A revolution is happening in the Adventure Motorcycle category. Riders have been clamouring for adventure bikes that are smaller, lighter, and more off-road focused, that can also travel longer distances comfortably. Now manufacturers are finally starting to listen. With its smooth yet powerful 689cc parallel-twin engine, compact rally-bred chassis, 452-pound wet weight and fully-adjustable suspension riding on 21″/18″ spoked wheels, the new Tenere 700 is clearly a part of the movement.

After what seemed like endless teasers, the Tenere 700 finally became available for sale last year in Europe and arrived this year here in North America as a 2021 model. With the release of the T7, Yamaha tries to hit the sweet spot in the segment by offering a capable performer, both on and off-road, that comes with a simplified electronics package and affordable price tag. Clearly the new Tenere 700 ticks a lot of boxes, but does it hit the mark? After several days of hard riding on some of our favorite test grounds, we put the Tenere 700 through its paces to see if it just might be the unicorn bike many of us have been longing for.

In this video, we give a full rundown of the key features and core technology of the bike, as well as our seat-of-the-pants perspective on it’s performance after exploring the Tenere’s capabilities on a range of different terrain. The analysis also covers how it matches up with other dirt-capable ADVs in this growing middleweight segment. In addition, we share our thoughts on where Yamaha might have missed the mark or could use further improvements. 

Thanks for checking out the video and leave us your thoughts in the comments below. For those of you who prefer to read, you can check out our full review article of the 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700.

Photos by Stephen Gregory

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.