I feel your pain. I’m over 50 and have to find a spot to relieve myself about every half hour or so. That’s why I don’t need the bigger gas tank. I’m stopping at every station whether I like it or not. And every abandoned building, dumpste, bushes, trail, woods, Ect…. That’s the real reason I went dual-sport- to find interesting places to piss.

I’ve owned both bikes. Currently on the T7. Africa twin more comfy on highway, t7 better off-road lighter narrower. More exiting. Depends what you want to do I guess

I liked that subtle hand-wipe right at the start. Classy!

Own a 2017 AT and love it but the T7 is tempting. Only hesitation I have is it’s ability to handle high crosswinds. The AT slices through high winds.

I'm gonna buy T7 next year. I tested it in the city, off-road and on the highway. I had many dirtbikes, now i want to have smthng universal, It's perfect for me.

I have rode a bunch of different bikes over the years, took a spin on the T7 and literally lost sleep over it. I never even had the chance to sit on a AT, but being 6’1” 190 lbs, and seeing people complain about the tank on the AT, hitting knees on the tank in comments on youtube, which is so annoying to me also. The T7 fit me so well I stopped shopping for other bikes. Got one shortly after, love the Tenere 700 🤙🏽

Weight of a motorcycle plays a big role, but compared to seat height and flat-footing when seated, I think seat height is more important. If a bike weighs in at more than 450lbs, you are not going to stop it from going down when you fall anyway. It is just harder to pick up a heavier bike of course, but even Enduro and MX bikes become heavy at some point. Pick a bike that you are comfortable on and are not scared to ride because of weight or seat height. Obviously if you are a midget, it does make it more difficult to handle a bike.

For me it comes down to how much highway riding vs off-road. Also what are the highway conditions, I live and ride in the hot Death Valley area. Now have the Africa Twin 1000 and love it. Never overheats, plenty of horsepower. I ride off-road a lot also, but don't seem to have as much problem as some. Have built a Paris-Dakar XR-650L with custom extended heat fins and massive oil cooler. It still overheated on long hot highway rides. Fork flex in slow rocky washes was an issue while loaded down. Had some great bikes throughout the years. For me I am very satisfied with the AT. The T7 sounds like a great bike. No experience here. I'm pretty confident the AT will endure anything I plan to put it through. I'm heavy, my gear is heavy. Maybe will upgrade suspension next year, but thats a luxury upgrade more than anything.

I went with the AT. I'm 6'3, 230lbs. Load it with camping and fishing gear, and it is more capable for long-range asphalt / gravel travel and adventure touring. On the purely fun factor, where I was looking for shorter day or weekend outings and more challenging off-road terrain, I'd have gone T7 and never have looked back. The AT is a big, top-heavy machine in those conditions.

Well you are right pick the bike you feel you can have the most fun on. Had a 2017 Africa Twin and sold it for the 2020 model. Great bikes and the new one is way better and 25lbs lighter. While only 5'8 I could still almost flat foot them. But the fun went away pretty fast for me when I did the Colorado BDR. I'm not a beginner but not a pro either and let me tell you it was fun doing the route. But the whole time I was riding I was thinking I wanted a smaller bike. I found the AT to be too top heavy for me with 55lbs of gear and standing throwing almost 600lbs around for 800 miles wore me out. When I got home I demoed the T7 and ordered one on the spot. If felt that much better more like a big dirt bike so the AT has to go. The AT is a great bike but remember how you are going to ride it...ps just got a Honda 450L for the really hard stuff.

I asked my wife if size matteres, and she answered, "It's not the size of the bike that matters, it's the spacing of the whoops." ... whatever THAT means... Still, such a tough choice, but I know which one I'm aiming for now. Just a few more weeks before I can buy it.

At 6’3”, I chose the T7 for the ergonomics, it just fits me better. Africa Twin felt like the seat was cut out to low for me, and the tank was interfering with my knees, rather than supporting. When you swing your leg over a bike, you know immediately if it will work for you or not.

I’ve got the 2020 Africa Twin. It’s my first street bike. The biggest bike I rode prior was a YZ250f several years ago. I’m 6’ 160lbs. I am surprisingly comfortable off-roading on the AT. I am riding trails that the internet led me to believe was impossible on a 500lb bike. Maybe it’s because of my experience on the YZ. Of course, the T7 would most likely be easier to ride in the dirt, but I love the AT as a street bike. Easy to do lots of highway miles. Edit: my inseam is 32

Idk about the models in the vid but if you compare current year models, the Africa Twin is only 15kg heavier and (if you pick the factory spec low seat option) has a lower seat height. While I agree that riders should choose bikes that "fit" them properly, I'm not convinced rider size makes a difference when comparing these two bikes.

At 5’ 9” and 162 lbs. I have worked on my techniques and am reasonably comfortable on my R1200GS. That said my 2019 KTM 690 is much easier to handle on the more challenging terrain. The BMW a far better traveler however.

What I´ve found riding an F800GS being 170cm (and with short legs) is that riding a tall bike requires a lot more skill and/or work from the rider. It´s perfectly possible for a short rider to ride a tall bike, but you need a lot of practice and balance. However, being as lazy as I am, I opted to lower my bike about an inch, so I could start every spring as a noob without tipping the bike every other stop along the road. Most people will always be more comfortable with this option, I guess. I think it´s a bit speculative by the manufacturers that they won´t at least have a few options for suspension height out there. Of course you have a regular model, and the ADV, but there´s a ton of other goodies that come with the ADV´s that you just can´t get on the standard model, and the ADV is for people over 185cm. One honorable exception might be the Triumph XCA which has a really low seat compared to the others I´ve tried. Also, the 1200/1250 BMW GS is lower than the 800 if anyone was wondering.

I love my ATAS, ill admit I am short on the bike and that does suck at times, but none the less I still enjoy.

One thing that stands out for me is that the AT looks considerable more comfortable for a passenger in a long multiple hour ride. T7 looks too narrow.

My two cents worth: - If you’re doing flat gravel, if you’re comfortable on a big bike, then that’s the way to go - If it is even slightly technical, being able to flat foot the bike (particularly loaded) is important. It is even more important in hot weather when you get tired quicker and don’t hydrate enough - The weight of the bike alone is seldom a problem for riders with some experience. The difficulty comes in with a packed bike, where you obviously want everything packed as low and evenly as possible. That is where the challenge lies.

I’m on a 1200GS right now. I’ve been to Ushuaia, Tuktoyaktuk and Prudhoe and many other places. I’m kind of thinking of a new Tenere 700 as that’s a 100 pound reduction. I’m 72 and less weight would be nice.

I sat on a twin at the dealer - it's HUGE! It didn't look so big in the pics and videos. Still awaiting seeing a 700 in person.

I have a 2016 AT. The AT is cramped where your feet go. If both are wearing MX boots, you're constantly vying for a place to put your feet. The catalytic converter doesn't help.

this is very simple, if you want more power, slightly more comfort, electrical gizmos and a better fuel range, get the the AT if you want a more athletic bike get the T7

I love my Twin because of the size. It's a perfect fit for me. I am curious about the Tenere though! I may need to test ride one just to see what I think.

I'm 1,77m and 75kg and have had an XRV750 since 2002 which I initially thought was too big for me but really got used to it over the decades and it felt like the perfect bike for me after riding it a few months. I've been all over Southern Africa with it in extreme off-road trails. Most people my height, their legs don't reach the ground comfortably as mine, so I have a little longer legs and arms coz I also don't feel a need for handlebar risers. I have now bought the CRF1000 and I'm amazed how similar this bike feels to the old XRV750, mind-blowing. It has the lower seat adjustment option but I still prefer the higher adjustment coz I perfer tip-toeing instead of flat footing. I don't ride with my feet on the ground 😄 That said, I will be using the lower seat position in technical terrain. You may fall over and drop a heavier bike from time to time in technical terrain but you are more likely to crash a lighter bike at higher speed. I just feel that lighter bikes don't put enough weight down for better traction and I'm talking about sub 400cc bikes. At least that is my experience. Furthermore, there is no point in riding a lighter KTM390 for instance BUT you carry the lounge and the kitchen sink in your panniers like so many I've seen. I ride a heavier bike but I pack light.

Good info I was leaning toward the Africa twin but I have short legs and u got me thinking more reasonable

And what do you think of a Honda CB500X ? I'm 78yrs old and 3'8" and 55 lbs, experienced, but fearing weight. Thanks for an answer !

Thanks for the advice. Do you "dare" to recommend a good bike for someone who is 5'7 and 156 kg? Ténéré? CB500X? CRF300L?

I also remember the AT dissapointed release being anticipated to be a 650 . It is a physically bigger bike than I thought. @ 5'9" I cannot flat foot & feels somewhat heavy. But the tenere looks more like the xt 350/600 thumpers I'm more familiar with in the past. If I had to compromise. The tiger 900 would be the exception.

Not only size but a considerable cost savings with the T7!

Wich bike do you recomend for men with small legs? I tried the f800gs, very good handling only the back of my feets cannot touch the ground the same time.. Thanks for your reply! Great videos!

Easy to pick a bike when you are 5’8” plus , but I’m 5’5” and my whole life I have been challenging myself riding multiple big sizes bikes, which they can make one full size motorcycle just with a lowering seat height, every time you look for bike with low seat height you only find small engine sizes bikes that looks more like scooters than actual motorcycles.

At 5'9 and shrinking (getting older) I have to lower my bikes to flat foot or nearly flat foot. I'd like to ride more fire and gravel roads. Does it make more sense to put more aggressive tires on my standard street bike or get an adventure bike and lower it? There wold be no "motocross" type riding like big jumps, etc.

I'm ,75 and I have no difficuties doin off road Tracks with the ATAS, it's the better road bike of the 2

I ridea long way to get to a good dirt road. Africa Twin.. Plus I think the Yamaha is 450 plus pounds, the AT (2017) is 500..not much difference.

I am 6’1” 200lbs and would prefer the bike that fits me. I currently am not looking at serious off road riding I just need a bike that I can load up with no problem and hit the road and take in the occasional dirt roads. I’m not an experienced dirt rider so I’m not sure if the AF twin would be too heavy or if the T7 would be good for my size and a passenger?

If 2up is a requirement at all, the T7 is not going to cut it. The AT has ample space and width for a pillion plus the necessary extra torque

How would you rate the tenere on long distance highway riding on a scale of 1 to 10

I’m just over 5 10 and fancy the Yam 700.Just flat footed on it but may still buy a lower seat to feel a little more comfortable.

I am also stuck on choosing between the AT and the 700 Tenere, the standard AT is considerably cheaper here (N$20000 about US$1350) than the base spec Tenere.

Can a BIG guy have fun on a non-modified T7? I'm almost 300lbs, have a 34" inseam and over 6ft tall. I have owned all of the big ADV bikes and wanting to go smaller (but not dual-sport, 650 single small.) Am I going to need $1000+ worth of suspension upgrades on a T7?

Like all reviews, ends with all bikes are great lol

In my opinion, in this case I think that size matters less than attachment to the brand! Opinions will be divided and obviously subjective!

T7 all the way!!

Can't flatfoot the T7 Rally. I can flat foot an 2018 At with the lowest seat height. As I can deadlift 600lbs at 200lbs BW the the weight is not intimidating. If a bike tips over even a light weight hard enfuto becomes "heavy". But the AT has MUCH more power. It pulls way harder. The T7 is a tad bit too weak. So I choose the AT. 🙂 Weight reduction? Go on a diet! 😉

I think this is the best advice i've seen on choosing between bikes.

Less weight is more, ALWAYS, as long as performance and security is not compromised. I don't think a 150kg adventure bike is possible but maybe 180-190kg is realistic. It also depends on how much strong lighter components would increase the price of the bike. A 199kg Himalayan costs new 4200$? What was that intro about?

Nice video again, keep going! 😉👌🏻

Third time watching this. Great channel

To me, that was a strange video. 🤔 I’m quite familiar with both bikes, and don’t agree at all. My perspective is a short persons. I’m not superdupershort but have short legs, 28” inseam. And to me, knowing well the weight differences between the bikes, the opposite from what you’re saying is true. The Africa Twin (1100) is clearly the smaller bike. And standing still with it also give that it feels lighter! That is also true whilst standing at the side of the bike (so that seat hight doesn’t matter) rocking the bikes side to side. The T7 feels heavier. Yes, the AT weighs more but the center of gravity of the T7 i very high! The reason of coarse being the very high up in the frame mounted engine, due to the road style design of it, with an oil sump underneath going far down. Also - on a T7 I have to tippitoe (can reach the ground with one foots toes at the time) whilst I can almost flat foot on the AT1100 (4-5 cm missing). Lifting up a T7 that is on the ground is as hard as lifting a 1250GS! Maybe even slightly harder. Clearly harder than lifting an AFrica Twin. (Yes, the GS also have a low center of gravity, but not low enough with its weight, to feel as “light” as the AT (none of them feels light, thus the quotation marks)) On the move the high center of gravity of the T7 matters less, and sometimes it is even an advantage, making it “light on the feet”, and that’s nice. But at low speed and tricky slippery terrain, where you with short warning might be needed to “save” the bike by some acrobatics, the AT has the advantage in my experience. This is also thanks to its superior engine characteristics (like the big GS) where the Yamaha can be slightly low trottle-jerky. Love the Yamaha though, for offering more bike per $ than almost everything else. It is truly an excellent bike. But my point is that it is a bike that more than most bike REALLY benefits from having a tall/big rider! Much more so than the AT. The T7 is for the long legged. So, I find your video (kind of claiming the opposite) a bit weird. 🤔 Find some smaller riders and I think they will tell you. 😉 That said, I’ve seen most of your videos, and this was a big surprise since a find all your other videos great, even superb! Really appreciate your work. Best regards, Hugo PS. The older 1000 cc AT was higher, almost as high as the gigantic T7, and also heavier than the 1100 cc, but it still felt slightly lighter than the T7, standing still.

I think you have missed the mark here. The size difference matters but less so than the intended use. There will be larger riders who prefer the Tenere because they are more off-road oriented and there will be smaller riders who prefer the Africa Twin because they intend to do more two up touring.

Some years ago i was considering to buy a 660 XTZ but instead got a Tracer 700 (mostly bcz of people around me). Recently i was thinking to get a T7 but again somehow I ended up having a 2018 AT DCT. I am a slim guy and still watching videos and considering to shift to T7. In asphalt and long distance travels, AT would provide more comfort and stability, however, T7 would be easier to dance in the dirt than with AT. Nonetheless, DCT has advantage of “non-stalling”, which is a big pros in any technical situation including heavy city traffic. Long unpaved routes are piece of cake on an AT too...also gizmos in AT sometimes provide additional security and comfort (apparently i am getting old and lazy day by day) . but T7 on the other hand, is way more athletic in difficult surfaces; man, this is almost a deadlock; i will get another test ride with T7 to see if i can make a conclusive decision in the end. After all, we come to the beginning, where these bikes have very very good attributes in their class, one must choose as per their physical capabilities and situation (size matters).

Another great video. Thx.

i have ordered tenere 700 for my first bike. My height is 6,2 so i won't have a problem with the height of the motorcycle. I just wonder if it's a manageable bike in terms of the height of the bike and weight for a new rider. Nice video

I'm a bigger guy, 6'2'' and 250+lbs. I had a 2015 1190R and absolutely loved it...except that it leaked more oil than the Exxon Valdez. I have a deposit in a new T7, should be here in November. My only concern is, can the T7 handle my extra weight like the 1190 did?

In my area, the price difference between them is like 8k, I can't really come up with a good reason to get the Africa Twin over the T7

I’m 5.6” for me riding a bike is not about putting my feet on the ground!! Its like shagging a tall bird, us is all the same laying down

at 6' 4'' 235lbs the 2018 africa twin adventure sport fits perfectly. best i've felt on a motorcycle thus far

Have never ridden a tenere , I had to learn how to ride my AT ,made me a better rider at 5'8 ". If I was going on a motorcycle adventure I would definitely pick a smaller bike over a bigger one that I have never ridden before even though the AT improved my skills , A GS 1250 or 1200 nope I'll take a 450 l or tenere anyday .....

Fun video, thanks for sharing. Unfortunately, I have to choose between a street-legal kx500 or a VMax. ...unless I can convince my wife that I won the lottery. And she says size matters; if its small she doesn't have to respect it as much in the whoops.

None of them 😬. I did 6500 km of twisty roads, gravel roads & very easy/light off-roads with my Triumph Tiger 900 GT 2020 & i am very happy with it; seat height of only 810 mm in low position is very accessible fort short riders & it is giving a lot of confidence. But i would not do real off-roading with it. It’s a perfect bike for me, for my height, for my uses : commuting, travelling, riding twisty roads, gravel roads, easy/light off-roads, two up, ... But i definitely need to get rid of stock tires 90/10 to install Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR as soon as they are back in stock where i live.

Im on the T7 ;-)

What bike should get i am 6'6 and have limits on HP 48 (35kw). Can someone give me some hints😁

Was hoping for more of a head to head discussion, unless you meant this to be more of a beginner riders video??

I tried TENERE 700 today. I am 180cm. More or less average hight. The seat should be 6cm lower to fit my size. It's meant for for tall pople only. Too bad!

There is no unicorn adv bike. Honestly my 2021 AT Adv sport feels plenty light to me.

I have a 2020 Africa twin adventure sport, I'm 5'10 with a 34" inseam. I can balance it on my toes, or tip just to the side and easily flat foot with one foot. Seat is in the highest position. It's honestly quite comfortable. My only issue is having to cowboy mount it every time. But once I'm on, it feels light, nimble, and easy to handle.

you say the Honda seat is wider. sure it is more comfy but isnt it actually a bit narrower in front than the Tenere's seat? that's how l remember it.

I went with the AT. I'm 5'11, with shortish legs (getting my feet down is a bit tricky at times) but a large upper body. At 135kg (300lb), I'm definitely no feather weight. Besides all that, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I love the look of my red AT. 😎

6’3”, 210 pounds. 34 inch seat height is ok. I purchased the 2020 AT. Really liked the T7, but range and fuel capacity was the deal breaker. I will do a long range trip back roads out west and up the Rockies. It I was To do more off road, the T7 would be the hands down bike. Probably 80% paved or good dirt roads. These days, there are a lot of really good bikes!!

Love the channel, the music has so go.

T7 anyday

As an owner of a 2020 AT, at 6’1” and 270lbs. On road the AT is a beast and with a $50 sheepskin cover it’s all day comfortable. Now, if going real off road I don’t want either bike. Give me a KTM250!!! I’ve gone though steep gravel and mud to your knees. I’ve been down more times then I can count. Unless you have a high level of skill, you’ll never ride to the level these bikes provide. I want the lightest, nimble and maneuverable bike I can get off road. Believe me, your going down sooner or later and having a 500 pound bike come down with you ain’t no fun. My advice, if your seriously gonna buy a bike for off-road use then a 300cc class bike is the way to go. Your mileage may very. Peace.

Size 100% matters...I bought the BMW 850 GSA, and loved it! But not what I wanted in a bike, I wanted to go more off roading, and feel more comfortable in it. Thats why I sold it, and got the KTM 690 Enduro r, with a Rally Kit. Its the perfect bike for me.I can travel easily on it (with a seat concepts seat ofc) and as soon as I hit dirt..ou mama....best decision ive made! Even thou I am 6'1 220lbs.

Wouldn’t the T7 and the 701 be a better comparison??? Other than the twin vs single

Because I've got a big size, I'll choose a medium bike:)

I'm not a little boy (6.3 and 220 pounds) but I hate those big and heavy machines, AT or GS 1200. Something about 330 kg wet, 21x18 socket wheels, 50 hp or more, good adjustable suspension, 300 miles of ranges, 6 gears, low weight distribution, injected and bullet proof reliability, good dealer's network would make me hapy :) Any ideas? :))

T 7 💪💪🇹🇷best for me....

Hello Eric, everyone is talking about motorcycle tests from Africa Twin, BMW GS, Tenere 700 and more .....?! what does yamaha Tenere 1200 say about it, it's old and won't give anymore, what do you say is too old, not good? what are you saying . Best regards From DE ! Sebastian

AT with dct and traction control, T 700 is absolutely no match.

Definitely the Africa Twin.

For 5,7' height 195 pounds stock dude which one would be best?

Hello dear friends Please need your advice I want motorcycle adventure bout I'm confused bmw 1250 GS Africa twin 1100 adventure sport Ktm 1290 adventure I need it for the hard roads (off road 80%) in the Sahara, ( Desert) Africa because of my job thank you so much

How are these two bikes in the same category? They are so much different.

Where is the shot at 2:10?

So what bike is best for a guy with a 29.5 inseam and weighs 225?

Well, I do like the KTM 790 R RALLY. This one is somehow low in weight but has very high offroad capabilities. More bugs are needed to pay, more bugs are found to fix. Bikes from Japan are more reliable as the orange one, that I have to admit. ;-)

Yamaha probably only because my blood is blue

AT is not the perfect adv. Too big heavy and sophistcated. It is a japanese competitor to bmw. T7 is lighter simple and more adv oriented

Africa Twin

You missed out of comfort! On AT you can sit for hours. My friend who has T7 is in pain from the seat after 4-5 hours. AT has much better protection from the elements T7 is lighter and more nimble. When going off road AT goes down a lot due to softer suspension. I hit many more rocks than my buddy due to that extra over 100 lb (I have the DCT). However DCT is a pleasure off road but a bit harder when need to slip the clutch (none existing). T7 has no DCT.... AT comes with built in panniers that T7 has not. So take the panniers off and it looks great... AT is more powerful but both will have same performance due to weight. T7 feels much more nimble Same amount of noise AT has more electronics Both reset when you turn bike off. Shame you actually didn’t compare the bikes but weight...

Yamaha Tenere 700

Africa Twin is the most multitasking. Especially this basic version from 2019.

Can’t disagree, but there’s another indicator of appropriateness: Buy the bike, take it off the sand, stand back . . . and let it drop. If your heart starts to bleed and tears come to your eyes, you’ve bought the wrong adventure bike.

Im 6.6 190 punds, I cant decide....

what was that movie...

Ummm..t7 is 21 not 20

5'7 165lbs - Tiger 800 XCA all the way

Most peoples likes afria twin

Weird intro