TRAVERSE 45
FEATURE
NEAR PERECT ADVENTURE
YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700
Choosing a bike suitable for overlanding is a comment likely to start arguments the world over , often resulting in conversations about capabilities , power production , and whether the bike is European , Japanese , or even from the good ol ’ United States . Somewhere amongst it all is a bike that is a mix of all , taking in the best of everything and the worst of none , could this be Yamaha ’ s T7 Ténéré ? We ventured onto New Zealand ’ s south island to find out .
Yamaha more or less got the latest iteration of the Ténéré , commonly known as the T7 , right from the start when released five years ago . With it ’ s around 70 horsepower 689cc parallel twin it was never going to match others in the middle weight class , yet what it did provide was tractionable power driven through a dependable six- speed box that saw the T7 as a contender for a great all-rounder .
On the open roads of New Zealand , we found the T7 to have an acceptable amount of go to cruise along all day and at speeds suited to the conditions , get it out in the dirt and it was enough to have a fun whilst providing enough torque to pull up the steepest inclines or through the thickest mud .
The ride itself was sure footed and comfortable , although it must be admitted that our test bike was sprung with custom gear created by Chase Works
TRAVERSE 45