The Japanese Adventure Bike That Gets Almost Everything Right
Adventure riding has never been more popular, and the market has responded in kind. Walk into any dealership today and you’ll find a wall of options promising to take you from the morning commute to a remote mountain pass without breaking a sweat. The hard truth, though, is that most of them are better at making that promise than keeping it. The Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid is one of the rare exceptions — a middleweight ADV that genuinely earns the claim.
As it stands, adventure bikes are propping up the industry. Over the course of the last few years, manufacturers have responded to demand for more versatile motorcycles by launching more ADVs than any other category. With this influx of new models, there is now an adventure-oriented machine for pretty much every occasion.
The ADV Segment Prioritizes Versatility
For a time, adventure bikes remained something of a niche product. In the early years, this segment was dominated by BMW and KTM, while the rest of the brands were content to offer a range of dual-sport bikes — often fitted with added wind protection — to plug the gap. The rise in popularity of the GS model, in particular, forced other brands to take note and develop proper adventure models. This quickly evolved into something of an arms race, with each brand trying to offer more features and more power. With that, the bikes became significantly heavier, and while these larger ADVs remain versatile, they are fairly limited when it comes to genuine off-road competence.
Middleweights Do It Better Than Large ADVs
This is where middleweights stepped in. By using smaller, less powerful engines and trimming a few nice-to-have features, they managed to keep weight in check and restore the off-road balance. Naturally, a new arms race evolved in the middleweight category, and some so-called middleweights are now heavier than some of the old full-size models. The bike in question has also gained weight, but in all the right places, one might say, and it proves that you can actually have your cake and eat it.
The Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Raid Offers Us The Ideal One-Bike Garage
MSRP: $12,999
Yamaha introduced the original Ténéré 700 as something of an antidote to all the big-bore adventure models. It was stripped back, and the chassis was specifically designed to perform off-road. In many ways, it rode more like a giant dirt bike than a traditional ADV. It proved to be exactly the right bike at exactly the right moment — at one point, Yamaha simply could not keep up with demand. Over time, however, customers came to recognize its shortcomings.
It had no electronic rider aids, an overly soft suspension, and wasn’t particularly comfortable for long hauls. Yamaha addressed these issues incrementally, but the World Raid edition takes things a significant step further by adding sophisticated modern electronics and fully adjustable, uprated suspension. It has the potential to be the ultimate one-bike garage.
Power Comes From A Bulletproof CP2 Engine
Output: 72 Horsepower
For any motorcycle intended for serious travel, you need to start with a reliable foundation. Yamaha chose the CP2 parallel-twin for this task, and it has proven every bit as dependable here as it was in the street bikes it powered before the original Ténéré’s launch. In terms of outright performance, the numbers might seem modest on paper, but in the real world, the CP2 is highly tractable and, under the right conditions, enormously fun. Like any good middleweight, the torque lives in the midrange, and you have near-instant access to it whenever you need it.
Peace Of Mind Is An Underrated Feature
While it is fair to say that most modern motorcycles offer solid mechanical reliability, the Ténéré is widely regarded as one of the most dependable bikes on the market. The peace of mind that comes with that reputation — especially when you are traveling far from home, or from civilization in general — is impossible to put a dollar value on. It is one of those qualities you will only truly appreciate after owning a bike that falls short in this department.
The Tenere 700 World Raid Is A Bit Of A Tech Fest
In terms of electronic features, Yamaha has thrown the proverbial kitchen sink at the World Raid. It has cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, slide control, ride modes, and cruise control — largely thanks to the addition of an IMU. For most riders who passed on the original Ténéré, the lack of electronics was never the primary concern. The bigger issue was comfort: it remains relatively spartan for a bike you’d want to ride long distances. That is a compromise off-road enthusiasts were willing to accept, though many also found the limits of the stock suspension a little too easy to reach.
The fully adjustable KYB suspension offers more travel and lets riders dial in the setup to suit their weight and riding style, improving comfort both on and off the beaten path. The seat is still on the firm side, but that is simply part of the bargain when you want a capable off-roader. The World Raid also gains a long-range tank, pushing fuel capacity to 6.1 gallons. There is, of course, a weight penalty for all these additions, and it is substantial — just shy of 30 pounds, or roughly the weight of an actual kitchen sink. Worth noting, though: more than half of that added mass is simply fuel.
The Hidden Cost Of Doing Everything Well
The Ténéré 700 World Raid really does do everything well. Yamaha has addressed pretty much every conceivable complaint owners had with the original. The additional cost is also far less than it would take to modify a base model to this specification — it truly is ready to explore straight from the factory.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
|
Chassis |
Tubular steel |
|
Front Suspension |
46mm inverted fork, fully-adjustable (9.1-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Single shock, adjustable preload with remote adjuster, and rebound damping (8.7-in travel) |
|
Weight |
485 lbs |
The only issue you will ever have with the Ténéré is the same one shared by nearly every dual-purpose motorcycle on the market. While it is capable of doing everything well, it cannot be excellent at any single thing. Many riders buy an ADV expecting it to carve canyons and then tackle singletrack on the way home — and that is simply not realistic. Any adventure bike is a compromise, and understanding the specific limitations of each model is essential before you buy.
Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid vs. Other Rally-Inspired Middleweights
The Ténéré 700 World Raid, on its own, is a terrific adventure bike that can do it all, but it isn’t the only one. It competes with some very capable machines that bring a rally-inspired experience to both road and trail. The primary rival is the Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally, which starts around $12,499. The Tuareg leans toward high-speed, dynamic off-road performance, and it comes with superior electronic rider aids and premium underpinnings. It is the lighter, sharper tool of the two, but for many riders the Tuareg 660 Rally can feel overly committed. There is also the matter of Aprilia’s service network, which does not match Yamaha’s in terms of reach or reputation for long-term reliability.
The next rival the Ténéré 700 World Raid competes with is the KTM 890 Adventure R, starting around $16,299. Coming from the Austrian off-road specialist, the 890 Adventure R is an aggressive motorcycle backed by premium suspension and advanced electronics. It also produces more power from its parallel-twin while remaining lighter than the Ténéré — making it an ideal choice for riders who want a thrilling, race-ready experience. That same focus, however, means the KTM is less of an all-rounder than the Yamaha.
Then there’s the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, starting around $17,595. It is clearly the more expensive option in this group, but like the Ténéré, the Tiger 900 strikes a commendable balance across off-roading, touring, and everyday riding. It is powered by an inline-triple engine with an addictive exhaust note and comes with a full suite of electronic aids and features such as heated grips. It is a premium adventure bike in every sense, though where the Tiger 900 Rally Pro may feel like a compromise is in technical off-road terrain. Despite being the most off-road-focused Tiger 900 variant, the Rally Pro still leans slightly toward adventure touring. That is precisely why the Ténéré 700 World Raid stands out — it is the balance that makes this Yamaha ADV so special.
Source: Yamaha Motorsports
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