TESTED: YAMAHA TENERE 700

Has Yamaha’s Tenere 700 been upstaged or even superseded by the recent release of more sophisticated (and more expensive) adventure bike offerings from the likes of KTM, Husqvarna, Ducati and Husqvarna? Or has this landmark, parallel-twin-powered Tenere stood the test of time? Does it continue to sell like hotcakes because of that relative simplicity, and the fact that, as a package, it just works so well both on and off-road? Or are its impressive sales stats simply a product of it being one of the few sub-$20,000 (Ride Away Price) bikes on the market?

To find out, we got together with a selection of experienced adventure riders and put the Tenere through its paces over 750km of varied road and off-road terrain. We even threw a couple of small-bore enduro bikes into the mix on the off-road stages to get a feel for the Tenere’s off-road chops when the going got tight and slick…