosen line my F700gs will bounce over and its not a problem my skid plate takes the impact just fine
I think it is the best bike out there you can haul ass on the pavement and be nimble in the technical off road This is not a motocross bike or cross country enduro and you would probably wreck it if you treated it like one or the other
I live in a place that has unlimited back roads there are so many roads that are not on the map and its a paradise for back country I can spend 10 hours on a loop trip and never get higher than 3rd gear but it takes pavement to get to these locations then It is Off Road Colombia Pure enjoyment

Long adventure on a T7 anyone?
 

All the YouTube clips of T7s being ridden on incredible terrain and doing magic jumps is impressive. However, has anyone any experience of riding a T7 on a long transcontinental adventure? Nick Sanders is one but that was sponsored. Experience from someone on this forum would be very reassuring. Cheers

We are totally offtopic now - I just wanted to say I totally agree with you in that KTMs slogan thing. When Im doing a long or short trip Im definetively not thinking og pretending in or participating in a race or rally. I wake up late and start even later and travel slowly and Im not at all «Ready to race»:mchappy:

I could not agree more. I like the T7 but I really feel the high CoG. Maybe it is a mental thing. I also did the T7 Yamaha Experience two days and loved it. I did not drop the bike once so I probably was not trying hard enough... I have ridden my GSA (TC) to Tibet, China, Thailand, etc, three months with some pretty awful trails and I felt very comfortable on the BMW. Plus I didn't even get a puncture. I did have help the few times I dropped the bike though so that peace if mind was there. I like the T7 but I am unsure about it for our next long adventure ride. :helpsmilie:

Pretty much where I am at the moment, hopefully doing a long trip later in the year.
Bosley’s Pegs are up to 50mm lower which would be great for lowering the CoG when I’m standing.
One consideration, for me, is that if I buy a T7 then I’d have to set it up for me - pegs, seat, suspension, luggage. My GS (TC) is ready to go.
If I still avoid those difficult routes then it’s good money after bad.
As always, I suspect, I’m overthinking it. I’ll book the T7 adventure day and take it from there.
bier

I have a T7 Rally with a few mods, and have had the time to put it through some paces.

I simply cannot explain how awesome this bike is. There is no other bike in this class that I would rather own, except for the far more expensive KTM 890, and even then I would be in doubt.

Instead of telling you why you should buy it, I'll list all the reasons I can think of for considering something else:

Why you would not buy a T7

• Money truely is no object, so buying the KTM 890 is like nothing
• You want a much, much, much lighter bike
• Money is a huge concern, with even the thought of splurging out for the friendly priced T7 giving you nightmares
• You plan to ride two up
• You only plan to ride well paved roads
• You have a particular fettish that this bike doesn't tickle
• You are really truly vertically challenged

It sounds like you are still undecided about it. NOT (as they would say on Waynes World).

I bought T7 recently to keep company to my old xt660z in my stable.
Good bike, very nice engine but this bike is not as tough as xt tenere.

https://i.imgur.com/R9MB9sN.jpg

I'm glad that you made your choice. I hope that your motorcycle will serve you for a very long time.

and if you compare in percentages, how much Т7 is weaker ?
PS
I like the color of your bike.

To give you perspective of how good ur bike is my friend has just done a 10k trip thru the balkans and turkey partially using the tet . He replaced the seat with a custom one . No oil used , averaged mid 60 uk mpg.....zero issues. He also put in a better off road type air filter / sponge......cleaned it out and oiled twice I think.....he said he was glad he did as very dusty in Turkey.
Our dealership has sold them by the bucket load......that engine is bulletproof .

Bit of feedback from me having just done 4,000 miles round Europe on a Tenere. My bike was a 2022 World Raid, bought specifically for its 23 litre tank. I didn't need the range as it turned out but that's another story. It was comfortable enough to do 300 kms without needing to get off, and with a consumption of over 25 kms/litre on a long run that's about 600 kms range. The fuel gauge starts flashing with 16 litres used so that's a range of over 150 kms on "reserve". The engine as we know is gorgeous, smooth, flexible and reliable. The suspension does everything you could want it to.

The only things I didn't like were that despite Yamaha moving the fuel tanks down the side of the engine it remains a very tall, top heavy feeling bike. I wouldn't want to have to pick it up alone, especially not on rough ground and definitely not with a full tank and 40 kgs of luggage.

The only "must do for travel" mods in my book are GPS/phone mount, centrestand and Barkbusters. Luggage is your option. I fitted Touratech racks and top box, with Kriega soft panniers.

I want to share good news with you. I recently bought a T7 World Raid and now I can't get enough of it. as you said, it has a good engine, which is very pleasing. I like to ride for a long time, so this is important to me. It is also very manoeuvrable, which is very convenient.
I even covered it with stickers (from Winner's Ink Graphics) and now my joy knows no bounds.