DIRTY MINDED: YAMAHA TÉNÉRÉ 700

and Ewan-style soiree, complete with champagne and strawberries, think again (we had cake and beer). In true MT motor style, the 700 proved the ultimate dangerous-riding-competition counterpart right from the very off, offering wheelies aplenty from its torquey motor, despite the lengthened (1,590mm) wheelbase and long travel forks that sucked up road imperfections faster than a tramp on chips. As road bikes go, despite the stock fitment 21” front wheel, the Ténéré was proving up for the craic, pitching into corners with ease and holding a disciplined line. I was impressed, and I was having a right blast for the initial hour’s ride on flowing roads. It felt like a big, comfy bike, being tall-seated, low-pegged and sporting relaxed, broad handlebars. The fuelling felt brilliant, delivering the kind of silky, tactile connection to the rear wheel that many a manufacturer would kill for, backed up by a useable, linear wallop of energy. From as low as 2,000rpm in sixth, the motor would pull through with only a few coughs and