The midweight adventure motorcycle segment has become increasingly crowded, but one machine continues to stand apart from the pack. While Honda’s Transalp 750 brings impressive power and modern tech to the table, the 2025 Yamaha Tenere 700 maintains its stranglehold on serious off-road riders for reasons that transcend simple spec sheets.
Despite the Transalp’s 18.4HP power advantage and $800 lower price point, bikers consistently choose the Tenere 700 for one compelling reason: it delivers an off-road experience that Honda’s offering simply cannot match.
Fresh Ammunition for 2025
The 2025 Tenere 700 represents Yamaha’s most significant update since the bike’s debut in 2019. While maintaining its minimalist DNA, the updated model introduces improvements that strengthen its off-road advantage. The new quad-LED headlight and the 6.3-inch vertical TFT display are designed to tackle rough terrain.
Most importantly, Yamaha has added ride-by-wire throttle control with two riding modes—Sport and Explorer—giving riders the ability to tailor power delivery to specific conditions. The addition of switchable traction control further enhances control on loose surfaces. Unlike Honda’s complex five-mode system, Yamaha keeps it simple with just on/off functionality.
The suspension receives perhaps the most significant upgrade with fully adjustable 43mm KYB forks and a revised rear shock system. These changes address the previous model’s main weakness while maintaining the bike’s legendary off-road capability.
The Ground Clearance Advantage
Numbers tell only part of the story, but they matter in the dirt. The Tenere 700’s 9.4 inches of ground clearance provides a full inch more obstacle clearance than the Transalp’s 8.3 inches. This seemingly small difference becomes enormous when navigating rock gardens or fallen logs.
“The Tenere engine is more dynamic, quicker, with more character and feels snappier,” notes one Rider user who tested both bikes. “It’s more fun to ride”.
The Tenere’s suspension travel also edges out the Honda, with 8.3 inches front and 7.9 inches rear compared to the Transalp’s 7.9/7.5 inches. While modest on paper, experienced riders understand that every millimeter counts when absorbing impacts.
Reality Check By Riders
“Not a freaking chance the Honda is as good offroad as my T7 was,” writes one enthusiast who rode with EXC-F 350s and WR250s through Vermont and New Hampshire’s toughest terrain.
Another rider who test-rode both bikes before purchasing provides perspective: “The Transalp felt like it was decent on road but had no playfulness nor character and felt more sluggish. The T7 felt nimble, and a lot more fun”.
Advantage in Harsh Conditions
Where modern adventure bikes pile on electronics, the Tenere 700 embraces intentional minimalism. This philosophy proves invaluable when things go wrong far from civilization. As one long-term owner explains after 9,000 miles: “Traction control is throttle and clutch…In an era of complex machines, the Tenere’s single ride mode – manual – is the same one I grew up with”.
Adventure motorcycle tour company MotoDreamer, which operates the Tenere 700 in Colombia’s challenging terrain, praises this approach: “There are no unnecessary technology and over-engineered features on the bike. This is something you learn to appreciate if you have ever been on a serious motorcycle adventure to places where there are no 24 hour roadside assistance”.
The Transalp’s five riding modes, quick-shifter, and complex Honda Selectable Torque Control system represent potential failure points in remote locations. The Tenere’s mechanical simplicity means fewer things can break when you’re 500 miles from the nearest dealer.
Ownership: The Hidden Advantage
While the Transalp 750 costs $800 less initially, long-term ownership favors the Tenere through several factors. Yamaha’s legendary reliability ratings support this advantage—the brand leads all manufacturers with an 11% failure rate, compared to Honda’s 12%.
The Tenere’s service intervals stretch significantly longer than Honda’s requirements, reducing maintenance frequency for high-mileage riders. Additionally, the bike’s mature aftermarket ecosystem provides abundant upgrade options and competitive part pricing.
Consumer Reports data shows Yamaha motorcycles achieve a 90% reliability rating versus Honda’s 88%. While the difference appears small, it translates to measurably fewer roadside breakdowns over the years of ownership.
Resale values also favor the Tenere, with well-maintained examples retaining 60-70% of their original value after three years. The bike’s cult following and proven track record in adventure riding communities support strong secondary market demand.
The Aftermarket Ecosystem Advantage
The Tenere 700’s five-year market presence has generated an extensive modification community that the newer Transalp cannot match. Companies like Camel ADV, Rally Raid, and AltRider offer comprehensive upgrade packages engineered explicitly for the Yamaha platform.
Popular modifications include reinforced crash protection, upgraded suspension components, and rally-style fuel systems—all available at competitive prices due to volume production. The Transalp’s aftermarket support, while growing, remains limited by its recent introduction.
Where the Transalp Strikes Back
Honest assessment requires acknowledging the Transalp’s strengths. Honda’s offering provides superior on-road comfort, more power for highway cruising, and modern conveniences such as a quick-shifter and a comprehensive electronics package.
The Transalp’s lower seat height (33.7 inches versus 34.4 inches) makes it more accessible to shorter riders. Its stock windscreen provides better wind protection, and the seat comfort exceeds the Tenere’s firm perch for long road miles.
For riders prioritizing touring over technical terrain, the Honda presents compelling advantages. It’s five riding modes and traction control with customization options that appeal to riders who prefer electronic assistance.
The Transalp 750 serves riders seeking comfortable touring with occasional gravel road excursions. It’s a capable machine that prioritizes on-road refinement over ultimate off-road capability.
As one enthusiast summarized after extensive testing: “If 60% of your map is unpaved, the Tenere’s lighter frame, tunable suspension, and Dakar-bred ergos outweigh the Transalp’s tech toys”. That edge—measured not in horsepower but in confidence over technical terrain—remains Honda’s greatest challenge to overcome.
