YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700: The BEST motorcycle to travel? REVIEW after 15.000 kilometers on the road

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Published 2021-04-20
The big Yamaha Ténéré 700 Review: Is this motorcycle the best bike for long-distance-travel?
I rode my Yamaha T7 15.000 kilometers from Germany to Benin in West Africa - and I started the trip when there were no after market parts available. So this is the real deal: How well is the Yamaha Ténéré 700 equipped right out of factory?
This review is for everyone who wants to know how it really is to travel with the Yamaha Ténéré 700 - less talking about the detailed technical aspects of the motorcycle, more about the things that really matter when riding the Yamaha Ténéré 700 over a long distance.
- What do I really think about the Yamaha Ténéré 700?
- How high is the seat?
- How comfortable is the Yamaha T7?
- Is it the perfect motorcycle to travel with?
- Does the weight really make a difference compared to other adv bikes like my Triumph Tiger 800 or the BMW GS 1200?

- What are the weak parts of the Yamaha Ténéré 700?
- What problems did I have on 15.000 kilometers?
- How is the motorcycle performing offroad and on the sandy roads of west africa?
- Which parts did I add to improve the riding experience?
- Which parts do I recommend to change before heading on a long journey / to protect the Yamaha Ténéré 700 when crashing?
- Which parts do I keep even though they could be improved?

Join the journey and visit the Yamaha Ténéré 700 universe - and leave a comment on this video to discuss your favorite travel setup for the Yamaha Ténéré 700!


Chapters:


0:00 Welcome to the Review
1:22 What is special about this review?
3:02 Am I sponsored by Yamaha?
3:47 First impression of the Yamaha Tenere 700
5:13 First Highway ride with the Yamaha Tenere 700
5:47 Seat and Comofort
8:27 Windscreen
9:06 When I fell in love with my Tenere / Offroad performance
11:52 Shifting levels
13:28 Weakness of the Yamaha Tenere 700 / Parts I would change
24:30 Hard facts
26:25 Problems on 15.000 kilometers?
27:27 Which parts did I add to my Yamaha Tenere 700 so far?
30:50 The best motorcycle for traveling?



// NEW EPISODE OUT EVERY THURSDAY 19:30 CET

// Welcome to the journey! I am Lea Rieck, a journalist and author and I want to take you with me on a motorcycle overlanding adventure to all the wild and beautiful places in the world!

// I circumnavigated the world solo from 2016-2017 and now I am going to all other places I have not seen yet. Now on the channel: my motorcycle trip around africa/ the first stage of the journey through westafrica.

// Riding a Yamaha Ténéré 700 (2019)
www.yamaha-motor.eu/

//Equipped by Touratech
www.touratech.com/

Touratech Engine Guards
Touratech Zega Evo panniers
Touratech luggage rack
Touratech Headlight protection
Touratech lockable holder for Navigationsystem

Givi T513 Crash Bar Bags

//Filmed with:
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 rIII
2 x Go Pro Hero 8
DJI OSMO Pocket
Iphone 11
Tripod: Manfrotto BeFree
Tripod Iphone: Joby GorillaPod
Editing Program: Final Cut Pro X

//Music: Epidemic Sound

//Follow me on:
www.instagram.com/lea_rieck
www.facebook.com/got2go.de/
www.learieck.de/

// #yamahatenere700 #yamahat7 #review #overlanding #advrider #t7 #yamahatenere

All Comments (21)
  • @Got2Go
    Thanks for watching the review! There are a few more questions, discussions and suggestions popping up in the comments, so I will answer and summarize those here in this pinned post to make the information better available to everyone: - reach per tank of fuel: depends of course big time on the riding speed - when under 100 km/h it’s about 350 kilometers. It had about the same range as the Africa twin - the reserve light of the Tenere and my travel partners Africa Twin were always on at about the same time (the Tenere slightly earlier, but didn’t make a huge difference) - upgrade to bigger tank? For me a clear no. For me the reach is good enough, I can carry 9 liters of spare gas in my additional canisters. A larger tank means more weight and can change the dynamic of the bike - if I have distances where I don’t need any spare gas I just leave the canisters empty and they weigh nothing. In westafrica I used the canisters twice, but not because I really needed to, only because I started somewhere in the morning and wanted to make sure to really reach the next gas station and not having to fill the bike with the canisters in the burning desert heat. I have only been to one places in the world where I really needed to carry a lot of extra fuel - and with that small amount I am just not convinced that I would ever need a bigger tank. It’s convenient but you really don’t need it if you carry some spare canisters that you can fill. - suggestion of a few people commenting: changing the rear springs of the Tenere - which is not very expensive and is supposed to make a huge difference. - suggestion from a follower for everyone who can’t live with the vibrating display: camel adv kit for display and headlight - one question was if there are any problems with overheating in humid and hot climates. It can’t get much more hot and humid than in westafrica - and I had no problems with overheating whatsoever. Not even when standing still in a traffic jam for three hours at 40 degrees Celsius. - one comment suggested adding extra lights. I am night-blind so I can’t really see at night and I avoid riding in the dark as much as possible and only do it in absolute exceptions. So for me not a must (of course it’s as well good to be seen better in rain or bad weather, but I just don’t feel the urgent need to add any) - someone wanted to know: Why not the KTM 790 instead with its slightly bigger tank? I actually considered it but now I am very happy I didn’t get the ktm. Whenever I met travelers who were riding long distance with their ktm motorcycles they were really good mechanics and were used to having to fix their bike every now and then - you can have a different opinion but from all my experience and the people I know traveling on ktm motorcycles, my opinion is that ktm bikes are much less reliable than Yamaha bikes and you usually need to bring some mechanical skills. Two friends of mine got the Ktm 790 because the Tenere was not available in the USA for a long time and wanted to ride from coast to coast and back (that said: they had been traveling on their old KLRs before that through Mongolia and everywhere without any problem). They made only one way, one of the ktms had a broken engine, the other one some serious oil problems, so non of them was able to finish their trip due to both bikes being broken. That’s not what you want when you go to places like west Africa where there are no tow services or spare parts available (plus is the Tenere cheaper and better looking). There of course might be people who are happy with their KTM, but hearing about two new bikes breaking down on the same trip from people I know would not leave me with enough confidence to ever make a purchase like that.
  • finally, someone who appreciates quieter exhaust, it is almost impossible to find a motorcyclist who has such preferences!!!
  • @ryaandnice
    Found this video because of the bike. Stayed for the woman. What a great character. Wish I could buy her a beer and listen to some stories. Happy miles!
  • @mikedahms3600
    I have watched many reviews of many motorcycles and this one is one of the very best reviews. You spoke to many of my thoughts or concerns not having owned or ridden a T7. You explained you decision process for changes you will or likely not make in the future to the bike. Well done and thank you. Hope to watch more of you on the road on your T7. 73, Mike
  • @christopher9626
    One of the best reviews that I've seen for this bike and I greatly appreciate this. I really enjoyed this
  • @rolling_heavy
    Have been thinking about getting a T7, and have watched so many reviews already. Your's however, is the best of them all. Thank you.
  • @Axman417
    This is a great channel, I look forward to every episode because I know it will have a lot of interesting content. One of the best channels on Youtube I believe.
  • @andrewewan624
    As you say..maybe NOT a mechanic..BUT A TRUE ADVENTURE lady....a real "biker"..and superb entertainment...thank you for sharing your travel/life/stories...stay safe !!!
  • @michaelrowave
    Very illuminating and informative review. Nothing like riding in the conditions it was designed for to appreciate a bike's true form. Great travel footage.
  • Thank you for the amazing detailed review. For the suspensions, I am assuming you had already adjusted preload for sag? Also, I am approx same height, did you feel the need for handlebar risers when standing? I had to add 2” rox risers to my Africa Twin which I am thinking of replacing with the T700.
  • @ricardorgomez
    Great video! I'm going to have to watch the rest of your videos but was doing research on the Tenere for a future bike. Price is important but I also like the simplicity. 2022! Be well and enjoy your bike!
  • @user-my4dm4ij3t
    Great comprehensive video and amazing footage from your trips. Thank you and keep the good stuff coming!
  • @ClinttheGreat
    This is the most thorough review of the T700 I’ve seen. Great job. Subbed.
  • Excelente review Lea. Saludos. Exitos siempre. Gracias por subtutular en español tus videos!!!
  • @teorad9269
    Thank you for this amazing review! Make us all easier to decide about the bike
  • @uldisvitols
    The best video review on T700. Thank You a lot! So nice to get things explained so simple!
  • I love this channel, Your accent and edit style make it a very relaxing watch. :) Hi Lea from the UK 🇬🇧 😊
  • @wolffhenry5751
    A very refreshingly honest review, with great experiences to back up the statements! Love your passion for adventure.
  • @briand8949
    Loved your video and review. Your video making skills are really great! Love your drone shots!