SUPER TENERE 7 IS JUST SUPERB

Introduction: The Yamaha Super Tenere 7, known fondly as the Ténéré 700, is a bike that resonates with the rugged spirit of adventure riding. This two-wheeled beast is often hailed as the Defender of the adventure biking realm, and it lives up to the title. Yamaha's approach with the Super Tenere 7 is clear: less tech, fewer headaches, and that's what makes it stand out.

This name isn't just for show; it dives deep into the essence of the bike. The Ténéré label finds its roots in the Tuareg languages of North Africa. Depending on the context, it signifies both "desert" and "solitude." The Super Tenere 7, as its name implies, aptly embodies these interpretations.

Ténéré 700 in the Desert: The "desert" part? Well, it's as obvious as a desert sunrise. The Super Tenere 7 feels at home whether you're conquering the dusty Baja trails or exploring the vast expanse of national forests. Its off-road prowess is as relentless as the Sahara's unforgiving sand dunes, and it's eager to take on whatever challenges lie ahead.

Ténéré 700 in Solitude: Now, let's talk "solitude." The Yamaha Super Tenere 7 is an anomaly in the adventure biking world, standing proudly as a beacon of simplicity, reliability, and a back-to-basics design. This bike isn't bogged down by tech wizardry; it's all about you, the rider, and the road ahead.

Legacy of Ténéré: To truly grasp the Super Tenere 7's significance, you've got to roll back to the dawn of the Paris-Dakar Rally in '79. Yamaha's rugged four-stroke machines faced the relentless African desert, a grueling 6,200-mile race. Amid the merciless terrain, Yamaha's XT500 motorcycles, piloted by Cyril Neveu and Gilles Comte, clinched the top two spots, sealing Yamaha's reputation for unyielding reliability and off-road mastery.

Fast forward to '82, Yamaha dropped the XT600 Ténéré into the hands of the public, a beast with a massive 600cc single-cylinder engine, dual carbs, and a rugged "Dakar" 7.5-gallon fuel tank. It was purpose-built for off-road prowess, waving off the idea of compromises between touring and off-road performance. The XT600 was an enduro marvel, boasting motocross-style suspension and a factory skid plate.

But guess what? The single-cylinder design couldn't keep up with the speed demons in the high-speed Paris-Dakar Rally sections. It was a multi-cylinder world. In '88, Yamaha's answer was the "Super Ténéré." It packed a punch with a compact yet powerful parallel-twin engine, a setup that only reemerged in recent bikes like the Honda Africa Twin, KTM 890 Adventure, and yes, the Yamaha Ténéré 700—over three decades later.

With this twin-cylinder Ténéré, Yamaha roared back into the Dakar Rally, reaping victory seven out of eight times between '91 and '98. The Ténéré's Dakar DNA is alive and kicking in the new T7 model if you're keen enough to spot it.

2021 Yamaha Super Tenere 7 Specs:

Engine: The 689cc parallel-twin engine, a close cousin to the Yamaha MT-07, cranks out 74 horsepower. It's not a brute force powerhouse; it's a finesse athlete. It keeps the power within your grasp, perfect for both asphalt highways and rough off-road terrains. The lightweight adds to the thrill of its power, making you feel like the king of the road and the dirt.

Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes: In the front, you've got KYB's 43mm inverted fork, offering a generous 8.3 inches of travel. It's fully adjustable, making rough patches a piece of cake. Outback, you'll find KYB's single shock, which serves up 7.9 inches of travel, along with adjustable preload and rebound.

Now, when it comes to stopping power, the Brembo brakes do the job brilliantly. The dual front discs and single rear disc are clamped down by twin-piston and single-piston calipers, respectively. The ABS is selectable, letting you lock and slide with the wind. But the real off-road flavor? It's in the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, clad in Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, boosting braking traction and your trust in gripping the wild terrain.

Dimensions: Rake? It's set at 27 degrees, giving you enough stability and handling prowess. And the ground clearance of 9.4 inches? Well, it's there to make sure you're not held back by rocks and ruts. At 452 pounds, it's light enough to take charge, yet robust to tackle the harsh. Instruments and Electronics: The Super Tenere 7 keeps it minimalistic with LED headlights and a basic LCD display. It's no touchscreen luxury, but it's straightforward, keeping you focused on the ride, not a menu screen. And the ABS? It's got an "Off-Road Mode" button, giving you full control to kick it off when you need it.

The Good: What's fantastic about the Super Tenere 7? For starters, it packs a CP2 engine with a silky, linear power delivery. There's no need for fancy electronics; you control this beast. The high-pivot anti-squat design keeps you planted even on steep and slippery terrain. No clutter on the dashboard, and it's built for low-speed finesse in those first and second gears. The ergonomic setup allows you to stand tall, feeling like you're aboard a rally beast. With 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, you've got terrain versatility. Full control with ABS that can be switched off, and the factory-tuned suspension is a game-changer right out of the box. On top of it all, Yamaha's reliability speaks for itself, with lengthy 25,000-mile service intervals.

The Super Tenere 7 isn't a tech show-off; it's all about unleashing your inner rider, mastering the art of the terrain, and embarking on epic adventures with minimal fuss.

The Bad: But hold on; it's not all roses and glory. The fit and finish might not be top-tier, with a few components showing signs of budget constraints. The anti-squat design, while beneficial, can make the rear suspension feel stiff on bumps. Unfortunately, you can't play around with front preload, limiting your suspension tuning options.

And if you're into DIY trailside repairs, you'll miss the center stand. Tube-type tires? Well, they might get on your nerves during roadside flat-tire action. And while Yamaha did reinforce the engine's durability, serious off-road junkies might have some long-term questions.

Unique Approach: What truly sets the Super Tenere 7 apart is its refreshing take on adventure riding.

Yamaha took a unique path when they unveiled the Ténéré 700 four years ago. Instead of chasing the title of the fastest, most technologically advanced motorcycle that could rival a spaceship, they introduced a novel category of adventure bikes. The T7, in essence, is a robust, enjoyable dirt bike with rider-friendly ergonomics for extended journeys and a price tag that positions it as one of the most cost-effective motorcycles available.