2025-on Yamaha Ténéré 700 Rally review: A proper off-roader!
Yamaha’s standard Ténéré 700 has always been an impressive machine both on- and off-road, with the 2025 model offering a slight improvement in terms of its stance and poise, whether that’s covering miles on tarmac or throwing it around your local green lane.
However, if you’re keen to really get going off-road, the Ténéré 700 Rally with its slightly altered stature, some rugged goodies and its higher-specification suspension will be a far more suitable middleweight adventure tool – for those new to off-roading, and for a seasoned veteran too.
As an explainer, where there was previously a whole host of Ténéré 700 models available: the standard model, the road-biased Ténéré 700 Explore, the off-road biased Ténéré 700 Extreme and the Ténéré 700 World Raid, which had the higher-spec, off-road suspension and a bigger tank, for 2025, there is just a base model Ténéré 700 and the more rugged Ténéré 700 Rally in a Euro5+ guise.
The biggest change from the Rally compared to the standard model comes in the form of its prowess off-road, and its ability to eat up obstacles with ease. With taller, higher-spec suspension the Ténéré 700 Rally feels at home on the more technical dirty stuff and absorbs abuse with impressive might. But most importantly, it does so without losing too much of its road-going prowess. In terms of agility and ability, the Rally is a premium, off-roading machine that can rack up the miles on road too.
The 689cc CP2 motor, which remains relatively unchanged besides some small internal tweaks, is still a solid unit, providing a fun and engaging riding experience. However, as we found with the standard Ténéré 700 model, it would benefit from the addition of a little more power for those longer motorway slogs, or when loaded up for a big journey.
The ride-by-wire throttle makes a notable improvement, too, and is impeccably smooth at slow speeds, and in terms of electronics there’s now switchable traction control alongside the switchable ABS – however, they’re very basic and not fit for purpose off-road.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: Engine
The Ténéré 700 Rally is built to tackle tough off-roading situations, but it’s still a competent machine on the road as well. The higher specification KYB front forks offer 20mm longer stroke, lighter internals and reduced internal friction, along with full adjustability. The rear shock also gets 20mm more travel over the standard bike's.
Even so, without adjusting anything the Ténéré 700 Rally isn’t too soft in its damping, with enough support at both ends to enjoy a spirited ride on the road, up to a certain degree, aided by Michelin Anakee Wild tyres that are more than capable of gripping on the tarmac.
In terms of comfort, the screen doesn’t offer a huge amount of wind protection but the special Rally seat is seriously comfortable, while the riding position is incredibly roomy too.
However, it’s off-road where the Rally comes into its own, with the extra ground clearance and higher-spec internals paying dividends when it comes to harder, more brutal terrain. Those KYB forks absorb rocks and undulations effortlessly without being too aggressive on the rebound, and the rear manages to find grip, even on softer, looser ground. It feels like truly premium suspension, even if the seat height does sit quite high for a shorter rider.
The Ténéré 700 Rally is up there with the very best of the middleweight adventure bikes when it comes to its ability and feel, with a riding position and balance that is made for tackling the road less travelled when standing too.
Engine
Next up: Reliability
That 698cc, CP2 motor is still a sublime powerplant that's more refined than ever thanks to a host of tweaks for the 2025 model. The 698cc CP2 unit makes the same power and torque as before, although it’s now Euro5+ compliant and has refined intake duct, gearbox and an altered map, alongside a ride-by-wire throttle for the first time.
That ride-by-wire throttle is smooth and easy (even in the more aggressive, road riding mode) and makes the Yamaha super friendly at slow speeds - the motor is great fun in terms of its torquey punch on tighter, twistier roads, and still feels fun and current in its delivery of power.
However, it would benefit from an uplift in capacity, power and torque, just to improve its character at motorway speeds, especially when loaded up with luggage or a pillion.
Off-road, the Ténéré 700 is a confidence inspiring beast, with a slick and predictable throttle response that is not only a doddle to anticipate, but that is at home on the dirty stuff too.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: Value
Although the Ténéré 700 Rally does see some updates for the 2025 model, the core of its being is still very close to the original – and that is no bad thing when it comes to reliability.
There have been a few niggles on the previous generations such as the electronics and the paint, these seem to be fairly isolated incidents and the majority of owners’ reviews are glowing.
The finish on the Rally looks absolutely gorgeous too, with its slick off-road style and that beautiful blue colour scheme enhanced with some more rugged features.
Value vs rivals
Next up: Equipment
The Ténéré 700 Rally will set you back £11,404, which is £1000 more than the base model, but less than some of its hardcore, off-road rivals – although near enough all of them pack more in terms of performance and technology, which puts them in a slightly different sector.
This includes Triumph’s Tiger 900 Rally Pro at £14,495, KTM’s 890 Adventure R at £13,999 and Ducati’s DesertX Rally, which will set you back £19,295.
There are more budget options out there such as the CFMoto 800 MT/X at £8,000, or the Kove 800X Pro at £8,499 – although these are closer to the standard Ténéré 700 in their respective set-ups.
Equipment
Although the Ténéré 700 doesn’t come equipped with a host of high-tech riding aids and software (there’s no IMU, so no lean-angle sensitive electronics) this is done purposefully by Yamaha, in order to keep things as simple as possible – and it works, for the most part.
This is because the Ténéré finally comes with a ride-by-wire throttle which allows for the addition of a quickshifter, although cruise control isn’t even an option. There’s two riding modes on offer, traction control and ABS, which allows not only to have full coverage, but also offers the option to have just the rear off, or both front and rear off with a touch of the button at a standstill.
Both the traction control and ABS are basic in terms of software and are only developed for the road, with no off-road option or no lean sensitive features.
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