DONT DO THIS To Your Tenere 700!!!

CONTENT WARNING: All SWANKY CAT videos are intended for entertainment purposes ONLY. Any attempt to recreate, reenact, or otherwise copy ANYTHING in SWANKY CAT videos is done at the viewers own risk!
PAID PROMOTION NOTICE: The SWANKY CAT channel regularly accepts, uses, tests, & reviews promotional products in our content.
According to the owners manual you should NOT lift your Tenere with a standard motorcycle jack...
Bike Lift:
www.amazon.com...
Follow Swanky Cat
Facebook: / swanky-cat-productions
Instagram: / swankycatproductions
Patreon: / swankycat
T-Shirts & Sweatshirts: teespring.com/...
Links to my gear and bike parts!
(If you click these and make a purchase on the sites I earn a small commission, which goes towards more videos like this!)
Bike Stuff:
Rear Tire: www.rockymount...
Front Tire: www.rockymount...
Radiator Guard:
www.rockymount...
Battery Tender: www.rockymount...
Gear Stuff:
Boots: www.rockymount...
Helmet: www.rockymount...
Goggles: www.rockymount...
Gloves: www.amazon.com...
Mesh Coat: www.amazon.com...
Textile Coat: www.amazon.com...
Textile Pants: www.amazon.com...
Microphone Adaptor For Hero4: www.amazon.com...
BT-S2 Bluetooth Communicator: www.amazon.com...
Stay Swanky My Friends!
#Tenere700info #Tenere700 #T7 #Tenere700motovlog #T7motovlog #Teneremotovlog #Tenere700offroad #T7offroad #Tenereoffroad

[@barryandsandra]

Hey - that seems to me to make zero sense. The bash plate is attached to those bars, and the weight of the bike hitting that plate when riding (as designed) is WAAAAY more than the static weight of the bike when lifted with a jack.

[@leesuschrist]

I thought the same exact thing! Bash plates are for bashing

[@coochb945]

I agree. If you cannot jack a static bike up by the bash plate then it's not really a bash plate. Sounds like someone needs to give Yamaha's legal department a lesson in what a bash plate needs to be capable of 😄

[@donbreeden1993]

@@coochb945 or their engineering department

[@Raythe]

it's not a structural bash plate. its meant for rock and debris deflection, not slamming down on a hard surface with on a large granite boulder......that's why aftermarket ones attach in other places than this plate.

[@BMWWolf]

Highly recommend a center stand. They are worth every penny.

[@feniksgordonfreeman]

Does center stand lower clearence of bike? Thinking on installing center stand, but if it eats clearence (on Tenere 700 clearence not so great for dirt ride) then I can leave without center stand

[@ADVMoto]

@@feniksgordonfreeman We installed a center stand on the T7 and it's a huge help. It doesn't seem to protrude below the skid plate so there's no ground clearance problem. It just adds 5-6 lbs at the bottom of the bike. Install takes about 1 hour and have some good spring pullers! :)

[@henrikkaufmann3009]

Almost broke my foot that got caught between the center stand and a big hidden stone. So my center stand went off again. Its convenient, but heavy and not necessary.

[@Jroblet]

It's in the manual page 7-36. Says to remove the bash plate and place a piece of wood under the sump and lift the bike from there. Centerstand is the way to go. I have the Camel ADV bash plate. It has a support at the rear to distribute weight up to the frame. So lifting the bike from underneath isn't a big deal with a jack like that. But the OEM or aftermarket bash plate that doesn't have a rear support would not be as strong.

[@dzordzanonymous1304]

Is AXP bash plate enough to lift Tenere from bottom?

[@Jroblet]

@@dzordzanonymous1304 I would follow the manual. But I did lift mine with the OEM skid the normal way not following the manual procedure. I believe the AXP also has the rear brace so I wouldn't be afraid to lift it with that skid on it either.

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

The 2x4 is to bash yourself in the noggin for trying to follow some of the instructions in the owner's manual .

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Oooooh, ok haha.

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

@@SwankyCatProductions Not your noggin per say but in general , for clarification .

[@KLRmurdercycle]

😆

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha no worries man, I got I good laugh out of it.

[@MrBeefsnorkel]

as a career, ive been working on cars for a long time now. the reason a 2x4 / piece of wood is used, is because you can (way more easily than you think you'd be able to) dent, break, chip, or put holes in metal you otherwise think would be just fine. i can visualize someone bending that linkage in ur video or something just enough to where they get a shitty wobble at higher speeds, or some other very annoying issue. the 2x4 / block of wood is actually very important to use.

[@0xsergy]

You ain't gonna put holes on a 440lb bike. 2500lb car, sure.

[@mikeckennedy]

Great video. To all the folks suggesting a center stand, I also considered that. But I went for a tusk motocrutch instead. It's just a few onces and can easily fit under the footpeg opposite side of the kickstand to hold the wheel up to work on it. I'll probably get a bike lift at some point, but for now this works well at home and I carry it with me just in case while riding offroad. No link provided since KZbin would block it in the comments anyway.

[@rontimber8566]

I would hope that the bars that hold the BASH plate would be strong enough to support the bike. Maybe it should be called a bump plate.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

They actually call it a "cowl"... I guess this is the reason behind that.

[@arieerkkila]

Flip the pegs upside down and use a couple jacks. I don't have a T7 but works for most bikes.

[@hazcat640]

I love the T7 but I think it's just Yamaha admitting they used a pie pan for a bash plate. Get a proper bash plate and you'll be fine jacking it up.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah I'm not sure what their objective was with that warning but even with the tin of a skid plate I think it was just fine, pretty sure I even sat on mine lol.

[@etrike7004]

You can place some wood in between the plate and the engine. I've seen that done and seems to work.

[@100868ful]

When you use that lift the lift is pushing up in the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is hanging lower than the rails.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Mmm, no the pipe doesn't hang down that low? The manual just says this because of the weak support rails.

[@ednayokum8588]

I don’t really care how you lift your personal machine but I think the owners manual is requesting you to lift from the crankcase. So you would use the wood as a spacer between your jack and the crankcase. Must remove skid plate first obviously.

[@PaulTimmer]

I am using a centrestand on my Tenere Rally. It works well, but it is heavy, and the front wheel is not of the ground. I dont see any issue with picking up the bike on the bash plate. The Rally bash plate is strong and flat, it uses the same bars as the standard version. Im taking the centrestand off, and moving to this solution. The looks of the stand annoy me, and changing tires is not a 100% solved, becouse the front wheel has weight on it.

[@johnnytenjobs]

Someone should make a pair of replacement bottom cradle tubes that are strong enough for jacking as shown.

[@brianq103]

I put the SW-Motech center stand on mine, but I use that exact same stand to do stuff like remove the front tire. So if just jacking it up will cause a problem, what the hell is hammering a tree trunk with the bash plate, aftermarket though it is on my bike, attached to the same parts?

[@mikebarnett339]

Yet, there are so many videos with people - actual mechanics - working on the T7 and they jack the bike up exactly like this.

[@IslandADV]

One more reason I should invest in a center stand. Great video as always Mr. Cat. Also, I love the new marquee graphics you've been using at the start lately. Nice touch.

[@mattkeating7446]

If those bars can't hold the weight of the bike static, every single T7 that was ever bottomed out would have bent bars. Hitting a rock at 25 is going to like quadruple the force of a static bike. This is just silly guys

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah Im not sure what they are trying to accomplish with this warning. I don't doubt that the bars are a bit of a weak point but I think they can handle more then Yamaha is giving them credit for.

[@zedpoutine]

Yamaha calls it a "cowling" which is "the removable cover of a vehicle or aircraft engine". I think this pretty much sums up the intended purpose of the thing.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Ha ha yeah I think that's more to cover themselves. I think it'll be ok for the majority of riders.... I'll probably interest in something better though.

[@streddaz]

Na you won’t hurt it. If it can take a hit from underneath when riding it can be lifted off it. It’s more to do with the factory skid plate being thin and if you don’t use a large base jack (yours is perfect) it could punch in the skid plate, damage the exhaust or sump.

[@eriksforestryvision8751]

The bike isnt very adventurous if it cant take a 500lb (which is nothing) hit to the lower frame. Which would be the weight of jacking it up. Looks like a design flaw actually.

[@dave-d]

Just put first 3000 miles on same model. Still grinning! Seems we could use a steel link piece from the engine cradle to the frame behind the footrest bracket. Its only a few mm away. Weird bit of design. If the bike comes down hard enough on the belly pan it could snap the small aluminium bridge at the back where it joins the footrest bracket like barryandsandra says further down.

[@TheRiderGuider]

Gonna be getting mine that dirty (again) on Sunday 😁 ... first service tomorrow, Yamaha bash plate going on, unsure if my other bits have arrived, but engine bars, chain guide thingy, headlight protector are due. I’m then getting them R&G goodies ordered. Fun times!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Nice! I just did my 600 mile oil change today, still need it get it in to have the fuel injection synchronized and need to order a washable filter. I've got some crash bars on the way too!

[@edfeten4724]

That's what you get for buying a "Yamabog"!!! Just kidding, really like the high front fender. I have jack just like yours for my KLR. I have a tray on casters that the jack sits on. I can jack the bike up off it's wheels and then move it around without taking it off the jack. Very handy and that is not something you can do with a center stand.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Ha-ha. Hmm yeah that would actually be really nice, especially while filming install videos. I might have to try to find one!

[@Dobbo001]

Easy - buy a centre stand - simple.

[@tjrenegade9807]

That's not really a bash or skid plate its a gravel guard.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

According to the manual it's a "cowl" lol

[@ExplorerJude]

Surprised to see that you made the effort to jack the front fender and did not replace that cheap skidplate! A stiffer plate will strengthen the bike structure. Center stand is a must on an adventure bike.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I'll replace the bash plate eventually. Between the deep ruts I find that it could get caught up in and the banging around it would do when going over jumps, a center stand doesn't really appeal to me. I don't really do long distance adventures, just a lot of little adventures every weekend. So at most I'm an hour from home and would rather trailer the bike back then replace a tube on the trail anyways lol.

[@travv26]

technically I just lift it from the rafters by ratchet straps to the bars and the rear frame...

[@Clickmaster5k]

If you can't lift be the bash plate how can you trust it to protect the case?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I think it's stronger then they give it credit for but still it's a little disappointing.

[@nelster70]

Isn't it something to do the with the engine being a stressed member of the frame? I think you are supposed to put the 4 x 2 under the dog bone linkage that you pointed out. Seen others do it, on different bikes though.

[@simonchant761]

The first thing most decent off raiders do is rip off ,throw and replace the tin foil bash plate. Google up B and B bash plate . Quality Australian product.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check that out!

[@neglg2353]

That bike looks great with raised front fender 👍👍👍

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

After picking up my Tenere from the dealership last week for the second time because of electrical issues the thing took another dump on me . So pissed , last time they said it was a loose battery cable . I think I am done with this bike . Had a great ride the other day and felt I was getting the feel of it better and I got to see a mountain lion at sunset . Going along one of our windy coastal roads in Northern California I see eye shine on the left side of the road near some willows . It looked much bigger than a bobcat and when I slowed down I saw its head and face , the head was big about 10" cheek to cheek . I just slowed down and stopped while watching it watch me . Put the hazards on and backed up a bit to get a better look at it but when I looked away to see about traffic for a second it ducked into the trees and was gone . Making some cool memories with this bike but it's friggin cursed . Spent 700 on Touratech crash bars and now I wonder if I should even attempt to install them . The dealer said they would pick it up this time so we'll see what they say . Just can't trust it anymore . This crap happens in the boonies I'm screwed .

[@simonchant761]

Probably built on a Friday afternoon, I can't fault my 2020 tenere.Keep giving back to the dealer. They'll sort it.

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

@@simonchant761 They said it was a bad battery . It's been over a week now so I should get a call soon . I don't even want a stock battery , was going to put a lithium battery in it but as per warranty they have to replace like with like .

[@rodneyjohnston2217]

The two by four is to put your feet on setting the sag etc

[@Racer57]

Probably 2x4 on the linkage I would guess.

[@whatupg1]

Looks plenty strong enough for 200kg+ of T7 spread over the bars with the bash plate. I would think it could handle it no problem.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah I'm not sure what they are worried about. Just covering themselves I assume. Mine been just fine lol

[@ShaneRawling]

The way you are doing it is pressing that plate against the exhaust, so you are lifting the whole bike by the exhaust. If you had a proper bash plate which didn't flex it wouldn't be a problem. Otherwise you need to do it as per the manual. The wood is so you lift from the engine (stress member) and not the exhaust.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Yeah.... The plate never touches the pipe.

[@Josh-ew1le]

Factory center stand is like $350.

[@ianferrier235]

Seems like a bad design, what if you are going over big logs,hammering it down 🙄

[@TheGlatch]

So apparently it is just a bash plate and not a skid plate 😅

[@MVDBR]

I jack mine right off the ground with no probs. Got the B&B bash plate but still, it's attached to the same bars haha.

[@beachamboy11]

I just put some SW Motech crash bars on my Africa Twin. It was more difficult than I expected. Lol

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I was surprised how long it took to put the Tusks on my KLR back in the day.

[@thehoneybadger8089]

Get the center stand and be happy!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Never!!! Haha. I actually just installed a skid plate that mounts to the center stand mount for extra support.

[@davereese1813]

center stand, hand guards, crash bars, radiator guard, better bash plate, lights, case cover, high fender between what you have already done and some other potential upgrades a $10,000 motorcycle can quickly get quite a bit more expensive. Will you ride a substantially more expensive bike the same way you rode the KLR?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Once I get some crash bars on it I'll definitely be hitting the same trails and beating on it a bit. I bought it to test out and to make off road videos on so I can't get to sentimental. I get where your coming from though. If I'd have purchased something like this 5 years ago I think I'd have been much more worried about dropping it. I actually worried about the KLR quite a bit back then and that cost less than 4k.

[@42micks42]

Been jacking mine up for 2 years also a couple of friends T7's and never had an issue with it or done any damage. is there a jack on the market for the job. Cheers Mick

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Hey Mick, yeah I've been doing it for almost a year now too with no issues. I installed a bash plate with a 5th mounting point which makes be feel a little more confident off road but I didn't even think about jacking it up now. Cheers!

[@gufra9835]

yes, yes, yes, but, serious: steel tubes, 2 of them, should stand the weight of T7...

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Agreed lol. I won't be climbing on it while it's up there but I'm not worried about it.

[@jellybean8495]

Hmmm maybe it’s not the steel frames that are the issue but how they are joined with week bolts to the main frame that is the weak point?

[@Spike-rj6ye]

Man, do you love it? I seriously want one

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I sure do! Cannot wait to get it back out in spring!

[@XtremeEnduroScotland]

Catch a grip guys....this is pure PISH!

[@johnny_w]

Hello, nice bike, what tyre do you use in front and back, and which size ? With innertubes ?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

They are Motoz Tractionators, I've got a link in the description to the site I got them from. Just tell them what bike you have and they can get you set up with the right size. I believe they might also sell tubes.

[@badbruise]

Get a center stand

[@SwankyCatProductions]

I thought about it but I don't want too add the weight or have all the tubes and feet hanging off the underside.

[@Raythe]

If it can't survive being jacked up gently, how is it supposed to survive a bash?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Agreed lol I think it's stronger then they give it credit for but it's still a little concerning.

[@downndirtyutv927]

Yamaha is going to say a lot of things to protect themselves but it’s probably fine 99.9% of the time.

[@patw9175]

Does the swingarm not have threading for spools?

[@2twolow]

Well. That's what i do soooo.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha me too! It's been fine

[@maxdaddy6434]

Africa Twin

[@jimgordon3468]

Don't forget , you paid $10,000 plus tax for that bike.

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Worth every penny!

[@duffnstuff4638]

What front tire are you using?

[@SwankyCatProductions]

MotoZ Tractionator Adventures front and back.

[@donnawells2442]

You don’t look at that YAMADOG like you did your KLR. Miss your KLR now,don’t you? You’re young, we learned about Yamadogs many years ago. YOU WILL TOO EVENTUALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! RIDE SAFE!!

[@SwankyCatProductions]

Haha, it was a great bike but I'm pretty excited about the Tenere. It's been a lot of fun so far!

[@Slapsamillion]

Cheap tricks so Yamaha get you to buy the center stand lmao

[@leamsy1969]

bash plate's crumple zone?....

[@paulcondie2520]

But yet they put the skid plate there? Lol

[@The_Privateer]

So... the 'bash plate' is really only cosmetic. LOL Yamaha, ok. Gotcha.

[@WoodrowfolloweroftheMessiah]

👍🏻🙏🏻✝️😀