My Suspension Upgrade Plan - 2024 Yamaha Tenere 700

[@3GingerCats]

I went on my first BIG ride yesterday, 6 hours... and I was surprised how good the factory suspension on my V-Strom felt... the tyres, well... I guess they are designed to give plenty of grip when there is little of it, and some grip when there is plenty of it... you know what I mean! I always thought I was going to have to change things, I thought the back was too hard, but on the open road and twisties I was proved wrong, I also thought the front was too soft, but it's actually really balanced in those conditions. If I do anything, it may just be slightly thicker oil in the front forks and that's it, (other than Sports touring tyres If I decide I never want to take it on the Gravel roads, but at this stage I'm not going to rule that out until I've tried it)

[@chrismcallister6546]

sounds like your on the right track with the springs and less add on's "less weight"...

[@707LAKE]

i put a ktech lite shock on my fz07 with correct spring for 250lbs, and its completely different and wayyyyyy better, i was surprised to see the tire's wear immediately looked like a beach with tide going out after 2 hrs riding.. impressed with he valving and how it came right out the box, 0 adjustments, sag was perfect also.

[@compsciyan]

Interesting, I installed the Outback Motortek and could not notice the weight difference. Thought I would since I did the skid plate as well and it's not "light" persay. But could not feel the difference when commuting or on the trails. I am going to assume and say that the performance of the stock STR's may be hindering you more than the added weight out in the technical stuff. Honestly, it comes down to preference at the end of the day. Glad you are enjoying the T7, thing's a beast!!

[@motoken]

@compsciyan actually the STR was fine. Maybe the HEED crash bars are mounted higher than the outback motortek so it may be the difference.

[@porlalibre2830]

Well, I’ve tried to go your way one time, I’d removed the crash bars from the bike after 2 years riding with it and bought some after market side fairings just in case I lay down the bike, first ride without the crash bars and boom first crash on the trail (I guess murphy’s law is true 😂) but besides that, the problem of removing the crash bars if you lay down the bike is that this bike is top heavy, most likely you will bent the bars, twist the forks suspensions or bent the clamps, Barkbusters will only protect your bike controls and that’s it, if I hadn’t removed the crash bars, the crash bars had l absorbed most of the impact without damaging those parts of the steering and I could continue my ride without any further problems. Don’t saying that it will happen to you but, just keep it in mind, is not easy to return to home with the bars twisted. Now, this problem is easy to fix once you’re at home.

[@motoken]

@porlalibre2830 I understand that. It's really depends on the type of riding cause my slow drops and where I go do not seem to need crash bars. Maybe when my pace gets faster and I do more technical trails.

[@Adventure_Ready_Life]

I don't know what the options are yet for the tenere 700 but if springs and rebuilding the internal cartridges are both options that would definitely be my suggestion and the way i will be going on mine (once i actually buy it haha ... soon). I did the full top of the line touratech package on one of my f800 gs bmw's (several thousands of dollars invested) back in the day and although the suspension was an amazing improvement over stock (we used to ride our adv bikes like straight up dual sport trail goats at lightspeed) it didn't give me the same life altering performance difference i was used to on my dirt bikes back in the motocross racing days et I think a lot of that had to do with the bmw's overall limitations due to the bike design and weight etc. If you are just riding basic fire roads and some two track style trail and commuting i cant imagine the need for the high-end replacement suspension, and definitely some riders out there are always gonna keep buying the bling to keep up with the joneses ....

[@motoken]

@Adv_Ready_Moto for sure, I'm usually one to buy the latest and greatest just because, but when it's glaringly pointless, I can't do it. If my skills improve, I may upgrade one more time, but for now, 500 bucks to improve ride quality is way worth it.

[@motoken]

@Adv_Ready_Moto you can go full on cartridge kit and new shock for the T7. Lots of brand offerings. You can also do spring upgrades and fine-tune the damping by way of valves on the forks, etc...it can be an incremental upgrade or a huge one. Depending on the person.

[@Adventure_Ready_Life]

@@motoken yeah basically the tenere seems like the bike I was spending thousands of extra dollars trying to turn my f800gs into prior to its existence, I had a blast on the bmw platform but definitely prefer more adjustability and better off-road performance characteristics of what the tenere seems to be putting out. I will most likely do the springs and cartridges my buddy is a damn suspension wizard owner operator at Max Trends suspension up in Washington, I will have him get me dialed.

[@iEx0tic]

This video came right on time as I was considering new springs. But since i’m 175lbs im guessing im fine with the stock springs. I got top case and 12lbs crashguards thats it. Thanks for the information👏. Btw, how’s the skidplate? I know its a tough kind of plastic but do you think it will hold up mild hits? I never bottom out, im more worried about trying to go up a curb thats too high.

[@motoken]

I think it can take a hit. how hard..I cannot say yet. I went through deep ruts and rocks and did not even touch my stock skid plate. I think there are too many variables such as riding style or how fast you go through rough terrain that dictate how hard (if at all) you hit the belly pan. For my pace and type of riding, the hard plastic skid plate is good enough.

[@iEx0tic]

@@motoken appreciate it! Glad to hear you didnt go all out on the Ohlins. Enjoy your rides !

[@motoken]

yes! hopefully when my skills are up and it demands it.

[@lukosevo2847]

I also weigh 95 kg. and I drove 25,000 km in 7 months. the terrain needs experience, not a top chassis.

[@sick08gsr]

could you tell me what skid plate that is? Acerbis? thanks for any info

[@motoken]

@@sick08gsr Acerbis, yes

[@sick08gsr]

@motoken looks good on bike. I was just about to get the axp. This is cheaper and looks better.

[@motoken]

@sick08gsr yes I switched out of the AXP. The AXP is more robust looking, but I don't need that personally.

[@sick08gsr]

@@motoken same here. I want the protection. Most I'll ever be on is 2 track or some easy mountain passes. I got a lighter bike for the harder stuff.