The Yamaha Tenere 700 is one of the most popular adventure touring motorcycles worldwide. It is designed for riders who love exploring both highways and off-road trails. The bike combines Yamaha’s racing DNA with practical long-distance touring features. Its tall stance, rugged design, and strong suspension make it a great choice for adventure seekers. Many riders compare it with bikes like the KTM 890 Adventure and Honda Africa Twin, but the Tenere 700 is known for being simple, lightweight, and reliable – which is exactly what an ADV bike should be.
Engine and Performance
The Yamaha Tenere 700 comes with the 689cc CP2 parallel-twin engine, the same one used in the MT-07, but tuned differently for adventure riding. It produces around 72 horsepower and 68 Nm of torque, which is perfect for long rides and off-road power. The engine has smooth delivery, meaning it does not scare beginners, but still excites experienced riders. Its strong mid-range torque helps when climbing hills, overtaking vehicles, or riding through tough terrain. The top speed is around 190 km/h, which is good enough for highway touring.
Design and Looks
The design of the Yamaha Tenere 700 is inspired by Dakar Rally bikes. It has a tall windscreen, dual-LED headlights, and a sharp front fairing that makes it look aggressive. The fuel tank is slim yet large, holding about 16 liters of fuel, which gives a decent touring range. The seat is narrow at the front for comfort during standing off-road riding. Its tall design might be challenging for shorter riders, but adventure bikers love this style because it gives a commanding road presence.
Suspension and Off-road Ability
One of the strongest points of the Tenere 700 is its suspension. It uses long-travel suspension with 210mm front travel and 200mm rear travel, which helps absorb bumps, rocks, and off-road trails easily. The ground clearance is about 240mm, meaning you can take it through rocky paths without worrying. Yamaha also designed the chassis to be light and durable, which makes the bike more agile compared to other heavy adventure motorcycles. Riders often say the Tenere 700 feels like a dirt bike but with the comfort of a touring bike.
Features and Electronics
Unlike many modern ADVs, the Yamaha Tenere 700 is kept simple on purpose. It comes with LCD digital display, switchable ABS, and LED lighting. However, it does not have traction control, riding modes, or cruise control like premium bikes. Yamaha wanted to keep it more rider-focused and affordable. Many adventurers actually prefer this minimal electronics setup because it reduces weight, complexity, and possible breakdowns during long-distance off-road trips.
Comfort and Touring Capability
For long rides, the Yamaha Tenere 700 provides a comfortable upright riding position. The seat height is 875mm, which may be tall, but it helps with better ground clearance. The wide handlebars make it easy to control in both city and off-road conditions. The bike also comes with a strong subframe, allowing riders to mount panniers, saddlebags, and luggage racks for touring. Many riders have successfully completed cross-continent rides on the Tenere 700, proving its reliability and comfort on long journeys.
Price and Availability
Internationally, the Yamaha Tenere 700 costs around $10,500 (approx. ₹8.7 lakh). In India, Yamaha has not yet launched it officially, but if it comes, the expected price could be around ₹9–9.5 lakh ex-showroom. Adventure riders in India are eagerly waiting for it because currently, only bikes like the KTM 390 Adventure and Triumph Tiger are available in a similar range. If Yamaha launches the Tenere 700, it will surely attract many ADV lovers.
