The Yamaha Adventure Bike That Rivals the Africa Twin At A Lower Price

Adventure touring motorcycles make a lot of sense for one bike garage. They can comfortably cruise all day, boast some level of off-road capability and, if required, can take on your daily commutes as well. The Honda Africa Twin is one motorcycle that excels at being a versatile adventure tourer that can do-it-all. The Honda is even equipped with an optional dual-clutch transmission, which adds to the convenience for the rider. However, purchasing a new Africa Twin will set you back by $14,799 for the base version, while the higher-spec Adventure Sports ES DCT is priced at $18,399.

There is, however, one other Japanese motorcycle, from the stable of Yamaha, that can take on the Africa Twin. It comes with a smaller engine, but has no problem matching the Africa Twin’s off-road capability. In fact, it might even be slightly easier to handle given its lower weight. More importantly, it is almost $4,000 cheaper than the base Africa Twin, which makes it an appealing proposition.

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The Tenere 700 Is The Yamaha Adventure Bike That Rivals The Africa Twin At A Lower Price

Price: $10,999

Yamaha

The Ténéré name tag has a rich history spanning across four decades. The XT600 Ténéré was the first motorcycle to bear the nametag, and it became an instant hit among Paris-Dakar racers and even general adventure motorcycle fans, thanks to its versatile character. Naturally, the expectations of the Ténéré 700, when it was first introduced in 2020, were high, and it didn’t disappoint. It started out as a simple, raw and hardcore adventure tourer, which had high off-road capability but lacked behind in terms of electronics.

Fast-forward to the present day, Yamaha has listened to all the feedback it has received over the years and rectified the shortcomings on the Ténéré 700. As a result, the 2025 Tenere 700 presents itself as a versatile motorcycle with ample modern-day features, while retaining the strong performance and off-road capability it is known for. Additionally, the styling inspired by rally bikes stands out compared to its more sober-looking rivals like the Honda Transalp.

Why Did We Pick The Yamaha Ténéré 700

Yamaha

• Rally-style design makes it stand out in the crowd.
• Strong performance from the CP2 parallel-twin engine
• Lightweight underpinnings that make it easier to handle
• Modern features like a large TFT, switchable traction control and ABS

The Engine On The Ténéré 700 Offers Likable Performance

Power Is Well Spread Out While the Torque Comes In Early

Yamaha

At the heart of the Ténéré 700 is Yamaha’s famous CP2 engine, which also does duty on the MT-07 and YZF-R7. The 689cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin delivers close to 72 horsepower and 50 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to its 270-degree firing order, the engine delivers more of its power and torque in the mid and high range. For reference, the T7 redlines at 9,000 RPM, but the peak torque comes in at just 6,500 RPM. Yamaha has also revised the air-intake on the 2025 model to improve the performance in the low and mid-range. This makes it very convenient to ride on the streets and even off-road where you need the initial torque to get out of sticky situations.

The engine likes to be revved out, and the exhaust has a distinct rumble similar to what we find on V-twin engines. Yamaha has equipped the T7 with two manually selectable throttle maps — Sport and Explorer. The traction control system on the motorcycle comes with a simple On/Off function. The power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a slick-shifting six-speed transmission, and the T7 comes pre-wired for the installation of an optional quickshifter.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 vs Honda Africa Twin Engine Specifications

Yamaha

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Lightweight Chassis Makes The Ténéré 700 Easier To Ride And Handle

Boasts A Curb Weight Of Just 459 Pounds

Yamaha

Being lightweight is one of the most important qualities to have in an adventure motorcycle. After all, we know falling is part of the fun when you are out exploring a new trail. Naturally, a lightweight motorcycle will feel easier to handle across tough terrain and will be easier to lift back up when you experience a fall. Following this ethos, the Ténéré 700 is underpinned by a lightweight dual-downtube/ double-cradle frame made of tubular-steel members with high rigidity to comfortably handle the rough stuff.

It utilizes fully-adjustable KYB-sourced inverted forks up front, and rebound and mono-shock at the rear, adjustable for rebound and preload. The long travel suspension boasts travel of 8.3-inches and 7.9-inches at the front and rear, respectively. The rider gets a flat-rally-style seat which sits at a height of 34.4-inches from the ground. All of this combines to help improve the T7’s off-road capability.

At the same time, it also makes it easier for you to filter through urban traffic. The sitting ergonomics are upright and saddling on the motorcycle should feel natural thanks to the tall handlebar. The Ténéré 700 boasts a ground clearance of 9.4-inches, and comes with a 21/18-inch front/rear tire. As a result, you can cross most obstacles or even jump curbs without having to worry about the motorcycle scraping its underbelly.

Ténéré 700 Chassis And Suspension Specifications

Yamaha

New TFT Adds A Modern Touch To The Ténéré 700

Packs In Just Enough Features

Yamaha

Like it or not, big TFT screens have become a popular feature among new-age motorcycle buyers. It might seem like a gimmick at first, but digital screens do offer benefits like on-board navigation, and call and music control. Yamaha realized this and equipped the T7 with a new 6.3-inch TFT full-color display. It is mounted vertically behind the clear windscreen and allows you to connect your smartphone via Bluetooth.

There is turn-by-turn navigation through Google Maps, and the 2025 model comes with new switchgear to help you alter various settings on the display. As mentioned earlier, the Ténéré 700 comes with a ride-by-wire throttle which enables two ride modes. Apart from that, you have three ABS modes with an option to turn off the ABS on both the front and rear wheels. As for accessories, you can have multiple choices, ranging from a quickshiter, extra protection for the engine to saddle boxes for your grocery runs or touring needs.

Features

• TFT dash
• Ride modes
• ABS modes
• Traction control
• LED lighting

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2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Competition

Good Alternatives From Japanese And Non-Japanese Manufacturers

Yamaha

If the Ténéré 700 feels a little too hardcore for your use, you can consider picking the Tracer 9. The motorcycle is significantly more powerful thanks to its larger displacement inline-three engine. With 17-inch wheels at both ends, the Tracer 9 should also feel more agile and engaging to ride on-road. That being said, it cannot match the off-road capability and lightweight nature of the Ténéré 700.

Other Japanese manufacturers like Honda and Suzuki offer some alternatives to the Ténéré 700 as well. Firstly, the Honda Transalp 750, which offers a good blend of on-road and off-road capabilities, and is powered by a similarly sized parallel-twin engine like the T7. On the other hand, you have the Suzuki V-Strom 800, which is offered in multiple variants designed for touring or off-road exploration. Among all the variants, the 800DE offers the best middle ground. If you don’t mind compromising on Japanese reliability, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 comes out as a good alternative to the Ténéré 700. It boasts similar off-road capabilities as the Yamaha, while being better equipped in terms of features.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 vs Rivals Specifications

Aprilia