2020 Yamaha Tenere 700 Launch Review

“True off-road riders prefer the simplicity." They were the words of Yamaha Tenere 700 project leader, Takushiro Shiraishi, at the Australasian launch of the all-new adventure machine when he was questioned about core design principles.

And the question had plenty of merit, because in an era where adventure bikes are becoming tech masterpieces in their own right, Yamaha has eschewed that way of thinking with the 2020 Tenere 700 – to the extent that the only ‘play’ item is the ABS button.

Of course, with such a smooth and linear powerplant – the 698cc parallel twin engine from the highly successful MT-07 naked bike – electronic support for the 2020 Yamaha Tenere 700 was never going to be a critical part of the design equation. But Takushiro-san’s commentary was still upfront and honest with a clear message: no gimmicks, but still with plenty of substance from the Italian-designed and French-built newcomer, which replaces the single-cylinder Ténéré XT660Z in Yamaha’s lineup.

Long time coming 

To finally ride the 2020 Yamaha Tenere 700 was a big deal, because from late 2017 we already knew the machine was in the company’s production plans. The open secret was announced in November 2018 following a ‘World Raid’ where the prototype was ridden across four continents starting Down Under thanks to Yamaha’s rally gun Rodney Faggotter.

Mr Faggotter knows a thing or two about off-road machines. He’s currently competing in the Saudi Arabia-hosted 2020 Dakar Rally on a Yamaha WR450F Rally and he was at the start-line of the Tenere 700 media launch in Port Macquarie.

With GPS units providing wise direction counsel, the five-day trek began – but it only took a poofteenth of that time to realise that Yamaha has a special machine on its hands. And all for an inviting $17,149 ride away price.

The Tenere 700’s modus operandi isn’t about being a powerhouse, but instead the way it talks the talk in just about every situation – another way of saying it’s bigger than the sum of its parts.

Powerplant 

The engine, with its 270-degree crossplane crankshaft, is the critical component. It’s not only one of the most reliable production units on the planet but its lithe dimensions (due to such factors as the vertically stacked gearbox) has allowed Yamaha to keep the size of the Tenere 700 very compact. The machine’s wet weight is 204kg.

Output for the parallel twin is 72hp/68Nm, which kind of gives away that the engine’s main focus is on torque. And torque also checks in much lower than the equivalent power peak, which is yet another indication of its flexibility.

What does that mean for the bush? Basically, there aren’t any nasty surprises and the power slides from the free-revving engine are predictable and controllable – but still a lot of fun, especially as the gearing is shorter on the Tenere 700 than the MT-07 (only externally, not internally) which keeps it nice and chirpy.

And it’s tractable and likes to dig in too, which not only delivers a nice growl but also means slow-speed hopping over logs and other trail obstacles isn’t as onerous as you’d think.

Sure, the engine isn’t aggressive as, say, the KTM 790 Adventure R, but there’s still an abundance of grin-inducing fun. Enough for decent wheelstands, too!

The engine is practically vibration-less as well, while the six-speed gearbox shifts nicely in all situations – vital for a go-anywhere adventure bike. The launch included a short stint on soft beach sand – still a mongrel of a pursuit in my books, especially for the less fitter amongst us – but it’s the most comfortable I’ve ever felt in the soft stuff.

I didn’t crash, but the light-action cable-actuated clutch still got a decent work out.

Related:
Advice: How to ride on sand

Other tweaks on the Tenere’s engine from the MT-07 unit include updated fuel injection, a new airbox, upgraded cooling and a redesigned low-slung exhaust, which is certainly a point of styling departure from Yamaha’s adventure competitors.

Tarmac ability

The 2020 Yamaha Tenere 700’s 21-inch front wheel is tailor-made for off-road riding, but much like the 790 Adventure R, that doesn’t mean it all slows down on the tarmac.

In fact, a combination of low weight, geometry, mass centralisation and the ability to push weight forward on the motocross-style seat (it’s comfortable, though) makes the Tenere 700 ridiculously easy to flick from side to side, which only adds to its overall appeal.

We had some great tarmac sections on the launch to enjoy those virtues – but unfortunately through many scarred and charred parts of drought-stricken NSW which had just felt the brunt of the first wave of summer fires. A very sobering launch in so many ways.

The Tenere 700’s chassis is a bespoke design, which amounts to a steel tube frame and aluminium swingarm. Yamaha has also beefed up the area around the headstock, so there’s plenty of rigidity – but not to the degree where the tactility of the Tenere 700 is compromised.

Components 

The launch bikes were also fitted with road-legal Pirelli Scorpion off-road knobbies, so with the standard Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres fitted the Tenere 700 would be even more enjoyable on bitumen.

The Brembo front brakes, which grip 282mm discs, have a fairly soft initial engagement, which is ideal for the dirt. That’s a mini trade-off at the expense of harder road riding, while the 245mm rear disc isn’t powerful but is a great tool to help steer the Tenere 700.

Meanwhile, the anti-lock braking is switchable, via a button on the vertically mounted LCD instrument cluster.

Accessories fitted for the launch included a Uni Foam off-road air filter, radiator guard and a lower chain guide.

That’s just the thin end of the wedge, and the accessories catalogue also includes an Akrapovic muffler, heated grips, low seat, luggage rack, hard luggage, engine guard, adventure pegs, soft luggage, main stand, LED foglights, handlebar riser,
headlight guard, radiator protector, rally seat, passenger comfort seat and lowering kit.

Height problems 

The standard seat height is 870mm, which tested the capabilities of my 172cm frame. The seat’s slim at the front, though, which makes life a bit easier, but the low seat option (850mm) was much better – and there’s also the choice of going further with low suspension (835mm).

Like most adventure bikes I’ve ridden recently, I couldn’t quite tuck my knees into the side of the 16-litre fuel tank as securely as I wanted to, which had implications for turning and general comfort. Not a deal breaker, by any means, but I did find myself perched on the seat more than I probably should have.

By the way, there’s also a tall seat option.

The KYB suspension – fully adjustable 43mm upside-down forks and a monoshock – is light years ahead of the XT660Z, and is well damped for off-road riding. Based on the normal wild variations in suspension setup and tastes, that’s probably a great starting point.

It really is a delight over choppy terrain, with suspension travel of 210mm at the front and 200mm at the rear. Ground clearance is 240mm, so we weren’t afraid to hit some washouts hard.

Final thoughts

Yamaha is pushing the ‘rally raid’ theme hard with the 2020 Yamaha Tenere 700, so there’s already a point of departure from ‘normal’ adventure bikes.

But we’ll stick to the adventure nomenclature, and in that space the Tenere 700 stands up very well indeed.

The engine, styling (we rode the red and white liveried version, which is our favourite), and its supreme balance on and off-road are the biggest attributes for us. Its simplicity was also more refreshing that I was expecting – maybe a function of approaching dotage, or maybe the avalanche of technical bombardment is developing its own fatigue element. But I would like to at least have a hinged fuel cap...

But if you want all the bells and whistles such as cruise control, engine modes, TFT dash etc, perhaps you should look elsewhere. And if you do, the price tag won’t be as agreeable.

The Tenere 700 also does every day practicality very well, and is yet another option in the sub one-litre adventure class that was kinda wafer thin a few years ago.

Not now, and the Tenere 700 is right up there in terms of appeal and simply a magic little machine to ride. Yamaha has made us wait, but all now’s forgotten...

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 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
Tyres: Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR
Tyre sizes: 90-90-21 front, 150/70-18 rear

DIMENSIONS
Rake: 27 degrees
Trail: 104mm
Claimed wet weight: 204kg
Wheelbase: 1590mm
Ground clearance: 240mm
Seat height: 870mm
Fuel capacity: 16 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $17,149 ride away
Colours: Ceramic Ice, Competition White and Tech Black
Bike supplied by: Yamaha Australia, yamaha-motor.com.au