By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
KTM 790 Adventure (MY2019) vs Yamaha Tenere 700 (DM07C)
KTM 790 Adventure vs Yamaha Tenere 700: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
You'll hear the KTM 790 Adventure's twin get loud and chase the top end as soon as you open the throttle. On the Yamaha Tenere 700, the same twist brings a clean tug that's there from the first crack. Loose climbs stay hooked up under the rear.
So which one do you buy?
The 790 Adventure has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
By a nose: 790 Adventure
For big miles, the 790 Adventure edges it. Thank more range per tank and better wind protection for that.
The Tenere 700 has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Narrow edge: Tenere 700
Where the gravel starts, the Tenere 700 pulls a nose ahead. Credit more suspension adjustment. Don't build a dirt plan on a gap that thin.
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: Tenere 700
For the money you spend after the purchase, the Tenere 700 nudges ahead. The gap is too small to plan a budget around.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: Tenere 700
Once the road starts to bend, the Tenere 700 noses ahead. Put it down to better suspension and more feel through the bars. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: Tenere 700
On the way to work, the Tenere 700 asks a little less of you. The difference is lower running costs. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
What makes each one tick
790 Adventure
With its LC8c engine, the 790 Adventure pulls hard from low revs and keeps spinning toward the top with a raucous edge. Highway or trail, it's rowdy. Down low, in city traffic or slow technical dirt, the throttle can snap on abruptly, and it isn't easy to meter smoothly. The WP Apex shock soaks up pavement and dirt alike.
Nils rode the 790 Adventure in Styria in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
Tenere 700
The Tenere 700's CP2 engine pulls steadily from low rpm through technical terrain, then still finds a lively top end. From the brake lever to the next sharp hit, the KYB fork's firmer valving takes the sting out of the edges and doesn't lose control at off-road speed. Its chassis still feels playful. Standing, the tall bar's right where you'd want it.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 790 Adventure has the lower wet weight: 450 lb (204 kg) vs 459 lb (208 kg).
- The 790 Adventure makes more peak power: 95 hp (70 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
- The 790 Adventure makes more peak torque: 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) vs 50 lb-ft (68 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
790 Adventure
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent off-road capability in a middleweight package
- Strong LC8c engine with character
- Quality suspension for the price
Trade-offs
- Low-RPM fueling can be choppy
- Tall seat height
Tenere 700
What owners say
Strengths
- Legendary CP2 reliability and low maintenance
- Enhanced off-road capability with upgraded suspension
- Strong, tractable low-to-mid-range torque
- User-friendly electronics package
- Comfortable all-day ergonomics
Known problems to check before you buy
790 Adventure
- Front brake master cylinder return spring (Recall KTB2106 / NHTSA 21V-304) Recall 21V304000 The preload force of the front brake master cylinder piston return spring may be too low, potentially impairing braking function. Affects 2019-2020 models.
- Camshaft lobe premature wear The LC8c parallel twin can suffer premature camshaft lobe wear, the hardened lobe surfaces breaking down far earlier than normal service life would suggest. Owners notice hard or reluctant starting, a metallic top-end rattle, and a gradual loss of power as valve lift falls away. Left unchecked the wear spreads to the followers and the cylinder head has to come apart for camshaft replacement.
- Starting problems (hard start, multiple attempts) Engine often requires two or three start attempts, especially when cold. May be related to ECU mapping; a firmware update may improve it.
Tenere 700
- Throttle hesitation / surging at 3,000–5,000 RPM Multiple owners report an intermittent hesitation or 'popping' sensation during steady throttle at 3,000–5,000 RPM. A reputable tuner has confirmed the issue on several bikes, ruling out valve clearances, throttle body sync, and ECU mapping; the root cause remains unidentified. It can worsen over time and may point to a sensor or mechanical defect.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak torque at
- 6,500 rpm
- 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
| 790 Adventure | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 450 lb (204 kg) | 459 lb (208 kg) |
| 790 Adventure | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 799 cc | 689 cc |
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 73 hp (54 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,250 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| 790 Adventure | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 56 mpg (US) / 4.19 L/100 km | 50 mpg (US) / 4.7 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20 L) | 4.2 US gal (15.9 L) |
| 790 Adventure | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 282 mm |
| Ground clearance | 9.2 in (234 mm) | 9.4 in (239 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 7.9 in (201 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 790 Adventure | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Standard | Not offered |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
| Steering Damper | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Option | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Option | Standard |
| Navigation | Option | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Option | Not offered |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Standard | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
