Mike's Tenere & Motorcycle Blog

  2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 3 year Review The T7 has really impressed me with it's overall competence, quality, refinement, fun factor &  endearing synergy & cache. It has a big dirt bike feel while also being very road friendly with a jack of all trades, master of none capability that I really enjoy & appreciate.  Aside from its height & high center of gravity the T7 is confidence inspiring off-road & easy to ride with it's ample, linear, torque rich power & very good traction compliments of frame, swingarm & output shaft geometry optimized to push the rear tire down on acceleration. Every design has compromises & Yamaha chose to infuse traction prowess by placing the motor high in the frame to the detriment of lower center of gravity & seat height.  What is striking is the diverse & broad appeal the T7 garners ranging from actual dual sport use to gravel/dirt road adventures to commuting to touring to Iron Butt length travels...it is the p

Brake Fluid Change Yamaha specifies Dot 4 brake fluid for the Tenere 700 to be changed every 2 years.  I like to use higher spec'd fluids with higher boiling points (see 2nd ATE pic below) & quality additives for improved performance characteristics & service intervals like ATE's Typ 200 Dot 4, but any fluid matching the manufacturers specifications will work fine under normal use.  ATE's SL.6 Dot 4 with it's lower viscosity is well suited to cold climates or bikes with advanced ABS systems (see 2nd ATE pic below). For an explanation of the differences between Dot 3, 4, 5 (glycol based) & 5.1 (silicon) brake fluid watch this  Motorcyclist Magazine Garage video Tech Tip: Never mix glycol based fluid with synthetic & fully flush the entire hydraulic system if changing to a different fluid type. Bikes with ABS S ystems Some bikes with ABS systems provide a way to cycle the ABS pump with the bike not running & on the stand to flush the pump, which can

Howe Sound from Porteau Cove Park & Camground Squamish Estuary & Stawamus Chief From Squamish River Dyke Road

  South Arm of the Fraser River River Road Westham Island River Road West

W. Dyke Road, Iona Causeway, Sea Island, Richmond River Road, Fraser River North Arm, Richmond Wasney Automotive, Trapp Road, Burnaby