Taking into account on-road costs, the price undercuts the KTM 790 Adventure R ($22,695 ride away) and Triumph 800 XCA ($21,300 plus on-roads) by over $5000 and the BMW F 850 GSA ($21,280 Ride Away) by over $3000 – depending on what state you live in. Keep in mind these are larger capacity bikes with more tech equipment standard.
Key technical features
• 689cc 4-stroke CP2 parallel-twin engine
• Double cradle tubular steel frame
• Slim, compact and ergonomic body and seat
• Aggressive rally-bred face with four LED headlights and two LED position lights
• Adjustable long-travel 43mm upside down forks with 210mm travel
• Remotely adjustable link-type rear suspension with 200mm travel
• Compact rally style cockpit with tapered handlebars
• 21-inch/18-inch lightweight spoked wheels with adventure tyres
• Slim long-range fuel tank with 16-litre capacity for 350km+ range
• Compact rally-style multi-function instruments
• Switchable ABS for on the fly adjustment
• Screen and handguards give good rider protection
More Info
689cc 4-stroke CP2 engine with adventure settings
The key characteristic of this compact CP2 engine, according to Yamaha, is its strong and linear torque output. Producing maximum torque at 6500rpm, this engine is said to offer the ideal balance of performance and controllability.
To cater for the unique requirements of adventure riders, the final transmission is optimised, and together with a range of model-specific fuel injection settings, Yamaha claims these features contribute towards the bike’s outstanding versatility and remarkable performance in different riding environments.
New lightweight double cradle tubular steel frame
During the development of the Ténéré 700 one of the key goals of Yamaha was to achieve a slim, agile and light feeling chassis that would be equally suited to both road and off road riding.
The double cradle tubular steel frame features a compact 1590mm wheelbase and a slim body with 240mm of ground clearance.
Adjustable long-travel 43mm upside down forks
Yamaha claims the flex resistant 43mm forks stay in shape over the most extreme terrain to give precision steering and smooth suspension action while boasting 210mm of suspension travel and full damping adjustment.
Remotely adjustable rear shock absorber
The Ténéré 700 is equipped with a rally-bred link-type rear suspension system that gives smooth and progressive action for maximum riding comfort and enhanced levels of control.
Featuring a aluminium swingarm for low unsprung weight, this high specification rear end offers 200mm of travel which, like the front suspension system, is designed to be able to handle the most severe off road riding conditions as well as giving a comfortable ride on the road. Another significant feature is the remote adjuster that lets you fine tune the preload settings while you’re on the go, making it quick and easy to dial in the shock to suit the riding conditions.
Rally style cockpit with tapered handlebars
Sitting on the new Ténéré 700 with the rally-bred cockpit in front of you, you’ll absorb the pure Dakar character of this new generation adventure bike, and be inspired to get out there and explore. The compact rally screen and nose fairing give you excellent protection from the wind while maintaining the slim and lightweight character of the bike, and the competition type tapered handlebars give a relaxed riding position whether you’re seated or standing.
21-inch front & 18-inch rear spoked wheels
Just like the high specification front and rear suspension, the spoked wheels clearly demonstrate that this bike is built for serious off road riding. With their ability to efficiently absorb the continuous impacts experienced when riding in rough terrain, these lightweight wheels work with the long travel suspension to give you optimum handling performance and control. Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres are fitted as original equipment, and because the Ténéré 700 features a competition type 21-inch front wheel/18-inch rear wheel combination, you have the possibility to fit a wide choice of tyres to suit your own requirements – ranging from a pure enduro pattern for predominantly off road use, through to dual sport pattern tyres for year round on/off road versatility.
Slim long-range fuel tank with 16-litre capacity
Throughout the development of this new generation adventure bike, Yamaha’s key goal was to deliver class leading off road performance together with outstanding road abilities and offer a genuine long range potential. The slim design of the fuel tank belies its 16-litre capacity, and its narrow rear section offers plenty of rider mobility and excellent knee grip. Whether you’re sitting down or standing up, the compact dimensions of this long-range fuel tank enable you to shift your weight around effortlessly – and thanks to the excellent economy of the 2-cylinder engine, 16-litres of fuel will give a potential riding range of over 350km which gives the new Ténéré 700 a high level of year-round all-terrain versatility.
Compact rally style multi-function instruments
Another example of how the new Ténéré 700 has been developed using rally-bred technology can be seen with the compact rally style instruments. Located centrally behind the screen for great visibility, this lightweight instrument panel displays a wide range of information that can be absorbed without having to take your eyes off the road or track. The multi-function LCD display features comprehensive information including gear position, fuel level, two trip meters and estimated fuel range, as well as average and instant fuel consumption and more. The cockpit is designed to accommodate the fitment of aftermarket navigation devices, enabling you to add extra equipment to suit your own requirements, including GPS, road book readers and smart phones.
Switchable ABS for easy adjustment
The braking system consists of dual 282mm wave front discs and a 245mm wave rear disc that gives high levels of stopping power with plenty of feel at all speeds on the highway or in the dirt. When you’re riding off road you have the option to temporarily disable the ABS whenever required by activating the kill switch while stationary. With the ABS turned off you can take full manual control, and in particular you can choose to lock the rear wheel deliberately in certain situations – such as very tight turns or on steep descents.
Good rider protection
On long journeys the screen and front cowl give good protection from the wind and weather, and because of the bike’s slim and compact body you are able to tuck in tightly to the chassis and keep out of the main airflow. As well deflecting wind and rain, the tough plastic handguards also help to prevent damage from rocks and stones kicked up by vehicles in front of you, and they offer added protection from branches and foliage when you’re in the wilderness. And if you do take a tumble in the dirt, they help to protect the levers and throttle from accidental damage.
