Enduro classic Yamaha Ténéré 700 revised: Desert experiences
Yamaha has thoroughly revised its successful Enduro Ténéré 700. Standard and Rally versions offer improvements to the chassis, drive and riding assistance.
(Image: Yamaha)
- Ingo Gach
Yamaha's single-cylinder enduro XT 600 Ténéré with long suspension travel and a huge tank became an overwhelming success from 1983 as the ideal travel companion for globetrotters and desert riders. It set a trend that was soon followed by many brands. Over the years, however, the adventure idea was increasingly watered down, the Ténéré became heavier and made compromises for road use, even though its displacement grew to 660 cm3. Eventually, it disappeared from the range completely and fans mourned its passing.
It took until 2019 before Yamaha brought out a successor. The Ténéré 700 was now powered by a two-cylinder engine, but the modern interpretation also proved to be an instant success. The CP2 engine produced 73 hp and the Ténéré 700 with its long suspension travel was perfectly suitable for off-road riding, especially as it weighed just 207 kg – compared to other touring enduros. It became the best-selling enduro in its class.
Two models
Yamaha is thoroughly revamping the Ténéré 700 for 2025, but is reducing the range of variants from six to two models. What remains is the basic Ténéré 700 and the Ténéré 700 Rally. The striking “Rally Tower” still towers high, but has a new face with four LED spotlights mounted in an aluminum structure. The fairing has been given a new shape, as has the tank, which still holds 16 liters and is now narrower at the sides for a better knee fit.
Yamaha Ténéré 700 I (8 Bilder)
Yamaha
)In addition, it is now flat at the top and the hinged fuel filler cap is recessed so that it is flush with the surface and no longer sits on top as a screw cap. The new tank shape is also intended to improve weight distribution and make it easier to attach a tank bag. The seat and side covers have also been given a new shape. The designers also took the opportunity to redesign the standard hand protectors and the aluminum engine guard.
Improved torque curve
The 690 cm3 engine now complies with the Euro 5+ emissions standard and continues to deliver 73 hp at 9000 rpm and 68 Nm at 6500 rpm. This is enough to provide sufficient power in all on- and off-road situations. According to Yamaha, a shortened air intake duct gives the twin-cylinder an improved torque curve in the lower rev range, which will be particularly welcomed by off-road riders.
The Ténéré 700 is the first CP2 model to be equipped with purely electronic throttle control and therefore has two engine mappings: “Sport” and “Explorer”, the latter with softer throttle response. Conveniently, the modes can be selected via a button on the handlebars, so there is no need to search for them in the menu of the portrait-format 6.3-inch TFT display.
Easier shifting
The gearbox has also been given a makeover: the gearing of the first three gears has been changed to enable smoother gear changes, and the claw angle of gears four to six has been modified to reduce the backlash. Another example of meticulous detail improvements is the clutch cover, which Yamaha has reshaped for more legroom when seated and standing.
For an enduro bike, the suspension elements are of course of crucial importance and so it has been given a fully adjustable upside-down fork from KYB with a diameter of 43 mm, whose adjusters for the spring preload have been redesigned. The triple clamp has been redesigned with a lower clamp made of forged aluminum and a crown made of cast aluminum for additional strength.
Long spring travel
The fully adjustable shock absorber and its linkage have also been updated. The spring travel on the standard Ténéré 700 is 210 mm at the front and 200 mm at the rear, while the Rally has a respectable 230 and 220 mm. The ground clearance – important off-road – is 240 mm, under the Rally even 255 mm. Both models retain the double-loop tubular steel frame and an aluminum swingarm.
The Ténéré has two brake callipers with 282 mm brake discs at the front and a single brake calliper with a 245 mm brake disc at the rear, which allows spectacular brake drifts if required. There has never been any doubt about the off-road talent of the Ténéré, not least thanks to the appropriate Pirelli Scorpion Rally tires in the dimensions 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 on the wire-spoke rims. Yamaha remained loyal to its supplier Brembo for the brakes.
Practical operation
Not only the hardware of the new Ténéré 700 is impressive, the electronics have also been sensibly updated. For example, the slip control can be switched off for off-road use, and there are three options for the ABS: Activated on both wheels, activated at the front only and off on both. A long press on the ABS button in the cockpit switches off ABS and slip control simultaneously.