2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Finalist: Yamaha Tenere 700

Name: 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Finalist: Yamaha Tenere 700
Brand: Yamaha

A surprise packet from all angles, with all the poise and dependability you’d want from an adventure bike

The Yamaha Tenere 700 and Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 provided the ‘no-fuss’ element to the 2020 Bike of the Year ride – but what they delivered in terms of seat-of-the-pants dynamics and sheer enjoyment had the judging panel constantly singing their praises.

In the case of the Yamaha Tenere 700, our Best Adventure Touring nomination for Bike of the Year, it was yet another big fat tick on how Yamaha has got this one right in a major way, as bikesales first discovered at the Aussie launch in late 2019 and then reaffirmed in a recent bush jaunt alongside the KTM 790 Adventure.

It's a weapon in the bush, but the Yamaha Tenere 700 is also a strong performer on tarmac

Storied heritage

The Tenere moniker has always held a special place in Yamaha’s storied history, but the evolution of the Italian-designed and French-built Tenere 700 is quite an uncomplicated, abbreviated one: in essence, it’s using the bulletproof and flexible parallel-twin from the popular MT-07 middleweight naked, with the engine nestled in a steel tube frame. There’s KYB suspension, a 21-inch (front) and 18-inch (rear) spoked wheel package, Brembo brakes, and a wet weight of 204kg.

On paper, that engine and chassis mix doesn’t exactly get pulses racing, but don’t be fooled: the Yamaha Tenere 700 is definitely bigger than the sum of its parts, with the ability to handle itself exceptionally well in all situations. And it’s a bike that simply refuses to tie itself in knots.

Sorted suspension and a capable chassis let riders make the most of the twin's output

Useable urge

The Yamaha Tenere 700 has power and torque figures of 72hp/53kW (at 9000rpm) and 68Nm (at 6500rpm) respectively, so the emphasis is on maximum flexibility rather than all-out brawn – which was what the Bike of the Year judges enjoyed so much about the 2019 winner, KTM’s 790 Adventure R.

However, the modest and predictable power delivery is what makes the Yamaha Tenere 700 such a superb off-road proposition, and Yamaha has a fairly hefty accessories catalogue to add even more performance and protection if you want to make dirt a regular fixture. And there are plenty of bungee points to attach luggage, or you can just fit soft or hard panniers.

On the long haul the Yamaha Tenere 700 is actually quite comfy, with roomy ergonomics, an effective screen and a seat that's more compliant than it looks

Split personality

As Bike of the Year is a largely tarmac-only affair the judges didn’t really get a feel for the Tenere’s off-road repertoire – their scoring of the model perhaps a little subdued as a result – but nevertheless it still sparkled on the twisty roads in north-east Victoria, as the light-action cable-actuated clutch and slick gearbox played their roles with aplomb.

It always took a few minutes to factor in the extra dive from the front end under hard braking (there’s 210mm of suspension travel), but once that acclimitisation was complete there was nothing holding it back – not even the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR adventure hoops, which provide more than acceptable edge grip and an impressive amount of high-speed stability. Mind you, the frame and the fully adjustable KYB suspension are the bedrocks that make the Yamaha Tenere 700 such a formidable piece of kit.

The tough rallye-raid styling doesn't hurt either...

Front-end dive under brakes on the road is controlled fairly well, given the bike's scope

Bang for your buck

The $17,299 ride away Yamaha Tenere 700 also reminded the judging panel that motorcycles with 21-inch front wheels aren’t the ham-fisted tarmac tools that many people take as a given. In fact, on one twisty 30km stretch a number of stereotypes about cornering ability were shredded to bits, with the Tenere 700 a central figure alongside bikes like the Interceptor 650, Triumph Rocket 3 R and Indian Challenger Limited. Where there’s a cornering will, there’s a way…

The brakes also copped a hammering, but the Brembos still gripped those wave discs with plenty of purpose. The brakes are obviously modulated more for off-road use – they have a lovely progressive action – but they still held their own on the tarmac.

Brembo stoppers provide entirely sufficient power and feel, on-road or off

Based on its moderate output, the 689cc engine was probably tasked with one of the heaviest workloads during Bike of the Year, so the Tenere's average fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km was a fine result. Lighten the throttle load and that would no doubt be in the low fours. The machine has a fairly modest fuel capacity of 16 litres, but it really does need a hinged fuel cap.

The fuel cap is a bit fiddly and removable; it needs a hinge

The Yamaha Tenere 700 has a motocross-style seat, but it’s way more comfy than it looks. Tucking knees into the tank is a little difficult, but that’s more a concern for off-road riders. On Bike of the Year it was simply an observation.

The dirt-bike-style seat is more comfortable than it appears.

The rectangular LCD dash is a simple design, and everything is digestible with a quick glance – a real bonus for off-road riding. There’s only one button that has electronic implications: the one to turn off the anti-lock braking.

Simple, easy-to-read instruments, with a single button to deactivate the ABS

The vertically stacked LED headlights and small screen are taut and trim, which sets the tone for the Tenere’s towering, aggressive look.

Summing up

Yamaha’s simple recipe works – and works very well. You get on the Yamaha Tenere 700 and you feel good from the get-go. Not too many other bikes can provide such an impossibly short courtship, which is why it’s already a top seller.

The Yamaha Tenere 700 is so capable and so much fun, and all for a realistic price

Specs: 2019 Yamaha Tenere 700

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled eight-valve parallel twin
Capacity: 689cc
Bore x stroke: 80.0mm x 68.6mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 72hp (53kW) at 9000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 68Nm at 6500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Clutch: Wet multi disc
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Doubled cradle steel tube
Front suspension: KYB 43mm upside-down telescopic forks, fully adjustable, 210mm travel
Rear suspension: KYB monoshock, fully adjustable, 200mm travel
Front brakes: 282mm wave discs with Brembo four-piston calipers
Rear brake: 245mm wave disc with Brembo caliper
Wheels: Spoked alloy, 21-inch front, 18-inch rear
Tyres: Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR; 90/90-21 front, 150/70-18 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed wet weight: 204kg
Seat height: 870mm
Wheelbase: 1590mm
Rake: 27 degrees
Fuel capacity: 16 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $17,299 ride away
Colours: Ceramic Ice, Competition White, or Tech Black
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Motor Australia