2023 Tenere 700 - GS Rider first impressions

Having only ridden and owned 1 bike in the last 9 years Steve gives his first impressions of his brand new 2023 XTZ 690 (Tenere 700).

[Driftuner]

Picked up my world raid 3 days ago. Already easily the best bike ive ever owned and ive been riding for 20+ years, so ive had quite a few bikes

[rickruger]

Just bought the same exact bike in tek camo (2023) three months ago here in the US. I absolutely love it. Does everything I need it to do very well. Sure wish mine had that TFT display 😢! It looks really sharp. I wonder if one day Yamaha will see it by it self to put on. Enjoy sir !

[headwinded]

As a former GS owner, I rode a T7 at a demo dav event and started planning the sale of my BMW about 10 minutes into the ride. You'll feel the top heaviness the first time you drop it on a trail. Work on your deadlifts :) Beyond that, it's a great machine, and plenty of mods are available to elevate it further. An ECU tune will smooth out that throttle on/off switch feeling.

[brandonrides]

Yamaha needs to bring the improvements and different trims to the USA. We have a huge interest in the middleweight ADV segment.

[Bowlin]

Glad you like the new bike, it looks awesome. I saw one of these (in the hands of a skilled rider) take on the roughest off-road terrain that Wales has, a fantastically capable machine 👍

[jothain]

Somehow it feels that first when bikes got fuel tanks very low, underseat etc. all of the sudden everything else has become "top heavy".
Marketing people know their stuff 😂

[iainrutherford]

Cracking bike. Bringing back some memories from my time at PRB.

[andycapp]

After riding the GS for decades, going back to the R100’s and have enjoyed every one. I stopped buying new when they became water cooled and computers with two wheels and ordered my last new bike without ABS back then as it was very basic and in my opinion not as safe as my right wrist.
I bought the standard T700 and kept the 1200 GS but rarely rode either for a few years and as the trip to Africa was aborted, the Yamaha was sold.
This year I bought the World Raid and like it so much the GS has gone.
Have serviced and repaired bikes for the last 59 years (not a typo error) do not look forward to spending a whole day changing the plugs…..I drink a lot of coffee whilst working on the bike!!!!
Have lowered the bike 40mm with dog bone suspension links and can assure everyone it has not in any way effected the handling of the bike on road one jot.
The suspension on the WR compared to my last T700 is far better, I’ve stiffened the ride as is my preference and it handles incredibly well, providing your riding style is smooth.
The brakes work well, many complain about the rear being inadequate but as it should only be used as a support to the front and when stationery it again is very capable.
Would I go back to a GS? No, I don’t think I would. On today’s road network, why do I need 1300cc’s, and where would I use all that power?
The Tenere 700 is an incredibly capable machine for all things and trust me, for the short time I’ve had the WR, it will keep up with sports bikes on the curves but it won’t reach speeds of 150 plus mph…..thankfully.
The standard exhaust is in the wrong place in my opinion and not the most attractive but can easily be replaced with many of the after market products available and improves the looks considerably.
I have long trips planned in 2024 and this bike has renewed my interest for travel.
This was a great review, look forward to watching videos of the planned modifications.

[occyman]

Nice work on the new machine as they are awesome. I have just picked up a World Raid version and did 700km day 1 and 300km next day and love it (I’ve owned 6 x 1200 GS). The World Raid feels smaller as the tanks are lower and it carries the weight lower compared to the standard version but they are a little taller (I am only 5’9” and no issues).

[robwhitby]

An excellent down to earth & first impression review. Was great to camp with yourself and Jas at the ABR and hopefully catch you next year 😁🍻

[advmatt]

Congrats, she looks stunning . Happy smiles and safe miles on her 👍🤘

[MrOOM]

Congratulations on your new bike .. I look forward to seeing you with eyeliner and a shaggy hairdo from now on in your vids :) .. If you find the seat too hard .. I modified my Africa Twin seat .. If you remove the staples on three sides and peel back the seat cover back towards the rear of the seat and sand the "skin" off the foam, it opens the foam cells and makes it softer, I also cut a slit in the foam where the base of my spine sits to reduce the pressure .. it improved things for me for very little cost .. looking forward to the future vids ..

[inkslingerdrew]

30 seconds in an i already like the video cuz this is the exact mindset i had going in, im getting my tenere after work today already did the paper work 😅

[Mtbjitsu]

I'm just about to make the same trade. I am worried about missing my gsa though.

[Nightcrawler]

Im loving the look of this bike & im actually very interested in trying one.

[mototakahe]

Hi Steve lovely bit of kit. I had a Yamaha900 Tracer and I loved that bike "naughty" is the word. My current steed is terribly well behaved 650 Royal Enfield. Take and enjoy. Paul.

[Bitwobbley]

Love the new bike. I have been secretly looking at the Tenere for sometime to do a bit more off road stuff. I do like the colour. Looking forward to see what Farkling you do. Oh and calling it Toecutter and referring to it as “her” is covering all the PC angles, but the real Toecutter will be turning in his grave 😁. Enjoy the new travel bike. 👍

[hazarddavid]

Nice vdo...unbiased views and prospectives. Nice music too...

[dafloate]

Hey Steve great new ride, I like you love my GSA but we know they are far too heavy for any serious of road adventures, looking forward to the next episode 👍I saw you from a distance at ABR so sorry didn’t get a chance to say hello, perhaps next time, take care ride safe mate 👌👊👍

[websterzip]

Very nice! My Tenere 700 is due to arrive in August.