Test: Yamaha XTZ 700 Ténéré (2020) // SUVs are his second home

At my first official presentation in Milan in 2019, I spoke to a Yamaha rally driver. Adrien Van Bevern and asked him what he thinks of the new Tener 700.... He said it went very well with him, of course not like it did with the Dakar race car, but there is a lot you can do with it. The very first impression of the Spanish Zaragoza confirmed that this is a real off-road motorcycle, and the test I passed here at home confirmed this once again.

After a chase on gravel roads, I decided to drive even after the lighter part of a typical hard enduro motorcycle test lap. The Yamaha jokingly drove over a broken track filled with channels and protruding rocks. Until now, I have never ridden this part with such ease and fullness on any touring enduro motorcycle.... Pirelli's dry off-road tires have proven to be a great choice, but for the dirt I will need FIM enduro tires, which is the kind used on hard enduro bikes, wheel sizes of course also match off-road shoes.

The tires grip very well on asphalt and are perfect for the living engine that the Ténéré 700 puts in. among the funniest and lightest motorcyclesthat I have ever driven. There is enough power, the engine works well in all rev ranges. When gas is added, the engine is constantly accelerated and offers the liveliness I would expect from a modern motorcycle. The 2cc, 689-horsepower CP74 twin-cylinder engine has a gearbox that is very well tuned for off-road driving as well as city or country road driving.

Gear ratios are short and gear changes are precise enough to deliver a sporty adrenaline rush. The first gear is as short as on hard enduro bikes, and the sixth gear is long enough to keep fuel consumption moderate even at cruising speed.. The Ténéré 700 moves easily at 140 km/h, but it can also do more, and it only starts to choke when the numbers go from 180 to 200 km/h. In the test, we measured 5,7 liters per 100 kilometers, of which 70 percent was on the road, in the city and on the highway, and the rest - on the gravel road and a little on the serious terrain, where driving occurs mainly in the first place. and second gear.

With a 16-liter tank, that's enough even for a full-day adventure ride on gravel roads away from gas stations. The driving position is also correctOn a cold morning, he feels sheltered enough from the wind to be called a traveler. Otherwise, it offers a true enduro position behind a wide and high-quality handlebar, which provides a comfortable and relaxed ride both sitting and standing.

I only reached the limit when I did it in fast carts in the Dakar style, he rode through the pits. It is known here that the suspension is still compromised and of course you cannot jump over bumps like you would on a hard enduro or cross motor.... But, of course, these are extremes, and on adventure trips this is out of the question. When I add up the euros and find that the price is below 10 thousand, I can say that the package is correct and that the history of even the most extreme motorcycle rides in the Yamaha Ténéré will not end.

Face to face: Matyaz Tomažić

For me, this is the best Yamaha motorcycle with such an engine. It is extremely stable even at high speeds. Even though I am a tall driver, I felt good standing on it. I like it because it is narrow, very maneuverable and invites you to an adrenaline-pumping ride. On paper, she may not be that strong, but be warned that the horses she is capable of are very grumpy.

• Basic data

  Sales: Yamaha Motor dating in Slovenia, Delta Team doo

  Base model price: 9.990 €

  Test model cost: 9.990 €

• Technical information

  engine: two-cylinder, in-line, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, with electronic fuel injection, volume: 689 cc

  Power: 54 kW (74 km) at 9.000 rpm

  Torque: 68 Nm at 6.500 rpm

  Energy transfer: 6-speed gearbox, chain

  Frame: tubular steel

  brakes: 2mm front double disc, 282mm rear disc, 245-piston caliper, ABS (switchable for rear wheel)

  Suspension: KYB front, fully adjustable USD fork, 210mm travel, aluminum rear swingarm, KYB adjustable suspension, 200mm travel

  Tires: before 90/90 R21, rear 150/70 R18

  Growth: 880 mm

  Fuel tank: 16L; flow rate 5,7l / 100km

  Weight: 187 kg (dry weight)

We praise and reproach

versatility

field capacity

great engine

ease of driving

ABS is switchable for off-road driving.

good options for upgrading and upgrading to a more road or off road version

wind protection above 140 km / h

does not have a traction control system for the rear wheels

it has no serial passenger handles

final grade

The most off-road of all modern touring enduro motorcycles ready for serious off-road adventure. With this motorcycle, Yamaha caters to all those looking for a motorcycle for every day, both on and off the road.