After riding Overland Expo’s 2022 Ultimate Bike Build, based on a 2022 Yamaha’s Ténéré 700, I didn’t think there was much to improve on the popular middleweight adventure machine. Yamaha disagrees, apparently.
For the U.S. and some other markets, the 2023 Ténéré, or “T7” as it is affectionately known, got an updated two-mode TFT LCD display, phone connection goodness, some new ABS controls, LED bits, and some other tweaks. No big changes to the body, suspension, or motor parts, thankfully, since all seems well on that front. Good news, right?
Sure – until you hear about the Ténéré in the EU, where buyers will have five versions of the bike to choose from, including new variants that take advantage of two of the Ténérés many strong suits: toughness and comfort. EU buyers will get to choose from a pair of new Ténéré trims, including “Extreme” and “Explorer” editions.
READ MORE: Yamaha Updates the Ténéré 700 for 2023
The “Extreme” T7 is more off-road focused for riders looking for that perfect T7 Round The World mount – or just wanted Yamaha to do some of the upgrades buyers have been doing all along. Improvements include adding almost another inch of travel to the adjustable KYB suspension, subbing in large but lightweight titanium footpegs, adding an aluminum radiator guard, fitting a high-mount front fender (but no “beak”), and slotting in a better (thicker) seat. The ABS also goes to three modes: all on, back wheel off, or both wheels off for ultimate control.
The new “Explorer” Edition swings the other direction for riders looking to cover more pavement miles while retaining most of the T7’s off-road chops. The suspension cuts an inch of travel and lowers the seat height, and the windscreen grows to punch a bigger hole in the air (and keep more bugs off the rider). A quick shifter is standard and mounting hardware for either hard or soft panniers is included (but not the panniers). Basically, this is the comfort version of the T7, while the Extreme is for more hardcore off-road riders.
So far, there’s no indication either version, both of which look to run about $1,000 more than the base bike, will be heading to the U.S., and the North American market doesn’t get the Rally or World Raid versions either, so we’re not holding our breath. Aftermarket T7 suppliers should remain cautiously optimistic. Check out the Overland Expo Ténéré 700 Ultimate Bike build from 2022 right here for some ideas on what to add to your U.S. market Ténéré 700.
