Yamaha Ténéré 700
Hang on, it doesn’t have heated self-cancelling connectivity modes? Could it be the simple route to adventure is actually the most appealing?
Compared with BMW’S ever-present R1250GS, the Yamaha Ténéré has a 565cc disadvantage and a 60-odd horsepower shortfall. It hasn’t got riding modes, colour display, leansensitive traction control or touch-button suspenders, nor will it let you connect your smartphone to its non-tft dash. You can’t even adjust the screen height, for crying out loud.
It easily makes up for it in other areas. The 700 weighs a massive 45kg less than a base model GS, let alone the accessory-laden TE – that’s the difference of a svelte seven-stone pillion. The lack of gizmos and extras makes is straightforward and easy to bond with; climb on and it speaks clearly in a language you understand. Slender, taut, the direct thump of its parallel-twin motor delivers engagement and a sense of connection the behemoth Beemer can’t get near. The turning circle is super-tight, it’s got old-school bungee hooks and a proper indicator switch. The Yam is also a proper dual-purpose tool; you might eye-up that gravel byway on the big bikes, but it’s the 700 on which you’ll actually explore it. That’s not the best bit, though. On the road, ready to roll, a new Ténéré 700 costs £9145, which is a whopping £7600 cheaper than the R1250GS we’ve got here. That’s little more than half the price.
Yet it’s anything but half the bike. ‘It’s not the most sophisticated here, but it smashes expectations apart,’ froths Martin. ‘The short screen works far better than it has any right to. The seat’s narrow and a bit thin, but is perfectly fine for at least a couple of hours. Tank size isn’t the greatest, but economy is incredible. It’s the most raw, most direct, arguably the most engaging on the road, and immediately responsive because of it all. And 24,000mile valve clearance checks? Seems the big boys still have a lot to learn.’ Though the motor is borrowed from the value-defining MT-07 and it’s keenly priced, don’t lazily tag the Ténéré as ‘budget’. Build quality is good, finishes as classy as the BMW or Honda. Suspension has far better damping than an MT or Tracer, too; it feels firmest of these bikes (stiff springs for leaping about off-road doing nic-nac paddy-wacs) but has supple, absorbent damping. Feel and control are good, though the chunky tyres feel a bit loose at serious lean. The twin works harder than the others for an amount of acceleration, has an oh-so-slight off-on fuel step, and feels buzzy stepping straight off the gruntmeister GS. But it’s also eager, with the pep for low-speed dicking around (thanks, snappy gearing). It’s spinning 1500rpm or so higher than the big bikes at 70mph, but is smooth on motorways. And it does 10mpg more.
And if you actually want something resembling an adventure the 700 is happy away from tarmac. I’m a flailing imbecile on muck, yet it makes me feel confident and capable (well, capable-ish) with a riding position that makes you realise why you should stand up. Martin: ‘The standout features – absence of complication, lack of bulk – turn the Yam from a bike that looks like it can go off-road to one you find yourself tip-toeing down a byway on. The tank is slim between your knees, the high ’bars can be pulled tight in ludicrous manoeuvres, the twin punches sharply. You can feel each combustion pulse, sense short gearing turning the motor’s modest output into motion. You feel enduro bike in its DNA.’ During 2019, Royal Enfield’s 650 Interceptor shook up the naked bike market. Simple yet enjoyable, affordable without feeling cheap, its straightforward appeal made the retro the UK’S best-selling bike after the GS. The Ténéré has the potential be the adventure bike equivalent (only with proper suspension, a thoroughly modern dynamic and stonking wheelies, rather than chrome, cooling fins and a flat cap). I’m lucky enough to ride almost every new bike, and few have got under my skin like the Yamaha Ténéré. Buy a GS or Africa Twin, or buy the enjoyable, capable, inspiring Yam and still have enough left over to buy, say, a Honda CBR650R? Surely it’s a no-brainer.
‘It’s a whopping £7600 cheaper than the GS – that’s little more than half the price’
Best bike? BMW’S R1250GS Exclusive TE. You knew it would be. There are more GSS sold in Europe than any other new bike and this flash TE shows exactly why. So comfy, reassuring, dependable. So fast, flexible and easy to ride. And have you seen all the easy-life extras? If your definition of ‘best’ includes being fastest, most cosseting, having the greatest weather protection, strongest brakes, lightest steering and an exhaust note like a fart in a tuba, the BMW is best (apart from economy, but if you can afford a £16k bike then what’s a few em-pee-gee?). This doesn’t mean you should ignore the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports. Yeah, so it’s not as gutsy as the BMW, and the chassis hasn’t quite the German’s easy-steering agility. The classy Honda has something different, with a more ‘adventure’ feel from its stance and riding position. It has presence and an air of refinement. The semi-active suspension is plush, with genuine differences between the settings, and there’s more engine performance than you ever need. Its major issue is the features which should be a major draw, but the touchscreen dash and new switchgear are complex. Maybe a few very long afternoons with the owner’s handbook, a notepad, an open mind and lashings of patience could overcome this hurdle. Maybe not. Me? I’d buy the Yamaha Ténéré 700. It’s not as fast. It won’t be as bum-friendly on 400-mile motorway days, and fancy bits don’t extend beyond a headlight flasher. Instead it’s a genuine dual-purpose and refreshingly straightforward motorcycle, with chassis, engine and ergonomics that work brilliantly on byways and trails. Yet the Yam is still a developed and refined road bike, with proper finishes and suspension. And proper screen, mirrors, bungee hooks and headlight. Lightest and slimmest, it’s also the most engaging with the most direct dynamic. Bloody frugal, too. At a smidge over £9k on the road the Yam’s mix of price, go-anywhere performance and quality is cock-on.
If you want a large road bike for rattling-off effortless miles, carrying pillions and luggage, then buy the BMW (or maybe the Honda) and be very happy indeed. If you want a real adventure bike, buy the Yamaha.
‘Genuinely dual-purpose, yet still a developed and refined road bike’