By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin (SD 06-AdventureSportsDCT) vs Yamaha Tenere 700 (DM07)
Hit a pothole on the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin and it'll soak the jolt up. The Yamaha Tenere 700's long-travel legs don't flinch at rocks.
So which one do you buy?
The CRF1000L Africa Twin has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Small edge: CRF1000L Africa Twin
Deep into a long ride, the CRF1000L Africa Twin asks slightly less of your back and shoulders. Thank more range per tank for that. A small margin, and seat fit can overrule it.
The Tenere 700 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: Tenere 700
Day in, day out, the Tenere 700 nudges ahead in traffic. The difference is friendlier manners and easier maneuvering in tight spots. It isn't a big enough gap to plan around.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: Tenere 700
On a twisty road, the Tenere 700 edges ahead. Put it down to more feel through the bars. Not by enough to settle it alone.
Which one's the smarter buy
Money won't decide it
The price gap doesn't produce a clear winner. Neither bike is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
CRF1000L Africa Twin
Gravel and dirt show how slim the Africa Twin stays, since its compact twin doesn't spread the bike wide between your knees. Wide bars and a roomy seat mean there's space to stretch out, while the suspension rounds off broken pavement all day. The throttle wakes the twin's crank, and the torque that follows pulls hard without ever turning wild. Its exhaust growls the whole way.
Tenere 700
The Tenere's steel cradle frame and KYB suspension keep the wheels tracking on rough dirt trails while its trim weight doesn't fight you. Low in the revs, the crossplane twin hits with a punchy grunt that's just as eager on pavement as on dirt. At the brake lever, switchable ABS is the only electronic help. The tires' bite does the stopping.
Nils rode the Tenere 700 in 2020, in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2021, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Pyrenees in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Tenere 700 has the lower seat: 34.4 in (875 mm) vs 36.2 in (920 mm).
- The Tenere 700 has the lower wet weight: 452 lb (205 kg) vs 558 lb (253 kg).
- The CRF1000L Africa Twin makes more peak power: 95 hp (70 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Nothing splits them on the dirt and running costs. Ride both back to back and the decision usually makes itself.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CRF1000L Africa Twin
What owners say
Strengths
- Comfortable all‑day riding position
- Genuine off‑road capability with a light, narrow feel
- Smooth, characterful parallel‑twin engine
Trade-offs
- Finished marred by rust on early models
- DCT can be dim‑witted at slow speeds
- Basic suspension lacks electronic adjustment
- Inadequate wind protection at highway speeds
Tenere 700
What owners say
Strengths
- Engaging CP2 parallel-twin engine with broad torque
- Outstanding off-road capability for a middleweight adventure bike
- Simple, analog character with minimal electronics
- Excellent value for money
Known problems to check before you buy
CRF1000L Africa Twin
- Switch cluster failures Sticky or corroded switchgear causes intermittent faults including DCT error codes, headlight failure and starting problems. Cleaning or replacing the clusters is usually the cure.
- Premature wheel bearing wear Rear wheel bearings can fail as early as 9,300 mi (15,000 km) when the bike is subjected to regular off‑road use, requiring replacement.
- Spoke and fastener corrosion Nickel‑plated spokes on early models rust quickly, especially after off‑road use; some frames also show surface rust. Often requires wheel rebuilds or replacement.
Tenere 700
- Front brake caliper mounting bolt recall (select 2022 models) Recall 23V472000 Certain 2022 Ténéré 700s were assembled with incorrect front brake caliper bolts (thread length too short). Repeated removal could damage threads, risking caliper detachment and brake failure. Yamaha recall #990168 / NHTSA 23V-472 affects 211 US units built July–Aug 2022.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 7-year-old CRF1000L Africa Twin with a 7-year-old Tenere 700.
- CRF1000L Africa Twin
- about $10,000
- Tenere 700
- about $7,000
At seven years old, the Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin sits around $10,000 while the Yamaha Tenere 700 lands near $7,000. That's a $3,000 gap in the Tenere 700's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Rear tire
- 150/70-18
Where the spec sheets split
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 36.2 in (920 mm) | 34.4 in (875 mm) |
| Wet weight | 558 lb (253 kg) | 452 lb (205 kg) |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 998 cc | 689 cc |
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 73 hp (54 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 72 lb-ft (98 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,000 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 50 mpg (US) / 4.7 L/100 km | 55 mpg (US) / 4.3 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 6.4 US gal (24.2 L) | 4.2 US gal (16 L) |
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 282 mm |
| Wheelbase | 62.0 in (1575 mm) | 62.8 in (1595 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 10.6 in (270 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.9 in (252 mm) | 8.3 in (210 mm) |
| Rear travel | 9.4 in (240 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CRF1000L Africa Twin | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Not offered |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
