Honda Transalp 750 vs Yamaha Tenere 700: Initial Thoughts (First Time Back on the T7)



I’m extremely lucky to have both a Honda Transalp 750 and a Yamaha Tenere 700 in my garage right now and to be able to ride them back to back. I’m working on a more detailed full Honda Transalp 750 vs Yamaha Tenere 700 video, but thought it might be interesting to share my thought process at the moment and current feelings about how the Yamaha Tenere 700 vs Honda Transalp 750 competition is stacking up at the moment. There is a ton of stuff to consider when comparing T7 vs Transalp and I’m trying to take my time to carefully think about the pros and cons of both of these very good midsize adventure motorcycles.

Not surprisingly, the Transalp is a far superior adventure bike when you’re talking about on road comfort and handling. It has more horsepower and more creature comforts and road-friendly features than the Tenere.

The Tenere 700 is the obvious choice for serious off roading…but is it really THAT much better than the XL750 Transalp?

That’s the mystery I’ll keep trying to solve with my testing. For now, though, enjoy the current state of my Transalp vs Tenere thought process and research.

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28 thoughts on “Honda Transalp 750 vs Yamaha Tenere 700: Initial Thoughts (First Time Back on the T7)”

  1. I much prefer the looks of the T7 over any other bike. However, it absolutely intimidates me. I tried make-do with an, IMO, very comparable bike regarding weight-distribution: a Yamaha XT 600 E. Was my first bike, bought it purely based on its looks. Did not enjoy too much how it rode. Found it rather fiddly to maneouver, never understand what was so great about twisties. Finally, after 20 years, my husband and I treated ourselves to the next gen Yamahas. He (had also a XT 600 and absolutely loved it) got a T7, myself I now ride a Tracer 700 (the road version of the T7, so to speak). A difference like night and day. I love this thing, feels like a part of me. I tried to get on the T7 (I am 1.76 m), but no. Even lifiting off the kickstand felt like too much of a hassle.
    As we do not do a whole lot of offroading, these two bikes are perfect for each of us. But we do not want to hop on each other's bikes. Conclusion: the perfect bike does not exist. You really have to think hard what you want out of a bike.

    Reply
  2. Transalp is just too ugly. T7 looks amazing and is the better off-road choice, which for 99% of people who buy it won’t matter, but for buying choice it will lol. Same reason many people buy and modify Wranglers and make them mall crawlers.

    Reply
  3. Great video, thanks for making. Some content I'd be interested in – comparing how difficult/expensive it is to fix the shortfalls of each bike. You can't really make the T7 less top heavy, but it can be lowered a bit, what about making it better on the street? As for the TA, could suspension upgrades put it on par with the T7 when riding offroad?

    Reply
  4. Hanging out for the added accessories off road review of the Transalp, I want the Tenere offroad ability but like the Transalp looks, lower seat and the price difference is too high for the Yamaha in Australia

    Reply
  5. If you want a bike that will take you anywhere and do so confidently, that's the Transalp. If you want to do single track on an Adventure bike, you get a Tenere. Not sure why you'd want an adventure bike that does single track but hey, it's there.

    Reply
  6. You are spot on Ben about the T7 top heavy weight. I spent a few months far too deep in my own head about the weight. Freaked out any time I was on uneven ground, positive that the dropping leaf headed for me was going to make me drop the bike. I to have a 30" inseam – I get it. Tip toes, uneven ground, slippy-slip, tilt, oh shit – there's the tipping / no return point. Then Giant Loop happened this year on my CRF250. Going up Steen Mountain dramatically changed things. Like you described, I still ride very mindful of road slope, width, road surface, short stubby legs, and a bike that is prone to trail naps with shorter riders. LOVE my T7, not getting rid of it. Just requires being aware. Nice video. Looking forward to the true comparison video.

    Reply
  7. What are your thoughts, I have a 2021 cb500x. It is a good bike, easy to ride, looks great. Is the transalp 750 worth the upgrade. Lookin for increase in power for hiway speed. Thanks for answer.

    Reply
  8. You keep talking about your transalpine getting it protected before you do an off-road comparison. I’m wondering why it’s taking you so long to get that protection and install it I know guys that bought the bike a week after you and they’re already running off road like crazy. Just wondering why it’s taking so long for you to get the items you need to protect the bike like the skid plate in the crash bars and all that stuff?

    Reply
  9. Another great video. I came off a Harley and wanted a bulletproof ADV bike, so I went with a T7. Armored it up, changed to a more dirt oriented tires, re-spring, and dropped a tooth on the front sprocket. Perfection!!! Absolutely love it!!
    The T7 can be a beast on single track, which is why I dropped a tooth; slower is easier off road and it don't ride interstate highways, so the change was positive.

    Reply

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