VOL. 56 ISSUE 21 MAY 28, 2019 P93
MID-SIZE ADV BIKES LIKE THE
YAMAHA TENERE 700 MEAN THE
FUN OF THE ADVENTURE IS JUST
GETTING THERE.
fork up front offers over 8.25 inches of
travel (210mm) with compression and
rebound click damping adjustors and
fork-top air bleeders. Dirt bikers will be
right at home with these even though
they're a bit skinnier than their bikes' set-
ups. The shock is an aluminum KYB unit
with a piggyback reservoir and tool-free
preload adjustment via a handy, click-
ing knob. It also has compression and
rebound clickers and gives 7.87 inches
of travel (200 mm). The shock connects
to the aluminum swingarm via linkage.
Running gear consists of 21/18-inch
front/rear wheel sizes in tube-only
setups. There are no tubeless wheels
available. Stock tires on our test bikes
were Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR M+S—a
more street version of the Pirelli Scor-
pion Rally, and more street than we'd
really like to see on a bike so promoted
as off-road.
The front wheel features dual 282mm
front wave discs with Brembo brake
calipers, and the rear has a single
245mm disc with Brembo components.
All brakes are synced to a switchable
on-road ABS system that is easily turned
off (while stopped) for off-road use via a
single on-dash button.
Yamaha brought a host of off-road bolt-
ons to the Tenere 700. The aluminum skid
plate hovers over the 9.44-inch ground
clearance (240mm) as off-road-style pegs
feature removable rubber inserts for more
peg traction. Wrap-around-style hand-
guards provide digit coverage from bugs
