Updated for the coming year is the 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 which comes with two more model variants. In Malaysia, the Yamaha Tenere 700 has a 2024 price of RM69,988.
Aside from the standard model Tenere 700, there is a low seat height version as well as the tall suspension Tenere 700 Rally. There is a new headlamp design featuring four individual LED light units stacked in an aluminium structure, in the style of Yamaha’s contemporary rally racers.
Added to this is two new colour schemes, the standard and lower seat height models come with the choice of Frozen Titanium or Yamaha’s Icon Blue. In the technical specifications, the engine and suspension of the Tenere 700 have also been updated.
The Crossplane 2 (CP2) parallel-twin displacing 690 cc continues, now with the addition of YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle), otherwise known as ride-by-wire. YCC-T gives the Tenere 700 switchable throttle maps – Sport and Explorer – a first for the CP2 engine.
Meanwhile the air intake ductis now shorter, giving a fatter torque curve lower in the rev range, a particular benefit when riding off road. The clutch actuation position on the CP2 has been moved forward and a protector cover added to ensurethe clutch actuation point and protector cover do not interfere with the rider’s leg.
Inside the gearbox internals are revised for a smoother gear shift. The number of convex dogs and concave dogs in the gears has been increased from five to six between first and third gears, to reduce shocks, while the dog angle has been modified on gears four through to six, reducing lash when coming on and off the throttle.
Seat height on the Tenere 700 remains the same at 875 mm while the low seat height model lowers this to 850 mm. The front of the seat is now cut narrower to improve riding comfort while the fuel tank now sits lower down for balanced weight distribution and better all-round handling.
The Tenere 700’s new upside-down forks are 43 mm diameter units, giving 210 mm of front wheel travel (190 mm on the low seat height version) and are fully adjustable. Compression and rebound damping characteristics can be fine-tuned by turning screws at either end of the forks, while 15 mm of preload adjustability is new and easily accessed through the adjuster atop each fork leg.
The rear suspension is revised, with the linkages increasing suspension stroke while retaining the same travel as before, 200 mm for the standard version, 180 mm for the low seat height model. The remote adjuster has been designed to allow for quick changes without any tools, while an oversized rubber bump stop provides additional cushion in extreme riding conditions.
In the cockpit, the new 6.3-inch TFT-LCD panel is inspired by rally raid roadbooks and features smartphone connectivity and integration of phone calls and messages, as well as music and turn-by-turn navigation through the Yamaha MyRide app. Control of functions is via the left handlebar pod.
Moving on to the Tenere 700 Rally meant for the hard core dual-purpose rider, fully-adjustable KYB upside-dwon forks are fitted, giving 230 mm of suspension travel. At the rear, the adjustable monoshock also has 230 mm of travel, giving the Tenere 700 Rally a ground clearance of 255 mm, 15 mm more than the standard Tenere 700.
There is also a 4 mm thick sump guard and lightweight titanium foot pegs while the seat is unique to the Tenere 700 Rally. The seat gives a higher and more upright riding position and is more thickly padded than the stock item, raising seat height to 910 mm.
