Yamaha Tenere 700 Explore 2024 — Specifications

In 2023, Yamaha proposed an "Explore" version of the Ténéré – with a certain degree of caution: the model was only marketed in three countries, France, Germany, Italy. This version has convinced the market and will now be distributed throughout Europe. The Ténéré 700 renewed Yamaha’s desire for exploration. The 1200 Super Ténéré had never really accomplished its mission and the successor to the XTZ 660 was long awaited. Assured of its position on the market, the trail is now embarking on a diversification with more specific variants. This is how the T7 "Explore" presents itself, more accessible and with wider horizons.

What did they do? A SUV version, bigger, more powerful, with panniers? No, not at all. For bigger and with greater range, there’s the World Raid. As for the Explore, everything is a question of adaptability with a retouched suspension and a few well-chosen accessories.

A trail is high. Especially when it's designed to really go off-road. Except that this version of the 700 T wants to be less high, precisely. The travel of the Kayaba (KYB) is reduced by 20 mm, bringing the inverted fork travel to 190 mm and that of the shock absorber to 180 mm. Consequently, ground clearance is lost but also, and this is where the right leg finds a bit of a smile, the seat height. It drops to 860 mm, 15 mm less than the standard Ténéré.

Uh..... 15 mm less when the suspension drops by 20 mm!? Where’s the gag? Hhhmmm, maybe those 5 miles were eaten by the increased spring constants. Yam retouched them to ensure maneuverability and safety when loading the mule to the max. In short, with the Ténéré Explore, it’s less high to straddle and it’s a little less of a hassle to put your feet on the ground when stopped.

Also, it wants to allow the crew to wander around with more comfort. For this, the imperative is to improve protection. Hence the graft of a 50% larger windscreen. Alas, no heated grips, comfort seat or IGN map. Instead, the foot recovers an Up&Down shifter with specific settings for the Ténéré. And exploration means business to take. This Ténéré receives pannier supports on its flanks. But just the supports, not the panniers. This avoids inflating the price and leaves the choice to the interested party between rigid or soft models.

The T7 has to deal with a slight weight gain, of 6 kg. Not much once all the gear is loaded and the duo is installed. The CP2 twin will then take everyone on the long course, or the long road. Engine, frame, braking, wheels and instrumentation remain identical to the original Ténéré.

This Yamaha Ténéré 700 Explore costs 800 euros more than the standard model. There is also an Extreme version, more capable of zooming out of difficulties. With raised suspension, rally seat, new mudguard, larger footrests, etc.

M.B - Photos constructeur