Based on the standard Ténéré model with its slimmer 16-litre tank, but fitted with higher quality, fully adjustable KYB suspension featuring an extra 20mm of travel, a sump guard, radiator mesh, flat one-piece rally seat, bigger titanium rally footrests, and a high-level enduro-style front mudguard, the Extreme really looks the part and I was dead keen to get on it. Though that wasn't easy!
I nearly called for a step ladder!
Looking forward as much as I was at the idea of spending a day on the new Ténéré, just getting underway presented a fairly sizeable challenge for me. As an off-road fan and having ridden many different bikes specifically designed to work in that more testing environment, I'm aware of a feature they all share - very tall seat heights. However, at a lofty 910mm, the new Extreme has one of the highest. In fact, so elevated is the 700's new rally seat, I had little choice but to request the slightly lower saddle option, reducing things to a slightly more acceptable 890mm. Even so, my shorter-than-average 30-inch inside leg still meant getting both feet on the ground was impossible though it might have helped if I'd had the alternative rear suspension link fitted which lowers the bike still further. Luckily for me, I've developed the necessary techniques to cope with climbing and staying aboard. The tall seat is a bit of a frustrating feature of the bike, and shorties like me need to be much more observant to ensure being able to support the bike whenever coming to a halt.
All is forgiven and forgotten
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