Examined: Yamaha Tenere 700 Excessive

When it got here to breaking his journey bike virginity, Yamaha’s new Tenere 700 Excessive proved good for Timmy.

Phrases: Tim Neave Pics: Yamaha

Because the previous adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it – and in an period of blinged-up, tech-overloaded machines, it’s all too simple to hitch the herd and comply with the pack. Much less is extra generally, and it’s fairly refreshing to leap on a motorbike and never have to consider which rider mode to go in, whether or not to make use of traction management, or for those who’ve bought the again mud pedal valve turbo ejector turned on. Yamaha’s Tenere 700 is the antithesis of this: a extremely easy, rider-friendly journey machine that’s greater than comfy in its pure, simplistic and under-complicated shell.

Since Yamaha’s introduction of the Tenere 700 again in 2019, it’s been a candy story of success. With greater than 60,000 gross sales in Europe (4000-plus of these within the UK), the stats communicate for themselves, and the T7 is one among Yamaha’s most essential bikes – if not an important bike in its huge line-up. The T7 now accounts for 30% of the middleweight journey phase in Europe, a formidable accolade whenever you have a look at which bikes it goes head-to-head with, and whereas we’re on that word, unsurprisingly, the journey sector is now Yamaha’s largest by way of bike gross sales.

Spreadsheets apart, you solely should learn the evaluations from Tenere homeowners to see simply how glad they’re with their machines and the way proud they’re to be a part of the group and Tenere journey. There’s clearly a variety of hype surrounding this bike, so for a Tenere virgin like me, there was just one factor to do… go and see for myself.

For these of us who are usually not absolutely on top of things with the tenacious Tenere 700 and the totally different variations out there, enable me. There are 4 fashions: the usual Tenere for the budget-friendly all-rounder; the Discover, which is probably the most road-going machine; the World Raid for long-distance journey driving; and the all-new Tenere Excessive, which fills the void of the outgoing Rally version and is probably the most off-road oriented journey machine that Yamaha produces. In fact, I used to be within the Welsh valleys to place the brand new Excessive by way of its paces, however simply earlier than we get into what I product of it, right here’s a little bit extra element on what makes the Excessive so… excessive.

First up and doubtless most notable is the extremely upgraded suspension. We’ve bought premium 43mm KYB forks with an additional 20mm of journey over the usual and a super-slippery Kashima coating on the internals, and a premium long-stroke rear shock with an additional 20mm of journey to match. With further journey in thoughts, Yamaha has designed a brand new shock linkage to maintain it working within the appropriate progressive method, and each the shock and forks have absolutely adjustable spring preload, and in addition rebound and compression damping. For you and me, this implies higher bump absorption, suggestions, and a extra comfy journey, that means we are able to go for longer (on the bike!). With a brand new floor clearance of 260mm, these Teneres are prepared for an off-road problem – and the place higher to place them by way of it than at Yamaha’s off-road expertise centre in Llanidloes?

A flat one-piece seat is factory-fitted, which makes sliding your body weight ahead and again a easy process; a necessity in off-road driving, so an important part on the Excessive. It’s additionally 20mm thicker in padding, giving a comfier journey and extra leg room, however on the flip aspect provides much more top to an already tall motorbike – not so good for us quick arses on the subject of setting off and stopping, as I came upon at each given alternative!

Lastly, this mannequin has a lot greater, grippier foot pegs, which I do know may appear barely value mentioning however is without doubt one of the most important elements on the subject of bike management; it’s, in spite of everything, one among solely three factors of contact now we have after we’re driving bikes. These pegs are made out of titanium and are 200g lighter than normal, and rubber inserts can be found as an non-compulsory additional for lowered vibration whereas highway driving.

After I first clapped eyes on the Excessive, I knew I used to be in for a deal with. It has an iconic off-road picture, sharpened with new LED headlights and indicators, hand guards fastened to the tapered bars, a brand new entrance mudguard echoing design from its sister WR and YZ motocross vary, all matched completely to its blue and yellow striped livery. I used to be excited to get a style for this beast, however I’d be mendacity if I mentioned the sheer measurement wasn’t ever so barely daunting provided that we have been about to take it up the aspect of a moderately steep mountain.

Jacked up with a seat top of 910mm and a brimmed 16-litre gasoline tank sitting excessive above the saddle, the very last thing I wanted was scrape this 205kg monster off the ground if, god forbid, I slipped on a sheep shit, which seemed to be a typical impediment on our Welsh mountain course on the YORE centre. As soon as I’d managed to swing my leg over the bike and compose myself after very almost shedding my stability (possibly I ought to have gone for the decrease seat, in spite of everything?), I used to be away and feeling rather more comfy when the wheels have been in movement. That’s the factor with these huge bikes – when you’re up and working, you quickly overlook about how unsuitable they really feel whenever you first elevate the sidestand and take the load between your thighs.

We meandered our method by way of the Jones’s livestock farm and up into the mountainous Welsh countryside. Fortunately, the primary a part of the route was throughout pretty easy-going flinty shale farm tracks, albeit with a good elevation acquire and laden with potholes – the right warm-up to get a really feel for the T7 Excessive, in my ebook.

What struck me immediately was how {smooth} the journey was due to the upgraded KYB suspension, which felt extremely plush and appeared to take all the pieces in its stride. It appeared that the load of the bike truly helped, and all the pieces was sluggish, gentle and unreactive, and it went towards all the pieces I believed this bike can be. Sure, there was a good bit of pitch as I hit the brakes or accelerated laborious, however I all the time discover whenever you’re driving at a relaxed tempo, this gentle movement actually provides to the consolation and driving expertise and offers the rider rather more suggestions and really feel as to what’s happening beneath.

The identical have to be mentioned for the facility supply: silky-smooth from the primary contact of the throttle and linear proper by way of the rev vary, but potent and robust sufficient to haul the load of the large lady by way of the slop whereas discovering the traction to stand up the hills with out feeling prefer it’s about to expire of steam. Getting this lady on the again wheel wasn’t such an enormous deal both, a lot to my shock, and after a couple of makes an attempt and a fast slip of the clutch, it was up with ease and easy to carry with the predictable throttle.

As with all Tenere fashions, the Excessive makes use of the trusty previous CP2 689cc twin-cylinder motor additionally discovered within the MT07, the R7 and the Tracer fashions; 73bhp at 9000rpm and 68Nm of torque at 6500rpm is greater than you’ll ever want off-road, but this motor is straightforward and controllable, even on probably the most unforgiving terrains, which is why it made good sense for Yamaha to proceed utilizing it within the up to date Tenere vary. It has a particular soundtrack – a typical throaty twin however playful on the identical time, and never so loud that you just’d piss off the locals or the sheep.

We have been suggested by the instructors on the YORE centre to show off the ABS (the one digital intervention the rider has entry to on the Tenere) utilizing the easy switchgear set-up, which anybody might navigate their solution to by way of, it truly is so primary, not like many bikes I’ve tried. There are literally three ABS choices: all on, rear off, and all off, however on the subject of off-road driving, ABS is the very last item you want, so off it went. The one catch with the T7 is for those who kill the ignition, the system defaults to ABS on, which is barely annoying for those who’re solely driving off-road, however a worthy security characteristic for blended on and off-road driving. By way of quick and frequent stops, I bought into the behavior of both stalling the bike or dropping the sidestand, which saved the ABS settings dwell. As for the remainder of the electronics, the one different key characteristic to say is the five-inch TFT, portrait-oriented, Dakar-style sprint, which is superior. The rider has a selection of three themes: road, explorer and rally raid. Clearly, it doesn’t change the attribute of the bike and it’s actually only for aesthetic functions, however a cool characteristic, nonetheless.

Because the day progressed, so did the extent of adversity on the tight and twisty forest tracks, driving by way of ruts brimmed with water so deep it went over the tops of our boots, however however, the Tenere trundled on and by no means skipped a beat, as you’d count on from any worthy journey machine. I wouldn’t go so far as saying its nimble, primarily due to the truth that I spend a variety of time on motocross bikes which are actually half the load, however after a while within the saddle of the Tenere, you actually begin to perceive the sensation and know the way far you possibly can push it and begin to construct a rhythm for the getting by way of the corners with relative ease, and there wasn’t something that I couldn’t sort out attributable to it being a Tenere, so I assume that explains its manoeuvrability a bit higher.

For one among our photo-stop loops, we had a reasonably high-speed part by way of the timber and over some jumps, with hefty braking bumps and some hairpins thrown in for good measure. It was the right check of agility and efficiency, and with each lap, my confidence grew tenfold. This bike is so confidence-inspiring, and I went from being uptight and barely nervous to actually relaxed and trusting inside a brief house of time. I’d say this to anyone pondering of getting an journey bike – take time to grasp and you can be so shocked with the capabilities of those bikes… how apt this bike was for difficult off-road driving blew my thoughts.

Because the tempo picked up, so did the necessity for extra assist within the suspension, so we added 4 clicks of rebound to the rear to sluggish issues down, and it made an enormous distinction. I did discover the underside of the stoke a few occasions whereas sending it over the jumps although, however I’m going to place that all the way down to me getting a little bit too carried away. Like I say, you quickly overlook how heavy the bike is when you get used to it. The brakes have been superior too, with a great deal of really feel within the lever and robust braking energy by way of the dual 282mm disc and Brembo caliper combo. With the ABS off, you possibly can quickly get in a pickle, and I used to be very almost humbled a couple of occasions on the quick downhill sections whereas squeezing the brake. It was a swift reminder that I used to be driving a Tenere and never a WR.

The YORE crew have fitted Dunlop Trailmax Raid tyres to the total fleet of Teneres, which is a way more off-road adventure-focused tyre, higher suited to the circumstances, versus the usual fitted Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyre, which is extra of a midway home between highway and off-road journey driving. Given the sodden circumstances and a number of the tracks we needed to journey by way of, this was an especially good name. As for the remainder of the bike, nicely, it’s just about the identical throughout all Tenere fashions. I’m not going to bore you with these generic particulars, so right here’s a quick abstract as a substitute. Beneath its naughty off-road Excessive glamour, it’s nonetheless only a Tenere 700… I say ‘simply’ – the proof is within the pudding and there’s a motive why Yamaha hasn’t tried to reinvent its journey skilled… it really works!

A light-weight double cradle tubular metal body, aluminium swingarm and 21-inch entrance and 18-inch rear spoke wheels maintain this bike collectively, making an attempt to maintain the load to a minimal whereas offering sufficient rigidity for you and me to sling it round with out feeling prefer it’s going to snap in two. Fold-back gear and rear brake pedals are a worthy part for off-road driving, and the ‘slim’ 16-litre gasoline tank (which didn’t really feel significantly slim to me) means it’s loads large enough on your endeavours, particularly with a mean vary of 4.16 litres per 62 miles. Oh, and also you get a USB outlet on your sat-nav or telephone charger.

If pimping your journey floats your boat, then worry not: Yamaha affords a powerful number of bolt-on goodies to trick up your Tenere. There’s the decrease seat and hyperlink, an Akrapovic slip-on finish can, a heavy-duty engine skid plate, aluminium prime chain guard, tank grip pads, handlebar risers, a sidestand extender and a headlight protector.

I haven’t ridden the opposite Tenere fashions so can’t make direct comparisons, however having frolicked speaking to those that have, it’s clear that the Excessive doesn’t endure the restrictions of the usual mannequin, which signifies that Yamaha has hit the nail on the pinnacle with this machine. I can solely speak from my expertise with the Tenere 700 Excessive, however I’ve executed a variety of off-road driving through the years to know what’s good, and what I like about this bike are the pure, no-nonsense options. It’s so rider-friendly, under-complicated and intensely succesful, with all the proper accolades you’d ever need from an journey machine. It’s sensible off-road and has a super-smooth energy supply however packs a punch large enough so that you can have some severe enjoyable with. It has nice suspension which is able to cope with no matter you throw at it and, to prime issues off, its horny on the attention.

Priced very fairly, there’s no surprise the Teneres have been so in style over the past 5 years, and talking as a good farmer myself, if you would like worth for cash, you then’re taking a look at a severe contender proper right here.

I lastly perceive why the journey sector most undoubtedly has the limelight for the time being, so I’d prefer to say an enormous due to the staff on the Yamaha Off-road expertise centre for offering us with a implausible time out within the Welsh countryside, driving some superior bikes.

Tech Information

Yamaha Tenere 700 Excessive

ENGINEType: 689cc, four-stroke, two-cylinder, liquid-cooled, dohcBore x stroke: 80.0 × 68.6mmCompression: 11.5:1Fuelling: EFIClaimed energy: 73bhp @ 9000rpmClaimed torque: 68nm @ 6500rpm

ELECTRONICSRiding modes: NoTraction management: NoABS: YesQuickshifter: NoBlipper: NoWheelie management: NoLaunch management: No

CHASSIS

Body: Double cradle, tubular metal frameF suspension: 43mm KYB, absolutely adjustable, 230mm travelR suspension: Absolutely adjustable, hyperlink kind, 220mm travelFront brakes: Twin disc, 282mmRear brakes: Single disc, 245mm

DIMENSIONS

Wheelbase: 1595mmSeat top: 910mmWet weight: 205kgFuel capability: 16 litres

INFO

Value: £10,906From: www.yamaha-motor.eu