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I just got back from a 2627 mile trip on a rented Tenere 700 around VT, NH, ME, NB, NS, PEI. MotoVermont was awesome to rent from and I would strongly recommend them. On to the bike. The Tenere 700 is a Price Point Bike, and it shows. I would describe it as a cheap smaller version of the Africa Twin. It's a solid bike but not a great bike. I left unimpressed and think the bike is WAY OVER-HYPED. It's target buyer is a budget buyer or rental company IMO. It looks like it's a big dirt bike but it is NOT, get a KTM690 or Husky 701 if you want that. It's an adventure bike but for the weight, power, and comfort there are better alternatives if you have a few extra thousand to spend.
The bad. At first glance the blinkers look like child's bathtub toys, and the rental place said they often vibrate right off the bike. Another issue no one talks about if the oil filter is right behind the bash plate between the engine and the front wheel, terrible design for an adventure bike, one log or rock and you are dead on the trail. Small bump compliance on the road is terrible. Wind protection is no better than the Norden, which I am not thrilled about. The seat is average and should be replaced. Power is average but the torque is great, the power is plenty to pass but not thrilling by any means. It's super top heavy, especially compared to the Norden. The low fuel light comes on at about after about 2.6 or 2.7 gallons are used leaving 1.6 gallons, a blinking fuel light, and lots of anxiety. The black and white TFT vibrates and shakes all over the place which is just annoying.
The good. The engine is brilliant, despite flaws above. Torque is very good and the power is all usable. Lights are great. Looks cool. It's cheap to buy. No Traction control (edit: no wonder the front was washing around). ABS is not seemless and unintrustive, and can be turned off on the rear, but with it on you can still get some rear tire spin, good or bad? Your call. It looks great as well, IMO.
If I bought one, which I would not, things that need to be fixed are: Big metal skid plate and crash bars to protect that protruding oil filter, full suspension upgrade especially the rear, change out the blinkers, new seat. You'd be within a few thousand of a Norden and then you'd have NO quick-shifter (which I love on the Norden), no cruise control, no traction control options, no full TFT, reliable fuel monitoring, etc.
Let me say, there is nothing really wrong with the Tenere, I actually liked the bike, it's solid in the places that matter. I just don't think it's the value bike everyone is claiming nor do I think it's all that impressive. It's very basic and I dare say kinda cheap. It doesn't do anything great but most things really good.
In one sentence: It's a price point budget bike that is a perfect rental bike or a bike for someone that is going to thrash as it will hold up to the abuse I think, but there is no luxury or performance advantage and is neither a dirt oriented nor road adventure bike. I think it's niche or purpose was to dethrone the KLR? Which in my opinion it certainly does. I don't know why people compare it to any other bike as it shouldn't be compared to a 790/890, Africa Twin, Tiger 900, BMW F800, etc. which are in a totally different class and performance level. Looking forward to riding a Desert X and Aprilla Tuareg one day.
The bad. At first glance the blinkers look like child's bathtub toys, and the rental place said they often vibrate right off the bike. Another issue no one talks about if the oil filter is right behind the bash plate between the engine and the front wheel, terrible design for an adventure bike, one log or rock and you are dead on the trail. Small bump compliance on the road is terrible. Wind protection is no better than the Norden, which I am not thrilled about. The seat is average and should be replaced. Power is average but the torque is great, the power is plenty to pass but not thrilling by any means. It's super top heavy, especially compared to the Norden. The low fuel light comes on at about after about 2.6 or 2.7 gallons are used leaving 1.6 gallons, a blinking fuel light, and lots of anxiety. The black and white TFT vibrates and shakes all over the place which is just annoying.
The good. The engine is brilliant, despite flaws above. Torque is very good and the power is all usable. Lights are great. Looks cool. It's cheap to buy. No Traction control (edit: no wonder the front was washing around). ABS is not seemless and unintrustive, and can be turned off on the rear, but with it on you can still get some rear tire spin, good or bad? Your call. It looks great as well, IMO.
If I bought one, which I would not, things that need to be fixed are: Big metal skid plate and crash bars to protect that protruding oil filter, full suspension upgrade especially the rear, change out the blinkers, new seat. You'd be within a few thousand of a Norden and then you'd have NO quick-shifter (which I love on the Norden), no cruise control, no traction control options, no full TFT, reliable fuel monitoring, etc.
Let me say, there is nothing really wrong with the Tenere, I actually liked the bike, it's solid in the places that matter. I just don't think it's the value bike everyone is claiming nor do I think it's all that impressive. It's very basic and I dare say kinda cheap. It doesn't do anything great but most things really good.
In one sentence: It's a price point budget bike that is a perfect rental bike or a bike for someone that is going to thrash as it will hold up to the abuse I think, but there is no luxury or performance advantage and is neither a dirt oriented nor road adventure bike. I think it's niche or purpose was to dethrone the KLR? Which in my opinion it certainly does. I don't know why people compare it to any other bike as it shouldn't be compared to a 790/890, Africa Twin, Tiger 900, BMW F800, etc. which are in a totally different class and performance level. Looking forward to riding a Desert X and Aprilla Tuareg one day.
