Yamaha tends to send its updated models to North America a year after Europe gets them, due to the vagaries of international motorcycle production, and that’s once more true for 2024, as Canada is finally getting the updated Tenere 700 that Europe is already riding.
As we told you last fall, the bike’s hard parts are basically unchanged. It’s the same frame, the same engine, but with a couple of key updates—particularly, a new dash, updated ABS, and a Communication Control Unit that lets your phone “talk” to the bike:
The list starts with a new five-inch TFT dash, which comes with a Street mode (set up with twin speedo/tach gauges that most riders are used to) and Explorer mode, which is more focused on information that’s useful for off-road riding, including an emphasis on engine speed, to help riders stay in their engine’s powerband.
This TFT screen also allows more connectivity to the rider’s mobile device via Bluetooth. Actually, this function is enabled by a new Communication Control Unit (CCU), which connects to the phone through Yamaha’s MyRide app, and the TFT screen is used to interface with the system while riding (answering calls, etc.). The MyRide app also collects all sorts of ride data, and can notify the rider of motorcycle maintenance information, even forwarding that information to a dealership if the rider wishes.
Yamaha also includes pre-wiring for a quickshifter. The quickshifter itself costs you extra; it’s available through Yamaha’s official accessory program.
Previous Tenere 700s came with simple on/off ABS options; now, Yamaha offers a third mode, which leaves ABS engaged on the front wheel, but disengages it at the rear wheel. This is similar to the off-road ABS mode available on many other current-gen ADV bikes.
All very trick indeed, and these features will bring the T7 more in-line with its Euro counterparts. While some riders may not care for the advanced tech, the advanced ABS system alone will make many happy. The ability to keep antilock brakes up front while letting the rear slide around is quickly becoming industry standard on dual sport/adventure machines, so props to Yamaha for bringing this in.
Yamaha is selling this bike in Canada for $13,599 plus taxes and fees in 2024; expect the machines to show up in early-to-mid fall. Sadly, there is still no mention of the upscale race-bred versions that Europe gets, with performance improvements learned from the rally racing program. As far as we know, we’re still only getting the base model next year, since the up-spec’d versions are built by Yamaha Motors Europe and not exported across the pond.
