Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike: Let the Fun Begin

Yamaha Ténéré 700 Ultimate Motorcycling Project Bike: Let the Fun Begin

Ever since I moved to Oregon, I have been eyeballing the lush, tree-lined dirt roads that I would pass at 50 mph. I’d see them en route to a Saturday lunch ride location, or along a 200-mile backroads and highways loop.

While I have a good amount of trail experience, I don’t take my 900-pound Yamaha Venture any farther on dirt than the parking lot of a roadside diner, and only if I can’t park it on the pavement. Those forest roads, and there are thousands of them, look so inviting.

I did a lot of research on what ADV motorcycle would best fit my next stage in riding freedom. I have an interest in off-road exploring and riding a lighter-weight bike for general exploration.

Yamaha Ténéré 700 Ultimate Motorcycling Project Bike parts review

The Yamaha Ténéré 700 stands out as the adventure bike to invite into my garage. I had considered the Super Ténéré, but the smaller 700cc Yamaha is better suited to the mission at hand, and a great value for the price. It took more than six months for all the logistic details to align so we could get started on the Ultimate Motorcycling Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike, and now it’s game-on.

We had Yamaha set the Ténéré 700 up for the initial 1100-mile tour from its California home in Cypress to mine in Portland. I also wanted it to be ready for the off-pavement routes I have been looking forward to exploring.

Here’s what we procured from Yamaha Parts & Accessories to start the customization of the $9999 MSRP Ténéré 700:

  • Aluminum Side Case (Left): $430
  • Aluminum Side Case (Right): $430
  • Engine Guard: $330
  • Lowering Kit: $115
  • Rally Seat: $220
  • Side Case Mount: $428
  • Skid Plate: $380

Yamaha Ténéré 700 aftermarket parts

Next up are aftermarket products. Here are some of the accessories we’re expecting to add to the Ultimate Motorcycling Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike (reviewed items in italics):

  • AXP Racing Skid Plate
  • Acerbis Chain Guide 2.0
  • AltRider Universal Highway Foot Pegs
  • Atlas Throttle Lock
  • Camel ADV Products 1 Finger Clutch Kit
  • Camel ADV Products Camel Toe Side Stand
  • Camel ADV Products “The Fix” Brake Pedal
  • Camel ADV Products “The Fix” Brake Pedal Folding Tip
  • Camel ADV Products T7 Anti-Bobble-Head Kit
  • Crampbuster CB-1
  • Cyclops Auxiliary Light Kit
  • Giant Loop Armadillo Bag
  • Giant Loop Fandango Tank Bag
  • Giant Loop MoJavi Saddlebags
  • Giant Loop MotoTrekk Panniers
  • Giant Loop Possibles Pouch
  • Giant Loop Round the World Panniers
  • GlobeScout XPAN+ Aluminium Top Case
  • Happy Trails Highway Pegs
  • HealTech Electronics ThunderBox
  • HeliBars Tour Performance Handlebar Riser
  • Kisan Electronics PathBlazer Headlight Modulator
  • MSC Moto RM3 Steering Damper
  • Mosko Moto Nomax Tank Bag
  • OBR ADV Gear Crash Bar Storage Bags
  • OBR ADV Gear Enduro Mitts
  • OBR ADV Gear Tool Roll
  • Outex Tubeless Kit
  • Pirelli MT 21 Rallycross Tires
  • SW-Motech Centerstand
  • SW-Motech Crash Bars
  • SW-Motech Pro Pocket Accessory Bag
  • SW-Motech Pro Seat Ring
  • SW-Motech Pro Yukon WP Tank Bag
  • Seat Concepts Comfort Seat
  • Seat Concepts Comfort Sport-Touring Foam and Cover DIY Kit
  • Seat Concepts Comfort Tall Seat Foam & Cover Kit
  • Shinko E804 and 805 Tires
  • SizzApp 2-Wire GPS Max
  • Stegz Moto Technologies Steg Pegz
  • SW-Motech Adventure Kit Handguards
  • Touratech Defensa Handguards and Spoilers
  • Touratech Extreme Shock
  • Touratech Guards: Headlight, water pump, rear brake master cylinder, and rear ABS sensor
  • Touratech Pro Windscreen Adjustment Bracket
  • Touratech RallyeForm Skid Plate
  • Touratech Works Footpegs
  • Twalcom Slitta per Display Multifunzione
  • Twinpegs
  • Viking Bags Dirt Bike Bottle Holster

Over the course of the next year, I will be sharing my experience with the stock bike and the modifications I make to it. I can’t wait to get started. My first experience will be 1120 miles of pavement up the Pacific Coast from Los Angeles to Portland.