BY its very definition, a dual-purpose motorcycle is a compromised beast. Able to navigate off-road trails and also highways, the machine is doomed to be, at best, average in both realms.
Thus far, motorcycle manufacturers have either chosen the middle ground or venture towards either dimension, rendering the poor motorcycle deficient in one or the other realm, thus alienating half of their customer base.
In any case, the dual-purpose bikes that are more inclined towards the off-road realm have proved to be the better all-rounder.
Usually lighter and with better suspension, these have fairly acceptable road manners and their main bugbear is usually comfort (the lack of) and seat height (necessary for ground clearance).
The greatest proponent of this philosophy is KTM, where its largest dual-purpose motorcycle is fit enough for serious (and fast) off-roading.
But with the introduction of the Yamaha Tenere 700, it appears that someone will have its toes well and truly trod upon.
A cursory search on the Internet will drum up videos of the Tenere 700 being well and truly used off-road and looking quite capable. So, does the Tenere 700 lose its composure when exposed to the blacktop?
Ever since it broke cover, the Tenere 700 has piqued the interest of the off-road set. So purposeful in its appearance, the Tenere 700 has looked like it could take on the Paris-Dakar challenge with just a few modifications.
Sharing its power unit with the MT-07 and R7, the proven CP2 is a 689cc fuel-injected, water-cooled DOHC inline twin with a 270-degree crossplane crankshaft.
It produces 72.4hp at 9,000rpm and 50.2 lb ft of torque at 6,500rpm. The lightweight powerplant helps the Tenere 700 weigh in at a scant 205kg and the slim profile helps its off-road as well.
The engine is a sweet performer and the peppy nature of it suits the dirt really well.
Able to either roost dirt all around or chug through mud holes in first gear, the power unit adapts well to the riders' requirements. It jumps well, too.
On the road, the Tenere 700 morphs into the MT-07 and will reach quite high speeds (despite higher gearing than the MT) without feeling too "squirrel-ly".
Handling is predictably agile (for off-roading) but surprisingly stable as well.
The front fork is a 43mm KYB upside-down number and on the rear is a KYB monoshock. Both are adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.
The spring rates are firmer than usual for Yamaha and for the long travel it offers, this is a boon both off and on road.
Softer suspension would see a lot of wallowing and weaving, especially on the road. The Tenere 700 sacrifices a little comfort but the trade-off is well worth it.
The 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel are shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally tyres.
Off-roaders will hanker for knobblier tyres but the Scorpions are a great compromise.
Twin 282mm wave discs up front are equipped with two-piston sliding calipers, perfectly adequate for the skinny Pirelli up front.
The anti-lock braking system is switchable, as it must on a dual-purpose bike. The rear 245mm disc will skid the rear at will.
The styling of the Tenere 700 is a perfect mix of Paris-Dakar imagery and Yamaha manga. The four stacked headlights (very bright, I might add) behind a Perspex windscreen (which does a sterling job on the road) look ready to accept a "tower" of rally paraphernalia.
Consequently, the LCD display mimics a rally set-up, being arranged more vertically than horizontally.
The bodywork features adjustable front mudguard mountings and handholds underseat for when (not if) you drop it off-road.
The riding position is great for either standing or sitting down and the (fairly comfortable) seat height of 875mm is still ground-reachable for an average height rider.
The fuel tank holds 16 litres, more than enough to skip one rest area and get to the next one.
There are plenty of accessories available for the Tenere 700 as well. From apparel to aluminium panniers and engine guards, it is well-appointed but a weight penalty applies the more you pile on the parts.
What you don't get on the Tenere 700 as standard are the cruise control, heated grips, slipper clutch or quickshifter.
It even lacks traction control. But what you do get is an experience of Yamaha getting the dual-purpose formula nigh-on perfect.
The Tenere 700 is the dual-purpose equivalent of a bulls-eye. It's a shame that Hong Leong Yamaha are not bringing in official units for the Malaysian market.
