Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1122949
YAMAHA TENERE 700 FIRST REVIEW P94 parallel twin isn't overly sophisticated but offers healthy torque and good power out of its mid-sized displacement. The Tenere's CP2 comes tuned specifically to flat- ten the already broad torque curve of the cross-plane- firing unit. This firing arrangement has been proven in past Yamaha Dakar bikes, sport bikes, and naked street machines and provides great traction, clean torque and a super cool sound. The engine also features Tenere-spe- cific tuning to encourage peak power to hold on longer NO FRILLS AND SIMPLICITY IS WHAT THE TENERE 700 IS ALL ABOUT. ______ THE THIN SEAT DOESN'T LOOK ALL THAT COMFORTABLE BUT IT IS. and the occasional tip-over (I would know). Wrapping up the highlights is an adjustable-height low front fender and smartly integrated hand-holds under the rear fender for maneuvering the bike around. Fuel capacity is healthy at 4.2 gallons for an efficient use range estimated at over 200 miles between fill-ups. Our quick test calculations backed this up on one fill-up during our day-and-a-half test ride. Seat height is an approachable 34.5 inches on the stock model. Yamaha Europe showed lower seats and a lower- ing shock linkage as well as a taller "Rally" seat to fill in the gaps in user preference there. Finally, the engine is Yamaha's CP2 unit pulled straight out of the MT-07 street machine. Yamaha Tenere 700 Engine The Yamaha Tenere 700 is powered by the finely capable CP2 engine made famous by the MT-07 street bike. The through the RPM range. The Yamaha Te- nere 700's power output is rated at right around 72 horsepower at 9000 rpm and 50 lb-ft of torque at 6500 rpm (again, European specs). Numbers aside, the key character trait for the Yamaha Tenere 700's CP2 engine is usability. It does not intimidate or have so much power potential to throw less- experienced riders into trouble through aggression. It is healthy, and with a good bark out of the stock muffler, we were happily surprised with the engine pack- age as an ADV offering. From loose rocky roads to open gravel and back to the highway, the engine performs well. It's smooth and balanced from lugging to over-revving. It's this friendly nature that backs up Yamaha R&D's decision to forgo elec- tronic rider aids on the Tenere 700. The CP2 engine is so torquey, smooth and robust—and very controllable, they say—that there is "no need for electronic support." That's a direct quote from Takushiro Shiraishi, Project Leader/ Division Manager Engineering Division Yamaha Motor R&D Europe. In addition to fueling and ECU tuning