Enduro21 tests the Yamaha Ténéré 700 Extreme, a version that improves the off-road capabilities of the standard model with the incorporation of new suspensions, fenders, footpegs, protections, and design to further enhance this Trail-Adventure's versatility in difficult terrains.

The launch of the Ténéré 700 in 2019 undoubtedly marked a strategic shift for Yamaha in the off-road world. The Japanese brand decided to gradually abandon the EnduroGP and Cross-Country Rallies World Championships to focus entirely on their new adventure bike, targeting the growing Trail-Adventure segment and responding to user demands, while somewhat stepping away from competition.

Since then, Yamaha has been building the foundation of an entire universe around its Trail-Adventure flagship, with the Ténéré 700 range expanding from the first standard model to incorporate up to five different versions over the years – World Rally, World Raid, Rally Edition, Extreme, and Explore – in addition to three GYTR kits to maximize the World Raid model's performance, the race bike of Pol Tarrés and Alessandro in the official Yamaha Ténéré World Raid Team.

With the end user as the central focus, the Japanese brand also launched the 'Yamaha Spirit Experience' to offer its customers the experiences and spirit of major desert races like the Africa Eco Race or Maroc Desert Challenge, among many others. This initiative is supported nationally by various events in major European countries.

Previously Enduro21 took a quick look Yamaha Ténére 700 Extreme and Explore, reviewing the main technical features and new aspects of these two most recent versions. This time, we focus on the riding sensations, highlighting the new Explorer version at the Yamaha Off Road Experience center in Great Britain, comparing them to his first time on the standard version.

We already made a video review here: Tested: 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700 Extreme edition

Ténéré 700: The Ideal Trail-Adventure

We start with the original model, then a T7 prototype, which we had the pleasure of riding before it hit the market and got us hooked from the first moment.

The Ténéré is Yamaha's recipe for success, not only in sales terms – with over 60,000 units sold just in Europe – but also because it has rekindled the adventure bike concept that everyone remembers from Stéphane Peterhansel in the Dakar Rally, completing it with all the ingredients to create a perfect and appealing bike.

One key to its ease of use lies in its tubular double-cradle steel frame, inspired by rally raids. It's a sleek frame capable of long-distance travel comfortably and off-road riding, whether standing on the footpegs or sitting. In this regard, it's a neutral bike that feels good to ride in any situation.

One crucial element for this, evident from the start, is its engine. A 690 cc CP2 parallel-twin engine, now EU5 compliant, is well-suited for a Trail-Adventure bike because it's small enough not to be heavy and has the necessary power and delivery for off-road use, where its 73 hp is more than enough on dirt, despite not being the most powerful in its category.

In fact, it has enviable torque for off-road thanks to a responsive engine that delivers from the bottom, smooth and manageable, providing a pleasant feel with the throttle to the rear wheel, similar to the front, with a mixed tire for dirt and asphalt.

We take a moment here to mention its activateable ABS system. It has 3 modes and is disconnectable. It stays activated by default, and you can deactivate the rear wheel or both for full off-road sensations.

At the same time, the Ténéré 700 can comfortably take you in higher gears, covering long distances, making it a pleasant 'touring' bike. Its engine is ideal for an adventure bike.

Its price also helps, of course, compared to its competitors in the Trail-Adventure segment. The basic model starts at €10,999, a very competitive price for a bike that has proven its reliability and has a wide range of accessories, supported by an effective spare parts service worldwide.

Ténéré 700 Extreme: A True Off-road Bike

In early 2024, Enduro21 had the opportunity to test the new Extreme edition of the Ténéré in Great Britain. The simplest way to describe the difference between the standard model and this latest version is that the Extreme is much better and more capable off-road.

It may seem like a simplistic description, but it's true. Yamaha aimed to create a bike that responds to the off-road demands of customers who prefer to ride away from the asphalt, and this model does just that.

The first thing you notice when you get on the Extreme and grab the handlebars is that it's a taller bike than the standard one. Indeed, it grows 20 mm, partly due to its new rally-type seat, flat and one-piece, and also to the improved suspensions. These are firmer, so the bike hardly sags when you sit on it and place your feet on the new reinforced titanium footpegs, 200 grams lighter with 35% more surface area.

When you start it and begin to ride, that's when you really notice the difference and benefits brought by the improved KYB suspensions along with the Ténéré Extreme's linkage system, thanks to a front fork with 43 mm diameter tubes, with a travel of 230 mm, and the rear shock, with 220 mm range, both 20 mm more than the standard model and adjustable in preload, rebound, and compression.

No doubt, this makes a big difference off-road, as they are now better at absorbing terrain irregularities and jumps, making the Extreme version a more stable and reliable bike on trails and paths. The front tubes and shock absorber sport a striking copper color, giving the whole set a racing look. The Kashima treatment on the inner tube not only provides a smoother feel and increases durability but also gives it a race air.

Further reinforcing that look, the Extreme model mounts a two-height front fender, meaning an upper enduro half to protect the rider from mud and stones off-road, and a lower half much closer to the wheel, like a road bike.

This is a solution to protect the engine, collector, and radiator from debris thrown by the front wheel, though in muddy conditions, it can cause large accumulations and brake the wheel. However, Yamaha chose this and protected the radiator with a reinforced grille. To each their own...

In conclusion, if you often spend days riding in the mountains and open trails with your friends, or even narrower single-track paths, the Extreme version is a very valid option for you.

If the standard Ténéré is Yamaha's recipe for adventure bike success, this one has all the ingredients to stand out as a more than suitable Trail-Adventure for off-road, complementing its sister's capabilities and offering brand customers a broader range of possibilities depending on their preferred riding style.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 model prices:

• Ténéré 700 World Rally: €14,299
• Ténéré 700 World Raid: €13,099
• Ténéré 700 Rally Edition: €12,599
• Ténéré 700 Extreme: €11,899
• Ténéré 700 Explore: €11,799
• Ténéré 700: €10,999

More information: www.yamaha-motor.eu

Photo Credit: TooFastMedia + Enduro21 + Yamaha