TENACIOUS T7 and change ABS mode , there ’ s a new scroll wheel on the right switchgear . There are also sleek new LED turnsignals with clear lenses that replace homely amber “ pumpkin ” indicators , and the T7 ’ s wiring harness has been updated to accept Yamaha ’ s plug-and-play accessory QSS quickshifter ($ 199.99 ), which allows for clutchless upshifts .
We had been testing a 2023 T7 for several months – that ’ s the bike you see on the cover and in the action shots , ridden by our capable contributor Thad Wolff – when Yamaha hosted a one-day launch for the 2024 model in December . I rode our 2023 test bike down to Yamaha ’ s SoCal headquarters , swapped it for a 2024 fitted with a quickshifter , and racked up a few hundred more on- and off-road miles .
Modular Motor
Sending power via chain to the T7 ’ s rear wheel is Yamaha ’ s CP2 689cc parallel-Twin , the same compact engine also found in the MT-07 naked bike , YZF-R7 sportbike , and – in highly modified form – MT-07 DT racebike that ’ s used in American Flat Track . For T7 duty , the engine gets a dedicated airbox , cooling system , ECU settings , and exhaust system . The Twin ’ s 270-degree crankshaft provides more evenly spaced power pulses than a 180-degree crank . It also produces a torquey feel and a lively exhaust note yet runs smoothly throughout the rev range . Fueling is spot-on , and power delivery is linear , reaching a peak of 63 hp at 9,000 rpm and 43 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm at the rear wheel , as measured on
Jett Tuning ’ s dyno . There are no ride modes , selectable engine maps , or traction control ; just calibrate the twist of your wrist for direct results .
Holding the T7 together is a durable steel perimeter frame with a double-braced steering head and removable lower frame rails for engine maintenance , and the steel trellis subframe is welded to the main frame . The long cast-aluminum swingarm enhances rear-wheel traction , and the distance between the axles is a lengthy 62.8 inches .
Sitting or standing on the Ténéré 700 , it feels very narrow between the knees . The two-piece seat is long and slender , with a flat section that slopes down from the pillion to its lowest point directly above the footpegs and then continues up onto the tank . If the 34.4- inch seat height is too intimidating ,
Yamaha offers some relief with a low seat ($ 129.99 ) that reduces height by 0.8 inch and a lowering kit ($ 114.99 ) that drops seat height by another 0.7 inch , bringing the seat down to 32.9 inches .
For our test on the 2024 model , we opted for the accessory one-piece rally seat ($ 219.99 ), which has cover material that ’ s less grippy than the stock seat and a flatter surface that makes it easier to slide fore and aft when riding over uneven terrain . By eliminating the lower dished section , the rally seat has thicker foam and sits at a lofty 36 inches .
Above : The CP2 689cc parallel-Twin is a lively engine . New for 2024 is a plug-and-play accessory quickshifter . Left : With a 48 % front / 52 % rear weight bias and a 452-lb curb weight , the T7 lofts its front wheel with ease .
18 / FEBRUARY 2024 / RIDERMAGAZINE . COM