By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Yamaha Tenere 700 Explore (MY2024) vs Suzuki V-Strom 650 (WC70)
Roll on the Yamaha Tenere 700 Explore's cable throttle and the motor builds evenly into a hard midrange shove that doesn't buzz through the bars. The Suzuki V-Strom 650's power isn't in a hurry and swells in gently. Its V-twin's torque spreads out wide and flexible.
So which one do you buy?
The Tenere 700 Explore has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: Tenere 700 Explore
The Tenere 700 Explore nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. That comes from more feel through the bars and lighter steering. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
The V-Strom 650 has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Narrow edge: V-Strom 650
Over a full day's ride, the V-Strom 650 noses ahead on comfort. What tips it: more range per tank and better wind protection. A long test ride could easily flip that.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The price gap doesn't produce a clear winner. Neither bike is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
Tenere 700 Explore
On dirt the Tenere 700 Explore steers like a big enduro, and it'll swap direction off a nudge at the pegs. Corner entry comes early and quick. Its lowered seat gets a boot onto rocky ground sooner, yet there's still a dirt bike underneath.
V-Strom 650
The V-Strom 650 sits you upright over a padded seat that won't wear you down through a long day. Off the brake lever and into a bend, the aluminum frame keeps the front tracking true on pavement. Light gravel doesn't faze it. The clutch lever pulls light at every stop.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The V-Strom 650 has the lower seat: 32.9 in (835 mm) vs 33.9 in (860 mm).
- The Tenere 700 Explore makes more peak torque: 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) vs 45 lb-ft (61 Nm).
- The Tenere 700 Explore has the larger engine: 689 cc vs 645 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Real off-road capability
Not its job: V-Strom 650
Leave the V-Strom 650 on the pavement. Real dirt isn't what it's made for.
Nothing splits them on commuting 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
Tenere 700 Explore
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, reliable CP2 engine
- Lightweight agility off-road
- Simple, no-nonsense electronics
Trade-offs
- Lacks modern electronics
V-Strom 650
What owners say
Strengths
- Beginner-friendly yet engaging for experts
- Comfortable all-day ergonomics
- Outstanding fuel economy
Trade-offs
- Poor stock windscreen causes buffeting
- Ineffective stock heated grips
- Staid, conservative styling
Known problems to check before you buy
Tenere 700 Explore
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
V-Strom 650
- Excessive windscreen buffeting The stock windscreen produces loud wind roar and helmet buffeting at high speeds. Many owners report the problem is intrusive enough to cause fatigue on long journeys, with the only reliable fix being an aftermarket screen.
- Weak factory heated grips When equipped, the Suzuki-branded heated grips produce only mild warmth, often insufficient in cold weather. The issue is widely reported and is due to the low power output of the OEM unit.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 2-year-old Tenere 700 Explore with a 2-year-old V-Strom 650.
- Tenere 700 Explore
- about $9,400
- V-Strom 650
- about $7,400
At two years old, the Yamaha Tenere 700 Explore sits around $9,400 while the Suzuki V-Strom 650 lands near $7,400. That's a $2,000 gap in the V-Strom's favor. These are estimates from the used market, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| Tenere 700 Explore | V-Strom 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.9 in (860 mm) | 32.9 in (835 mm) |
| Wet weight | 465 lb (211 kg) | 467 lb (212 kg) |
| Tenere 700 Explore | V-Strom 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 689 cc | 645 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | 90° V-twin |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 71 hp (52 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,000 rpm | 8,800 rpm |
| Torque | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) | 45 lb-ft (61 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,600 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| Tenere 700 Explore | V-Strom 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 57 mpg (US) / 4.16 L/100 km | 59 mpg (US) / 4 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 US gal (16 L) | 5.3 US gal (20 L) |
| Tenere 700 Explore | V-Strom 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 282 mm | 310 mm |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 | 110/80-19 |
| Rear tire | 150/70-18 | 150/70-17 |
| Ground clearance | 8.9 in (225 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.5 in (190 mm) | 5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.1 in (180 mm) | 6.3 in (160 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tenere 700 Explore | V-Strom 650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
