me the KLR , and the bike and I enjoyed several faithful , adventurous years together . Eventually , having grown tired of the KLR ’ s finicky carburetor and lack of power , I got the seven-year itch . I sold it and bought our lighter , more powerful 2017 KTM 690 Enduro R test bike . It ’ s fantastic off-road , but its vibration and lack of comfort on the road get old quick .
So here I am , at a crossroads , wondering what to do next and seriously considering the new Ténéré 700 for my own garage . Thad Wolff also really likes the Ténéré 700 , especially its price , simplicity , and capability , and he could see himself owning one , though he ’ d like to make a few modifications to improve its comfort and touring ability . I agree on all counts , and Arden Kysely ’ s 2021 tour test and his long-term review ( January 2022 issue ) of the T7 cover some useful upgrades . Arden now has nearly 17,000 trouble-free miles on his T7 , and he ’ s a satisfied owner – an endorsement that further stokes my desire for the T7 . To help me decide , I ’ ll keep our test bike for as long as possible , tailor it to my needs , and report on the experience . Stay tuned .
What makes the Ténéré 700 such a well-rounded bike is its capability on any surface . Most off-road adventures require miles of pavement to get to the trail , and the T7 is smooth , agile , and fun on curves and reasonably comfortable on the highway .
RIDERMAGAZINE . COM / FEBRUARY 2024 / 21