2021 YAMAHA TENERE 700
R I D E R E V I E W
P64
I
t's been more than a year since we first published our
Yamaha Tenere 700 review after attending the world launch
in Spain the spring of 2019. That was a long time to ago, but
it seems much, much longer, doesn't it? Yamaha has already
been divvying out the Tenere in many countries since then, but
we've had to wait impatiently for its arrival in North America.
Well, the wait is pretty much over. They will be showing up on
dealership floors soon now, but we already got a chance to
throw a leg over one for the first time with U.S specs.
The North American version of the Yamaha "T7" comes into
the U.S. market at a surprisingly low $9999 price and, after
riding it now, we think it will prove to be a wait well worthwhile.
For this review, we're focusing on the North American/USA-
specific version and what, if anything, has changed from the
world launch. You can read our first review from Spain here.
But first, a brief technical "re-overview." The Yamaha
Tenere 700 is an independent model. It doesn't share
a frame, suspension package, fuel tank, seat, footpeg,
exhaust or final engine configuration with any pre-existing
or existing Yamaha models. It has a tubular frame of high
tensile steel with a stoutly braced headstock and remov-
able downtubes. The downtubes do little for frame support
and are primarily bolted on for engine coverage and are a
nice place to bolt a skid plate.
THE
WAIT IS
OVER!
MORE THAN A
YEAR AGO WE
RODE THE HIGHLY
ANTICIPATED
YAMAHA TENERE
700 AT THE WORLD
LAUNCH IN SPAIN.
FINALLY, THE BIKE
HAS LANDED ON
AMERICAN SOIL
AND WE GOT A
CHANCE TO RIDE
IT AGAIN, BUT THIS
TIME IN U.S.-SPECS.
HAS ANYTHING
CHANGED?
BY JESSE ZIEGLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH AGUSTIN
