It’s a known fact that the popularity of adventure bikes has risen tenfold in this decade. Not only do we have several full-blown luxury ADVs (such as the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally), but we also have more middleweights and entry-level examples than ever before. The latter is where Japanese manufacturers dominate over European rivals, offering capable ADVs around the $10,000 mark. That’s what we’re focusing on today, as we tell you the mid-weight Japanese ADV that does it all.
Suzuki, Yamaha, And Honda Have Capable Middleweight Adventure bikes
Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda have all introduced new middleweight adventure bikes in the recent past. Yamaha started things off with the Tenere 700, then Honda created the XL750 Transalp, and Suzuki whipped up the V-Strom 800DE. All three follow the same recipe, featuring parallel-twin engines, 21-inch front wheels, steel frames, and long-travel suspension. Interestingly, Suzuki has also kept its capable V-Strom 650XT on sale.
But Kawasaki Remains Absent From The Party
Kawasaki is the only Japanese giant without a legitimate middleweight adventure bike. Sure, it lists the Versys 650 under “Adventure/Tourer” but the 17-inch wheels and road-biased suspension tell a different tale. Also, there’s only the LT version in the US, which comes standard with hard saddlebags—again showing the on-tarmac bias.
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The Yamaha Tenere World Raid Is The Middleweight Japanese ADV That Does It All
While the above-mentioned bikes are really capable, our mid-capacity do-it-all ADV pick is the new-for-2026 Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid. Why, you ask? Well, because it is based on the already proven Tenere platform, which means you can ride it on the road or through the toughest of terrain without worry. When doing the former, you’ll appreciate the long-range ability, thanks to a bigger rally-style fuel tank setup. And during the latter, the notable updates in the suspension department will make their presence felt.
$12,999 Seems Steep Compared To The Competition
These abilities do come at a cost, though. The MSRP is set at $12,999, which makes it $1,200 pricier than the V-Strom 800DE but a few hundred dollars cheaper than the V-Strom 800DE Adventure. The Transalp is unbeaten price-wise in the segment (it costs just $9,999 even after recent updates), but you don’t get the same off-road or long-range abilities.
High-End KYB Suspension Enables Hardcore Off-Road Abilities
If you’re getting a middleweight ADV, there’s a high chance you want to take it off the road. And that’s where the World Raid excels. You get 46 mm KYB upside-down forks (beefiest in the class) with Kashima coating for low friction. These have been tuned for better absorption than the standard Tenere. The opposite end has a KYB monoshock with a new arm relay and connecting rod for improved confidence. Full adjustability is present, and travel is near-class-leading (9.05 inches front and 8.66 inches rear).
High-Strength Spoke Wheels With Pirelli Tires
Boosting the ruggedness are high-strength spoke wheels. They measure 21 and 18 inches front and rear, while being shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires. Two 282 mm front discs and a 245 mm rear disc provide braking power, which is the same setup as the normal Tenere. A bit of a bummer since the World Raid is heavier than the standard Tenere.
Curb Weight Is Over 480 Pounds
Speaking of which, the Tenere World Raid weighs 485 pounds fully fueled. This is 26 more than the standard bike, but the figure slots it between its two contemporaries (the 507-pound V-Strom 800DE and the 463-pound XL750 Transalp). What will make life difficult is the seat height. Thanks to the new rally seat, the seat height now lies at a whopping 35 inches. Vertically challenged folks, beware here.
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Rally-Style Tanks Ensure Over 300 Miles Of Riding Range
The increase in weight is thanks to the larger fuel capacity. A rally-style dual-tank setup with 6.1 gallons of capacity takes over in place of the 4.2-gallon single tank setup on the standard bike. With the claimed efficiency at 54.5 MPG, an overall range of close to 330 miles should be possible. That is higher than any other middleweight ADV and just about 40 miles short of the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure (the ADV with the longest tank range in the market as of now).
Yamaha’s Popular CP2 Engine Brings The Firepower
The fuel efficiency is thanks to the CP2 engine that remains in the exact same tune as the Tenere 700. So the 689cc parallel-twin engine produces 72 horsepower and 50 pound-feet. The former peaks at 9,000 RPM while the torque kicks in at 6,500 RPM. The mill has proven its mettle quite well over the years, be it in terms of usability or reliability. That’s primarily why Yamaha hasn’t fiddled with it much since its inception. You do get a new airbox in 2026, said to boost low-end grunt.
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
|
689cc, parallel-twin |
72 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
50 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Six-speed |
A Quickshifter Is Missing
All the power is sent to the wheel via a six-speed transmission. The setup pairs up with a slip and assist clutch, but there is no quickshifter. The latter is a miss, considering its cheaper rivals have a two-way quickshifter as standard inclusion.
Likable Electronic Aids Sweeten The Package
While there is no quickshifter, the World Raid does bring extra equipment over the standard Tenere 700. Most notably, you get lean-sensitive traction control, slide control, and ABS. These operate thanks to a six-axis IMU that tracks acceleration and angular velocity in the pitch, roll, and yaw directions. Three modes (STREET, OFF ROAD, and OFF) for the traction control and slide control give you further adjustability, while the ABS has a dedicated button to switch it off.
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Topped With A 6.3-inch TFT Screen
You can access all these via the 6.3-inch TFT instrument cluster. It is laid out in a vertical style (like rally bikes), and it comes armed with smartphone connectivity. Cruise control and a speed limiter are also present. Finally, there is an adjustable steering damper to support your full send shenanigans.