There is other adventure bikes and reviews that I have watched for the past two years and I have not heard of a perfect bike that ticks all the boxes,this bike I will surely buy,reliability is everything on a adventure tour and knowingly it's going to put a smile on my face 👌
Excellent honest review. I agree 100%. Thank you for sharing. Am currently designing my own lightweight adventure bike by converting a BMW F650 Dakar engine from EFI to a Mikuni flat slide or a SmartCarb, and fitting it into a modified CCM 604 frame. It’s not an easy project, but it will solve all the issues with modern bikes, and still cost less than a T700! 🧐😎😜 Ride safe. Peace
Great vid👍. Loved my T7 but had to sell due to an old back injury recurrence. Absolutely agree, top heavy & I was never going to be able to pick this beast up on tarmac, let alone on a wet muddy bank in the middle of nowhere!
He love BMW so all he say about other bikes is only for fun! And the lifting a mc is easy and not this shit it shown here lol and only put the bike in a gear 1 or 2 gear and be sure to put out the side stand too before any lifthing of the bike as he ofc not mention yay.
I love your reviews. The lack of nonsense, atrocious music and theatrics makes people concentrate on what you have to say and take your opinion seriously.
My T700 has done 7000km under my seat. I would remove the fuel range from above complaints, and add crappy rear brake. I have tested my T7 properly and know it can (has) done 450 km on one tank, and it would have gone to 480. How? Background: On my previous bike, XT660R, I crossed the Australian Outback and thought (more or less correctly) that I needed the 26L tank from Off-The-Road. Though I could never get 26 litres in that tank and the extra fuel pump and taps introduced the only unreliable components to the bike, it did extend my range. I habitually got 500+ km/ tank, but riding with a Mate on a KLR with 22 litres, his fuel range was way less and we refilled together. He seldom failed to point out to me that I must enjoy transporting fuel axross the outback, since your range is effectively no more than the mates you ride with. The cost, the weight the effort and the frequent misjudgement due to complicated taps and pumps caused me a few embarrassing flame-outs. When I bough the T7, with a 16L tank, (660 has a 15L stock) I expected I would have to ad a fuel tank, but I decided to properly test it first. (I now live in Africa - Adventure Land🤩) Test Results: 👉Riding like a lunatic 140km/h into a headwind, the worst I got thus far was 18.5 km/l = 296km/tank. In Africa where I now reside, its hard to find fuel pumps further apart than that. 👉At 130 km/h on the clock, (120 on GPS), I was unable to get less than 21km/l. That gives 336 km per tank. 👉On an experimental (deliberate test) at 110 km/h with no wind, I went on reserve (blinking started) at 349.2 km. I refilled shortly after, at 354 taking 11.8 litres. That's exactly 30km/l, better than the frequent 27km/l or the usual 25km/l. (This is when I ride alone. Riding in a group take more fuel) 👉I'm convinced that in a pinch (if you know the next pump is way far, or you don't know if they will have fuel) you can maintain 100 km/h and expect 400 km per tank. The trip computer will indicate the "litres/100km" and it works like this: 👉Next pump distance is 500km? Keep the L/100 below 3.2. How? Reduce speed. At 80 km/h, it will stay at 3 L/100. Yea, 80 sucks, but is beats pushing! 👉Next pump distance is 400km? Keep the L/100 below 4.0. How? Manage your speed, around 120 on the clock will do it. 👉Next pump distance is 300km? Keep the L/100 below 5.3. Easy, but there is a catch! 👉The trip computer on my bike is pessimistic. When it reads 6.1l/100 km, I expected 16.3 km/L and a fuel range of 262. But at the pump, I calculated 5L/100km. So... its quite pessimistic. 👉Also, the reserve starts to blink with more than 4 litres remaining in the tank, reducing the actual worry free fuel range unnecessarily. My conclusion is that I do not need an extra fuel tank, as I have a good idea what can be done and how to do it. But there are factors that affect the expected range, and you should keep these in mind and you should do your own test: 👉Paniers will reduce your range. (On my GS, it reduce range with around 2km/l) 👉Larger screens and yes, crash bars, lights and bulky luggage (or a fat woman is to be avoided 🤣) 👉I rode with the Pirelli's the bike came with. Knobblies will affect the fuel consumption negatively, and road tires positively. 👉Tire and pear pressure: If your mates go fast, so will you. But they will run out of fuel with you 😜 👉We discovered that headwinds cannot be avoided and have a huge impact on consumption, especially on bigger bikes like a GS1250. On a normal ride, averaging 130/140 km/h I fully expect 300 km per tank, which is ample. If I need 400km, I reduce speed till the consumption comes down to 4L/100=25. (25*16=400km) I rode with a friend, he was on a GS1250. His fuel tank is 20litre, we had very similar fuel range, as he almost never got 20km/l. It was quite windy going west the first few days, with less wind coming east. I tested the top speed also, but will post a video on that topic. My T7 honeymoon has just begun. My friend with his GS conceded that the T7 sounds better, is better priced, is fast enough, way more fun - especially on gravel roads, much lighter on fuel. He has not conceded, but obviously, the T7 is also sexier 😍and got more attention from just about everybody under 60!!
Your review is spot on. Having owned the T7 for 2 years and done 22000km on it with no issues. The T7 has been a top seller in Australia and as you said, its not perfect but its flaws are few.
It would be a best seller if it were available in other parts of the world too. Trouble is the Japanese plant is unable to keep up with demand while its plant in France has and still does. I think Yamaha has short sold the bike in North America especially Canada where I reside. Dealers have been taking deposits for the 22 model year knowing that there is no way any more 22's will be delivered. Unscrupulous really. Those putting down deposits now may not even receive a 23 model. Meanwhile Yahama produces other model bikes dealers can't get rid of. The 890's and Norden 901 are being delivered to dealers and these are for some 2nd choices due to reliability of KTM or Husky to provide sufficient wide spread options for parts and service. It's yet to be seen just how the Norden will present itself after all the free airfare, meals and lodging to TH-camrs and "influencers" hype has died down and some start putting some serious miles on the bike.
Great review and I agree 100%. These are areas I have made changes to my T7. (And still more work to do) So far I have 1. High exhaust 2. 48mm SSS KYB forks and tractive rear shock 3. Reduced weight as much as possible (Dry weight 187kg or 412lbs) 4. Acerbis 22ltr tank.
@@DanielHelc most of the weight savings are in the YZ front end and the titanium exhaust, YZ front wheel, single disc, smaller rear rim, tail tidy, rear foot pegs, bypassing ABS, acerbic tank and a few other things like 520 chain, smaller rear sprocket etc. it all adds up. Next on the list is front light. There is a lad who has manufactured a custom tank, which is less weight and sits much lower. This is not for everyone, but I like to tinker and have the tools/skills to do it.
A bit over the top really and not very instructional. Had he used the handlebar technique with the front wheel pointing up and locked he would have had the bike up in a few seconds even on loose gravel. When you put your butt against the seat and push upwards you also put enough force to push the bike sideways, away from you in loose gravel. Another way...th-cam.com/video/L5pmEVIPl78/w-d-xo.html
On point review! So clear, concise, articulate and genuine. This absolutely sets the standard for an ownership review and I wish you all success so you can keep every bike you make content with in the future 😁
This is a fair assessment. I own the bike and I will tell everyone the exact same things. That said, I see a lot of people going for the larger fuel tank which just makes the bike more top heavy. I would totally avoid doing that and go for another option. The exhaust is fixable. Just take it to a custom exhaust shop and properly rout it. You can even use the stock can. Loads of owners are doing it. When it comes to the suspension, again, in the very least get the bike resprung, or take it to a specialist - or better yet - get legit kit suspension. I see people in groups all the time overloading that bike with stock suspension and it's just pure cringe. There's no point in putting money into your luggage system and mounds of trash if you can't in the very least swap out the springs. The bike dives like a kamikaze under hard braking as it is, let alone radically overloaded with overweight rider and luggage. It's in no way safe. I would also add that the bike NEEDS steel braided brake lines front and back. The rear brake is SOFT. The stock seat is trash. I opted for the Sargent seat. It's pretty awesome. Handguards - also rubbish. Thank goodness the T7 comes in around $10,000.00. It doesn't break the bank and leaves money in your wallet to refine the bike to your liking. It's an absolute keeper.
As a T7 owner I can say this is a spot on review. This is an awesome bike! I did however have to put on a heavier back spring which is relatively cheap. Otherwise the suspension is pretty decent for how most people ride. My biggest complaint is how hard this bike is to get up. I like to ride solo and I don’t have much problem getting it up off of a hard surface but in off-road conditions where u are dealing with sand, or mud, or ruts….it has taken every ounce of my strength and sometimes some maneuvering to get the bike back up. U really need to ride with a buddy or have some kind of portable aid (which there are such things) to help get the bike up. I have had to ride more conservative during some trips just because I got so exhausted from picking the bike up….and that’s no fun!
While I would really like to own a Yamaha T7, (if I can ever find a new one), now, I'm an informed buyer with an understanding of the compromises I'll be accepting and additional expenses/investments to plan in order to meet my expectations. What better advice can you get than from an honest, articulate, experienced T7 owner?!! That said, I'm really looking forward to Ian's reviews of the Husky Norden 901!
I just sold mine due to the weight and how top heavy it is. As a new off-road rider, I found the top-heavy weight combined with the height of the bike not really confidence inspiring. I'm excited though as I believe other manufactures will finally start making lighter weight adventure bikes given the success of the T7. Maybe I'll pick up a KLX 300 to learn on this summer. I'm excited to see the KTM 490 as I think that'll be the ideal. Anyway, ride safe all.
I deliberately did not watch other TH-cam reviews of the T7 because I was waiting for yours. You put your own money into the bikes that you review and talk about the riding and ownership experiences, whereas most journos just discuss the former. Anyway your review was worth the wait - well done 👍
Thank you so much for making a good old school review video and not under cutting it with memes throughout the entire video. I cannot watch normal youtube videos anymore. Even quality people are using memes for almost every third sentence. You are not, you present the information calmly and with no brain distractions like it seems that the newer generation needs by now or they cannot stay focused. Great honest review of the T7. Keep up the work you're doing. Thank you.
tenere 700 is a machine that will make you sad due to its weight in heavy terrain that requires experience and some physical features, but will make you happy on mixed nature roads and asphalt. I knocked over the fender as a result of excessive mud accumulation, the front wheel was locked, it is not easy to lift, the nature of this job is to fall, the only negative aspect for me is +50 kg excess, apart from that, I love it so much I have to put it in the living room of the room and watch 🤚🤚 safe driving for everyone
Absolutely the best review done on the internet about this bike. I have become a huge fan of your channel as it better matches the spirit of riding that I am seeking. I've had my T7 for over a year and half and absolutely love it. At 6'2", 205 lbs, the bike feels it was made for me. This summer I replaced the rear spring with a 200 nm one and I'm waiting on your next video to figure out what I do with the diving front end! As a very average Adv rider I don't find the top heavy nature of the bike at all a problem. For me the bike is so nimble it amazes me every time I ride it. But I know it is a problem, I guess, because it comes up all the time on TH-cam! The few times I have tipped it over I have been able to pick it up (61 yrs old, average strength). Not easy, but not really worth worry about for I rarely dump the bike. I do worry about the exhaust, but not being an aggressive off road rider so far so good. Although I might cough up the money for the Camel Adv exhaust at some point. I just added a Kaoko throttle lock as the last time I rode up the Alaska Highway I got tendonitis. On a fun note I wanted to see how far I could ride my bike, so filled it up to the brim and went 80 km/h up and down a section of the Alaska Highway. When I made it home the bike was still running and I had gone 520 km!!!! Of course going that slow one needs to listen to audio books or you'll go crazy. Looking forward to your video on the suspension and how to dial it in. Mine is pretty much a mess from my various attempts at adjusting it..
Pretty fair and accurate review Ian. I love my T7 - best bike I have owned and perfect compromise for dirt touring and harder tracks. I suspect you will miss it a lot once its gone.
Thanks for doing this. This is a beautiful bike but the top heavy nature, would rule it out for me because I am so short at 5'4" and I'm 67 years old. The range of this bike would drive me crazy. I have a Himalayan and I have almost the same capacity. I think your insights would be very valuable to anyone considering buying one of these.
@@RidingRootsAdventure I would love to. I think that I would buy or rent on India. Shipping the bike back and forth would cut a big hole in my travel budget.
Another great video, Ian. Cheers. I rode my CRF300L Rally 5000 miles in September 2021 with a friend on his T7. We did the MABDR and NEBDR plus lots of pavement. Our fuel ranges with the stock tanks were identical.
@@SWTrailsAndWheels i suppose there's a lot to say for personal preference. I loved the CRF on the BDRs, and my friend was very happy with the T7. To really answer your question, there were some places (mainly muddy spots) we had to back out of because the T7 was too much to handle.
I rode it last year in a test ride and loved it more than the v-strom 1050, but $19500 they are charging now in Australia is ridiculous. I decided to keep my 2015 v-strom xt for more a few years. At the time the prices were $17500 for the t7 and $15900 for the v-strom 1050 standard.
Great review. With a 29" inseam, the first spec I go to is saddle height, the second is engine size, the third is fuel capacity. You mentioned them all thanks.
And this was what I was waiting for. Ian always does an excellent deep dive in whatever bike He gets. The T7 was going to be my next bike, but I am honestly undecided at this point. Thank you, Ian!
Why? Every bike has some flaws, here you at least know about the most crucial ones and basically majority of them are quite easy to fix (except top heavy issue).
@@603mike Crazy times! ("more civility", or whatever was imagined, comes at a cost some were happy for others to pay) And yet, someone somewhere is looking for a buyer.
Hi, it is exactly my case. This is THE bike I wanted to buy to replace my grandma, my Africa twin 1991... The main issue to me, the real one, is the exhaust thing. Looking at the Husqvarna Norden 901, but I am not really convinced. Still considering the T700...
I have my T7, since Feb 2020, my 18th or 19th bike in the 46 years since I got my full license (rode around on my older brothers' bikes before that). I pretty much concur with every pro and con you outlined. The engine is the star of the show. The chief mechanic at a Yamaha dealer in Madrid where I live told me they had never had a single bike with the CP2 engine in their workshop with any sort of mechanical issue since the MT07 went on sale all those years back. My T7 is bog standard, as have been most of my bikes, no accesories and no more than tie on soft luggage ever. I often say I will never need to buy another bike but at 64 I may have to think about a lower, less top heavy bike in the future. Keeping this bike for as long as I can keep riding and then giving it to a loved one is what the T7 deserves. As fantastic a machine as is your review and your channel.
Nailed it. I love my Tenere 700, it is a fantastic bike on and offroad (I am in the lightweight bracket, so other than the massive fork dive under braking the suspension is great for me) However. The top heaviness, and the fear of not being able to lift it (I ride solo offroad) are taking the excitement out of the ride, as I know I will struggle to lift it , if I even can. It means I am riding it more tentatively than I even should, which at times makes it harder work offroad than if I was on the throttle. I keep thinking I should sell it, then I go out and have such a blast on it that I can't bring myself to. Spot on review. Well said.
For the lift-off the ground, I,m wondering if a Sling with 2 hooks, that the rider would pass over his shoulder would make a difference, just wondering
@@jelau4851 I bought a motowinch from Eastbound, which is supposed to make it easy to lift a bike, but it still bothers me (I have a damaged shoulder, so I'm sort of limited I suppose)
Well there's reasons I prefer to go with a riding buddy. I can have more fun riding "closer to the edge". There's a competitive aspect of pushing each other to go at it a little harder and further. And of course someone to help each other out of a jam which we inevitably get ourselves into.
Nice video, and thanks for your honest point of view. I'm also a T7 owner, to give some context it's my first bike, I'm a beginner (I got m7 T7 2 months after my driving license exham) and I did almost 12.000 Km on it. I understand your critics about being a top heavy bike, but honestly I don't see how this could be a big issue. Maybe it's because I'm a big guy (193 cm tall and 100 Kg) but when I ride the T7 I feel like I'm riding a bycicle in terms of agility and ease of movement. You're not the first one I read or saw talking about how hard is to pick this bike from the ground, well I picked it only once but for me it was a piece of cake (I'm not a body builder 😅), I simply grabbed the handlebar with one hand, and the rear passenger handle (I installed the OEM rear rack frame, but there are also a lot of lighter options for rear handles) with the other one and picked up the bike with no problems. Only after I picked up the bike I thought "Wait a sec... what about all those guys complaining about picking up the bike?!?" 😂 Regarding the fuel tank I'm sure you have more experience than me but honestly I can't think of a trip so long and without any gas station in 350 Km range, maybe some remote place in Mongolia or in some desert in the middle of Asia. As many adventure traveller (and also you) reported a simple external fuel tank solves this really remote problem, and honestly if you're doing a long trip around the world 5 liters of fuel is not a big weight issue; personally I prefer to choose to travel light (with "only" 16 liters of fuel) or heavy (adding a tank with 5 more liters), instead of always travel heavy with 23 or more liters if fuel (ok, you can choose to not fill the tank completely but we know that everybody fills it up completely). On suspensions I don't have enough experience to judge how good are the T7 suspensions and I haven't tried other bikes of this type to feel the difference. For the muffler attachment you're right, it's not the best solution, but it's also quite rare to get an hard hit on it, for now the only video that I saw with a big hit the muffler was a crazy guy using the T7 as a motocross bike at crazy speed around trees. This last two examples make me think one important aspect about this bike. Ok it's a fantastic adventure bike on the dirt, way better for the average pilot than all the others, it makes offroad so easy even if you know nothing about offroad (I did myself and I never, ever though I would be capable to do offroad riding)... but it's still ad adventure bike, not a motocross bike. Maybe it's the best adventure bike on the dirt, but it would never be as good as a light motocross bike, so imho there's no point in consider those things as a defect. Like every other tool (because the bike is a tool, the objective is always travel, riding, explore) it's a compromise, maybe the T7 is the best compromise available on the market today, but it's still a compromise. My 2 cents :)
Excellent, excellent video. Very good, honest information. I like the Tenere very much, but I am happy that I decided for the KTM 890 Adventure R, especially regarding the handling of the bike and the suspension. No problems in 12.000 km so far. Hope it stays this way, reliability is not the strongest point of the KTM bikes, together with the high maintainance costs. Again thank you very much for the video, ride safe and keep up your brilliant work. Greetings from Germany !
Thank you so much for your great reporting! I have watched hours of content surrounding Yamaha Tenere 700. And I am excited to say my local Yamaha dealer called me last week and told me that after months of waiting my 2024 T7 is scheduled to land at the end of September! I can’t wait to throw a leg over it and try it out myselfll!! BDR - here I come!! Kudos for the great reporting keep it up.
Spot on, honest review. As much as I love this bike, there's no perfect bike. For how I use it, I've learned to live with those 4 cons you listed. But I completely understand that these may be deal breakers for some. For reference, I've come from countless dual sports over the past 30 years and several ADV bikes over the past 10 years (1100GS, 2 KLRs, 800GS). I'm 5'11" and 215 pounds, riding mostly in AZ. As a T7 owner, here's how I've combatted the 4 cons in this video. 1. Top Heavy: I haven't had an issue with this. I ride solo, and have had to pick it up several times on one trip with no issues. I do use the handlebar leverage lift though, which I believe is a much more efficient than the stand with your back to the bike squat lift. Turn your wheel to the outside of the fall, now your inside handlebar is sticking out like a leverage arm to lift from. 2. Fuel Range: I get roughly (after tuning) 48mpg. My range is about 180-200 miles. I use the Tusk Excursions and ended up getting the two fuel bottle holders on the bottom of the bags to carry an additional 3 liters of fuel (approx. 36 additional miles). This solution also carries the extra fuel down low as well. 3. Suspension: This one's all about personal riding style. I ride 50/50 and light enduro style off-road. Simply getting the proper springs and adjusting sag first, then all the dampening correctly has made the suspension far better than stock. 4. Exhaust Hanger: This one is really picky. I've dropped it 3-4 times on the right side so far with no damage or bend whatsoever. I do wish the bracket was bolted, not welded. I do think the Camel solution is a great addition (which I plan on doing some day). I do like that it's out of the way of the rackless bags though, no need to heat shield on my application.
This is such an important review for us all. Presentation, facts, research, logic, thoroughness and candidness. What more could motorcyclists ask for? Ian is the master of motorcycle reviews (IMO)! I'm excited about the 2022 Yamaha T7 World Raid model. Will just have to wait for it to come to the US.
I soon sold my Tenere I’ve have a bad left knee and my lower back isn’t great so you need to have good fitness to ride this bike you have any knee or back issues this bike can be hard work and just moving it about soon gets tedious and it’s so top heavy and if you lean it more than 10 degrees it’s going over. And also if your going to do any serious off-roading I would stick with the stock exhaust also the frame is one piece so if you damage that exhaust you can also bend your frame which can be a mot failure in the UK. My Honda Dominator has a bolted on rear frame so if you bend it you can easily replace it and my rear exhausts are tucked in and with a few upgrades it’s just as capable as the Ten and it’s twenty years old . Having far more fun on my CRF300 l with upgraded front spring rear shock , Renthal bars and Acerbis plastic belly plate and handguards . Light , easy to move around and easy to pickup . 😁🇬🇧👍
The Japanese motorcycle industry has been supplying under sprung and under damped for decades in my experience. As you said , it would not cost the manufacturers much at all to correct this. The top heavy feeling was evident on my Tiger 800XCx 2015, but really was not an issue once I was under way. During my 5 years of ownership I dropped it only twice. Having luggage fitted helped getting the wheels to engage the ground and stop slipping sideways on gravel surfaces. Having a rear subframe unit connected to a lever arm ( Triumph's rear pillion pegs/ Yamaha the low slung muffler) can cause frame failure. It took Triumph 10 years to address this.
A very fair and accurate review. I think the pluses and minuses of this bike have become pretty clear to most by now. My 4 gripes with mine in order: 1. The exhaust/routing/mounting. 2. The stock Pirellis 3. The suspension (mine @ 5.5K miles gets new springs any day now) 4. The stock footpegs (puny, narrow) I lowered mine because even at 5"10" I have short legs. I put in rear lowering links and dropped the clamps 1 cm on the tubes. This lowered the overall aspect of the bike slightly. As far as the lifting challenges, I specifically selected my tail rack and engine case (lower) crash bars because they provide excellent lift points. Thanks for yet another great review!
I greatly appreciate you for this. I'm in MMI right now and was really digging the Tenere 700 for the future. Nice to see I should definitely wait a few years for the kinks get worked out.
I hear you and I respect your opinion. I appreciate the last segment of your video, thanks for all your time. Let me share my experience with this bike which I have owned for nearly two years and put more than 20000km on in very different conditions including snow in the North-East as opposed to your South-West :). Yes, the bike is top heavy and yes I had to pull it up a number of times - maybe about 12 so far, mostly due to stupid mistakes like stalling on a tight turn. And yes at times it has been painful, not helped by my not being that strong to start with. My lifting method works well, though and I never had to remove the luggage: As always, make sure the bike is in gear and extend the side stand if possible; Turn the handlebar so that the front of the wheel is up; Crouch next to the low handle; Pull up that handle using the legs and not the back. Done. That said, yes it is heavy, not helped by all the crash bars, bash plate, luggage rack and luggage etc. I put on it. The fuel range. Yes it can go down to about 40 miles per gallon on hard terrain or going 130km/h on the highway, but on backroads at normal travel speeds I get upwards of 55 mpg. At 45 / 50 mph in 6th gear I can reach 68mpg average, measured by yours truly. Then I just always have two 1.5L bottles of spare gasoline that are my actual reserve. I disagree with the suspension segment. You do have a preload adjustment knob to adjust the sag for the weight you are carrying, and although it does not change the spring rate it does allow you to adjust your sag for when you carry a pillion, luggage or whatever. This is something I adjust systematically: I know how many clicks I need for carrying my wife, I know how many clicks for my camping gear and I know how many for commuting with it. As for the change in rake and trail while braking, yes, any long-travel passive suspension motorcycle will exhibit the phenomenon. To me the tradeoff is totally worth it. I guess the problem is "...when you are riding more aggressively on the street". I agree with the concern about the exhaust bracket welded to the subframe. The advantage of the low exhaust is it allows you to not cook your luggage. One problem you didn't mention is the seat. I did a few nine hours days (of riding, not including pauses etc.) and this is punishing on the stock seat. People tell me the rally seat is better, but it is also taller and I want to be reasonably comfortable reaching the ground every day. I did add a cheap cushion on the seat and that solved the problem for me. Be well and keep the rubber side down. Patrick
Yes i have bottomed out the suspension on the t7 several times riding trails, but i still love this bike, mine has the tall seat option and taller Pro taper adv bars and this bike fit me better than anything ive been on(im 6'4 200lbs). This bike isnt the fastest thing but it makes all the power you could need on dirt and it sounds amazing with an aftermarket exhaust.
Nice video. I recently tried a friend’s 790 Adventure and I loved the stability and feel that the fuel tank designs gives to that bike. The lower center of gravity make it feel like it’s imposible to take it down and the bike wants to be always upright. And even if i didn’t drop it. It seems that the side tank also function as a good crash protector , and gives you a lot of range. I don’t know why other brands don’t steal that ktm idea. Even as an optional upgrade for their bikes. I think it’s really a good engineering and design solution for safety and handling of this kind of bikes.
Thanks for a great review. The only thing I don't like about the Tenere 700 is the fuel economy/range. 150 mile range is crap. The old KTM 640 Adventure could go 300 miles.
The 'Top Heavy' hate is the only legitimate concern. I'm 34, in great shape, and can muscle it up. I work at a ADV bike shop. It's till my first choice. It's the only bike I own. It's great. But that's me. One of our regulars just sold his, because he couldn't deal with the top heavy aspect. The hangar is fixable. The range is deal-withable. The suspension is respringable and revalvable. Cannot fix the top heavyness.
Excellent review Ian. You are absolutely spot on. I have this bike and my biggest challenge (for someone with a 29” inseam) is the height, which a lowered seat etc has helped with, however the top heavy weight is tough, especially on a full tank. It impacts the balance as well as making it much harder to lift. How about a Tuareg next, or maybe a Desert X? Obviously much more expensive though….. Thanks.
@@BigRockMoto Thanks for the vid. The Tuareg doesn't have the dealer support network, and is 'hard to buy' for many of us. But, the Norden, how about a full review of that? (I know its similar to the KTM 890, but Husky has put its own stamp on the design and execution IMO)
Sold my T7: I agree with all your likes! 1. Top Heavy 2. Computer/gauge is worthless 3. standing on this bike, no sweet spot 4. Seat is worthless 5. Needs a bigger gas tank 6. You have to upgrade everything for adventuring, and the cheap stuff is super heavy and makes the T7 a pig. 7. Could use more suspension for heavier riders. 8. My brakes were weak. 9. I paid 11K$ plus 2k for light weight racks, skid plate, taller windscreen, bark guards, heated grips etc 10. Motor is amazing! 11. Looks Good
This sounds like a list of specific "you" problems. The only upgrades you need is barkbusters and a pair of replacement fairings which are fairly cheap. (250,- eu) Mine is at 200kg. So it is far from a pig. it's a light bike for me, I came from an Africa Twin. The seat is the best i've ever ridden on. Even after 2 hours I have 0 fatigue. The 16L tank is more than enough, I can easily get 300km out of it, and you can adjust the sprocket to get 50km more out of it. That's crazy mileage The Brakes are designed for offroad, they're not meant to be supersport brakes, they do their job more than enough. Minimalistic and no electronics is what the bike is all about, the gauge shows everything you'd ever need. I don't see how it's worthless
Spot on as usual! I’m surprised that so few reviews don’t talk about the top heaviness of the T7 which is such a major thing. Which made me change from a T7 to a 890 adv r.
Have you found the 890 easier to pick up? The weight differential is the primary reason I am considering a T7, largely as I get tired of picking my 800GSA up out of the sand.
@@MotoSaunter yes it’s a big difference for me. I could hardly pic the T7 up by myself which made me worried when I was riding it off road by myself. The 890 is much to pick up. It doesn’t fall flat on the ground like the T7.
Didn’t think about the exhaust issue. That’s a good call out. On the suspension every Japanese bike I’ve ever owned needed suspension springs / revalving out of the box so that is just something I plan on with every bike.
It is certainly a step up from the KLR. It is a shame it doesn't have cross-spoke wheels. Top-heavy + welded-on exhaust bracket = deal-breaker. Great video, great channel.
Very detailed and honest review. I remember truly wanting to buy one. With none available, however, I have been watching long term reviews, and for me, the hype has faded. The top heavy comments alone were enough. I really do not want to be dropping a #450 bike that's more of a challenge to lift than a #525 bike when the point of a lower weight ADV (To me) is to take it off road and not have to lift all the extra weight! - Frank
From another “old man riding”. I was thinking the T7 (#450) might be an easier bike to ADV ride (and pick up) compared to my ‘13, 1200 GS (#525). Perhaps not🤔. I really love the GS and I think this reinforces why.😁
@@svenhodaka9145 I’m 29 years old, 6’ and 220lbs and I’ve only dropped it one time off road but I hope it never happens again because it was a mf to pick up!
@@texasdirtbikerider3335 thanks for the warning. 53 next riding season and wanting fun, not pain in the forests of Ontario. CRF300L Rally for me I guess.
Fantastic job, very smart review. I've cycled through alot of adventure bikes over the years because of spec's and bubbly positive reviews. Thank you for keeping it real.
Great review. The thing I hope for, is that the success of this bike will indicate to other manufacturers what it is people want; eg simplicity, reliability, and all round capability with a reasonable price tag. I'd think that if someone like say KTM stopped changing the bikes so much (which would benefit cost and reliability) and then simplified it (electronics), then maybe they'd have a competitor? It would be interesting to see how Yamaha evolves this platform going forward.
@@fcalin21 of course, innovation is key. I think what Yamaha did was very innovative, despite it being a simpler bike than the 890. unfortunately innovations in chassis or simplicity doesn't market as well as fancy gadgets and electronics...
@@genomedia44 If this motorcycle would have been made 15 years ago would have been revolutionary ? No. The conclusion is that the manufacturers are lazy.
As always great review Ian , and agree this bike needs to be challenged by the top motorcycle manufacturers as this is where a big portion of the market is at. And yes cost, reliability and simplicity does make this bike a winner👍
The best review I have ever heard. I’ve been motorcycle riding for over 40 years. The best part of the review was it made me think about how to select a new bike based on so many more considerations that were discussed. Thank you
Ian, a great honest review.. I had a T7 and had it lowered 50mm as I'm only 5ft 9in or 174cm. Agreed with everything thing you said.. so I sold it and bought a bike with a seat height of 710mm fuel range of 400 to 450klms and heaps of power. A very low centre of gravity even though it's heavier..and thus very confident to move it around.. Ohh yeah, it's a 117 Harley Low Rider S. Big smiles every ride on my new adventure bike.!!!
Great review. I too like the T7’s styling. I guess the paradox is that its look is at least partially responsible for one of the four weaknesses you identified - its top heaviness.
Fair honest take, Ian. 20 yrs from now these will be as ubiquitous & reputable with the same global cult following as the KLR’s. And I’m willing to bet, just like the KLR, they’ll change very little in that time. Just a solid dependable money maker for Yamaha.
I always say that a 450-500cc bike is plenty enough of power, the bike is much lighter, it has a much longer range, MUCH less expensive, much cheaper maintenance costs! The range of this bike is just crazy, excluding the reserve you only have ~13 usable liters for this mammoth monster which equals to 200-220 km/s range LOL LOL LOL But there is the new model with double gas tank and it's more expensive, it still has that silly muffler mounted rally style tough. I guess the Japanese test the rally bikes on the roads around Beijing LOL
Great review and absolutely on point. I have the exact same bike. First thing I did was the suspension, fuel range sucks. I don't find it top heavy but I get some may. We are in New Zealand and I can't think of a better all-round ADV bike. Love it
After getting a preorder and putting 2500 miles on it, I agree with everything you just said. I realize they're almost a one off, but I thought the Rally Raid-ed CB500X was better than the T7 in every way, except the engine. I put 15000 miles on one of those. I sold the T7 to pick up a CRF450RL, and after a Nomad 20L tank and other upgrades, I'm so much happier with my decision. Also - been watching your channel for a couple years now. Glad to see you're getting serious traction and expanding.
Excellent review! T7 owner here, I’m new to adventure bikes so the weight and where it sits does bug me, I also replaced the exhaust with the Hp corse high exhaust which sits where the stock one should have been placed from the start. It made me happy to hear that if it wasn’t for needing to sell and use new bikes to review that you would keep it. It is an amazing bike and I look forward to getting to know it well over the years
I love my 2021 T7 so far. Great review. I did a review myself and there is a couple of small things you didn’t mention, mainly more relevant for wetter countries, corrosion etc. But you covered lots of things I didn’t touch on at all. :)
This is the first time I have ever even heard someone say anything negative about the Tenere besides its lack of electronics and maybe power. The honesty is top tier.
So, the Tenere is top heavy, KTM's are "front heavy". But, Tenere has the sprocket thing (like Fortnine first mentioned), that forces the front to the ground, when you accelerate. With KTM's if you do perform jumps, the heavier front pushes down the front of the bike. In the end, which configuration is more balanced?
If I understand the physics behind it all correctly, all bikes will extend the shock spring and push the front down under acceleration - the anti squat. All bikes do this, but Yamaha tried to make this effect stronger by adjusting the angles (or because the CP2 engine already have a very high counter sprocket) I would love to be corrected if I’m wrong.
I have had many KTM's and have loved the design and quality of all of them. However this Tenere got my attention and your review has sold me on my next bike. The stable will still hold a few KTM's but for adventure tours it will be this Yamaha.
Thank-you for the long-term ownership review perspective. The T7 ticks a lot of boxes for me except for weight and the fact that it is so top heavy and hard to pick up. I sold my KLR and got a CRF300L which is so much more nimble off-road and relatively easy to pick up. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the CRF300L Rally. I only miss the power on the highway; the bike can keep up, but there's nothing left for hills or overtaking. Mabey a two bike solution is best. I hope manufacturers will design competition for the T7 also, but weigh 50-75 lbs less and have a lower centre of gravity. I wonder what the Aprilia Tuareg and Norden 901 are like to pick up and look forward to your reviews.
I didn't have issues overtaking on my Kawasaki Z250, so I'm not sure what are you talking about. I also look into buying either 300L Rally or Versys 300, they're more than enough to travel within speed limits and MUCH less of a hustle off-road because of their weight.
As a beginner I tried a lot of different bikes in the driving school. I can 100% confirm what u said about the engine.. On the MT07 i did not kill the engine once.. happend a lot on the BMWs or Hondas i tried before. It just feels powerful in every condition and very easy to control.. also it sounds great. CP2 is an absolute Masterpiece.. Plus i talked to a mechanic who said that these engines are also very easy to maintain and they last forever.
Thanks Ian; your reviews are of the best quality. Maybe Yam put the exhaust low so that luggage can be more easily accommodated. I ride a KTM - when I took the Yam out, I was surprised by how dead and gutless the engine felt. This bike would never serve as my only bike as the performance is disappointing. I don't need massive power, the KTM's 105 hp is plenty.
Cheers Ian. Great review as always. I'm thinking about one of these to do a big trip on. This wouldn't put me off but some good things to think about - and add suspension costs to budget. Nice one. 👍🏻
Great honest review. I got rid of my 2016 Africa Twin for being top heavy. Very similar to the T7 in many ways. Great bikes until you drop them and struggle getting them back up
Thanks, this is the best review of this bike that I've seen. I don't own one but have been on an extensive test ride - and everything you said I entirely agree with (except the reliability, which I take your word for, but I obviously didn't get to test it long term). If I'm honest the biggest downside for me and the reason I don't own one was that it is a top heavy bike. I found this impacted both low speed handling and it's a real pain to lift. The KTM 890 is far superior in this regard (although I find the 890 to be really ugly and there are reliability issues). I'm still looking for a successor to my KTM 690!!
I really appreciate your honesty. Not sure if this will be my next ride. The negatives are detrimental for my style of riding. I had hoped for more...and less. Many thanks!
Im glad you mentioned the mileage range. That might be a deal breaker for me. I got spoiled with my KLRs 230 mile range stock. I actually added a 10 gallon tank so I can ride 350 miles non stop. Although the reliability and performance are still really intriguing to me. But at the same time 11k is a lot of money for me.
I own 21 t7 klr is 30 years behind except for fuel mileage it's truly awesome I love it ! He's correct on all points! Also little vibration @ speed and front wheel dances little @80 mph slice and dice off road! 👍
Don't buy a Tenere 700 without watching this first, because some random guy's opinion on the internet is of such immense importance to the point where you will base your decision on buying one around it. Of course.
Would be interesting to compare the T7 vs the 850GS vs the KTM 790/890. I know they are a price point above but they occupy the same space in the market i.e. the midsize ADV
Spot on, I've been loving it but worried about weight. Rode yesterday, great day until I was practicing tight turns on dirt roads and dropped it. I really struggled to pick her up, bloody hell! It really is way more difficult than it should be. I actually thought I might not get home.. It's the first time I told myself I can't ride alone and or I need to get rid of her. Bummer.
Hi, great review of the T 700. This level of honesty and information will send you to the top of the Adventure bike Journalists. I’m an ‘intermediate’ Adventure bike rider in Australia. I have owned a BMW R GS 1200 for 10 years……an excellent bike, more touring oriented than off road but super reliable. My only complaint with the BMW GS 1200 is that it just has ‘too much Tech’. Of course the ABS and Traction Control is standard, but all the extra ‘travel Modes’ become a distraction to just getting on the thing and riding. I think Yamaha is the first Manufacturer to wake up to the reality that many of us ‘Adventure Riders’ want to look at the awesome scenery rather that wondering ‘what that mysterious light pinging on the display’ is ! Put more simply…….”Less is more” and Yamaha ‘gets it’. This is a sure contender for my next Adventure bike. Cheers.
Ian..your bike reviews are fantastic..honest..indepth..real world..I considered a T7..after watching this it only confirms what off road riders know..WIEGHT IS NOT YOUR FRIEND.. my worst nightmare is a remote trail/fire road get off and cannot pick the bike up..your other review of the KLX300 really catches my eye..THANKX :0) keep-em coming
I was about to pull the trigger on a klr650 the new gen! Three grand more and I can get modern technology and not a design from 80s. It was a no brainer for the T-7! Can’t wait to pick it up in January!
Great honest review! I was looking hard at the Tenere 700 a couple of years ago. It is a great bike. I ended up getting a Suzuki DR650 and have modified it for adventure type travel. It does not have some of the nice features such as the Tenere, but simple and reliable. You have me curious as to what the next bike will be. Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro? Cheers!
Looks like they addressed most of the things with the new tenere by putting the tanks down the sides with built in protectors. Be keen to see if they actually move the ridiculous exhaust hanger and put some decent quality spokes on the wheels!
Thank you for this. I’m back and forth between this and a KLR 650, each with obvious strengths and weaknesses. I just got back into riding after a 25 plus year dry spell and the medium ADV/dual sport bikes are what I’m drawn to now.
18:45 Exactly. It looks cool. Bikes look good when they have larger gap between rear wheel and the seat. It makes them look like having good suspension, however as we see here, looks can be deceving. Great review, you made me think again about what to choose.
In my mind, this definitely does not deserve the legendary status it has. The bad things about it are really bad and they speak volumes of how much effort Yamaha (did not) put in making it. Looking at the adventure bike market, I've been wondering why is it so hard for companies to make a proper dual sport bike that's relatively light, well-balanced and well-engineered. Tenere has ridiculous engineering flaws and is top-heavy, Both 850 and 1250GS feel too big and too heavy for actual off-road use and filtering traffic, KLR650 is single-cylinder, ancient tech and only 5-speed transmission, etc, etc. It should not be that hard. But then again, everyone's goal these days is to min/max investment/profit so it kind of makes sense.
How right you are, time and time again BMW has shown incapable both the 850 and 1250 are off road…. And the KTM’s what terrible bikes they are as well, no evidence of them, or Honda’s Africa twin being very capable off road either. I’m so glad you’re out there exposing these corporate hoodlums for the pure marketing hype they put out. I’m hoping you’re picking up the sarcasm, however based on the intelligence put into your comment, one can only assume it’s gone well over your head…..stay fresh, cheese bag!
Enjoyed listening to your honest views on the bike, the bike has not been a huge hit for no reason and actually trying to get one is a big challenge as I've ever seen, anyhow after a bit of phone calling and running around I managed to buy a new 2022 heritage white Rally version, then was told there is a huge supply problem with parts for the Rally version, especially from Akrapovic, so I will have to wait a few weeks for everything to be delivered and fitted by the dealer, the dealer told me it's an absolute nightmare trying to get these bikes supplied, he didn't even have a demo bike, so I've bought one without ever riding one, just bought it on it's looks and reputation, now just counting down the days till the 19th when I can pick it up. Keep up the good reviews ;-)
I have one of this, and there's five things that japanese must to redesing. The tap fuel, situation of the exhaust (it bend with any, yeah any, fall at right side), the button to change screen options on the right side, passanger footpegs (i had to remove they because they touch the rear part of the boots) and the cluth cover (it touch your right foot driving standing), for all the rest, the bike is very funny.
I'm going to address your hates. Top heavy - maybe, but once riding it feels vary balanced. Fuel range - yes its too low, but it works, I carry a extra gal just in case on long trips. The reality is most of the time there is a gas fill-up within its range. Suspension - You are right, mostly. very under-sprung. I put very heavy springs in mine. The valving is good enough. Exhaust - You are correct. I put a Camel exhaust on mine. The bike is one of the best I have owned. Your review was spot on.
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Cool. The bike looks really good in these colours.
There is other adventure bikes and reviews that I have watched for the past two years and I have not heard of a perfect bike that ticks all the boxes,this bike I will surely buy,reliability is everything on a adventure tour and knowingly it's going to put a smile on my face 👌
Looking forward to how this compares to the Touareg 660, especially in the pickup test
When lifting the bike, how does it compare to the Africa Twin? Do you notice the Tenere is 100 Lbs. Than the Twin?
Excellent honest review. I agree 100%. Thank you for sharing.
Am currently designing my own lightweight adventure bike by converting a BMW F650 Dakar engine from EFI to a Mikuni flat slide or a SmartCarb, and fitting it into a modified CCM 604 frame. It’s not an easy project, but it will solve all the issues with modern bikes, and still cost less than a T700! 🧐😎😜
Ride safe.
Peace
I only wish more people were as honest as you. First class review.
Yes, one of the best on YT …
Honestly is not what the social media monster or the marketing people want... but I will keep going this way as long as I can
this guy has great reviews....I enjoy watching and I don't have an adventure bike
Great vid👍. Loved my T7 but had to sell due to an old back injury recurrence. Absolutely agree, top heavy & I was never going to be able to pick this beast up on tarmac, let alone on a wet muddy bank in the middle of nowhere!
He love BMW so all he say about other bikes is only for fun! And the lifting a mc is easy and not this shit it shown here lol and only put the bike in a gear 1 or 2 gear and be sure to put out the side stand too before any lifthing of the bike as he ofc not mention yay.
I love your reviews. The lack of nonsense, atrocious music and theatrics makes people concentrate on what you have to say and take your opinion seriously.
My T700 has done 7000km under my seat. I would remove the fuel range from above complaints, and add crappy rear brake. I have tested my T7 properly and know it can (has) done 450 km on one tank, and it would have gone to 480. How?
Background:
On my previous bike, XT660R, I crossed the Australian Outback and thought (more or less correctly) that I needed the 26L tank from Off-The-Road. Though I could never get 26 litres in that tank and the extra fuel pump and taps introduced the only unreliable components to the bike, it did extend my range. I habitually got 500+ km/ tank, but riding with a Mate on a KLR with 22 litres, his fuel range was way less and we refilled together. He seldom failed to point out to me that I must enjoy transporting fuel axross the outback, since your range is effectively no more than the mates you ride with. The cost, the weight the effort and the frequent misjudgement due to complicated taps and pumps caused me a few embarrassing flame-outs. When I bough the T7, with a 16L tank, (660 has a 15L stock) I expected I would have to ad a fuel tank, but I decided to properly test it first. (I now live in Africa - Adventure Land🤩)
Test Results:
👉Riding like a lunatic 140km/h into a headwind, the worst I got thus far was 18.5 km/l = 296km/tank. In Africa where I now reside, its hard to find fuel pumps further apart than that.
👉At 130 km/h on the clock, (120 on GPS), I was unable to get less than 21km/l. That gives 336 km per tank.
👉On an experimental (deliberate test) at 110 km/h with no wind, I went on reserve (blinking started) at 349.2 km. I refilled shortly after, at 354 taking 11.8 litres. That's exactly 30km/l, better than the frequent 27km/l or the usual 25km/l. (This is when I ride alone. Riding in a group take more fuel)
👉I'm convinced that in a pinch (if you know the next pump is way far, or you don't know if they will have fuel) you can maintain 100 km/h and expect 400 km per tank. The trip computer will indicate the "litres/100km" and it works like this:
👉Next pump distance is 500km? Keep the L/100 below 3.2. How? Reduce speed. At 80 km/h, it will stay at 3 L/100. Yea, 80 sucks, but is beats pushing!
👉Next pump distance is 400km? Keep the L/100 below 4.0. How? Manage your speed, around 120 on the clock will do it.
👉Next pump distance is 300km? Keep the L/100 below 5.3. Easy, but there is a catch!
👉The trip computer on my bike is pessimistic. When it reads 6.1l/100 km, I expected 16.3 km/L and a fuel range of 262. But at the pump, I calculated 5L/100km. So... its quite pessimistic.
👉Also, the reserve starts to blink with more than 4 litres remaining in the tank, reducing the actual worry free fuel range unnecessarily.
My conclusion is that I do not need an extra fuel tank, as I have a good idea what can be done and how to do it. But there are factors that affect the expected range, and you should keep these in mind and you should do your own test:
👉Paniers will reduce your range. (On my GS, it reduce range with around 2km/l)
👉Larger screens and yes, crash bars, lights and bulky luggage (or a fat woman is to be avoided 🤣)
👉I rode with the Pirelli's the bike came with. Knobblies will affect the fuel consumption negatively, and road tires positively.
👉Tire and pear pressure: If your mates go fast, so will you. But they will run out of fuel with you 😜
👉We discovered that headwinds cannot be avoided and have a huge impact on consumption, especially on bigger bikes like a GS1250.
On a normal ride, averaging 130/140 km/h I fully expect 300 km per tank, which is ample. If I need 400km, I reduce speed till the consumption comes down to 4L/100=25. (25*16=400km)
I rode with a friend, he was on a GS1250. His fuel tank is 20litre, we had very similar fuel range, as he almost never got 20km/l. It was quite windy going west the first few days, with less wind coming east. I tested the top speed also, but will post a video on that topic.
My T7 honeymoon has just begun. My friend with his GS conceded that the T7 sounds better, is better priced, is fast enough, way more fun - especially on gravel roads, much lighter on fuel. He has not conceded, but obviously, the T7 is also sexier 😍and got more attention from just about everybody under 60!!
Thanks for sharing. Very valuable info here
@@BigRockMoto WOW! I'm getting a response from the man himself!! You really are the best reviewer on the www. I respect that!
Bring the fat woman and leave the rest, she could push lol
excellent information. thanks for going to the trouble and detail in your comment.
Very nice comment. Very much mirrors my experience a little over a year in.
If youre 6' or taller, the "omg its so top heavy" thing is more like "aaaahhh this is perfect".
I agree
I'm 5' 10. I went back to the dr650.
I can’t wait 😭 every bike I’ve had has been so small
I thought as much, the xt660x was perfect for me too.
I am 5'10". I am staying with the T7.
Like any other bike, its takes a little getting used to.
Your review is spot on. Having owned the T7 for 2 years and done 22000km on it with no issues. The T7 has been a top seller in Australia and as you said, its not perfect but its flaws are few.
Was it bought in Canberra ?
It would be a best seller if it were available in other parts of the world too. Trouble is the Japanese plant is unable to keep up with demand while its plant in France has and still does. I think Yamaha has short sold the bike in North America especially Canada where I reside. Dealers have been taking deposits for the 22 model year knowing that there is no way any more 22's will be delivered. Unscrupulous really. Those putting down deposits now may not even receive a 23 model. Meanwhile Yahama produces other model bikes dealers can't get rid of. The 890's and Norden 901 are being delivered to dealers and these are for some 2nd choices due to reliability of KTM or Husky to provide sufficient wide spread options for parts and service. It's yet to be seen just how the Norden will present itself after all the free airfare, meals and lodging to TH-camrs and "influencers" hype has died down and some start putting some serious miles on the bike.
@@bcinspectorman There is the new 2023 model with double gas tank and it's more expensive.
Great review and I agree 100%. These are areas I have made changes to my T7. (And still more work to do)
So far I have
1. High exhaust
2. 48mm SSS KYB forks and tractive rear shock
3. Reduced weight as much as possible (Dry weight 187kg or 412lbs)
4. Acerbis 22ltr tank.
wow. amazing build
Could I ask what you've done to reduce weight aside from the other mods you mentioned?
How did you slim it down?
@@DanielHelc most of the weight savings are in the YZ front end and the titanium exhaust, YZ front wheel, single disc, smaller rear rim, tail tidy, rear foot pegs, bypassing ABS, acerbic tank and a few other things like 520 chain, smaller rear sprocket etc. it all adds up. Next on the list is front light. There is a lad who has manufactured a custom tank, which is less weight and sits much lower. This is not for everyone, but I like to tinker and have the tools/skills to do it.
@@rivercarson5763 comment below mate.
The pickup test is what really makes for an honest review….nobody else does that important bit!
Yeah but once he actually used the proper technique it popped right up…
@@Mephiston21 "proper"? Check out Clinton Smout picking up a 570 lb Tenere using the handlebar technique. th-cam.com/video/L5pmEVIPl78/w-d-xo.html
A bit over the top really and not very instructional. Had he used the handlebar technique with the front wheel pointing up and locked he would have had the bike up in a few seconds even on loose gravel. When you put your butt against the seat and push upwards you also put enough force to push the bike sideways, away from you in loose gravel. Another way...th-cam.com/video/L5pmEVIPl78/w-d-xo.html
he seems like he needs to lift weights more often, it's really not that hard to pick up
That's the reason this 79 yr old never bought a Harley.
On point review! So clear, concise, articulate and genuine. This absolutely sets the standard for an ownership review and I wish you all success so you can keep every bike you make content with in the future 😁
This is a fair assessment. I own the bike and I will tell everyone the exact same things. That said, I see a lot of people going for the larger fuel tank which just makes the bike more top heavy. I would totally avoid doing that and go for another option. The exhaust is fixable. Just take it to a custom exhaust shop and properly rout it. You can even use the stock can. Loads of owners are doing it. When it comes to the suspension, again, in the very least get the bike resprung, or take it to a specialist - or better yet - get legit kit suspension. I see people in groups all the time overloading that bike with stock suspension and it's just pure cringe. There's no point in putting money into your luggage system and mounds of trash if you can't in the very least swap out the springs. The bike dives like a kamikaze under hard braking as it is, let alone radically overloaded with overweight rider and luggage. It's in no way safe.
I would also add that the bike NEEDS steel braided brake lines front and back. The rear brake is SOFT. The stock seat is trash. I opted for the Sargent seat. It's pretty awesome. Handguards - also rubbish. Thank goodness the T7 comes in around $10,000.00. It doesn't break the bank and leaves money in your wallet to refine the bike to your liking. It's an absolute keeper.
Great info. Thanks.
Hi Mike , Do you think the bigger acerbis tank add top heavy weight ? The plastic tank is lighter than the metal one
Ian is clearly delivering hands down, the best bike reviews on TH-cam. I always learn something here!
Thanks.
with all the short comings of the T7, i'll take it before the 890r....reliability is priceless
Another KTM hater that can't afford one so you have justify the purchase , good for you and i well be out front of you on my 890rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Agree
As a T7 owner I can say this is a spot on review. This is an awesome bike! I did however have to put on a heavier back spring which is relatively cheap. Otherwise the suspension is pretty decent for how most people ride.
My biggest complaint is how hard this bike is to get up. I like to ride solo and I don’t have much problem getting it up off of a hard surface but in off-road conditions where u are dealing with sand, or mud, or ruts….it has taken every ounce of my strength and sometimes some maneuvering to get the bike back up. U really need to ride with a buddy or have some kind of portable aid (which there are such things) to help get the bike up. I have had to ride more conservative during some trips just because I got so exhausted from picking the bike up….and that’s no fun!
While I would really like to own a Yamaha T7, (if I can ever find a new one), now, I'm an informed buyer with an understanding of the compromises I'll be accepting and additional expenses/investments to plan in order to meet my expectations. What better advice can you get than from an honest, articulate, experienced T7 owner?!! That said, I'm really looking forward to Ian's reviews of the Husky Norden 901!
Get an xt 250 then
Go to the gym
@@cristy20076 …How about ‘back problems’ that “a gym” won’t FIX?
@@m118lr in that case i would go for a crf300 :)
I just sold mine due to the weight and how top heavy it is. As a new off-road rider, I found the top-heavy weight combined with the height of the bike not really confidence inspiring. I'm excited though as I believe other manufactures will finally start making lighter weight adventure bikes given the success of the T7. Maybe I'll pick up a KLX 300 to learn on this summer. I'm excited to see the KTM 490 as I think that'll be the ideal. Anyway, ride safe all.
I deliberately did not watch other TH-cam reviews of the T7 because I was waiting for yours. You put your own money into the bikes that you review and talk about the riding and ownership experiences, whereas most journos just discuss the former. Anyway your review was worth the wait - well done 👍
thanks!
Thank you so much for making a good old school review video and not under cutting it with memes throughout the entire video. I cannot watch normal youtube videos anymore. Even quality people are using memes for almost every third sentence.
You are not, you present the information calmly and with no brain distractions like it seems that the newer generation needs by now or they cannot stay focused.
Great honest review of the T7. Keep up the work you're doing. Thank you.
Never can’t have a 100% perfect bike. Always a trade offs. Just leave T7 as it is. To me, it’s perfectly balanced with $. More “things” More $$$.
Yup, if you want more features just buy the KTM or bmw. If you want simple and reliable and affordable. Get the Yamaha.
❤
The Yamaha must have the upgraded KYB suspension or aftermarket equivalent and then the bikes perfect
I was really thinking of seriously purchasing this bike but after hearing the bad suspension and the top heavy I'm definitely not purchasing it
tenere 700 is a machine that will make you sad due to its weight in heavy terrain that requires experience and some physical features, but will make you happy on mixed nature roads and asphalt. I knocked over the fender as a result of excessive mud accumulation, the front wheel was locked, it is not easy to lift, the nature of this job is to fall, the only negative aspect for me is +50 kg excess, apart from that, I love it so much I have to put it in the living room of the room and watch 🤚🤚 safe driving for everyone
Absolutely the best review done on the internet about this bike. I have become a huge fan of your channel as it better matches the spirit of riding that I am seeking.
I've had my T7 for over a year and half and absolutely love it. At 6'2", 205 lbs, the bike feels it was made for me. This summer I replaced the rear spring with a 200 nm one and I'm waiting on your next video to figure out what I do with the diving front end! As a very average Adv rider I don't find the top heavy nature of the bike at all a problem. For me the bike is so nimble it amazes me every time I ride it. But I know it is a problem, I guess, because it comes up all the time on TH-cam! The few times I have tipped it over I have been able to pick it up (61 yrs old, average strength). Not easy, but not really worth worry about for I rarely dump the bike. I do worry about the exhaust, but not being an aggressive off road rider so far so good. Although I might cough up the money for the Camel Adv exhaust at some point. I just added a Kaoko throttle lock as the last time I rode up the Alaska Highway I got tendonitis.
On a fun note I wanted to see how far I could ride my bike, so filled it up to the brim and went 80 km/h up and down a section of the Alaska Highway. When I made it home the bike was still running and I had gone 520 km!!!! Of course going that slow one needs to listen to audio books or you'll go crazy.
Looking forward to your video on the suspension and how to dial it in. Mine is pretty much a mess from my various attempts at adjusting it..
the front end fix is springs too. coming soon
Pretty fair and accurate review Ian. I love my T7 - best bike I have owned and perfect compromise for dirt touring and harder tracks. I suspect you will miss it a lot once its gone.
I miss it already
Thanks for doing this. This is a beautiful bike but the top heavy nature, would rule it out for me because I am so short at 5'4" and I'm 67 years old. The range of this bike would drive me crazy. I have a Himalayan and I have almost the same capacity. I think your insights would be very valuable to anyone considering buying one of these.
You might enjoy this feature length Film on what it is like to ride a motorcycle around Australia. th-cam.com/video/ep0gmY1d85s/w-d-xo.html
@@MysticBarefoot Thanks for the link.
Come off to the Himalayas with your Himalayan 😁
@@RidingRootsAdventure I would love to. I think that I would buy or rent on India. Shipping the bike back and forth would cut a big hole in my travel budget.
Thanks for no midroll ads, I let opening and
closing ads run, in support of content creators,
I just close out anything that comes with midrolls.
Another great video, Ian. Cheers.
I rode my CRF300L Rally 5000 miles in September 2021 with a friend on his T7. We did the MABDR and NEBDR plus lots of pavement. Our fuel ranges with the stock tanks were identical.
Which bike felt better suited to the conditions in those BDRs? My suspicion is that the CRF300L Rally was much less stressful in the dirt.
@@SWTrailsAndWheels i suppose there's a lot to say for personal preference. I loved the CRF on the BDRs, and my friend was very happy with the T7.
To really answer your question, there were some places (mainly muddy spots) we had to back out of because the T7 was too much to handle.
good info thanks
@@SWTrailsAndWheels my buddy has a crf300 and I have the t7 and I’d say the crf is WAY easier off road to handle.
@@texasdirtbikerider3335 I admit my dream bike is the CRF300L Rally. I’ll have to do some suspension surgery Day1 though but I love the platform.
Easily one of the best Bike channels on TH-cam. Informative, objective, I could go on and on.
I rode it last year in a test ride and loved it more than the v-strom 1050, but $19500 they are charging now in Australia is ridiculous. I decided to keep my 2015 v-strom xt for more a few years. At the time the prices were $17500 for the t7 and $15900 for the v-strom 1050 standard.
They launched in Aus for $14000, huge price hike from launch price but they are still a top seller
Great review. With a 29" inseam, the first spec I go to is saddle height, the second is engine size, the third is fuel capacity. You mentioned them all thanks.
And this was what I was waiting for. Ian always does an excellent deep dive in whatever bike He gets. The T7 was going to be my next bike, but I am honestly undecided at this point. Thank you, Ian!
Why? Every bike has some flaws, here you at least know about the most crucial ones and basically majority of them are quite easy to fix (except top heavy issue).
I know, now I'm starting to reconsider as well. 🤯
One of the reasons I’m reconsidering it is because I can’t find one anywhere….
@@603mike
Crazy times! ("more civility", or whatever was imagined, comes at a cost some were happy for others to pay)
And yet, someone somewhere is looking for a buyer.
Hi, it is exactly my case. This is THE bike I wanted to buy to replace my grandma, my Africa twin 1991... The main issue to me, the real one, is the exhaust thing. Looking at the Husqvarna Norden 901, but I am not really convinced. Still considering the T700...
I have my T7, since Feb 2020, my 18th or 19th bike in the 46 years since I got my full license (rode around on my older brothers' bikes before that). I pretty much concur with every pro and con you outlined.
The engine is the star of the show. The chief mechanic at a Yamaha dealer in Madrid where I live told me they had never had a single bike with the CP2 engine in their workshop with any sort of mechanical issue since the MT07 went on sale all those years back. My T7 is bog standard, as have been most of my bikes, no accesories and no more than tie on soft luggage ever. I often say I will never need to buy another bike but at 64 I may have to think about a lower, less top heavy bike in the future. Keeping this bike for as long as I can keep riding and then giving it to a loved one is what the T7 deserves. As fantastic a machine as is your review and your channel.
Nailed it. I love my Tenere 700, it is a fantastic bike on and offroad (I am in the lightweight bracket, so other than the massive fork dive under braking the suspension is great for me)
However. The top heaviness, and the fear of not being able to lift it (I ride solo offroad) are taking the excitement out of the ride, as I know I will struggle to lift it , if I even can. It means I am riding it more tentatively than I even should, which at times makes it harder work offroad than if I was on the throttle.
I keep thinking I should sell it, then I go out and have such a blast on it that I can't bring myself to.
Spot on review. Well said.
thanks
For the lift-off the ground, I,m wondering if a Sling with 2 hooks, that the rider would pass over his shoulder would make a difference, just wondering
@@jelau4851 I bought a motowinch from Eastbound, which is supposed to make it easy to lift a bike, but it still bothers me (I have a damaged shoulder, so I'm sort of limited I suppose)
Well there's reasons I prefer to go with a riding buddy. I can have more fun riding "closer to the edge". There's a competitive aspect of pushing each other to go at it a little harder and further. And of course someone to help each other out of a jam which we inevitably get ourselves into.
@@elgringoec That's great that you have someone around that rides. Not everyone is in that position though.
Nice video, and thanks for your honest point of view.
I'm also a T7 owner, to give some context it's my first bike, I'm a beginner (I got m7 T7 2 months after my driving license exham) and I did almost 12.000 Km on it.
I understand your critics about being a top heavy bike, but honestly I don't see how this could be a big issue.
Maybe it's because I'm a big guy (193 cm tall and 100 Kg) but when I ride the T7 I feel like I'm riding a bycicle in terms of agility and ease of movement.
You're not the first one I read or saw talking about how hard is to pick this bike from the ground, well I picked it only once but for me it was a piece of cake (I'm not a body builder 😅), I simply grabbed the handlebar with one hand, and the rear passenger handle (I installed the OEM rear rack frame, but there are also a lot of lighter options for rear handles) with the other one and picked up the bike with no problems.
Only after I picked up the bike I thought "Wait a sec... what about all those guys complaining about picking up the bike?!?" 😂
Regarding the fuel tank I'm sure you have more experience than me but honestly I can't think of a trip so long and without any gas station in 350 Km range, maybe some remote place in Mongolia or in some desert in the middle of Asia.
As many adventure traveller (and also you) reported a simple external fuel tank solves this really remote problem, and honestly if you're doing a long trip around the world 5 liters of fuel is not a big weight issue; personally I prefer to choose to travel light (with "only" 16 liters of fuel) or heavy (adding a tank with 5 more liters), instead of always travel heavy with 23 or more liters if fuel (ok, you can choose to not fill the tank completely but we know that everybody fills it up completely).
On suspensions I don't have enough experience to judge how good are the T7 suspensions and I haven't tried other bikes of this type to feel the difference.
For the muffler attachment you're right, it's not the best solution, but it's also quite rare to get an hard hit on it, for now the only video that I saw with a big hit the muffler was a crazy guy using the T7 as a motocross bike at crazy speed around trees.
This last two examples make me think one important aspect about this bike.
Ok it's a fantastic adventure bike on the dirt, way better for the average pilot than all the others, it makes offroad so easy even if you know nothing about offroad (I did myself and I never, ever though I would be capable to do offroad riding)... but it's still ad adventure bike, not a motocross bike.
Maybe it's the best adventure bike on the dirt, but it would never be as good as a light motocross bike, so imho there's no point in consider those things as a defect.
Like every other tool (because the bike is a tool, the objective is always travel, riding, explore) it's a compromise, maybe the T7 is the best compromise available on the market today, but it's still a compromise.
My 2 cents :)
Вие сте направили, възможно най-добрият анализ. 👏👏👏👍
Excellent, excellent video. Very good, honest information. I like the Tenere very much, but I am happy that I decided for the KTM 890 Adventure R, especially regarding the handling of the bike and the suspension. No problems in 12.000 km so far. Hope it stays this way, reliability is not the strongest point of the KTM bikes, together with the high maintainance costs. Again thank you very much for the video, ride safe and keep up your brilliant work. Greetings from Germany !
The 890R blows away the T7 in every measure of performance and handling. If it's reliable for you, then keep it and enjoy it
Thank you so much for your great reporting! I have watched hours of content surrounding Yamaha Tenere 700. And I am excited to say my local Yamaha dealer called me last week and told me that after months of waiting my 2024 T7 is scheduled to land at the end of September! I can’t wait to throw a leg over it and try it out myselfll!! BDR - here I come!! Kudos for the great reporting keep it up.
To late bought my T700 10 months ago, I do not regret my purchase.
Spot on, honest review. As much as I love this bike, there's no perfect bike. For how I use it, I've learned to live with those 4 cons you listed. But I completely understand that these may be deal breakers for some. For reference, I've come from countless dual sports over the past 30 years and several ADV bikes over the past 10 years (1100GS, 2 KLRs, 800GS). I'm 5'11" and 215 pounds, riding mostly in AZ.
As a T7 owner, here's how I've combatted the 4 cons in this video.
1. Top Heavy: I haven't had an issue with this. I ride solo, and have had to pick it up several times on one trip with no issues. I do use the handlebar leverage lift though, which I believe is a much more efficient than the stand with your back to the bike squat lift. Turn your wheel to the outside of the fall, now your inside handlebar is sticking out like a leverage arm to lift from.
2. Fuel Range: I get roughly (after tuning) 48mpg. My range is about 180-200 miles. I use the Tusk Excursions and ended up getting the two fuel bottle holders on the bottom of the bags to carry an additional 3 liters of fuel (approx. 36 additional miles). This solution also carries the extra fuel down low as well.
3. Suspension: This one's all about personal riding style. I ride 50/50 and light enduro style off-road. Simply getting the proper springs and adjusting sag first, then all the dampening correctly has made the suspension far better than stock.
4. Exhaust Hanger: This one is really picky. I've dropped it 3-4 times on the right side so far with no damage or bend whatsoever. I do wish the bracket was bolted, not welded. I do think the Camel solution is a great addition (which I plan on doing some day). I do like that it's out of the way of the rackless bags though, no need to heat shield on my application.
thanks. great feedback!
If you don't mind me asking - what do you mean by the "Camel solution"?
Thanks!
@@TADAMS-zt4zz google Camel ADV exhaust for T7. It’s a high mount option that clears the swingarm better.
This is such an important review for us all. Presentation, facts, research, logic, thoroughness and candidness. What more could motorcyclists ask for? Ian is the master of motorcycle reviews (IMO)! I'm excited about the 2022 Yamaha T7 World Raid model. Will just have to wait for it to come to the US.
I soon sold my Tenere I’ve have a bad left knee and my lower back isn’t great so you need to have good fitness to ride this bike you have any knee or back issues this bike can be hard work and just moving it about soon gets tedious and it’s so top heavy and if you lean it more than 10 degrees it’s going over.
And also if your going to do any serious off-roading I would stick with the stock exhaust also the frame is one piece so if you damage that exhaust you can also bend your frame which can be a mot failure in the UK.
My Honda Dominator has a bolted on rear frame so if you bend it you can easily replace it and my rear exhausts are tucked in and with a few upgrades it’s just as capable as the Ten and it’s twenty years old .
Having far more fun on my CRF300 l with upgraded front spring rear shock , Renthal bars and Acerbis plastic belly plate and handguards .
Light , easy to move around and easy to pickup .
😁🇬🇧👍
The Japanese motorcycle industry has been supplying under sprung and under damped for decades in my experience. As you said , it would not cost the manufacturers much at all to correct this. The top heavy feeling was evident on my Tiger 800XCx 2015, but really was not an issue once I was under way. During my 5 years of ownership I dropped it only twice. Having luggage fitted helped getting the wheels to engage the ground and stop slipping sideways on gravel surfaces. Having a rear subframe unit connected to a lever arm ( Triumph's rear pillion pegs/ Yamaha the low slung muffler) can cause frame failure. It took Triumph 10 years to address this.
Thanks for the info
A very fair and accurate review. I think the pluses and minuses of this bike have become pretty clear to most by now. My 4 gripes with mine in order: 1. The exhaust/routing/mounting. 2. The stock Pirellis 3. The suspension (mine @ 5.5K miles gets new springs any day now) 4. The stock footpegs (puny, narrow) I lowered mine because even at 5"10" I have short legs. I put in rear lowering links and dropped the clamps 1 cm on the tubes. This lowered the overall aspect of the bike slightly. As far as the lifting challenges, I specifically selected my tail rack and engine case (lower) crash bars because they provide excellent lift points. Thanks for yet another great review!
great points. thanks for watching
Which tail rack and engine case did you select? Thx.
@@BigRockMoto I think the Bottom line is the T7 really caters to and is best for people 6' ft and over for better confidence and handling
I greatly appreciate you for this.
I'm in MMI right now and was really digging the Tenere 700 for the future. Nice to see I should definitely wait a few years for the kinks get worked out.
I hear you and I respect your opinion. I appreciate the last segment of your video, thanks for all your time.
Let me share my experience with this bike which I have owned for nearly two years and put more than 20000km on in very different conditions including snow in the North-East as opposed to your South-West :).
Yes, the bike is top heavy and yes I had to pull it up a number of times - maybe about 12 so far, mostly due to stupid mistakes like stalling on a tight turn. And yes at times it has been painful, not helped by my not being that strong to start with. My lifting method works well, though and I never had to remove the luggage:
As always, make sure the bike is in gear and extend the side stand if possible;
Turn the handlebar so that the front of the wheel is up;
Crouch next to the low handle;
Pull up that handle using the legs and not the back.
Done.
That said, yes it is heavy, not helped by all the crash bars, bash plate, luggage rack and luggage etc. I put on it.
The fuel range. Yes it can go down to about 40 miles per gallon on hard terrain or going 130km/h on the highway, but on backroads at normal travel speeds I get upwards of 55 mpg. At 45 / 50 mph in 6th gear I can reach 68mpg average, measured by yours truly.
Then I just always have two 1.5L bottles of spare gasoline that are my actual reserve.
I disagree with the suspension segment. You do have a preload adjustment knob to adjust the sag for the weight you are carrying, and although it does not change the spring rate it does allow you to adjust your sag for when you carry a pillion, luggage or whatever. This is something I adjust systematically: I know how many clicks I need for carrying my wife, I know how many clicks for my camping gear and I know how many for commuting with it.
As for the change in rake and trail while braking, yes, any long-travel passive suspension motorcycle will exhibit the phenomenon. To me the tradeoff is totally worth it.
I guess the problem is "...when you are riding more aggressively on the street".
I agree with the concern about the exhaust bracket welded to the subframe.
The advantage of the low exhaust is it allows you to not cook your luggage.
One problem you didn't mention is the seat. I did a few nine hours days (of riding, not including pauses etc.) and this is punishing on the stock seat.
People tell me the rally seat is better, but it is also taller and I want to be reasonably comfortable reaching the ground every day.
I did add a cheap cushion on the seat and that solved the problem for me.
Be well and keep the rubber side down.
Patrick
Yes i have bottomed out the suspension on the t7 several times riding trails, but i still love this bike, mine has the tall seat option and taller Pro taper adv bars and this bike fit me better than anything ive been on(im 6'4 200lbs). This bike isnt the fastest thing but it makes all the power you could need on dirt and it sounds amazing with an aftermarket exhaust.
Nice video. I recently tried a friend’s 790 Adventure and I loved the stability and feel that the fuel tank designs gives to that bike. The lower center of gravity make it feel like it’s imposible to take it down and the bike wants to be always upright. And even if i didn’t drop it. It seems that the side tank also function as a good crash protector , and gives you a lot of range.
I don’t know why other brands don’t steal that ktm idea. Even as an optional upgrade for their bikes. I think it’s really a good engineering and design solution for safety and handling of this kind of bikes.
All the weight down low was a hallmark of KTM with the 9x0A; with a pivot point down by the feet it rides like a 1L dirtbike, moreso than the SE.
Thanks for a great review. The only thing I don't like about the Tenere 700 is the fuel economy/range. 150 mile range is crap. The old KTM 640 Adventure could go 300 miles.
The 'Top Heavy' hate is the only legitimate concern. I'm 34, in great shape, and can muscle it up. I work at a ADV bike shop. It's till my first choice. It's the only bike I own. It's great. But that's me.
One of our regulars just sold his, because he couldn't deal with the top heavy aspect. The hangar is fixable. The range is deal-withable. The suspension is respringable and revalvable. Cannot fix the top heavyness.
Excellent review Ian. You are absolutely spot on. I have this bike and my biggest challenge (for someone with a 29” inseam) is the height, which a lowered seat etc has helped with, however the top heavy weight is tough, especially on a full tank. It impacts the balance as well as
making it much harder to lift.
How about a Tuareg next, or maybe a Desert X? Obviously much more expensive though….. Thanks.
I'll probably end up with a Tuareg
I wish the seat was higher!
@@TheFoxyt2 Tried the rally seat? It adds extra height.
@@BigRockMoto Thanks for the vid. The Tuareg doesn't have the dealer support network, and is 'hard to buy' for many of us. But, the Norden, how about a full review of that? (I know its similar to the KTM 890, but Husky has put its own stamp on the design and execution IMO)
Sold my T7: I agree with all your likes!
1. Top Heavy
2. Computer/gauge is worthless
3. standing on this bike, no sweet spot
4. Seat is worthless
5. Needs a bigger gas tank
6. You have to upgrade everything for adventuring, and the cheap stuff is super heavy and makes the T7 a pig.
7. Could use more suspension for heavier riders.
8. My brakes were weak.
9. I paid 11K$ plus 2k for light weight racks, skid plate, taller windscreen, bark guards, heated grips etc
10. Motor is amazing!
11. Looks Good
This sounds like a list of specific "you" problems.
The only upgrades you need is barkbusters and a pair of replacement fairings which are fairly cheap. (250,- eu) Mine is at 200kg. So it is far from a pig. it's a light bike for me, I came from an Africa Twin.
The seat is the best i've ever ridden on. Even after 2 hours I have 0 fatigue.
The 16L tank is more than enough, I can easily get 300km out of it, and you can adjust the sprocket to get 50km more out of it. That's crazy mileage
The Brakes are designed for offroad, they're not meant to be supersport brakes, they do their job more than enough.
Minimalistic and no electronics is what the bike is all about, the gauge shows everything you'd ever need. I don't see how it's worthless
Spot on as usual! I’m surprised that so few reviews don’t talk about the top heaviness of the T7 which is such a major thing. Which made me change from a T7 to a 890 adv r.
Many people made that move
Have you found the 890 easier to pick up? The weight differential is the primary reason I am considering a T7, largely as I get tired of picking my 800GSA up out of the sand.
@@MotoSaunter yes it’s a big difference for me. I could hardly pic the T7 up by myself which made me worried when I was riding it off road by myself. The 890 is much to pick up. It doesn’t fall flat on the ground like the T7.
Didn’t think about the exhaust issue. That’s a good call out. On the suspension every Japanese bike I’ve ever owned needed suspension springs / revalving out of the box so that is just something I plan on with every bike.
Not only japs. All bikes have completely fucked stock suspension setup
Even legendary ktm950🤷
Why is that is worlds biggest mystery
It is certainly a step up from the KLR. It is a shame it doesn't have cross-spoke wheels. Top-heavy + welded-on exhaust bracket = deal-breaker.
Great video, great channel.
I hope for exhaust as on old Yamaha's
Your deal-breaker is something that can be solved with (arguably) the best pannier racks for the T7, and an exhaust swap? Sucks to be you.
@@HRRRRRDRRRRR Still top-heavy, Frank.
thankyou! this spells it out for me and I will still get this bike. Understanding the weaknesses makes me feel more confident in what I need it for.
Very detailed and honest review. I remember truly wanting to buy one. With none available, however, I have been watching long term reviews, and for me, the hype has faded. The top heavy comments alone were enough. I really do not want to be dropping a #450 bike that's more of a challenge to lift than a #525 bike when the point of a lower weight ADV (To me) is to take it off road and not have to lift all the extra weight! - Frank
From another “old man riding”. I was thinking the T7 (#450) might be an easier bike to ADV ride (and pick up) compared to my ‘13, 1200 GS (#525). Perhaps not🤔. I really love the GS and I think this reinforces why.😁
@@svenhodaka9145 The T7 is harder to lift than your 1200
@@svenhodaka9145 I’m 29 years old, 6’ and 220lbs and I’ve only dropped it one time off road but I hope it never happens again because it was a mf to pick up!
@@texasdirtbikerider3335 yikes, I’ll save my back. When my GS does a dirt nap and it’s never laying flat which helps a lot getting it up again.
@@texasdirtbikerider3335 thanks for the warning. 53 next riding season and wanting fun, not pain in the forests of Ontario. CRF300L Rally for me I guess.
I bought i new T7 today! Going to pick it up in 3 days! I had a demo ride with the bike and fell in love right away! 😍
Finally a review that explains how top heavy this thing is! After riding enduro bikes for ages, I hated how top heavy it felt!
I love how you breakdown the time stamps of the love hate. Excellent touch.
Fantastic job, very smart review. I've cycled through alot of adventure bikes over the years because of spec's and bubbly positive reviews. Thank you for keeping it real.
very nice video.
including :
16:54 2:51 3:54 how the dashboard look when we riding it
11:01 the reality of owning it
7:25 17:07 side profile of it
Great review. The thing I hope for, is that the success of this bike will indicate to other manufacturers what it is people want; eg simplicity, reliability, and all round capability with a reasonable price tag. I'd think that if someone like say KTM stopped changing the bikes so much (which would benefit cost and reliability) and then simplified it (electronics), then maybe they'd have a competitor?
It would be interesting to see how Yamaha evolves this platform going forward.
Never stop innovate. KTM are rushing the production.
@@fcalin21 of course, innovation is key.
I think what Yamaha did was very innovative, despite it being a simpler bike than the 890. unfortunately innovations in chassis or simplicity doesn't market as well as fancy gadgets and electronics...
@@genomedia44 If this motorcycle would have been made 15 years ago would have been revolutionary ? No. The conclusion is that the manufacturers are lazy.
@@genomedia44 What is inovative ??? Tenere has a high center of mass and it is heavy. It would have been normal , not great, 15 years ago.
well said
As always great review Ian , and agree this bike needs to be challenged by the top motorcycle manufacturers as this is where a big portion of the market is at. And yes cost, reliability and simplicity does make this bike a winner👍
One of the best reviews ever! Talked about the bike tipping over and actually demonstrated how the bike looks on the ground! Amazing!
The best review I have ever heard. I’ve been motorcycle riding for over 40 years. The best part of the review was it made me think about how to select a new bike based on so many more considerations that were discussed. Thank you
Ian, a great honest review.. I had a T7 and had it lowered 50mm as I'm only 5ft 9in or 174cm. Agreed with everything thing you said.. so I sold it and bought a bike with a seat height of 710mm fuel range of 400 to 450klms and heaps of power. A very low centre of gravity even though it's heavier..and thus very confident to move it around..
Ohh yeah, it's a 117 Harley Low Rider S.
Big smiles every ride on my new adventure bike.!!!
Great review. I too like the T7’s styling. I guess the paradox is that its look is at least partially responsible for one of the four weaknesses you identified - its top heaviness.
Saving up more moolah for KTM890 over T7 myself. There will be something to help improve the engine sound later. Thanks much Ian!
Fair honest take, Ian. 20 yrs from now these will be as ubiquitous & reputable with the same global cult following as the KLR’s. And I’m willing to bet, just like the KLR, they’ll change very little in that time. Just a solid dependable money maker for Yamaha.
I always say that a 450-500cc bike is plenty enough of power, the bike is much lighter, it has a much longer range, MUCH less expensive, much cheaper maintenance costs!
The range of this bike is just crazy, excluding the reserve you only have ~13 usable liters for this mammoth monster which equals to 200-220 km/s range LOL LOL LOL
But there is the new model with double gas tank and it's more expensive, it still has that silly muffler mounted rally style tough.
I guess the Japanese test the rally bikes on the roads around Beijing LOL
Great review and absolutely on point.
I have the exact same bike. First thing I did was the suspension, fuel range sucks.
I don't find it top heavy but I get some may.
We are in New Zealand and I can't think of a better all-round ADV bike.
Love it
In my experience, suspension set up is a must on every bike I have ever owned
After getting a preorder and putting 2500 miles on it, I agree with everything you just said. I realize they're almost a one off, but I thought the Rally Raid-ed CB500X was better than the T7 in every way, except the engine. I put 15000 miles on one of those. I sold the T7 to pick up a CRF450RL, and after a Nomad 20L tank and other upgrades, I'm so much happier with my decision. Also - been watching your channel for a couple years now. Glad to see you're getting serious traction and expanding.
Thanks
Excellent review! T7 owner here, I’m new to adventure bikes so the weight and where it sits does bug me, I also replaced the exhaust with the Hp corse high exhaust which sits where the stock one should have been placed from the start. It made me happy to hear that if it wasn’t for needing to sell and use new bikes to review that you would keep it. It is an amazing bike and I look forward to getting to know it well over the years
I love my 2021 T7 so far. Great review.
I did a review myself and there is a couple of small things you didn’t mention, mainly more relevant for wetter countries, corrosion etc.
But you covered lots of things I didn’t touch on at all. :)
Good to know!
This is the first time I have ever even heard someone say anything negative about the Tenere besides its lack of electronics and maybe power. The honesty is top tier.
So, the Tenere is top heavy, KTM's are "front heavy". But, Tenere has the sprocket thing (like Fortnine first mentioned), that forces the front to the ground, when you accelerate. With KTM's if you do perform jumps, the heavier front pushes down the front of the bike. In the end, which configuration is more balanced?
The KTM blows the Yamaha away in every single measure of performance and riding ability. However, many choose the T7 due to reliability.
If I understand the physics behind it all correctly, all bikes will extend the shock spring and push the front down under acceleration - the anti squat. All bikes do this, but Yamaha tried to make this effect stronger by adjusting the angles (or because the CP2 engine already have a very high counter sprocket)
I would love to be corrected if I’m wrong.
KTM 990 had a heavy front end. Twist the throttle on the 890 and you will soon discover the front end is anything but heavy.
I have had many KTM's and have loved the design and quality of all of them. However this Tenere got my attention and your review has sold me on my next bike. The stable will still hold a few KTM's but for adventure tours it will be this Yamaha.
Thank-you for the long-term ownership review perspective. The T7 ticks a lot of boxes for me except for weight and the fact that it is so top heavy and hard to pick up. I sold my KLR and got a CRF300L which is so much more nimble off-road and relatively easy to pick up. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the CRF300L Rally. I only miss the power on the highway; the bike can keep up, but there's nothing left for hills or overtaking. Mabey a two bike solution is best. I hope manufacturers will design competition for the T7 also, but weigh 50-75 lbs less and have a lower centre of gravity. I wonder what the Aprilia Tuareg and Norden 901 are like to pick up and look forward to your reviews.
I didn't have issues overtaking on my Kawasaki Z250, so I'm not sure what are you talking about. I also look into buying either 300L Rally or Versys 300, they're more than enough to travel within speed limits and MUCH less of a hustle off-road because of their weight.
im buying one. thank you for pointing out those weaknesses... i agree with your points but i'm willing to make sacrifices...
As a beginner I tried a lot of different bikes in the driving school. I can 100% confirm what u said about the engine.. On the MT07 i did not kill the engine once.. happend a lot on the BMWs or Hondas i tried before. It just feels powerful in every condition and very easy to control.. also it sounds great. CP2 is an absolute Masterpiece.. Plus i talked to a mechanic who said that these engines are also very easy to maintain and they last forever.
Thanks Ian; your reviews are of the best quality. Maybe Yam put the exhaust low so that luggage can be more easily accommodated. I ride a KTM - when I took the Yam out, I was surprised by how dead and gutless the engine felt. This bike would never serve as my only bike as the performance is disappointing. I don't need massive power, the KTM's 105 hp is plenty.
Cheers Ian. Great review as always. I'm thinking about one of these to do a big trip on. This wouldn't put me off but some good things to think about - and add suspension costs to budget. Nice one. 👍🏻
Great honest review. I got rid of my 2016 Africa Twin for being top heavy. Very similar to the T7 in many ways. Great bikes until you drop them and struggle getting them back up
Thanks, this is the best review of this bike that I've seen. I don't own one but have been on an extensive test ride - and everything you said I entirely agree with (except the reliability, which I take your word for, but I obviously didn't get to test it long term).
If I'm honest the biggest downside for me and the reason I don't own one was that it is a top heavy bike. I found this impacted both low speed handling and it's a real pain to lift. The KTM 890 is far superior in this regard (although I find the 890 to be really ugly and there are reliability issues).
I'm still looking for a successor to my KTM 690!!
690 is so old now. It needs a new frame and a shorter engine.
I really appreciate your honesty. Not sure if this will be my next ride. The negatives are detrimental for my style of riding. I had hoped for more...and less.
Many thanks!
Im glad you mentioned the mileage range. That might be a deal breaker for me. I got spoiled with my KLRs 230 mile range stock. I actually added a 10 gallon tank so I can ride 350 miles non stop. Although the reliability and performance are still really intriguing to me. But at the same time 11k is a lot of money for me.
I own 21 t7 klr is 30 years behind except for fuel mileage it's truly awesome I love it ! He's correct on all points! Also little vibration @ speed and front wheel dances little @80 mph slice and dice off road! 👍
Don't buy a Tenere 700 without watching this first, because some random guy's opinion on the internet is of such immense importance to the point where you will base your decision on buying one around it. Of course.
Would be interesting to compare the T7 vs the 850GS vs the KTM 790/890. I know they are a price point above but they occupy the same space in the market i.e. the midsize ADV
Spot on, I've been loving it but worried about weight. Rode yesterday, great day until I was practicing tight turns on dirt roads and dropped it. I really struggled to pick her up, bloody hell! It really is way more difficult than it should be. I actually thought I might not get home.. It's the first time I told myself I can't ride alone and or I need to get rid of her. Bummer.
I can confirm that there's a T7 shortage in Australia too!
Could one reason they hung the exhaust lower also be to mitigate the top-heaviness?
I was thinking the same, but I’m leaning more towards keeping heat away from cargo/panniers.
Both are valid comments. Yamaha should make an expendable bolt on Mount in the future IMO.
The biggest, shortage in Australia is freedom/liberty! Oh, and guns.
@@ottomatic7823 who cares?
@@ottomatic7823 Your argument is as saggy as the T7's factory suspension!
Hi, great review of the T 700. This level of honesty and information will send you to the top of the Adventure bike Journalists. I’m an ‘intermediate’ Adventure bike rider in Australia. I have owned a BMW R GS 1200 for 10 years……an excellent bike, more touring oriented than off road but super reliable. My only complaint with the BMW GS 1200 is that it just has ‘too much Tech’. Of course the ABS and Traction Control is standard, but all the extra ‘travel Modes’ become a distraction to just getting on the thing and riding. I think Yamaha is the first Manufacturer to wake up to the reality that many of us ‘Adventure Riders’ want to look at the awesome scenery rather that wondering ‘what that mysterious light pinging on the display’ is ! Put more simply…….”Less is more” and Yamaha ‘gets it’. This is a sure contender for my next Adventure bike. Cheers.
Hopefully youll get to review Tuareg soon. Love your reviews.
Was gonna say that, competition has arrived.
Ian..your bike reviews are fantastic..honest..indepth..real world..I considered a T7..after watching this it only confirms what off road riders know..WIEGHT IS NOT YOUR FRIEND..
my worst nightmare is a remote trail/fire road get off and cannot pick the bike up..your other review of the KLX300 really catches my eye..THANKX :0) keep-em coming
Thanks
Great review Ian! The other deal-breaker for me is lack of cruise control, which I think is essential for a long-range adventure bike.
Aftermarket throttle locks do a good job, as far as cruise control goes. Granted it is low-tech, but that goes with the spirit of the bike!
@@ApocalypseNouille Yes. I use the Atlas
I agree, hopefully they offer it in the future
I've used a fat zip-tie as a throttle-lock in a pinch.
I was about to pull the trigger on a klr650 the new gen! Three grand more and I can get modern technology and not a design from 80s. It was a no brainer for the T-7! Can’t wait to pick it up in January!
Great honest review! I was looking hard at the Tenere 700 a couple of years ago. It is a great bike. I ended up getting a Suzuki DR650 and have modified it for adventure type travel. It does not have some of the nice features such as the Tenere, but simple and reliable. You have me curious as to what the next bike will be. Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro?
Cheers!
I've heard someone recently road PCH, CA to the Outer Banks, NC and crossed the United States twice on his ...twice. NAH!! Probable a rumor.🤣😂
@@verbalwidget7267 Hey Dave! I have heard that rumor also LOL!! Cheers Buddy!
Looks like they addressed most of the things with the new tenere by putting the tanks down the sides with built in protectors. Be keen to see if they actually move the ridiculous exhaust hanger and put some decent quality spokes on the wheels!
Thank you for this. I’m back and forth between this and a KLR 650, each with obvious strengths and weaknesses. I just got back into riding after a 25 plus year dry spell and the medium ADV/dual sport bikes are what I’m drawn to now.
KLR weights the same but has half the power
and they come broken from the factory
18:45 Exactly. It looks cool. Bikes look good when they have larger gap between rear wheel and the seat. It makes them look like having good suspension, however as we see here, looks can be deceving. Great review, you made me think again about what to choose.
In my mind, this definitely does not deserve the legendary status it has. The bad things about it are really bad and they speak volumes of how much effort Yamaha (did not) put in making it. Looking at the adventure bike market, I've been wondering why is it so hard for companies to make a proper dual sport bike that's relatively light, well-balanced and well-engineered. Tenere has ridiculous engineering flaws and is top-heavy, Both 850 and 1250GS feel too big and too heavy for actual off-road use and filtering traffic, KLR650 is single-cylinder, ancient tech and only 5-speed transmission, etc, etc.
It should not be that hard.
But then again, everyone's goal these days is to min/max investment/profit so it kind of makes sense.
How right you are, time and time again BMW has shown incapable both the 850 and 1250 are off road….
And the KTM’s what terrible bikes they are as well, no evidence of them, or Honda’s Africa twin being very capable off road either.
I’m so glad you’re out there exposing these corporate hoodlums for the pure marketing hype they put out.
I’m hoping you’re picking up the sarcasm, however based on the intelligence put into your comment, one can only assume it’s gone well over your head…..stay fresh, cheese bag!
Enjoyed listening to your honest views on the bike, the bike has not been a huge hit for no reason and actually trying to get one is a big challenge as I've ever seen, anyhow after a bit of phone calling and running around I managed to buy a new 2022 heritage white Rally version, then was told there is a huge supply problem with parts for the Rally version, especially from Akrapovic, so I will have to wait a few weeks for everything to be delivered and fitted by the dealer, the dealer told me it's an absolute nightmare trying to get these bikes supplied, he didn't even have a demo bike, so I've bought one without ever riding one, just bought it on it's looks and reputation, now just counting down the days till the 19th when I can pick it up.
Keep up the good reviews ;-)
We need a Tenere 400 or 450.
I have one of this, and there's five things that japanese must to redesing. The tap fuel, situation of the exhaust (it bend with any, yeah any, fall at right side), the button to change screen options on the right side, passanger footpegs (i had to remove they because they touch the rear part of the boots) and the cluth cover (it touch your right foot driving standing), for all the rest, the bike is very funny.
I'm going to address your hates. Top heavy - maybe, but once riding it feels vary balanced. Fuel range - yes its too low, but it works, I carry a extra gal just in case on long trips. The reality is most of the time there is a gas fill-up within its range. Suspension - You are right, mostly. very under-sprung. I put very heavy springs in mine. The valving is good enough. Exhaust - You are correct. I put a Camel exhaust on mine. The bike is one of the best I have owned. Your review was spot on.
Thanks