Yamaha, too little...too late?

[Mellowtonin]

Welp, looks like the wait is almost over...at least it's not vaporware for the Europeans

2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 First Ride


youtu.be/WppunsAeEKg

Did Yamaha drop the ball or is it worth the hype? Would you pay $3K more to bleed orange and get the 790 adventure - which appears to do everything better on paper, or does it? Discuss:laughing

2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700 Specifications
MSRP: 9,300 euros or ~$10,400 According to linked article
ENGINE: 689cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel twin, 8 valves
BORE X STROKE: 80.0mm x 68.6mm
TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE: 6-speed/chain
CLAIMED HORSEPOWER: 72.4 hp @ 8,000 rpm
CLAIMED TORQUE: 50.2 lb.-ft. @ 6,600 rpm
FUEL SYSTEM: Electronic fuel injection
CLUTCH: Wet, multiple disc, cable operation
ENGINE MANAGEMENT/IGNITION: TCI
FRAME: Double cradle steel-tube chassis
FRONT SUSPENSION: 43mm Kayaba USD fork fully adjustable; 8.3-in. (210mm) travel
REAR SUSPENSION: Kayaba shock fully adjustable; 7.9-in. (200mm) travel
FRONT BRAKE: 4-piston caliper, dual 282mm discs w/ ABS and Off-road mode (disengaged)
REAR BRAKE: 1-piston floating caliper, 245mm disc w/ ABS and Off-road mode (disengaged)
WHEELS, FRONT/REAR: Spoked wheels w/ aluminum rims, 2.50 x 21 in. / 4.50 x 18 in.
TIRES, FRONT/REAR: 90/90-21 / 150/70-18
RAKE/TRAIL: 27.0°/4.1 in. (107.8mm)
WHEELBASE: 62.6 in. (1,590mm)
GROUND CLEARANCE: 9.4 in. (240mm)
SEAT HEIGHT: 34.6 in. (880mm)
FUEL CAPACITY: 4.2 gal. (16L)
CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT: 412.3 lb. (187kg)
CLAIMED WET WEIGHT: 450 lb. (204kg)
AVAILABILITY: Late summer 2020

 

[sjuels]

Husqvarna 701 has more torque and weighs 106 lbs less.
I was super excited about the T7; hoping for Goldilocks performance: 100 hp and 300 lbs.

I think I'm going for the husky.

/Soren

 

[RightCoastBias]

Ball. Dropped.

Not so much on the specs, me thinks. But the fact this is coming to market so late. They showed a T7 concept at EICMA what, 3 fuckin' years ago?

 

[Eric B]

Husqvarna 701 has more torque and weighs 106 lbs less.

/Soren

Kind of an apples/oranges comparison, yes?
Each has their niche.

 

[Eric B]

The KTM 790 has more power. They both have about the same claimed dry weight. Yamaha has a bit longer wheelbase, and more steering angle.
KTM’s tubeless tires, is a nice thing.
The KTM’s extra power, likely better suspension, and other trick stuff won’t get me further, faster.
If I’m looking for a new bike in 2020, they will both get consideration, although I’m a Yamaha fan.

 

[sjuels]

Kind of an apples/oranges comparison, yes?
Each has their niche.

I was referring to the Husqvarna Enduro R 701.
I think they both cover the same segment:
Light, off-road capable, street-legal, adventure bikes.

/Soren

 

[RightCoastBias]

I was referring to the Husqvarna Enduro R 701.
I think they both cover the same segment:
Light, off-road capable, street-legal, adventure bikes.

/Soren

Single vs Twin is the biggest discrepancy I see. The twin being beneficial for double duty on and off road, as it relates to maintenance intervals.

Valve checks at 6k-ish for the 701 and 25k for the T7.

 

[JakesKTM]

I’ll keep my xt225.

 

[GPzPop]

... FUEL CAPACITY: 4.2 gal. (16L) ...

the small tank is my biggest gripe with my xsr 900

 

[berth]

Mainstream Adventure Bikes are designed to be good street bikes, while capable off road bikes.

"Dirt Bikes with lights" have always been crummy street bikes. Folks enrobe themselves with the "personality" that they have, but we all know that's NewSpeak for a crummy street bike.

If you look at the market, this T7 is pretty much mainstream mid weight adventure bike. If consumers who actually buy motorcycles wanted more bikes like the Husky, we'd have more bikes like the Husky instead of the T7. I'm just going on faith the that Yamaha folks understand a thing or two about designing, building, marketing, and selling motorcycles.

Is there anecdotal evidence of the huge wait lists for the Husky as they struggle to meet the torrent of demand?

 

[usedtobefast]

I'm with Sjuels on this one, the KTM 690 or Husky 701 seems like a way better way to go. The new ones with the dual counter balancers.

They are marketing the T7 as a very offroad dirt capable bike. But what, 75lbs lighter than a 1250GS?

And if you plan to spend most of the time on the road, very little in the dirt, then should you really be looking at the T7?

And if you are looking at dirt capability and for whatever reason you want a heavy twin (I'm calling these 700cc-800cc twins heavy), then why wouldn't you just buy one of the KTM 790's?

Seems the only market for the T7 is people that think a KTM 790 will not be reliable and they feel like a Yamaha will be more reliable.

 

[RightCoastBias]

I'm with Sjuels on this one, the KTM 690 or Husky 701 seems like a way better way to go. The new ones with the dual counter balancers.

They are marketing the T7 as a very offroad dirt capable bike. But what, 75lbs lighter than a 1250GS?

And if you plan to spend most of the time on the road, very little in the dirt, then should you really be looking at the T7?

And if you are looking at dirt capability and for whatever reason you want a heavy twin (I'm calling these 700cc-800cc twins heavy), then why wouldn't you just buy one of the KTM 790's?

Seems the only market for the T7 is people that think a KTM 790 will not be reliable and they feel like a Yamaha will be more reliable.

I really enjoy my F800GS as a street bike. Great for shitty city roads, pop up and over a curb if ya need to, all day comfortable riding position, great for goat roads to fast sweepers. My point being, the T7 isn't far off in spec from my F8, which is why i won't be buying one, and I think it's a great road bike. I'd imagine plenty of other folks do as well. Though, I imagine most folks want the ability to hit some trails when it suits them.

I think the price is a compelling argument for T7 over the 790 ADV. I could buy the T7, dump in a new shock, cartridges, SS brake lines and upgrade the pads and walk out with a bike that would suit me better than the 790.

That being said, if I had to choose between one or the other, I'm not sure what I'd end up with. The price difference for me isn't a huge concern, and I'd still upgrade the suspension on the KTM, at least a revalve and respring.

Overall, I'm just glad to see the middle weight segment growing. I really enjoy the offerings and debates over the merits of said offerings.

 

[kuksul08]

The specs basically make it a lighter-weight, off-road specific VStrom 650. I bet it's going to be amazing. I'd take this fine Japanese machine any day over a Husky or KTM single. It should run forever with nothing but oil changes.

 

[banshee01]

Too late for me, I ended up buying a 701 enduro and am thrilled with the bike. My only complaint is the gas tank in the rear when filling up with luggage.

I think the T7 would be am awesome long distance bike though but for just a 3 night trip the 701 should work for me. Also it is great for day rides

After reading the reviews also I would lean towards paying extra for the 790 R for the brakes and suspension alone. I would buy that if I was planning on doing like a 1500 mile trip but it is not in the cards for me as of now

 

[HadesOmega]

Husqvarna 701 has more torque and weighs 106 lbs less.
I was super excited about the T7; hoping for Goldilocks performance: 100 hp and 300 lbs.

I think I'm going for the husky.

/Soren

You don't need that much power offroad my DR650 makes like 30HP and get's around just fine offroad. =P

 

[OaklandF4i]

Other than the wait for it to come to market... I dont think they have missed the mark at all if its priced at $10,300. Thats a couple grand less than the 790 Adventure and three grand less than 790 Adventure R.

While it lacks the traction control of the KTM (fine by me), it does come with switchable ABS and fully adjustable quality KYB suspension components, the base KTM does not have adjustable suspension. Similar weight, but shy on the fuel capacity at 4.3. I would have liked to see 5+ closer to 6.

If I was in the market and I had the cash, I'd be strongly considering it. Cheaper than than either 790 by a considerable margin and only 20 some pounds heavier than the last KLR.

Its a bike that should be able to cover a couple thousand miles of pavement relatively comfortably and go explore some two track when you get there. Without dirtbike maintenance of the racier thumpers or the cost acquisition the big adventure bikes come with. And to be completely honest, a more manageable HP number when venturing off the pavement.

It is not a competitor with the 690 or 701. Completely different mission IMO.

 

[bikewanker]

Me wonders what a person with personal knowledge of the Yamaha motor thinks.

 

[sjuels]

You don't need that much power offroad my DR650 makes like 30HP and get's around just fine offroad. =P

My ATK and Husabergs make around 50, which is plenty for off-road, except in sand; in sand there is no upper limit for needed hp.

But, for adventure touring which also covers highway, it would be nice to have 75-100hp.
Ultimately, serviceability and reliability are important for long trips.
I had high hopes for both the ktm 790 and the T7; a light parallel twin, in an off-road capable setup.
You need either mad skills or mad strength to handle them off-road, and after long days most of us has neither.
My 50hp street legal enduros weigh 240-280 lbs, and I was hoping for lots of suspension travel with 100hp in a 300 lbs package.

/Soren

 

[Gary856]

Looks like a fun bike except the comment about brake performance - weak in the front and on/off in the rear - is concerning. Hope Yamaha can address that. Can't wait to see a shootout between the T7 and the 790.

 

[sjuels]

Single vs Twin is the biggest discrepancy I see. The twin being beneficial for double duty on and off road, as it relates to maintenance intervals.

Valve checks at 6k-ish for the 701 and 25k for the T7.

Good point on valve check intervals, that.could easily be every two weeks, if you are touring, for the Husky.

/Soren