Tenere 700 budget suspension upgrade for the average rider.

[@kostasrestas]

Now this, is my next mod for sure !

[@joshwatts6287]

Awesome video man thanks for sharing!

[@advmatt]

@@joshwatts6287 thanks for the feedback.

[@advswede]

I changed my front and rear springs to K-tech last week. Very satisfied.

[@advmatt]

Nice, much more budget friendly than a full suspension, and it works for most.

[@olliechristopher467]

Right on Matt you did it right!! I rode my buddies T700 he purchased used from a desert racer. It was set up super stiff. Miserable to ride unless you are jumping it!! The direction you went is the smart one. I did basically the same as you with my Super Tenere. Got a straight rate shock spring and left the front alone (as it's already a progressive rate). Too many of the guys think they are better riders than what they are and need to spend big money on suspension upgrades. Happy Trails my man!!

[@advmatt]

Great experience to share here. Don't over do it, or the ride will still be bad, just the other end of the spectrum. Cheers.

[@pinnacleroofing9841]

my weight hovers between 170 - 175, I changed the rear spring to a 75 nm. I have zero clicks on the preload and the sag is exactly right, haven't done anything else but adjust the compression and rebound and it rides great on hard rocky trails. That being said, just rented and Aprilla 660 and it felt like I was cheating - such a plush ride. p.s - changing the rear spring is easy if you have a floor jack and 3 ratchet straps. run the straps through the top of the spring just below the retainer and through the bottom of the jack. Secure everything and pump the jack until the tension comes off the retainer. I did mine in abut 20 minutes

[@advmatt]

@@pinnacleroofing9841 that's a slick trick with the floor jack. The Tuareg has a lot going for it.

[@oldgreenbus]

Great video! I struggled with removing rear shock.. scissor jack is key. Also, i dd spend about 2k on cartridges and shock upgrade and I agree with your recommendation to change only springs. Maybe add some xtra front fork oil to prevent bottoming in whoops

[@leeinwis]

Change the fork oil, might as well .

[@advmatt]

Thanks for sharing what you spent on your suspension and your experience.

[@kaischemionek3574]

Hey Matt,...nice and worthful vid. I´ve aolso changed "only " the springs in front and rear and I am with you,...it is absolutly perfect. But I´ve got another question...You´ve installed a cover above the headlights to close the hole when the screan is in top position. Is it handmade or aftermarket,...I´ve never seen it in Germany... would be great to have one best regards from good old germany,...Kai

[@advmatt]

@@kaischemionek3574 thanks for the feedback. The cover under the windscreen is homemade. I can send you a template of mine that you can use to make your own. Send me an email to [e-mail] and I will forward it to you. I can't send it until I get home a few weeks from now. Here is the video I did on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4OsgYqJp9yCrNE

[@patrick87100]

I, too, did the rally raid rear. I haven't figured out the settings for the rear. She stumbles, rough over washboard roads.

[@advmatt]

I kept the compression stiff and slowed down the rebound. I still don't have the forks where I want them.

[@patrick87100]

@advmatt this is why I'm subscribed to your channel. Thanks for the response and info. Ill give it a try. . We just got back from Southern illinois. The washboard SUCKED.

[@randoo4u]

Great job and helpful info. I also replaced my rear spring with the rally raid 90 on my t7. I also weigh 210 and loaded down with all my camping gear and tools for the Trans America Trail I still am at max preload for proper sag but so much better than stock.

[@advmatt]

Thanks. The spring upgrade made a huge difference. Enjoy your ride.

[@RodKrisBisdakMotovlog]

Absolutely awesome video brother

[@advmatt]

Thanks.

[@adriantompson]

if you put more oil in this will improve them as well i run a 65mm air gap. or you can add oil through the breather screw try 15ml at a time and take it for a ride. make sure the front wheel is off the ground when you add fork oil and make sure you put the same in both legs.

[@advmatt]

Great tip, thanks for sharing.

[@jayhopkins1337]

Im also around 210lbs. And the spring kit seems to fixed all. I used little heavier oil up front also helped damping. Made my own spring compressor hardware about 35$

[@advmatt]

Nicely done. Good to get some additional feedback. Thanks.

[@adaptableadventurerider]

Thanks Matt brill information :)

[@advmatt]

Glad you found it useful.

[@bruisedspartan4870]

Where did you get/how did you make that black screen underneath your windshield risers? Nevermind, I found the video.

[@charlescummings1484]

Looks great. Nobody every shows taking the cap off and how that goes with the spring pressure or putting it back on. How did that go removing the fork cap and re-installing?

[@advmatt]

Just saw your question. It was easy taking the cap on and off, but the spring rate I used was half of what most other riders use. If you go with the same fork springs I used it will thread right on.

[@OneOldManRiding]

I am more than a little frustrated, as somsone who has been upgrading suspension on Japanese bikes for a very long time, that we still need to spring bike for European / North American riders when they are sold in those markets. - Frank

[@advmatt]

It is pretty frustrating considering the forks and shocks are obtained through suppliers. Bikes headed to NA and European markets could have stiffer springs and not change anything in the cost. Just a different part number for our markets. Japanese bike manufacturers are falling behind. Not one of them offers a mid size adventure bike with cruise control. All of the European bikes have it, maybe as an option, but it's available. Reliable doesn't mean it's made to modern standards. Cheers.

[@SashaV-ms7bd]

The best Moto guy.

[@BjornTA]

Great video! Would you change the fork oil to a thicker one?

[@advmatt]

Yeah, after changing springs I think a heavier oil is worth it. Maybe 7.5wt. I think stock is 5wt.

[@BjornTA]

@@advmatt Great, thanks! Btw: I hope you'll keep the T7. Big fan of your channel. To-the-point and very helpful videos. Keep it up!

[@advmatt]

@@BjornTA thanks for the feedback. The T7 will be around. I have more content for it coming and another 1600+ mile trip coming up next week. Lots of comparison videos coming too.

[@garyrourke3284]

Great information…..looking at your crashbar bags…what crashbars do you have

[@advmatt]

The crash bars are Hepco and Becker. Here is a the video I did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHnRmJeXo9SsnqMsi=EVi97ntV7P23IGLN

[@rlovell383]

Nice video man. Wondering what soft panniers those are, and do you like them?

[@advmatt]

I put together my own rackless setup. The bags are Rhinowalk 20 liter bags. Their ok, can't get warranty issue taken care off. Here is the video I did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jajGkJtprqp5n5Isi=AQrW5rNxlEmQG9TO

[@rlovell383]

@@advmatt Thanks! Hmm... Ok, maybe best to bite the bullet and go with Kriega

[@advmatt]

@@rlovell383 I am working on a second version of the DIY setup using the harness and 20 liter Wild Heart bags. These seem more durable. I can't bring myself to spend huge amounts on the Kriega and the like, but they are nice.

[@frankm6379]

Could the fork springs be replaced while the forks are still installed on the bike? Seems like you’d just have to be very careful not to drop the guide into the fork after removing the cap, and you’d have to keep the front wheel off the ground the whole time. Crazy idea?

[@advmatt]

@@frankm6379 I think the handle bars will be in the way. If you move the handle bars you can do it but remove the wheels so you can move the fork leg up and down.

[@alexmoreno-oc5oe]

Hi Buddy....how are You..... I have same weight as You......what type of front suspension did You install???? Wilbers or Yacugar??? Thanks

[@advmatt]

@@alexmoreno-oc5oe I went with the Wilbers fork springs.

[@pilyomotoride7781]

Would this be a good setup for touring? I'm 160lbs with side panniers and top box.We have very bad road conditions in the philippines 😆

[@advmatt]

It might feel a bit stiff for you but will definitely give you a sporty feel to the bike for you weight.

[@frank_jk]

How’s the new setup compared to stock suspension on that Tuareg?

[@advmatt]

I can't set the preload on the T7 fork without opening it up and adding spacers. The Tuareg has preload adjustments and the springs front and rear seem stiffer than the T7 after the upgrade. I was able to set proper preload in about 10 minutes on my new Tuareg. Picked it up yesterday. I need more time on the Tuareg but the starting point is way better.

[@trevorjones4463]

Hi rear tyre what brand

[@advmatt]

Tusk 2track, here is my review kzbin.info/www/bejne/apzOlK2wZ89sjsUsi=L679JlLAftNzv6L5

[@thodoris3790]

wait,the thing that everyone complains about the stock suspension of tenere,is that is soft?i m asking couse one i test rode(the rally version,the white one) and the suspenions was too firm.i was feeling even the small potholes on the asphalt.i m thinking to buy tenere,but also i m thinking transalp and tuareg.i am 178 high(5.9 i think) 87 killos.also the wind noise at that bike over 70mph,drived me crazy.i am not a hardocore off road rider,but i like tenere.but, i was a little dissaponted from my test ride.

[@advmatt]

The base Tenere 700 model has a really soft suspension. In the States we are not getting the Rally version. The Tuareg has a far superior suspension.

[@thodoris3790]

@@advmatt which was nicer and more comfortable on road,tenere or tuareg?

[@advmatt]

@@thodoris3790 Tuareg. Cruise control for the win. Wind and weather protection is better too. I just purchased a Tuareg and it has blown me away. Riding is subjective though. My preference is the Tuareg.

[@thodoris3790]

@@advmatt awesome.enjoy your new bike and we are waiting video.i ll try test ride it if one is available in my area,which i dont think so.the bigger hasitation i have about this bike,as most,is reliability.at least i have an official dealer 10 miles from home!

[@advmatt]

@@thodoris3790 I get the reliability issue. I will be honest about my experience.

[@mattmiller6629]

How does it now compare to a stock Aprilia Toureg?

[@advmatt]

The T7 is still not there yet. I can't adjust preload on the T7 fork without opening it up and adding spacers. Tuareg has adjustments on the fork. The stock spring rates on the Tuareg seem stiffer. I was able to set preload quickly with only using a small amount of adjustment. Just picked up my Tuareg yesterday. The T7 feels much better but still behind the Tuareg.

[@johnc7753]

How is the T7 after some miles compared to the 390?

[@advmatt]

I prefer the engine of the T7 but the 390 is more comfortable for long distance, after lots of mods. The ride is very different. I think to get the T7 to feel the way I want it, it will require as much mods as I made to the 390, which is a lot. The balance of the 390 is much better, especially offroad. It is hard to beat the 390.

[@johnc7753]

@@advmatt appreciate it. I looked at both, and may still eventually do a T7. But the weight of the 390 was very significant to what I had plans for.

[@advmatt]

@@johnc7753 take a look at the Tuareg, if it's nearr by.

[@johnc7753]

@@advmatt ha, foreshadowing!

[@SashaV-ms7bd]

The best Moto guy.