Tenere 700 test: Yamaha takes down the dune
What if the category of trails came back to basics after gradually getting bogged down in bourgeois comfort? What if simplicity and the spirit of adventure took precedence over the power and sophistication of expensive maxi-trails? ? Yamaha firmly believes in it by launching its new Tenere 700 on this track! Complete test on the magnificent paths and escaped roads of Tortosa (Spain).
Tenere 700 test page 1: back to basics
Two and a half years… Two years and six months have passed since the appearance in 2016 at the Milan Motor Show (Italy) of the first concept of the Tenere 700 – – and its official launch! Yamaha described it at the time as "fully operational", suggesting a fairly rapid arrival on the market of the production motorcycle..
Failed: a second prototype – the "" – was revealed instead, before finally the final version – renamed – materialized what started to look like a mirage! In total, it will have been desired for almost three years before its arrival in dealerships scheduled for September (except for liveries this summer).
- MNC special file :
- MNC practical guide :
- Interview Eric de Seynes : "
- Video test :
All the more surprising as this new trail with a strong all-terrain identity takes over the roadster engine, only retouched on the intake, exhaust and transmission (details in). The 689 cc parallel twin-cylinder produces practically the same power (73.4 hp instead of 74.8 hp) and identical torque of 68 Nm. Its development on a mechanical level was therefore not complicated..
"These delays are due to the obsession to stay true to the original line, as in the case of the inverted 43 mm fork on which we lost six months", explains to MNC the boss of Yamaha Europe. "We were originally on 41mm, but after trying it I told the team that it was a shame to lose off-road potential with this small diameter. In addition, the Africa Twin is in 43 mm! ", continues Eric de Seynes in, without hiding his desire to drive on the tracks cleared by Honda with the.
The French leader is inexhaustible about the specifics of this new motorcycle on which he is basing big goals (3,000 to 4,000 sales in France): Eric de Seynes – two Dakar to his credit – personally insisted that the Tenere 700 reconnect with the simple and literally all-purpose trail spirit, unlike the "road on stilts" that motorcycles like … the, for example !
Of which act: the Tenere 700 receives an enduro trim, an original four-LED headlight like the, high-travel suspensions (210 and 200 mm), 21 and 18 "spoke rims and a plethora of" off-line "equipment -road "(metal shoe, radiator guard, handguard, notched and retractable brake pedal end cap, removable rubbers on the cross footrests, front mudguard adjustable in height to avoid jams, etc.).
The set – correctly finished – gives off an impression of robustness and quality, as evidenced by its forged aluminum plates, its fully adjustable damping (with separate cylinder and preload wheel at the rear), its Brembo calipers around the discs. petals, its judicious collector protection, its 12V socket in the cockpit or the aluminum swing arm to contain the weight.
All these elements suggest a rewarding search for efficiency, even if certain aspects betray the compromises necessary to contain the price to 9,699 euros: the cables of the injection flap and several ducts could be better camouflaged, the clutch lever is not adjustable (too bad, because it is far away), the fuel cap is mounted without a hinge, the center stand and luggage rack are optional and the tires are inner tube (like the Africa Twin).
Still, the Tenere 700 seems capable of going to the end of the world without worrying about the state of the bitumen and coming back by cutting across fields. Or vice versa, depending on the mood! Its LCD instrumentation – basic but complete and directed from the right stalk – maintains the illusion with its vertical positioning which evokes a road book unwinder.
A not so exclusive motorcycle
Despite its narrow tank between the thighs, the Yamaha Tenere 700 requires quite a "leg lift" because of its saddle perched at 875 mm (+70 mm compared to the!): A 1.75 m biker poses his toes flat on each side, but nothing more. Below, it is better to reduce the height to 840 mm thanks to the optional lowering kit (hollow saddle and reduced shock absorber stroke).
Long and narrow, this seat provides a Spartan welcome: count only a few hundred kilometers before feeling the first discomfort. Good news, however: the situation does not worsen over the hours, as MNC was pleasantly surprised to see during a first run of 350 km – on very winding tracks and roads – followed by a second of 150 km under pouring rain !
The intelligently calibrated density of this saddle explains this constant support, which echoes the correct protection provided by the (fixed) windshield and its deflectors. Bust and head are largely preserved from turbulence: the ends of the shoulders and the upper part of the helmet remain exposed – and its all-terrain visor, if applicable.
Two "details" that say a lot about the thinking developed to avoid the pitfalls of exclusivity: the Tenere 700 does not offer the comfort and versatility of the Tracer 700, but it is not a vaguely civilized enduro motorcycle for as much ! Easy to catch and well designed, its wide handlebars raised by generous saddles are also part of this trend.
The only downsides are ergonomic: the lower controls are strangely high, forcing them to exaggerate the movement of the foot to go up a gear or position themselves on the brake pedal. But the reason becomes obvious when standing: the selector – a little rough but precise – and the pedal then fall naturally under the boots, like on a "real" all-terrain motorcycle. !
When seated, the right calf also sometimes comes into contact with the protection added above the clutch housing, while standing the friction on the ridges of the reservoir ends up irritating around the knees. However, this phenomenon only manifested itself after several consecutive hours of off-roading, often brittle and in places very "engaged"..
Peps as a driving force !
With its vertical twin CP2, Yamaha has an excellent engine which played a large part in the immense commercial success of the MT-07,. Installing it on the Tenere 700 is a step full of common sense as its qualities are multiple: flexibility, vigor and sobriety (4.8 to 5.8 l / 100 km during this first test).
To avoid spoiling anything, the redesigned air box associated with the new high silencer positively transforms its vocalizations: the fairly dry hammering of the MT-07 gains remarkably in roundness and smoothness on the "T7". The trail delivers a serious musicality that is flattering to the ear, which also appreciates the backlash when the gas is cut (listen to its sound at the end of our).
The bike resumes without jolting at 25 km / h in 4th (1500 rpm) and agrees to leave a village at 50 km / h in 6th at 2500 rpm. The injection is sufficiently precise to titillate these low revs without complex, although a hint of roughness is expressed on the insufficiently accompanied go-arounds on the right wrist. As on the MT-07, precisely.
These qualities open up a connection between the accelerator and the rear wheel that is extremely thin and easy to manage, as appreciable in the city as in the sections without asphalt. The Tenere 700 in fact enjoys formidable traction on all types of surface, aided by the considerable extension of its wheelbase to 1595 mm (1400 mm on the MT-07) and its excellent mixed tires Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR.
A clear acceleration, however, highlights a reactivity behind the MT-07 at 4000 rpm: logical given the 22 kg between them (182 kg Vs 204), despite the final reduction shortened on the Tenere 700. The CP2 thus runs about 500 rpm faster on the trail than on the roadster: 3750 rpm at 80 km / h and 5750 rpm at 130 km / h in sixth.
The natural vitality of the twin cylinder quickly regains the upper hand and expresses a jubilant thrust up to 9000 rpm. This frank acceleration then settles down to 10,500 rpm of the breaker, as on the MT-07. A rich operating range full of energy: this engine delivers such output that we would gladly lend it 10 to 15 more horsepower! MNC was surprised to see 206 km / h on the odometer on a long straight…
Not sure that the Africa Twin of 998 cc can easily keep the Tenere 700 at a distance despite its 95 hp, especially as the Honda charges 28 kg extra (232 kg without DCT): only an MNC duel will allow us to see clearly, but the little Yamaha twin is already well placed to win the thrill race !
Too bad the vibrations seem to us more marked on the Yamaha than on the Honda: the hands, feet and buttocks are subjected to it from 5500 rpm and the phenomenon tends to amplify at high speed. Nothing to do with an all-terrain motorcycle, but sufficient to disturb the enjoyment at stabilized pace.
Efficient and versatile cycle part
The Tenere 700 moves off-road with disconcerting ease: its generous travel, its 21-inch front wheel and its abysmal ground clearance (240 mm!) Give it staggering possibilities of crossing, light years away from limited capacities. rivals with a road profile such as the Suzuki, Kawasaki or Yamaha .
Its relevant weight distribution (48% in front and 52% behind with full tank) manages to make people forget its center of gravity located a little high for a strictly off-road practice (its fairly high engine, above which also rest 16 liters of fuel, causes a lot of masses in height).
However, off-road even more than on the road, the weight at shoulder height is not welcome: it is hardly exaggerating, since the front part of the Tenere peaks at an impressive 1,455 mm overall! The advantage is that its mirrors – rather effective – do not risk hitting those of the cars during a queue rise. !
The maneuverability of the motorcycle as well as its very short turning radius are all additional assets to get out – literally – from the rut, without ever having to force: the new Yamaha reacts precisely to the demands coming from the handlebars, as to those exerted by the movements of the body and the pressure on the footrests.
Easy to place and remarkably stable, it absorbs the worst obstacles with a relaxation that says a lot about the quality of its suspensions! The reactivity of its engine also allows all fantasies, without feeling this permanent fear of overflow of power as with a "maxi" of 120 to 150 hp.
Its 73.4 hp are more than enough to trigger spectacular crossings and easily initiate a call to take off on a bump, phase during which the "T7" reveals an "air" balance beyond criticism. In the truly technical portions, its power even exceeds the claims of most average enduro riders. !
Road or paths: everything suits him !
All its qualities apart from the bitumen left fear of limited aptitudes on the road, penalized by too much exclusivity. This is not the case: the Tenere 700 is just as comfortable on asphalt as it is in dirt, offering the same type of bewitching versatility that makes the Africa Twin so successful. !
The additional heaviness generated by its 21-inch rim is noticeable only at very low speed and then in rapid sequences, while its fork is sufficiently well braked to contain mass transfers. In the same exemplary way, the 200 mm rear combines flexibility and rigor, while facilitating the management of available grip thanks to its progressive work.
The lack of traction control is never regrettable, neither on the road nor on the track! The precision of the steering is also convincing in all circumstances, as is the feedback from the front axle: the Tenere 700 offers a relaxed and devilishly efficient behavior, all enhanced by the cushioning comfort offered by its travel " XXL ".
By insisting heavily – hill climb way – the cohesion of the whole nevertheless ends up showing its limits in terms of hydraulic retention with a few understandable movements. But nothing that the available adjustable ones cannot solve, while bringing more support to the amateurs of all-terrain "hard core"..
In terms of braking, the same overall satisfaction: the rear is powerful and dosable enough to correct a trajectory in a paved curve or negotiate a silted hairpin. Operation also facilitated by the possible complete disconnection of the ABS from the dashboard.
The front for its part responds with force and progressiveness, notwithstanding its front calipers with only 2-pistons. Bit and power are obviously not as pronounced as with the 4-piston radial motorcycles like the BMW and, but it avoids sticking a stupid one on a stony path just by licking the right lever. !
Verdict: back to earth
The history of motorcycles is an eternal restart: the first trails were real adventurers before becoming gentrified, and now manufacturers like Honda, KTM and Yamaha are backing up with their respective Africa Twin, and Tenere 700 respectively. !
MNC applauds this voluntary approach with both hands, which rhymes in the case of the Tenere 700 with an exciting return to basics at an affordable price in view of its equipment and its potential. The quality of its "fully adjustable" suspensions and of many of its components easily legitimizes the 2600 euros difference with the MT-07 !
However, some criticize it for a high price given its capacity and power. While it is true that the Tenere 700 risks sticking its tongue out in a charged duo to assault a steeply uneven mountain road, MNC advises to try it before shouting about the fraud: the joy of living of the twin Yamaha and its contained weight give value for its money in terms of performance and sensations !
Another advantage to be taken into account in terms of its price positioning: the Tenere 700 delivered in Europe are assembled in France, in Saint-Quentin (02). Only the engine comes out of the Japanese or Indonesian chains of Yamaha completely assembled and the rest of the production goes to the 700 employees of the MBK factory … like the late in his time !
- All the details of our MNC Tenere 700 test with our photos captioned in
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