2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700: What Changed and Is It Worth the Upgrade?

The Yamaha Ténéré 700 has been the middleweight adventure bike to beat since 2019. Reliable CP2 engine. Manageable weight. A price that doesn't require a second mortgage.

But owners had complaints. The suspension was too soft for serious off-road work. The seat got uncomfortable after two hours. The windscreen created turbulence at highway speeds.

For 2025, Yamaha listened. Sort of.

The 2025 Ténéré 700 gets meaningful updates in the areas that mattered most:

Suspension overhaul. New fully adjustable KYB forks with 43mm tubes. Revised rear shock with better damping. The geometry is slightly different too, with a lower center of gravity that makes slow-speed maneuvering less sketchy.

Seat redesign. Narrower at the front, more padding in the middle. Yamaha claims improved comfort for longer rides.

Updated display. The TFT screen is larger and brighter. Connectivity options improved, though you still need Yamaha's app ecosystem.

Refined fueling. Smoother throttle response in the lower RPM range. The old bike had a slight hesitation off idle that's now gone.

What didn't change: the engine (still 689cc, still around 72 horsepower), the tank size (16 liters), and the fundamental character of the bike.

This is the update everyone cared about.

The original Ténéré 700 suspension was fine for fire roads and mild trails. But push it harder and the forks dove too easily under braking. The rear shock couldn't keep up with repeated hits. Riders who wanted to do real adventure riding immediately swapped to aftermarket suspension, adding $1,500 or more to the cost.

The 2025 suspension is genuinely better. Stiffer spring rates. Better high-speed damping. The bike feels planted in ways the original never did.

Is it as good as a $2,000 aftermarket setup? No. But it's good enough that most riders won't feel the need to upgrade immediately.

For riders who primarily stick to pavement with occasional gravel, the new suspension is more than adequate. For dedicated off-road enthusiasts, you'll probably still want aftermarket eventually, but you can ride the stock setup longer before that becomes necessary.

Highway manners improved slightly. The new windscreen angle reduces buffeting, though it's still not class-leading. You'll want a taller screen for serious touring.

The refined fueling makes city riding more pleasant. No more jerky throttle response in stop-and-go traffic. The CP2 engine remains the star of the show: smooth, torquey, and happy to cruise all day at 75 mph without complaint.

Fuel economy hovers around 55-60 mpg depending on how aggressively you ride. The 16-liter tank gives you roughly 200 miles of range, which is adequate but not exceptional for a bike marketed as an adventure machine.

The seat improvements are noticeable but not transformative. Two hours is still about the limit before you're shifting around looking for relief. Tall riders will still want an aftermarket option.

This is where the 2025 updates matter most.

The lower center of gravity makes a real difference when you're picking your way through technical terrain. The bike tips less dramatically when you're at walking speed. Mounting and dismounting feel more natural for average-height riders.

The suspension handles everything up to moderate single track competently. Fast desert riding? Still going to want upgrades. But for fire roads, gravel paths, and light trails, the stock setup no longer feels like a liability.

Ground clearance remains adequate at 240mm. The bash plate does its job. Tires are the usual adventure-touring compromise that work okay everywhere and excel nowhere. Swap them for something more aggressive if off-road is your priority.

Buy the 2025 if:

• You're purchasing new anyway and want the best version available
• Suspension performance matters to you but you don't want to spend on aftermarket immediately
• You value the refined fueling and updated electronics
• You found the original T7's center of gravity too high

Buy a used 2019-2024 if:

• You're on a budget and the price difference is significant
• You're planning to upgrade suspension anyway
• You primarily ride pavement and don't need the off-road improvements
• You can find a well-maintained example with low miles

The 2025 Ténéré 700 is the best version of an already excellent motorcycle. The updates address real complaints without changing what made the original great.

But here's the thing: the original was already really good. If you can save $2,000 or more on a used example and put that money toward the suspension you'd want anyway, that's a valid choice.

For new buyers who want one bike that does adventure duties out of the box, the 2025 is the obvious pick. Just don't expect miracles. It's still a middleweight adventure bike with middleweight limitations. And that's perfectly fine.