By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Triumph Tiger 900 (C080) vs Yamaha Tenere 700 (DM07)
Triumph Tiger 900 vs Yamaha Tenere 700: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
Over a sharp ripple at speed, the Triumph Tiger 900 soaks up the hit and doesn't get knocked loose. The Yamaha Tenere 700's long-travel legs stretch and swallow it.
So which one do you buy?
The Tiger 900 has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
By a nose: Tiger 900
The Tiger 900 is slightly easier to live with on a long day. Slightly.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: Tiger 900
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the Tiger 900. Credit easier everyday riding. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
The Tenere 700 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: Tenere 700
On running costs, the Tenere 700 edges it. Not by enough to bank on.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: Tenere 700
Once the road starts to bend, the Tenere 700 noses ahead. The reason: more feel through the bars and a sportier chassis. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
What makes each one tick
Tiger 900
There's almost no buzz in the Tiger 900's bars, because they ride on damped mounts and the triple runs smooth. Any throttle opening gets clean pull from low revs, and the engine keeps climbing until it surges near the top. The Brembo brakes haul it down hard, with a lever that tells you exactly how much bite you've got. The upright perch lasts until dusk.
Tenere 700
Gravel, dirt and rocky trail are where the Tenere 700 earns its keep, rolling on a big-wheel setup with plenty of suspension stroke. The crossplane twin punches from the bottom of the rev range, and the cable throttle doesn't filter that grunt through any modes. At the brake lever, stopping comes down to tire grip and your own skill, since there's barely any electronics to step in. The twin claws out of gravel.
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 Tiger 900 has the lower seat: 32.3 in (820 mm) vs 34.4 in (875 mm).
- The Tenere 700 has the lower wet weight: 452 lb (205 kg) vs 489 lb (222 kg).
- The Tiger 900 makes more peak power: 106 hp (79 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
These two run dead level on the dirt. Sit on both in the showroom and trust what your body says.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Tiger 900
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, broad-shouldered T-plane triple
- Phenomenal Brembo Stylema brakes
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
Tiger 900
- Transmission Fault and engine shutdown A transmission fault warning can appear on the display accompanied by engine shutdown and traction control errors. The issue is linked to sensor reference voltage drops and throttle sensor faults, which can lead to starting failure and instrument cluster blackouts.
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 share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| Tiger 900 | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 34.4 in (875 mm) |
| Wet weight | 489 lb (222 kg) | 452 lb (205 kg) |
| Tiger 900 | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 888 cc | 689 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Parallel twin |
| Power | 106 hp (79 kW) | 73 hp (54 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,500 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 66 lb-ft (90 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,850 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| Tiger 900 | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 50 mpg (US) / 4.7 L/100 km | 55 mpg (US) / 4.3 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20 L) | 4.2 US gal (16 L) |
| Tiger 900 | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 282 mm |
| Front tire | 100/90-19 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-17 | 150/70-18 |
| Wheelbase | 61.3 in (1556 mm) | 62.8 in (1595 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 8.3 in (210 mm) |
| Rear travel | 6.7 in (170 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tiger 900 | Tenere 700 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Cruise Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
| Navigation | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Option | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Standard | Not offered |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Standard | Not offered |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
