2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700

The Ténéré 700 is a great midsize adventure motorcycle that comes at an affordable $9,999 MSRP. It undercuts the competition, but at a cost to its overall performance.

The Yamaha Ténéré 700 is 2021′s highly anticipated midsize adventure motorcycle. It was first introduced to the European market for 2020 and now makes its US debut as a 2021 model. Yamaha takes the revered MT-07 engine, the 689cc CP2 parallel twin, and broadens torque for dirt focus via revised EFI mapping, a Ténéré-specific airbox, and new muffler. The middleweight ADV is designed to appeal to everyone with its overall accessibility, affordability, and on- and off-road versatility.

Yamaha’s middleweight ADV is new to the US for 2021, although the European market saw it in 2020.

The Ténéré 700 is priced at an MSRP of $9,999. It is available in three colorways: Intensity White, Matte Black, and Ceramic Ice.

The Ténéré 700 is powered by the great and plucky 689cc CP2 parallel twin which was pulled from the MT-07 but tuned for off-road. It recorded 63.78 peak hp at 8,870 rpm and 44.09 pound-feet of torque at 6,640 rpm on our in-house dyno. Smooth throttle response and snappy power delivery make for a hoot of a ride on road or off.

Sprinting through the mountain roads of Spain, we reported the Ténéré 700 is surprising in its combination of nimbleness and stability. The motorcycle has uncanny road feel and traction with a flickability more befitting of a naked sportbike than an ADV. Oddly, however, the machine’s off-road experience did not have as much of an impact as on-road. With a weight bias toward the rear, it left the front end feeling vague in the dirt. Overall, “the bike is supremely stable in most regards, just finding the right angle of attack on the front tire while managing the rear track is not the set-it-and-forget-it operation that modern ADV riders have become accustomed to.”

Slowing the Cycle World-measured 466-pound ADV are Brembo four-piston calipers clamping dual 282mm front rotors matched to a Brembo master cylinder and a single-piston caliper at the rear. In our First Ride review we said they appear to be top-shelf, but ended up falling short due to the front’s lack of initial bite and outright power and the rear brake’s mushy communication. The latter is good for cutting the back end loose though.

Measured or claimed fuel economy is currently unavailable.

After two full days of riding at the launch, the Yamaha proved to be plenty comfortable. Only after a few hours did rider Justin Dawes feel any discomfort from the stock seat, while a taller Rally Seat offered via Yamaha’s accessory catalog reportedly offers more comfort. A measured 34.6-inch seat height places it on the taller side, but is exceptionally narrow between the legs. Handlebar bend is spot-on for seated or standing riding positions as well.

ABS comes standard on this ADV and compact LEDs illuminate the way. Other electronics like ride modes and traction control are not available. Information is displayed on a vertically oriented LCD gauge.

The Ténéré 700 includes a one-year limited factory warranty.

Overall, the quality of this model is sleek and Dakar-inspired to serve the versatile rider. Although it may lack some of the up-spec electronics that seasoned ADV riders are familiar with, it presents an affordable no-frills package that is still suitable for the masses.