2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 Review

After two years with no significant updates to the Tenere 700 from 2021 through 2023, Yamaha introduced a few updates to the 2024 model to maintain its position at the top of the U.S. 651-900cc ADV bike category. For 2025, Yamaha continues to tweak and refine its premium ADV machine.

Photography by Kit Palmer

What’s Changed? | 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 Review

To refresh your memory, the 2024 Tenere featured a new five-inch TFT dash, new LED turn signals, and a new ABS system with three setting options. The ’24 dash also allowed you to connect your smartphone via the Yamaha Y-Connect app, enabling you to monitor fuel consumption history, the last parking location, maintenance interval alerts, and a riding log. You could also see incoming calls and text notifications. The ’24 Tenere added a wire harness update that allowed for an up-only quickshifter from the Yamaha accessory catalog. With those updates, we were surprised to see that Yamaha made another round of significant updates for the 2025 model year.

The latest Tenere edition includes a new chip-controlled throttle, two selectable power modes (Sport and Explorer), traction control, a larger 6.3-inch TFT dash, new switchgear and turn signal functions, upgraded suspension, a redesigned air intake for improved torque, new quad-LED headlights, a new clutch cover for improved legroom, wider footpegs, a flatter seat and updated rally-inspired styling. The fuel tank has a different shape that moves the fuel lower and forward, and there is a new fuel cap. The optional quickshifter now works up and down (P/N BRL-E81A0-V0-00, cost $199.99). These updates added approximately seven pounds (now claimed at 459 pounds, ready to ride with a full tank) and increased the MSRP to $10,999. The big question is, will these updates be enough to help keep the Tenere at the top of the sales charts? And more importantly, do these updates really make the Tenere better? Let’s find out.

Twisting The Throttle | 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 Review

In my 2024 review, I said that I was a big fan of the Tenere. So much so that I bought the 2021 model and have enjoyed many miles on it. I like the simplicity of the lack of electronics (just a single button to turn the ABS on or off), a capable motor and decent suspension. There are certainly more powerful ADV bikes with high-tech electronics packages and higher performance suspension, but for what most people really use a midsize ADV bike for, the Tenere 700 is hard to beat in bang for the buck. The 2024 model had a few nice updates, but not enough to make me want to replace my 2021 model. However, the updates on the 2025 model have me thinking it is time for an upgrade.

Nearly every revision to the 2025 model is a big improvement. In order of preference, here are my thoughts on each.

The revised KYB suspension is a big improvement, and it now includes more adjustability, including preload adjustment on the 43mm fork. The redesigned KYB rear shock and linkage improve off-road performance while maintaining the tool-less preload adjuster.

The new switchgear and turn signal functions are intuitive. It now features a left-hand joystick instead of the right-hand thumb wheel introduced in the 2024 model. I like the simplicity of the on-off button for the ABS on the 2021-2023 models, but with the addition of power modes, Traction Control (on or off), and three ABS options (front/rear on, rear off, both off), this is one of the easiest systems to use. Like most bikes, you must reset everything each time you turn off the key, but it’s relatively straightforward. The turn signals are equally user-friendly, with a soft click that flashes the signals three times and a full click that turns them on for 15 seconds or up to 500 feet before self-canceling.

The 6.3-inch TFT dash layout enhances ease of use mentioned earlier. It is bright and large enough to be visible in all conditions. The expanded smartphone connectivity features, including full-screen turn-by-turn navigation via Google Maps, are also more practical with the left thumb joystick.

The chip-controlled (fly-by-wire) throttle offers two selectable power maps (Sport and Explorer), traction control, and the optional up-and-down quickshifter. I have never felt the need for different power modes on the Tenere because of the very smooth power delivery of the CP2 engine, but I understand why some riders will appreciate this feature, as it provides two distinctly different power modes. Combined with the new, shorter intake tract and revised mapping, the 2025 Tenere still delivers impressive power for off-road riding. The new traction control has just on or off settings and is too invasive for serious off-road riding, but it’s a helpful option for wet roads and less-experienced riders. While it’s not the most exciting ADV bike on the road in terms of power, it gets the job done.

The larger footpegs are very nice, and the new one-piece, flatter seat design provides decent comfort, allowing you to move around a little more easily. I preferred the optional, taller, and flatter Rally seat on the previous-generation Tenere, but I think this one is even better. I can’t say that the clutch cover ever bothered me on the previous bikes, but apparently that was noticeable for some people, so maybe you will notice that.

Finally, I like the updated styling of the bodywork and fuel tank. I can’t feel the difference due to the redesigned fuel tank, which moves the fuel forward and down; however, that is likely an improvement. The junction between the seat and tank is noticeable, along with the bodywork, allowing for a better connection to the bike. The integrated new flip-up fuel cap is more convenient. The new LED lights look great and the color-matched handguards look good and appear to be a little stronger than the previous versions. The Tenere has always been a nice-looking bike and the subtle changes only enhance that.  So, what hasn’t changed?

Ongoing Features, Good and Bad | 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 Review

Most ADV riders will be very happy with the performance and durability of the Tenere, and other than a few new electronic items (the electronic throttle in particular), which some may be worried about being a weak link, this is a proven platform. Most of the other bikes in this category have electronic throttles and power modes, so you don’t have a lot of options with cable throttles.

The comfortable ergonomics for both sitting and standing have only improved with the new footpegs, seat, bodywork, fuel tank and (for some people) the clutch cover. The standard windscreen, which was also updated to a new one-piece unit, is not adjustable but does not appear to be necessary. It is out of the way for off-roading and provides decent wind protection on the road.

The new fuel tank still holds 4.2 gallons, which is on the small side compared to some other bikes in the class. For comparison, the KTM 890/790 Adventures carry 5.3 gallons, the Triumph Tiger 900 holds 5.3 gallons, the Aprilia Tuareg holds 4.7 gallons, and the Honda Transalp holds 4.5 gallons. We have found that we can get 200 miles out of a tank when riding off-road, but some high-speed highway riding will drop you below that, which could be a problem if you are riding with buddies who have more range. If you are more into riding in the dirt, you likely won’t have a problem but keep this in mind if longer range is important to you.

After living with my personal Tenere for the last three years, my only gripe is its weak rear brake, which we complained about in previous reviews. The Brembo rear caliper and master cylinder combo is mushy and has a lot of throw at the pedal. Unfortunately, the updated ABS options on the 2024 and 2025 Tenere did not address this weakness. I purchased an aftermarket Camel ADV lever with a different ratio, and I regularly bleed the brakes to maintain decent performance.

I have had the opportunity to ride nearly all the other ADV bikes in the 651-900 category over the years. Some have more advanced suspensions, more power, and sophisticated electronics, but they also come with much higher price tags and not enough performance benefits to justify those costs for my budget. The 2025 Tenere 700 narrows the gap in performance and technology but remains a great deal at a $10,999 MSRP. I believe that is enough to keep the Tenere in the running for the top spot on the sales charts, and it has me considering replacing the 2021 model in my garage.CN

2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 Specifications

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