Yamaha Ténéré 700
Photos: DietmarHow heavy is it?
If you look at the Yamaha Ténéré, you can dwell on a particular question for longer: is it easy, or is it not? This question is often discussed in the relevant sections on the Network. Our test team from Markus and Dietmar agrees: Yes, the 204 kilogram travel enduro is a comparatively light motorcycle.
That would be good, because every gram counts in the terrain, which you don't have to weigh around additionally. The first impression seems to be right for the two of them, because the BMW F 750 GS, for example, carries a juicy overweight with 224 kilos in comparison. The equally iconic Honda Africa Twin is also anything but a lightweight at 233 kilos. Advantage Yamaha Ténéré so? In any case, there is another faction that pays homage to the light and, for that, underperforming "true" enduros. For them, the Ténéré is a big ship. But the Ténéré does not want to be a pure enduro, because it is a travel duro. Other qualities count as travel enduros and 204 kilos are good here, but the maximum payload of 190 kilos could be scarce if you are travelling in pairs.
The right thing left out
Sufficiently high, horse mackerel or stones have to protrude quite a bit in order to seriously endanger the Yamaha. Thanks to the comparatively narrow seat, short-legged drivers can also cope with the Ténéré, and Yamaha offers a reduction in seat height of 875 millimetres. If you choose this option, which brings the Yamaha closer to the road, four centimetres of ground clearance is missing.
The Yamaha's display is striking. It's big, standing upright, and if it didn't radiate as much solidity through the stable frame, it could come from a Tesla. Of course it does not, but the question is justified as to why it must be so large in the first place - there is not much to stop.
How do you ensure that the Yamaha works in the best possible sense even in lonely terrain? Two things help here: firstly, to install as little as possible, which could be broken at all. Secondly, keep the technique simple, better simple. Yamaha has at least set point one, because apart from an ABS, all technical gadgets such as traction control or quickshifters are only noticeable because they do not exist.
So let's go.
The chassis works
The new Ténéré is not thoroughly new. The engine is an old acquaintance, it comes from the MT-07 and was bred by some fine-tuning to more torque.
And it's a force. Together with the shorter translation, the Yamaha pulls through vigorously. She also takes 50 km/h in the fifth without complaint. At the other end of the speed band, the 700 twin does not weaken. The cost-effective operation – the Ténéré engine is mechanically identical to that of the MT-07 – an enduro engine can only be achieved by software changes is accomplished. Class.
With its quirkiness, it fits perfectly with the chassis. The Yamaha is very little and extremely easy to maneuver. This is good in the city, but vital in the terrain: If you overlook an edge or a rief, the moped has to react extremely quickly. Tschüß GS, hello Ténéré.
There is further praise for the successful tuning of the components of the chassis: the combination of 21 inch front wheel (18 rear), the steering head angle of only 63 degrees and the comparatively long wheelbase with 1,595 millimeters makes sense on and off the road.
Well thought-out construction
What remains? Well, the Ténéré is a motorcycle that can convince even in hard work. Anything that could break at all is reduced to the bare minimum. For this purpose, the Yamaha Ténéré is designed to be screw-friendly, if you have to get to the engine in the rearmost Siberia: Then you simply unscrew the frame under-covers and repair them. It is such supposed trivialities that prove the experience of Yamaha engineers. This was deliberately omitted without giving up on the really important things.
There are, however, two drops of defensivecourage: if you really prefer to go far, you won't be able to avoid the purchase of a larger tank. There are too many areas around the world that are simply too lonely for the range of the Ténéré of 350 kilometers plus reserve. Finally, the windscreen is sufficient, but not good.
Otherwise: The wait was worth it, compliment!
The test bike was provided to us by Motorrad Ruser.
Price / Colours / Years of Construction
- Price: 9,599
- Years of construction: since 2019
- Colours: blue, black, white
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