TÉNÉRÉ 700 RALLY
The Rally model is a blending of two previous models, the Rally we knew from before and the Extreme model with the suspension upgrades that came to the market in 2024. That means this 2025 Rally model gets the superspec Kayaba 43mm forks, with the flash lowfriction Kashima coating and as importantly, the upgraded internals and a full 230mm of stroke, plus the quality Kayaba shock with 20mm more travel and again upgraded internals with full adjustability. Then you can add the Rally seat which adds 35mm to the height( so an inseam challenging 910mm!), titanium footpegs, a solid 4mm bash plate, an additional‘ raid theme’ to the dash( two adjustable trip odometers, essentially). Then add the high front fender and the heritage blue colour scheme( oh, and the gold rims) from Dakar racers of old. And there you have it.
RIDING THE TÉNÉRÉ 700 RALLY For such a short list of changes the ride experience is so vastly different. For the most part that’ s down to the suspension, the upgraded Kayabas are ready for the fast stuff and the hard stuff – across the rugged trails in Morocco, the Rally never felt less than planted, we could attack the trail fearlessly. This package really exploits the full potential of the T7, riding like a big enduro rather than a slimmed-down road bike. Maybe it stands to reason, but the sporty spec inspires sporty riding – at least in the wild remoteness of the pistes in Morocco – and the more you push on, the more you boss the Rally, the better it feels. Noodling along you can’ t appreciate the upgrades, but when ridden at pace, everything feels on point, the engine loves to rev hard, the suspension just says‘ bring it on’, while the standing ride position feels natural and balanced. Yamaha had fitted some Michelin Anakee Wilds on the Rally models and these were hooking up nicely on the dry dusty trails.
KIWI RIDER 79