The 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 is a new chapter for Yamaha’s adventure touring model range. It is a mid-point between an out-and-out rally adventure racer and a civil, calm street motorcycle. Powered by the same crossplane crankshaft, 689 cc parallel-twin from the MT-07, sending the dirt flying with 74 crank HP with 50 lbs-ft of torque, the Tenere 700 is a Super Tenere on a crash diet. A full 125 lbs less wet weight than the Super Tenere ES, the bike comes in at 450 lbs.
Part of the crash diet has been the stripping of pretty much anything that could be described as “in excess.” Multimode traction control? Gone. Electronically adjustable suspension? Gone. Hard side cases? Gone. What’s left is an adventure bike that, as even Yamaha puts it, a “lightweight, no-compromise dual-sport motorcycle.” As well, in true racing fashion, the only proper electronic rider air, ABS, can be turned completely and utterly off with the flick of a switch on the dash.
The 2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 starts at $9,999 US/$11,999 CA with expected deliveries in the latter half of 2020.
On this page:we’ve curated specs, features, news, photos/videos, etc. so you can read up on the new Yamaha Tenere 700 in one place.
Single shock, adjustable preload (w/remote adjuster) and rebound damping; 7.9-in travel
Brakes Front
Dual 282mm hydraulic disc; selectable ABS
Brakes Rear
245mm hydraulic disc; selectable ABS
Tires Front
90/90R21 Pirelli® Scorpion® Rally STR
Tires Rear
150/70R18 Pirelli® Scorpion® Rally STR
Fuel Tank Capacity
15.8 L (4.2 US gal.)
Color
Ceramic Ice, Intensity White, Matte Black
ELECTRICAL
Ignition
Spark Plugs
Headlight
LED
Tail Light
LED
DIMENSIONS
Overall Length
Overall Width
Overall Height
Wheelbase
62.8 in (1340 mm)
Ground Clearance
9.4 in (238 mm)
Seat Height
34.4 in (873 mm)
Curb Weight
452 lbs (205 kg)
WARRANTY
Warranty
1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)
Extension
2020 Yamaha Tenere 700 Features
TOP FEATURES
Advanced Twin-Cylinder Engine
The Ténéré 700™ features a fuel-injected, 689cc liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine derived from Yamaha’s award-winning MT-07®. This compact powerplant features an ideal power delivery for adventure riding, for tractable and controllable power in every riding condition.
Adventure-Focused Ergonomics
The Ténéré 700 features a narrow body, slim fuel tank, and flat seat that allow maximum rider agility, enabling the rider to grip the tank whether sitting or standing, giving added confidence on dirt or asphalt. The protective fairing and handguards work with the tapered handlebar to ensure comfort on the longest rides.
Not Afraid To Get Dirty
Highly adjustable, long-travel suspension is mated to dirt-ready spoked wheels mounting 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tires, ensuring that Ténéré 700 doesn’t shy away from aggressive riding when the pavement ends. The triple-disc brakes also feature selectable ABS, which can be disabled when desired for off-road riding.
Refinement Meets Durability
Every aspect of the Ténéré 700 is built to combine Yamaha’s legendary reliability with impressive performance, from the compact LED headlights, to the strong and narrow steel frame, to the smooth counterbalanced motor, and crystal-clear LCD gauges.
Compact, High-Tech Engine
Developed from the stellar MT-07 Hyper Naked sportbike, the Ténéré 700 engine combines exceptional reliability and exciting power delivery in a compact, fuel-efficient package. With an overall size similar to some single-cylinder motors, the 689cc fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, DOHC inline twin gives the Ténéré 700 exceptional handing, while the counterbalanced two-cylinder design provides smooth, long-legged power ideal for long days in the saddle.
Crossplane Crankshaft Concept
The 2-cylinder engine features Yamaha’s “Crossplane Crankshaft Concept” 270-degree crank—which traces its lineage directly to the Dakar-dominating XTZ750 race bikes—to provide linear torque development in response to the rider’s throttle input. The CP2® engine is also light, slim and compact, and offers an excellent level of rider/machine communication.
Offset Cylinder Design
The CP2 engine shifts its cylinder bores slightly forward, towards the exhaust side. This offset reduces piston to cylinder wall friction, for enhanced reliability, more power, and improved fuel economy.
Compact Stacked Transmission
The six-speed transmission “stacks” the gearbox and the crankshaft in a triangular layout to keep the overall engine size shorter front-to-back, which optimizes engine placement in the frame for outstanding weight balance. The transmission ratios are designed to bring out the best of the low- to mid-speed torque and excellent response characteristics, letting the rider focus on the road or trail ahead.
Refined Fuel Injection
Electronic fuel injection settings have been calibrated to deliver a balance between rapid response—perfect for technical riding off-road—and smooth, linear delivery ideally matched for flowing progress when back on pavement. Boasting excellent fuel economy, robust acceleration, and precise controllability on- and off-road, the result is an extremely versatile powerplant.
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION
Lightweight Double Cradle Frame Design
A lightweight, high-strength tubular steel frame provides a tuned rigidity balance for nimble, responsive handling with the strength and durability needed to tackle the harshest terrain with confidence. The chassis utilizes a short 62.6-inch wheelbase for agility and boasts 9.5 inches of ground clearance to tackle whatever the trail throws at you.
Balanced Ergonomics
The ability to shift body weight forward and rearward to suit the terrain is crucial in off-road riding situations, so the Ténéré 700 features a flat seat and slim body that allows maximum rider agility. The narrow body and fuel tank also enable the rider to grip the tank whether sitting or standing, giving added confidence whether you’re riding on dirt or asphalt.
Adventure-Ready Suspension
Aggressive dirt riding requires capable suspension, so the Ténéré 700 utilizes a long-travel 43mm inverted fork with 8.3 inches of travel. The beefy inverted layout is highly resistant to flex to maintain precise steering and suspension action, and the fork is fully adjustable to match changing road and trail conditions. The linkage-type rear shock is similarly outfitted for adventure, with 7.9 inches of travel, and a remote preload adjuster to easily fine-tune for changing loads or riding conditions.
Dirt-Ready Braking With Switchable ABS
The Ténéré 700 features a pair of wave-style 282mm front discs, with rear braking handled by a 245mm wave-style rotor, for powerful deceleration that isn’t afraid of dirt and dust. ABS comes standard to boost rider confidence and prevent wheel lock-ups in reduced-traction conditions, but the Ténéré 700 gives riders the option of temporarily disabling the system for full manual control—ideal for the unique demands of challenging off-road conditions.
Durable Spoked Wheels
Unlike many so-called adventure bikes which feature cast alloy wheels or road-biased tires, the Ténéré 700 flaunts its serious off-road intentions with tough spoked wheels mounting 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tires, ideal for both on- and off-road riding. Strong and lightweight, these wheels give riders a range of tire choices, from aggressive pure enduro tires to versatile dual-sport options.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Rally-Bred LED Lighting
Echoing the focused, purposeful design of rally-built “works” racing machines, the Ténéré 700 utilizes a clear headlight nacelle with quad LED headlights. This vertically-stacked two-plus-two headlight design provides aggressive looks and excellent visibility, while the LEDs themselves are bright, long-lasting and resistant to shock and vibration.
Protective, Versatile Cockpit
The rally-inspired upper fairing and standard handguards ensure wind and weather protection ideal for long riding days. The taper aluminum handlebar is positioned for a relaxed riding position when sitting or standing on the pegs. The cockpit is also designed to accommodate additional navigation devices, such as a GPS or rally road book.
Rally-Style Instruments
The lightweight instrument panel displays a wide range of information that can be absorbed without having to take your eyes off the road or track. The multi-function LCD display features gear position, fuel level, two trip meters, and estimated fuel range, as well as average and instant fuel consumption and more.
Exceptional Range
Thanks to the fuel-efficient engine and compact 4.2-gallon fuel tank, the Ténéré 700 is ready for the Next Horizon, with a fuel range extending over 215 miles per fill-up.
