The adventure motorcycle world is split into two tribes: those who crave high-tech touring comfort and those who live for gritty, unplugged off-road exploration. The Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L and Yamaha Tenere 700 sit at opposite ends of this spectrum. One is a tech-laden luxury tourer; the other is a stripped-down, no-nonsense scrambler. But which one deserves a spot in your garage? We’ll dissect their engines, agility, suspension, and even dive into the booming world of Tenere 700 parts that keep modders obsessed.
2. Head-to-Head Comparison
2.1 Engine Showdown: Torque vs Technology
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Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L:
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Engine: 1084cc parallel-twin, 102 HP.
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Power Delivery: Buttery-smooth acceleration optimized for long highway stretches. The optional DCT automatic transmission eliminates clutch fatigue on multi-day trips.
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Tech: Throttle-by-wire, cornering ABS, and multiple ride modes (including gravel and off-road presets).
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Weakness: High-revving character struggles in deep sand or slow crawls.
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Yamaha Tenere 700:
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Engine: 689cc CP2 parallel-twin, 72 HP.
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Power Delivery: Raw, grunty low-end torque perfect for rock gardens and hill climbs. The cable-actuated throttle offers old-school feedback.
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Mod Potential: “The CP2 engine is a blank canvas. Swap the air filter, add a fuel dongle, and you’ll unlock hidden torque,” says Adventure Rider Forum user @DirtSlinger.
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A t700 rider said to us: I once rode the Africa Twin across 3,000 miles of interstate highways – its parallel-twin engine purred like silk on pavement, and the DCT transmission let me ditch the clutch lever entirely. But when I veered into Utah’s rock-strewn washes, the Tenere 700 instantly reignited my pulse. Its CP2 engine growled, ‘Hold on tight – this is what adventure feels like!’ The switches? Half as many as the Africa Twin’s.
Sometimes, less really is more… especially when you’re knee-deep in Tenere 700 performance parts upgrades.
2.2 Weight & Agility: The Off-Road Tipping Point
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Honda Africa Twin:
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Weight: 523 lbs (236 kg) wet.
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On-Road: Stable at 80+ mph, but the weight bites back in tight single-track trails.
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Off-Road: “It’s like wrestling a grizzly in dunes,” admits a Reddit user.
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Yamaha Tenere 700:
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Weight: 452 lbs (205 kg) wet.
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Off-Road: The lower center of gravity and narrow chassis let you pivot through switchbacks. Drop it? “Half the Tenere 700 crash protection parts cost less than one Africa Twin fairing,” notes ADV Pulse.
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We received a message from a fan who said: Last month on Colorado’s ridge trails, my Tenere 700 hopped through downed logs and boulder fields like a mountain goat, its crash bars screeching against granite – a sound weirdly addictive. Then I borrowed my buddy’s Africa Twin for the same route. Big mistake. Trying to wrestle its 523-pound bulk up a tilted shale slope? Let’s just say it became my workout of the year. Stick to graded dirt roads with this beast unless you’re training for Strongman competitions.
2.3 Suspension & Clearance: Plush vs Punishing
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Honda Africa Twin:
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Suspension: Showa 45mm forks, 9.1 inches (230mm) travel.
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Setup: Tuned for comfort over washboard roads. Soft initial stroke, but bottoms out on hard landings.
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Ground Clearance: 9.8 inches (250mm) – high enough for most obstacles.
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Yamaha Tenere 700:
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Suspension: 43mm KYB forks, 8.3 inches (210mm) travel.
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Setup: Stiffer springs for aggressive off-road hits. “Feels like a rally bike on steroids,” says Dirt Bike Test.
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Mod Spotlight: “Swap the stock springs for Rally Raid Tenere 700 suspension parts and gain 2 inches of travel,” advises a YouTube mechanic.
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Ground Clearance: 9.4 inches (240mm) – skid plate recommended for boulder fields.
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Ask my tailbone about their suspensions, and it’ll scream:
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Tenere 700: Charging down Arizona’s dry riverbeds, the KYB shocks delivered every landing with a satisfying THWACK! – almost daring me to hit harder.
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Africa Twin: Is it Showa suspension? Think ‘five-star-hotel-bed-meets-Alaska ''s-Dalton-Highway’. After 200 miles of washboard gravel, I half-expected a concierge to offer a massage.
3. The Tenere 700’s Secret Sauce: Aftermarket Mania
While the Africa Twin thrives on factory tech, the Tenere 700’s true superpower is its mod-friendly DNA:
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Why Modders Love It:
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Bolt-on upgrades require zero frame modifications.
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Top Tenere 700 Parts for 2024:
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Camel ADV Crash Bars – Save your engine from drops.
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Rally Seat – Tackle standing rides without numb legs.
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AS3 Performance ECU Tune – Unleash hidden horsepower.
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- Explore our curated list of the best Tenere 700 parts to build your ultimate adventure rig.
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4. Who Wins Your Wallet?
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Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L: Starts at $14,999.
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Best For: Tech addicts and globe-trotters who want comfort over punishment.
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Yamaha Tenere 700: Starts at $10,499.
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Best For: DIY warriors who’d rather spend $4,500 on Tenere 700 upgrades than gadgets.
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Honda Africa Twin / Yamaha Tenere 700 Specifications
| MSRP: | $14,499/$10,499 |
| Engine: | Parallel-twin / Parallel-twin |
| Displacement: | 1084cc / 689cc |
| Wheelbase: | 62.0 in. / 62.8 in. |
| Weight (curb, claimed): | 505 lbs. / 452 lbs. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 6.5 gal. / 4.2 gal. |
FAQ
Q: Can the Tenere 700 handle a cross-country road trip?
A: Yes, but add Tenere 700 comfort parts like a taller windscreen and heated grips.
Q: Is the Africa Twin too heavy for a beginner?
A: Absolutely. Start with the Tenere 700 – it’s cheaper to repair with aftermarket Tenere 700 parts.
Q: Which bike holds its value better?
A: Africa Twin depreciates more slowly, but modded Tenere 700s with premium parts can fetch top dollar.
More riders' discussions on this topic, please click：https://www.reddit.com/r/SuggestAMotorcycle/comments/xv0knf/africa_twin_or_tenere_700/
https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/standard-africa-twin-vs-t%C3%A9n%C3%A9r%C3%A9-700.1432219/
More tenere 700 parts, please click: https://www.nicecnc.com/collections/yamaha-tenere-700-motorcycle-parts
