By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Yamaha Tenere 700 (DM07) vs KTM 890 Adventure R (MY2025)
Yamaha Tenere 700 vs KTM 890 Adventure R: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
You'll feel the Yamaha Tenere 700's twin grunt from low revs the moment you open the throttle, and its eager pickup keeps egging you on. Wind the KTM 890 Adventure R's grip open and the power doesn't build gently: it surges through the middle of the range. Then it keeps spinning freely toward the top.
So which one do you buy?
The Tenere 700 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
By a nose: Tenere 700
On upkeep, the Tenere 700 asks a bit less of your wallet. The difference won't change your life.
The 890 Adventure R has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Nose ahead: 890 Adventure R
On a washboard dirt road, the 890 Adventure R edges in front. Credit more suspension adjustment and more low-end pull. It's close, so ride both on gravel if you can.
What makes each one tick
Tenere 700
On loose gravel, the Tenere 700 runs on mechanical grip and a plain cable to the twin, with no ride mode standing between you and the rear tire. The cable doesn't filter anything. Down low, the crossplane twin barks and digs in, and it's just as much fun on dirt as on pavement. The long KYB fork swallows rocks and ruts whole.
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).
890 Adventure R
Rally-bred geometry gives the 890 Adventure R a light feel on loose dirt, and it's quick to flick from line to line off the pegs. The WP XPLOR suspension stays composed. The front tips into Kane Creek's corners at a nudge.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 890 Adventure R makes more peak power: 105 hp (77 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
- The 890 Adventure R makes more peak torque: 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) vs 50 lb-ft (68 Nm).
- The 890 Adventure R has the larger engine: 889 cc vs 689 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong tool: 890 Adventure R
Long days on the highway aren't the 890 Adventure R's job, so there's no verdict for it here.
They come out level on commuting and twisty roads. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
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
890 Adventure R
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive, characterful twin engine
- Polished electronics package
- Superb off-road capability
Known problems to check before you buy
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.
890 Adventure R
- Camshaft wear on high-mileage engines Premature camshaft lobe wear has been reported on earlier 790/890 engines, potentially leading to metallic rattling, power loss, and expensive top-end repairs. While KTM may have revised parts, long-term data for the 2025 model is lacking.
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
| Tenere 700 | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 34.4 in (875 mm) | 34.6 in (879 mm) |
| Tenere 700 | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 689 cc | 889 cc |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 105 hp (77 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,000 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) |
| Tenere 700 | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 55 mpg (US) / 4.3 L/100 km | 53 mpg (US) / 4.4 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 US gal (16 L) | 5.3 US gal (20.1 L) |
| Tenere 700 | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 282 mm | 320 mm |
| Wheelbase | 62.8 in (1595 mm) | 60.0 in (1525 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 9.4 in (240 mm) | 10.4 in (264 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.3 in (210 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tenere 700 | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Option |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Option |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
