Tenere 700 test: Yamaha takes down the dune
What if the category of trails returned 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 2: details in captioned photos
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| The XT of the 21st century. The Tenere 700 forges an obvious link with the 1976 XT500, nothing less than the best-selling Yamaha motorcycle in the 1970s: some 60,000 units sold in France during its 14 years of production! Like her grandmother, she embodies the true trail spirit with a strong rally-raid connotation. |
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| Natural History. The first Tenere ("desert" or "wild country" in Touareg) was released in 1983, seven years after the XT500: it was the XT600Z Tenere. Then followed the XTZ750 Super Tenere, with a twin-cylinder engine with which Stephane Peterhansel won the Dakar in 1991 and 1998. Return to the single-cylinder in the early 90s with the XTZ660, then heading for the maxi-trail segment which became fashionable in the 2000s with the XTZ1200 Super Tenere in 2010. |
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| MT savings. The "T7" is built from the best-selling MT-07 roadster, from which it takes over the 689 cc in-line twin. Yamaha retouched the intake (new airbox, in particular), transformed the exhaust, improved cooling and shortened the final reduction. It was Minarelli, Yamaha’s long-standing mechanical partner, who took charge of this development. Valve clearance occurs every 40,000 km. |
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| Race for approval … The Japanese engine engineer explained to us that the slight drop in power observed by MNC between the Tenere 700 (73.4 hp) and the MT-07 (74.8 hp) was dictated by a desire to improve the engines. – revs and flatten the torque curve to make the T7 more usable. "But the difference is rather thin", he says about this motorcycle compatible with the A2 license.. |
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| Well framed.The cycle part is the area that presents the most changes compared to the MT-07: the double cradle frame is specific, with attention paid to its strength and flexibility as off-road. The damping is entrusted to Kayaba elements with large travel (210 and 200 mm). And the ground clearance goes from 140 mm on the roadster to 240 mm on the trail ! |
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| Well suspended. Yamaha has used quality suspensions, a laudable approach in view of the contained price. The inverted 43 mm fork – protected by housings – is fully adjustable while the mono-shock absorber, mounted on rods and with separate cylinder, receives a remote preloading wheel. Convenient. |
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| Backpacker DNA. Lots of off-road elements appear on this bike, starting with its narrow, hard and high saddle (875 mm, or +70 mm Vs MT-07)! The Tenere 700 receives hand guards, a metal engine guard, a fixed screen, a plastic radiator guard, a notched and removable brake pedal cap, a straight handlebar as well as 21 and 18-inch spoked rims with mixed tires Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR. |
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| Big can. Its original tank is flared at the crotch to promote mobility and standing. Its volume of 16 liters (+2 l Vs MT-07) associated with the sobriety of the CP2 would give it "more than 350 km" of autonomy. Stronger than African camels! MNC recorded 5.8 l / 100 km in intensive use on a journey of 260 km, mainly on track. On the road, the fuel consumption indicator has dropped to an average of 4.8 l / 100 km. Very satisfaying. |
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| Controlled skidding. ABS can be disconnected – when stationary only – via the dedicated button at the bottom right of the instrument panel. Braking up front relies on conventional 2-piston Brembo calipers that pinch 282mm petal discs, visually identical to those on the MT-07. The power is correct and the dosage is pleasant. Mention also for the rear brake, powerful and progressive. |
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 Stability. The wheelbase goes from a very short 1400 mm on the MT-07 to 1590 mm on the Tenere 700 trail: stability objective assumed … and achieved! Note in passing the long aluminum swingarm to reconcile traction and weight contained. |
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| Instrumentation. It takes the form of a high-pitched rectangular monochrome LCD screen, like a road book unwinder in rally-raid. Far from the modernity of the color "tablet" of the 790 Adventure, this meter nevertheless presents in a legible manner the engaged gear, the fuel level, two trips, the remaining autonomy and the average and instantaneous consumption. A bar above the cockpit facilitates the installation of a GPS or a Tripy type device. |
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| The easy option. To contain the price, Yamaha has sacrificed some practical aspects which are essential on a trail: rack and center stand are optional. The Tenere 700 can also receive optional heated grips and two packs () which notably offer 25-liter rigid suitcases. |
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| Saddle next door. The small passenger seat houses an ultra-restricted space where barely a disc lock enters. There is also an Allen key of 4 which is used to remove the rider saddle to access a few tools (various keys, screwdriver). Not easy if something goes wrong ! |
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| Who tires the most… The rims of the Tenere 700 are not tubeless compatible, like its rival Africa Twin. Yamaha legitimizes this choice by the simplicity of repairing an inner tube: MNC sees it above all as a means of saving on more expensive tangential spoke rims! In addition, a tubeless tire – generally less sensitive to punctures – has the advantage of being able to accommodate a chamber if necessary…. |
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Roll my hen ! 350 km the first day, mostly on tracks and rolling paths, then 150 km of roads the next morning: the Tenere 700 was particularly busy. So much the better! MNC appreciates having been able to identify its qualities and its shortcomings over the long term and in these varied circumstances: it changes certain press launches carried out urgently, between two power-points and the return plane, from which we sometimes come back with more of questions than of answers…
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| Guest stars. Adrien Van Beveren and Xavier de Soultrait, official Yamaha riders in the rally-raid above alongside Yamaha boss, Europe Eric de Seynes, honored us with their presence. The two French people put on the show with the Tenere 700 in the evening’s base camp, doing wheelies in a short and narrow gravelled alley with disgusting dexterity. Same demonstration of total mastery the next day in driving rain, which did not dissuade De Soultrait (6th in the Dakar 2019) from taxing us sliding two-wheelers in a hairpin ! |
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