The Everyman ADV

Somewhere in the middle of the design equation for form and function in motorcycling is the fun factor that makes a bike memorable to ride. And thankfully, the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 not only boasts the styling and engineering to make it a practical ADV bike, but it is also a thrill to ride. Whether you’re looking for a capable off-roader or a sensible commuter, the Ténéré 700 checks both of those boxes and more, a feat that few motorcycles on the market today can actually achieve. As a motorcycle journalist, I know this for a fact, as I’m paid to ride and review bikes and assess their strengths and weaknesses, and I can be downright picky at times. Like a Gearhead Goldilocks, I scrutinize every detail, noting when a bike is too tall, too loud, too underpowered, and so on. However, when evaluating the 2025 Ténéré 700, I’ve concluded that this bike is just right.

The bike that can do it all, without breaking the bank.

First introduced way back in 1983, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 has had 40-plus years to evolve into its current configuration, and having ridden some of those earlier iterations, the 2025 model is by far my favorite. The newest T7 comes equipped with a 689cc cross-plane liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC inline twin-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder. That engine cranks out a claimed 70 horsepower and 50 lbs-ft of torque, which are respectable numbers for a bike that weighs 459 lbs in running order. These specs are by no means astounding, as the T7 lacks the power of larger bikes in this class, like the KTM 890 Adventure, Honda Transalp 750, and Suzuki V-Strom 800DE. Even the Aprilia Tuareg 660 produces more power, but the appeal of the Ténéré 700 lies in how it applies that power to the road, whether paved or dirt.

Pointing north for the hill country.

The Ténéré 700 is purpose-built. While many ADV bikes are designed for more road-oriented use, the T7 has the wherewithal to get dirty. One of Road Dirt’s other contributors, Phil Gauthier, had the opportunity to take the T7 on some serious trail riding in Georgia. He was impressed with how well the T7 kept up with smaller dirt bikes:

“For 6’2” I fit well on the Tenere 700, which was refreshing. The rider triangle was very comfortable for me and I was able to keep up with my buddies on KLRs and Suzuki 650s with no problem. In fact, I would say I could have blown them away on the street portion of our rides. The bike did feel heavy during a few creek crossings and the stock suspension and seat could have been more forgiving when hitting gravel road pot holes. The smallish windshield did little to nothing for me at speeds on the street. Yet all-in-all, I enjoyed my seat time on the Tenere and I would seriously consider it should I decide to buy a dual sport bike.”

Phil G. getting it dirty on the trails.

Most of my time with the T7 was spent on the road, as I put the bike through its paces around the Atlanta metro area. What surprised me most was how well the T7 handled the highway. I previously reviewed the Yamaha XSR700, which utilizes the same engine as the T7, and that bike was not at home on the highway. The XSR was so light that the wind from larger SUVs and tractor-trailers pushed the bike from side to side within its lane. On the T7 I did not experience this issue. With additional weight and that modest windscreen, the Ténéré remained firmly planted to the road and cruised at the posted 70 mph speed limit with ease. The T7 was also a blast to ride in the twisties. I had a chance to take the Ténéré up to the North Georgia mountains, where the roads weave between hills and valleys. I did not drag a knee on the T7, but I did enjoy a spirited ride on roads that snaked through the wilderness leading to the base of the Appalachian Trail. Regardless of what any of us threw at the T7, this bike never missed a beat and excelled across a wide range of terrain.

I’m more road-oriented, living near downtown Atlanta, but found the T700 a great around-towner.

The Ténéré 700 is a versatile motorcycle in part due to its ergonomic design and suspension. Like other ADV bikes, the T7 places the operator in a tall, upright riding position. The pegs are directly beneath the saddle, and the reach for the handlebars is wide, but not extreme. It is a natural riding position and puts little strain on the rider’s joints. The seat is also one of the most comfortable saddles I have encountered in the ADV class, where many manufacturers opt for the narrow and firm seats that are fashionable on true dirt bikes. It is worth noting that the seat height is on the higher side at 34.4 inches. I stand 6’1” and have a 34-inch inseam, and I was on my tiptoes at times. Riders of shorter stature will need to consider lowering the bike, but that would certainly dig into this motorcycle’s sensational suspension travel.

Feeling froggy in the foothills. The T7 handles tight twistys with ease. Notice the hairpin I’m about to lean into on my GPS.

In the front, the T700 offers 8.3 inches of travel and has 7.9 inches in the rear. The inverted forks in the front are fully adjustable, and the rear offers adjustable preload (with remote adjuster) and rebound damping. The suspension setup provides a plush ride, as the bike absorbs bumps and potholes without feeling spongy. This configuration also enables the bike to have 9.4 inches of ground clearance. That means few things get in the way of the T7, as it can go up and over most obstacles. At my house, this meant I could skip moving the cars in and out of the driveway to get the bike to the garage. Instead, I simply rode over the large granite curbs that border my property and across the lawn to cut in front of the vehicles in my small fleet. As my sons would say, that was a cool cheat code that enabled me to get on and off the bike quickly, as I avoided the musical chairs of moving cars in the driveway.

I spent most of my time cruising the burbs with the T700. All-day comfort.

The ability to quickly throw my leg over the Ténéré 700 is one of the bike’s strongest attributes. With other motorcycles, I might consider trailering them up to the mountains, spend the day enjoying the tight turns along my favorite country roads, and trailer the bike home. I did not feel the need to do that with the T7. I was confident in the Ténéré’s highway abilities, so I simply got on the bike and headed off. There aren’t many ADV/dual sport motorcycles on the market today that can handle a highway as easily as they can handle a rugged fire trail, but the T7 can. This explains why we racked up so many miles on the Ténéré 700. With a 4.2-gallon fuel tank, I was able to ride the bike 150+ miles before the low fuel light even illuminated, and with a mix of roads, I consistently saw 57 mpg in real-world applications. The T7’s range and riding position are stellar, making it one of those bikes you can ride all day long.

The MT-07 Rob and Drew sampled this summer, and the Ténéré 700 I rode. Same mill, entirely different applications.

Navigating those rides was made easier by the new 6.3-inch vertical TFT display. The dash is well lit and comes with two standard themes (Street and Explorer). I preferred the old-school Street display that presents the rider with analog-inspired gauges. Information was found quickly, and exploring the modes and settings was simple. I also opted to connect the Ténéré 700 to the Yamaha Motorcycle Connect phone app. Installing the app and syncing the bike to it was not complicated, making navigation a breeze. With Bluetooth earbuds, the Yamaha Motorcycle Connect app enabled me to hear turn-by-turn instructions that were complimented with a visual representation on the dashboard.

The switchgear has also been updated, and even with gloved hands, I found the buttons and joystick worked flawlessly. The turn signal switch is also new and a little different than those found on other motorcycles. The switch is angled toward the rider’s left thumb, and a light press translates to three flashes and a full press engages the respective signal. They are actually self-canceling, but I found the interval rather long (reportedly 15 seconds, along with at least 500 ft of travel). So I routinely canceled the signals manually rather than waiting for the bike to do so.

New display for 2025. We like it.

Overall, I was incredibly impressed by the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700. Place the bike in almost any setting, and you are in for a pleasant riding experience. And ownership is attainable with MSRP on the Ténéré 700, set at only $10,999. The Ténéré 700 is a bargain at that price, as it is so adept at both on and off-road riding. I have heard the Ténéré 700 referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” or the “Jeep of motorcycling”, and to be honest, those tags fit because there are few bikes as adaptable yet affordable as the Ténéré 700. Many attempt to be, especially in the ADV class, but in real-world riding, many of those competitors come up short in certain areas. The Ténéré 700 does darn near everything. If you are a motorcyclist who enjoys riding on pavement and dirt roads, the T7 needs to be at the top of your list. As I’ve said, this bike is just right.

Christian

*For more on the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700, click here:
Yamaha Ténéré 700

Video review forthcoming…