The Yamaha Ténéré 700 has quickly become a standout in the U.S. adventure motorcycle scene. Unlike some over-complicated adventure bikes, the Ténéré 700 focuses on rugged simplicity and genuine off-road capability, making it a favorite for riders who want a pure, engaging experience on both pavement and challenging trails. It’s built for explorers who truly want to venture beyond the beaten path.
Rally-Inspired Design for Serious Exploration
The Ténéré 700’s looks are clearly inspired by Dakar Rally racing bikes, emphasizing functionality and durability:
- Distinctive Quad-LED Headlight: For 2025, the Ténéré 700 features updated rally-inspired styling with an all-new quad-LED headlight, giving it a modern yet aggressive face.
- Tall and Slim Profile: Its narrow body and tall stance, along with a high front fender and adjustable windscreen, contribute to excellent maneuverability and wind protection.
- Minimalist Bodywork: Designed to be tough and easily repairable, the Ténéré 700’s bodywork is practical for adventure riding, minimizing parts that can break in a fall.
- Flat, Rally-Inspired Seat: The flatter, one-piece seat design for 2025 provides greater comfort and allows riders to easily shift their weight forward and backward, which is crucial for off-road control. New, wider and longer footpegs also enhance a sure-footed feel.
- Wire-Spoked Wheels: Standard 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoked wheels are designed to handle rough terrain and are fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, offering a good balance of on-road grip and off-road traction.
Reliable CP2 Engine with Enhanced Control
The heart of the Ténéré 700 is Yamaha’s highly acclaimed CP2 (Crossplane Concept) parallel-twin engine, now with more advanced control:
- 689cc Liquid-Cooled Parallel-Twin: This engine is known for its strong, linear torque delivery and robust reliability. It produces approximately 72 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 50.15 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm. Its 270-degree crankshaft provides a soulful exhaust note and a power character that’s very intuitive and easy to manage, especially off-road.
- New Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T): For 2025, YCC-T ride-by-wire system provides crisp, seamless throttle response and enables two new selectable throttle maps (SPORT and EXPLORER), allowing riders to dial in their preferred power delivery.
- 6-Speed Transmission: A smooth 6-speed transmission with a wet multiplate clutch efficiently sends power to the rear wheel via a chain drive.
- Optional Quick Shifter: For 2024 (and continuing for 2025), a quick shifter is available as an option, allowing for clutchless upshifts.
True Off-Road Capability and Adaptable Handling
The Ténéré 700 is built to perform when the pavement ends:
- Robust Steel Frame: A lightweight, high-strength tubular steel frame provides a tuned rigidity balance for nimble, responsive handling with the durability needed for harsh terrain.
- Long-Travel, Adjustable Suspension: It features a revised 43mm KYB inverted front fork with 8.3 inches of travel and a redesigned linked-type monocross KYB rear shock with 7.9 inches of travel. Both are fully adjustable (including a remote preload adjuster for the rear), allowing riders to customize damping and preload for different terrains and loads.
- High Ground Clearance: With 9.4 inches of ground clearance, the Ténéré 700 can clear obstacles with confidence.
- Three-Mode Switchable ABS: A crucial upgrade, the Ténéré 700 now offers three-mode selectable ABS for 2025: Mode 1 (ABS fully activated on both wheels), Mode 2 (ABS on front wheel only, off on rear), and Mode 3 (ABS completely off on both front and rear wheels). This gives riders complete control for off-road situations where locking the rear wheel is desired.
Modern Features and Connectivity
While maintaining simplicity, the Ténéré 700 has embraced modern tech where it counts:
- New, Larger Vertical TFT Display: An all-new, larger 6.3-inch vertical TFT screen offers a rich, full-color display with two selectable themes (STREET and EXPLORER) and a wide array of vehicle and smartphone information.
- Advanced Smartphone Connectivity (Y-Connect): Expanding on connectivity, riders can now access music, make/receive phone calls (with a Bluetooth® headset), and use features through Yamaha’s free Y-Connect app, including full-screen turn-by-turn navigation via Google Maps.
- New Switchgear: Next-generation switchgear features a new joystick design for intuitive operation. Turn signals now have three-flash and self-canceling functions.
- Selectable On/Off Traction Control System (TCS): New for 2025, this helps maximize grip in low-traction conditions and can be turned off for experienced off-road riding.
Impressive Fuel Economy (MPG)
The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is known for its excellent fuel efficiency, especially considering its adventure capabilities:
- Riders often report real-world fuel economy figures in the range of 45-55 miles per gallon (MPG), with some even achieving higher figures in relaxed cruising.
- With its 4.2-gallon (16-liter) fuel tank, the Ténéré 700 boasts a significant cruising range, often exceeding 200 miles on a single tank, perfect for remote expeditions.
Price in the U.S.A. (MSRP)
The Yamaha Ténéré 700 offers a compelling package for its price in the adventure segment. For the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) typically starts around $10,999.
Prices can vary slightly depending on color options and dealer fees. These MSRPs do not include destination charges (which are typically around $500-$600), dealer preparation fees, sales tax, title, or registration fees, which will vary by state and dealership.
The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is a highly capable and appealing adventure motorcycle for the U.S. market. Its focus on rugged simplicity, combined with a powerful and manageable engine, long-travel suspension, and new for 2025, advanced electronics and connectivity, makes it an ideal choice for riders who want to confidently explore diverse landscapes, from paved roads to challenging dirt trails.