Yamaha aim for the top

The 2025 Tenere has seen some reasonable updates to the chassis. Not only are the forks now fully adjustable, but the internals have also been tweaked and the settings optimised, with more support as standard. The rear has a new shock and linkage, with a longer stroke. The tank has also been redesigned for a tweaked weight distribution.

On the road, the Ténéré 700 is better for it, offering a more supportive ride in terms of pitch on both throttle and brakes. On the subject of which, the brakes are still the same in terms of hardware and aren't the sharpest where stopping power is concerned.

The 2025 model does have a touch more refinement to its slow speed capabilities; although the weight is still held up high it's noticeably easier to manage under 10mph than before, with a seat shape that also allows for an easy reach to the 'bars, too.

Off-road, the Ténéré 700 feels like a true adventure bike in both its style and its stance, and allows for a comfortable, friendly riding position when standing, with the wide ‘bars and larger ‘pegs offering a supreme combination of space, while still offering a good connection to the machine.

For slower, softer riding the Ténéré can take everything in its stride, with that 21” front wheel accurate and responsive, even when the grip levels are minimal. As a friendly, fun off-roading adventure machine the Ténéré is still one of the best, and with a slightly nicer weight distribution and a bit more support on the suspension, it feels not only more accomplished than ever, but more accessible too.

It’s only when the going gets truly tough where the Ténéré 700 runs into its limitations, at a faster pace and with larger rocks and undulations to overcome, but that’s where the more rugged, Ténéré 700 Rally model makes more sense.

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 still benefit from a slight uplift in terms of 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.

Although the Ténéré 700 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.

Although 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.

Although the Ténéré 700 isn’t a premium machine, it does looks the part with a nice finish in the metal.

When the Ténéré 700 first arrived on the scene, it cost just £8399, which is a considerable chunk less than the current £10,404 price tag.

However, it’s priced reasonably competitively against its middleweight adventure competition, with KTM’s 790 Adventure coming in at £9,999, Honda’s XL750 Transalp costing £9,899 and Suzuki’s V-Strom 800 DE setting you back £10,999.

On the flipside, there are some cheaper alternatives on the horizon from the Chinese market, which includes the CFMoto 800 MT/X at £7999, and Kove’s 800X Pro at £8499.

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.

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 in 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.