I adore my 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700. It’s nimble enough to carve through singletrack, sturdy enough to haul gear across state lines, and priced like Yamaha accidentally left a zero off the MSRP.
But after 8,000 miles of dirt, gravel, and the occasional ill-advised shortcut through a creek bed, I’ve learned this bike isn’t perfect. Neither is my marriage, but we’re both working on it.
Turns out, I wasn’t alone. Thousands of T7 riders worldwide took to forums, Reddit threads, and YouTube comment sections to air their grievances. And Yamaha? They actually listened.
The 2025 Tenere 700 isn’t just a refresh—it’s a rider-fueled revolution. Let’s break down how we, the people, bullied Yamaha into building a better bike.
The Rider’s Voice: From Trailside Rants to Factory Blueprints
Soft Suspension?
You’re charging down a Utah washboard road, feeling like a modern-day Charlemagne… until the front suspension bottoms out so hard your fillings rattle. That was the 2024 T7 in a nutshell. The stock KYB suspension, while decent for light off-roading, turned into a pogo stick under heavier loads or aggressive riding.
The ADVrider forums exploded with tales of woe. One user joked they’d need a chiropractor on speed dial after a weekend in Moab. Yamaha’s solution? The 2025 model now rocks fully adjustable KYB suspension—preload, compression, and rebound damping.
When 4.2 Gallons Just Isn’t Enough
The T7’s 4.2-gallon tank had us carrying Rotopax fuel cans like emotional support water bottles. On a 2023 ride through Death Valley, I met a T7 owner who’d jerry-rigged an extra fuel cell to his rear rack using zip ties and prayer.
Yamaha’s response? While the 2025 base model keeps the same tank, the World Raid variant now packs a 6.1-gallon monster. That’s enough to go from LA to Vegas… if you’re brave enough to test that theory.
The Internet Mob That Saved Christmas (Or at Least Saved Our Tailbones)
Reddit Warriors Unite!
If the Tenere 700 had a dating profile, its “turn-ons” would include:
- Rocky mountain passes
- Dank memes about its tiny turn signals
- Collective bargaining
The r/Tenere700 subreddit became ground zero for crowdsourced engineering. Users like u/DirtLord69 (actual username) documented every bent exhaust bracket and a flimsy turn signal with the precision of a crime scene investigator. When Yamaha dropped the 2025 specs, it felt like they’d copy-pasted straight from our group therapy sessions.
YouTube’s Unsung Heroes
Shoutout to creators like Everide and ADV Pulse, who turned nitpicking into an art form. Their viral video “Tenere 700: 10 Mods You NEED Before It Kills You” wasn’t just entertainment but a public service announcement. Yamaha’s engineers clearly took notes:
- Old Problem: The side stand switch loved snapping off mid-trail.
- 2025 Fix: Relocated and armored like Fort Knox.
- Old Problem: The clutch cover gouged shins like a cheese grater.
- 2025 Fix: Slimmed down and smoothed out.
2025 Tenere 700: What’s New & What’s Fixed
The Good
- Rally-Ready Ergonomics
- The new one-piece seat is wider than my ex’s SUV. Combined with repositioned pegs and bars, it’s like Yamaha hired a yoga instructor to fix our posture.
- Tech That Doesn’t Suck
- The 6.3-inch TFT display isn’t just pretty—it’s functional. Pair it with Yamaha’s MyRide app, and you’ve got navigation that doesn’t require duct-taping your phone to the handlebars.
- ABS You Can Actually Turn Off
- No more fiddling with secret button combos like you’re hacking the Pentagon. The 2025 model has a dedicated ABS kill switch.
The “Still Needs Work”
- Turn Signals: Still dainty enough to snap off in a stiff breeze.
- Windscreen: Better, but still turns highway speeds into a neck workout.
Yamaha vs Competiton: How the T7 Stacks Up in 2025
| Feature | Tenere 700 (2025) | Honda Africa Twin | KTM 890 Adventure R |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $10,799 | $14,499 | $15,999 |
| Weight | 452 lbs | 503 lbs | 464 lbs |
| Suspension Travel | 8.7” front | 9.1” front | 9.4” front |
| Tech Simplicity | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
Why This Matters for Every Rider
When Pol Tarres—Yamaha’s resident trials wizard—told me, “The T7 isn’t a bike; it’s a community project,” I finally got it. This isn’t just about upgraded suspension or a bigger gas tank. It’s proof that in an era of faceless corporations, rider voices can move mountains. Or at least convince Yamaha to weld the exhaust bracket properly.
Will the 2025 model dethrone the Africa Twin or out-tech the KTM? Probably not. But for riders who value grit over gadgets and camaraderie over cornering ABS, it’s a revelation.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to explain to my spouse why trading in the 2024 model is a “critical life investment.”
