Just put the first 250km on the new Yamaha Tenere 700. Wow, what a machine. It is the perfect replacement for my smaller dualsport - it handles its weight incredibly well. My initial concerns about upgrading to a larger machine were instantly alleviated, and I got home from my first ride and immediately listed my 250 on Kijiji. The gearing and low end torque on this engine make it the perfect package in my opinion, and at 5'11" the seat height is totally manageable as well. I cannot say enough good things about this bike, and if you have not had the pleasure of riding the CP2 platform, it is the same engine in the MT-07, Tracer 700 etc and I recommend checking it out. It translates to the dualsport platform perfectly, and chugs along in the low RPM range like nothing else. Let's meet up near Weslemkoon for a ride!
Sounds great, I have been thinking about getting one to replace my FJ-09!! Just have to save a bit and I will get one now!!
Having ridden a Honda CRF 250L for the past few years and clocking almost 20,000km, I am probably the wrong person to ask as I have no experience riding behind wind screens. The fatigue from getting pounding by incoming wind is completely gone now, the large tank acts as a fairing in sort, along with the stock windshield. Forum members have had issues with the way air comes over the shield onto their helmet, and have switched to a smaller aftermarket screen with a beveled edge to great success. But again, having the shield there is too huge an improvement over my previous setup to consider upgrading. The stock seat is quite comfortable too, I do not foresee upgrading it either. I carries speed very well and would be an excellent touring bike. I plan on taking it down to check out some of the BDR's in the states next spring.
Welcome to the T7 club. I’m on my 6th Tenere now and really like its simplicity and how it still feels like a big thumper
Looking forward to riding this year, hopefully these Covid numbers keep their downward trend so some organized rides happen. Finally broke down and bought a T700. Now can't wait for the weather to improve. Sold the FJ-09 as well. @tenere700 are you still loving the bike now that you have had half a year riding it?
You bet. The first 8000km went very well. Finally got the bike setup for my needs apart from the suspension setup. Only issue I am finding is that more aggressive riding can get a little sketchy, and without knowing much about suspension, I would say I am in need of high speed adjustability. Going to stop into Accelerated Technologies in Buckhorn to start looking into upgrades. I'm hoping that I can get by with minimal upgrades possibly just stiffer springs, but they are an Ohlins dealer and I am aiming to make this a one bike fits all type deal so who knows how deep I am going to go. Glad to hear you grabbed one yourself, you will not be disappointed. The stock tires are absolutely amazing for what they are, but the knobbies bring the bike up to snuff offroad and remove some of the danger of wrestling around all the weight. As always, if you find yourself heading east to Peterborough, or up to Bancroft give me a heads up and I will join you for a tour. The tenere700.net forum is an amazing resource as well. Edit: I feel the need to add an edit stating riding any heavy ADV bike aggressively off-road is likely sketchy, but I can relate to the nimbleness of the T7 having only ridden smaller dirtbikes in my lifetime. To me if feels narrow and light, which adds confidence when thinking about increased speed.
Great report thanks, makes me want the winter to disappear quicker. I will definitely look at the tenere700 forum and for sure if I am coming over east a bit will contact you for a tour. Out of all the reports and tests I have read and watched they all say the same as your experience, pushing the bike on the dirt shows the suspension needs some improvements. Did you add any of the accessories to your bike that you can recommend?
Here is my setup: Upgraded handguards - Cycra Factory CRM Handguards fit great, no worries around the brake reservoir. Tough as nails, put them on all my dirtbikes. Others are using Barkbusters with a specific T7 kit that helps extend them past the reservoir. Skid plate - I chose plastic, again from dirtbike experience I like the reduced noise and slide action, and went with the AXP Racing plate. Moose stamps their name on the identical plate as well if you see it out there. If you prefer aluminum the best option out there is from Camel ADV (more on them later) 4.75mm aluminum skid plate with linkage protection. Auxiliary Lights - Cyclops Adventure Sports make a nice kit that mounts up under the triple tree. I went with their indicator kit front and rear as well, all plug and play no modification required. Fronts get white DRL feature and rear get integrated brake lights. Case Covers - I went with R&G, but a Canadian company Triple Clamp makes them as well and I have heard nothing but good things. Intake - The bike felt pretty choked off to me so I let it breathe with a MWR Racing intake. Removes the snorkel and reduces the intake to a small beveled lip. Amazing difference, but not for riding around water. Intake noise is much nicer than exhaust noise as well, sounds amazing. But this is a first step in an eventual ECU reflash - no codes thrown on the bike in 7000km. Tires: I am trying out the Motoz RallZ Tractionator front and rear, but do not have enough km's on them to give you anything useful. The 4inch wide rear rim on these is a bit awkward to find knobbies for, but following others I mounted a 140/80-18 on there and it seems to be fine. (stock Pirelli is 150/70-18) Big money mods are suspension upgrades and narrower rims, possibly just the rear. I'd ideally like to run a 2.5 inch wide rear rim. I recommend checking out Camel ADV. They are a Canadian company that has released some solid stuff for the Tenere 700. I will dig into a few of them. Anti-Bobble Head Kit: People complain of vibrating dash unit which this mod firms up, I saw no problem with it but it is their most popular item. An exhaust relocate kit: once you start dropping your bike you will find its greatest weakness. Exhaust bracket welded to subframe, which sends your exhaust in towards your swingarm and will also soften overtime, eventually breaking, writing the bike off? I've had to plant my foot on the exhaust and shove it out away from the bike to clear the swing arm easily a dozen times, and this kit tucks it up nice and high modifying the OEM mount. They also make affordable footpegs, however the WR450 ones will work and you can generally find them on the cheap. They also sell extended range fuel tanks, a high fender mod kit, a fender eliminator and an easy pull clutch mod if that's your thing. Excellent company fantastic service. I cannot recommend the Adventure Spec crash bars. After a single day of spirited riding they were toast. Slowly worked in towards my fairings cracking the one side, and jammed into my headers punching a nice dent into the face. But then again I probably won't this bike on a day like that again (at least with the stock tires lol). If anyone has been to Merrill Lake they can relate.
Great thanks for that I will look into a lot of those, you have certainly customized the bike for yourself. Appreciate the feedback.
The airbox on the CB500 is really awkward to access. We pulled off the snorkel which luckily was angled toward the one side that wasn't submerged. The filter was damp on one side, but not in the worst shape. We would have had to remove a bunch of stuff to further access the filter, so we let it roast in the afternoon sun for a bit. We parted ways and he headed back home to have some service done, I imagine the Honda will be just fine.
Hogsback Rd. in Bethany is a good run if you haven't checked it out before. You can build up a nice loop and take Ballyduff Rd. through Dranoel, zig zag over to Wilson Line and cut back towards Hogsback Rd. Feeling good about the new Motoz Tractionator RallZ's so far.
Yeah, he designed a custom vinyl setup through Backyard Designs, https://backyarddesignusa.com/ - I agree it looks quite sharp!
