Tale Of The Tape

Looking at the specs sheets, we can see some separation in their designs – differences which give us some insights into each company’s philosophy for addressing this evolving market. Starting with the engines, the KTM LC8c motor has a 110cc size advantage over Yamaha’s CP2 powerplant, along with 23 more ponies and roughly 15 ft-lbs of additional torque. But size isn’t everything when it comes to performance in the dirt, and the Tenere 700 has a longer-stroke motor that focuses its power in the low to midrange compared to the faster-revving, aggressively-tuned KTM mill.

The Tenere 700 also weighs in at around 20 fewer pounds than the 790 Adventure R on a full tank. Although, some of that weight can be attributed to the larger fuel tank of the 790R, which supports 1.1 gallons more capacity. Where that fuel is carried also differs, with the Yamaha putting it up high on the bike for a lighter handling feel and KTM storing it down low for slow-speed stability.

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Along with the electronics, the KTM gets higher-spec componentry that includes a beefier suspension with 48mm forks (vs. 43mm on the T7) and a PDS rear shock, both adapted from KTM’s off-road racing line. The 790R offers an additional 1.2 inches of bump-gobbling suspension travel in front and 1.6 inches more in the rear as well, along with an inch of extra ground clearance. The spoke wheels on the 790 Adventure R are also tubeless and it’s windscreen is 2-position adjustable with tools. Other componentry differences can be seen in the brakes with the Tenere 700 sporting 282mm dual front discs and a single 245mm disc in the rear, whereas the 790 Adventure gets dual radially-mounted 320mm front discs and a 260mm rear disc for more bite.

You can start to see a tale of two machines with two very different personalities appear. But let’s step away from the spreadsheets for a moment and look at how the 790 Adventure R and Tenere 700 compare in the real world.

Different strokes

First, a disclaimer – this test involves the standard KTM 790 Adventure. The natural rival for the Yamaha Tenere is the off-road focused KTM 790 Adventure R, winner of the 2019 bikesales Bike of the Year award .

On the surface, pitting the supposedly road-focused 790 Adventure against the Dakar-inspired Tenere 700 didn’t really seem fair. But when we dug a little deeper, we realised these two machines are more closely matched than you might think.

Both the KTM 790 Adventure and the Yamaha Tenere 700 were unveiled at EICMA in 2018, but the Tenere took a bit longer to get here.

First rumoured in April 2016 , the Tenere 700 didn’t arrive until late 2019 , after three years, two concepts and a worldwide marketing campaign. Aussie fans weren’t dissuaded by the wait though – the Tenere 700 was the bestselling bike in the country through the first three months of 2020.

The 790 Adventure arrived in mid-2019, but was overshadowed by its arguably more-talented sibling, the 790 Adventure R. On paper though, the pair aren’t all that different. The biggest difference is suspension. The R version packs longer-travel WP Xplor gear, while the standard has WP Apex equipment.

The standard version also has a taller windscreen, lower front fender, two-piece seat and road-focused Avon Trailrider tyres. There are also some slight changes in geometry, but that is largely a result of suspension differences.

Both machines use the exact same chassis, and the exact same LC8c engine, the powerplant used in the KTM 790 Duke. In fact, the engine was designed with all three bikes in mind, rather than just being transplanted from the Duke.

What the standard 790 Adventure lacks off-road, it makes up on-road, giving it a point-of-difference over the 790 Adventure R. But the Tenere 700, like the 790 Adventure R, is an off-road focused machine, which makes for an interesting comparison against the standard 790 Adventure.

Final Thoughts and personal choice

• Yamaha Tenere 700 – This is the best bike for me and the amount and kind of riding I do. Good local dealer, cheap, simple, pure, light weight and still comfortable enough for some highway miles. But it’s not for sale in Mexico yet and not certain it will be sold here at all. If not, I’ll move to one of my runner up choices. Not sure which one yet.
• KTM 890 Adventure R (or latest model year of 790 R) – My shared runner up choice. Good local dealer. Light weight. Best off road and fun in the twisties. Comfort and reliability is an issue though.
• BMW R 1250 GS – My other shared runner up choice. Heavy and expensive compared to the two above and a bad dealer in my city. Would use other dealer further away. Great all-round bike though and most comfortable.
• Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro – Very good all-round bike with lots of creature comforts. Too beautiful to drop though and no dealer in my city. Apparently delivery of parts from overseas can take a long time.
• Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L – Only three Honda Powerhouse dealers in the whole of Mexico (not in my city). It’s relatively heavy, but reliability is the best and off road handling is very good.
• BMW F 850 GS – Might just as well go for the 1250 in that case
• KTM 790 Adventure R – Teething problems. Would wait for 890 to be for sale in Mexico or at least get latest model year of the 790.
• KTM 1090 Adventure R – Might just as well go for the 1290 in that case
• KTM 1290 Super Adventure R – If I’m going for a big bike, then I might as well spend more and get the best bike of its class. The 1250 GS.

So there you have it. My thought process in choosing my next adventure motorcycle. If you are in the same situation as me I hope this will be useful to you. If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please feel free to drop a comment below.

Ride safe and good luck with your choice,
Guido

UPDATE 7 dec 2020 – I finally made a choice… and it’s not one of the top 3 bikes. Read about it here.

KTM 790 Adventure Vs Yamaha Tenere 700: What's Best for Me?

KTM and Yamaha have come out with middleweight adventure models that have left consumers thirsting for more. Both have discovered, and now fully embraced, the fact that big, mega horsepower adventure bikes look cool in brochures and social media, but apart from a handful of super talented riders, the lighter middleweight category is where real-world riders tend to gravitate towards.

Hence the KTM 790 Adventure and Yamaha Tenere 700 were born. In a crowded field of similar bikes in the ADV category – the BMW F 850 GS, Moto Guzzi V85 TT, Triumph Tiger 800, and even the Honda Africa Twin come to mind – KTM and Yamaha have carved out a corner for themselves amongst adventure riders yearning for a high-performing motorcycle capable of ripping up the dirt while also being road legal.

Which makes this comparison very interesting. Apart from the fact they are both made with an eye towards riding off road with just a few bits to make them road worthy, the two bikes go about the job of scorching the earth in very different ways. While Yamaha has chosen the path of simplicity and reliability, KTM have gone all-in on technology.

This poses a problem: considering how different these two are, how are you supposed to decide which one is right for you? We’re here to help.

Here, we’re going to take a closer look at the KTM 790 Adventure and Yamaha Tenere 700, broken down into several categories. By the time we reach the end, you’ll have a better understanding of each and we think you’ll have a good idea which one is right for you.