My 3rd adventure build of tenere 700s

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foxymoto

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I built my 2021 T7 and learned a few things.

I bought it with 500 miles and sold it at 47,200. I recently sold my Tenere 1200 (57,000 miles) too. Chip in another $1,500 and that bought a BRAND NEW 2026 T7!

I thought I’d love the big aftermarket 6.2-gallon tank. I hated it. It spread my legs when standing, and I rarely filled it. After about 170 miles I’m ready for a break anyway. I carry a camp stove with 0.5 L of gas, and it’s gotten me to the gas station many times!

Next came a brand-new 2023 T7, built out with lots of Tusk parts. I swapped the Tusk rack for an Outback Motortek, but then lost the top rack for my drone box. The red, white & blue sticker kit really pops in photos!

Now I’m buying a 2026 T7 from RM in Helper, Utah, for under $9,600 out the door. They have 3 left. Contact me and I’ll send you my buddy Tom’s info.

I went with RM Attack Graphics in a black/grey flag, so I got a black/grey T7. The complete kit was under $130, about 1/3 the price of SKDA.

Two builds taught me a lot, so here’s build #3: lighter, simpler, fewer wires and less noise!

Giant Loop RTW panniers

At 90 liters, I don’t need a top bag. All my camping gear goes on one side; clothes, food and tools on the other. See my blog post on the Mosko Moto Wedge with RTW saddlebags!

CamelADV parts

Ruby Moto R4 aux lights

OMG, my favorite! I’ve bought 3-4 sets, and I LOVE the yellow covers. They run off the bike’s aux power and trigger with the high beam through a relay. How-to is on my blog too.

Acerbis Mud Z fork guards

On ALL my bikes, and I haven’t had a leaking fork seal since. $22 well spent.

Barkbusters

Cheaper Tusk guards with dealer discounts were tempting, but I LOVE Barkbusters. Red this time instead of yellow. Red and black is just COOL!

AXP skid plate

HDPE is quiet, flexes back and slides over rocks without hanging up. At $261 it’s over 2x the cost ofTusk Quiet Glide on my 2023.

Tusk luggage racks

Hard to believe I’m going back to Tusk, but with the Mosko Moto Wedge it’ll be awesome, and I get the top rack for my drone box! Heavier and not as “cool” as Outback Motortek, but I think it’s the right call.

Tusk fender eliminator (tail tidy)

My 2021 got one; my 2023 didn’t. I’m doing the wiring before the luggage rack goes on, so this time the labor is worth it.

SAE to USB-A

A straight-to-battery tap for my battery tender and air pump. I charge my Cardo PackTalk at camp, my camera at lunch and a battery bank all day while riding. Every bike I own gets USB-A routed to the bars.

Case savers

My fancy ones worked great on the ’21 and ’23, but I’m trying the cheaper Acerbis. The AXP skid plate already covers the water pump and most of the engine. Ask anyone who’s holed a case 70 miles outside Moab: these are WORTH IT!

Windscreen adjuster

Keeps the factory screen. I’ve tried big ones, but renters drop the bike and break wide screens 🙁 Even at 6’5″, halfway up gives me plenty of wind protection.

Short brake/clutch levers

With Barkbusters I love short levers, and as a dirt biker I’m used to 1-2 fingers on them. In a drop, the handguards bend a long way before they get anywhere near the levers!

Long shift lever

Size 13 boots and the small factory lever don’t mix. Pro tip: take off the footpeg bracket and cut 1/2″ off the folding tip before installing. It’s too wide IMO.

Aux power splitter

The AUX port is on the right side of the panel. On my last two bikes I spliced into it, regretted it, and had to go back in and fix it twice. This time I plug in first and splice after, for plenty of switched 12V for heated grips, aux lights and the nav charger.

Air filter pre-filter

I stupidly gave away my favorite pre-filter bracket, and my buddy already 3D printed me a new one! My fav: TwinAir Holder plate Tenere700/MT07 by JustRiva

Crash bars

Renters bent about 5 sets of Tusk bars. This Amazon knockoff of the $700 bars is heavier and bulkier, but for under $200 they’ve held up great. They’re perfect for aux lights and highway-peg-style bags. Pack your tools and first aid kit in the bags AND rest your legs on them on the highway to give your back and legs relief!

Navigation

I’ve tried nearly every nav system. Trail Tech is great if you just follow a track and never change the route. Garmin is so gen 1 I can’t stand it. DMD is freak’n awesome, but the remotes always give me trouble (I’ve tried two), and I didn’t want the bulk of a DMD unit on the ’26.

So I’m running a RAM Quick-Grip Pro with a MagSafe charger built in. It holds just about any phone, so neither renters nor I need a special case like Peak Design or Quad Lock. iPhones charge at full speed; Androids charge slower, and a magnetic case helps them line up. No wireless charging? Plug into the factory USB-C or the SAE USB-A.

It mounts flat on AMPS on the bar above the speedometer, with rubber isolators to protect phone cameras from the twin’s buzz. My iPhone 16 stays in my pocket or tank bag, and I plan to run a Pixel 8 for DMD2. Fewer cables to break!

Mesh seat cover and Kirkham seat

Even on a custom Kirkham Upholstery seat, I love a mesh cover for cooling and comfort. Downside: gear slides off, so it’s no bench when overlanding. I’ll never buy another Seat Concepts while I can get a custom Kirkham build. He’s a riding buddy and does 10x better work. In fact, Seat Concepts “borrowed” a lot of his designs.

Clear headlight guard

First build that isn’t YELLOW. Going clear because the R4s are yellow.

Yamaha OEM heated grips

First bike I can remember without Oxfords. On the ’26, the OEM grips integrate with the dash menu, are highly adjustable and run hotter than Oxfords, so I’m paying 2x for “no controller on the handlebar.”

LSK cruise control, ABS & TC memory

I wanted ABS/TC settings that stick and found LSK. It also adds cruise control using the factory switches and menu! Pre-ordered for about $310. After the better ’26 suspension, this is what I’m most excited about!

Double Take mirrors

No outback build is complete without them. In Baja in 2021 I broke a mirror and rode the rest of the trip without one. Now I START with Double Takes, and they gave me a nice pro deal on this build!

Front slider

I’ve tried the expensive ones, but these aluminum sliders under $20 bend and damage less and protect the fork guard bolt. I use plastic bolts there because I know it’s a weak spot! Backordered, so not ordered yet.

Tires

Everyone knows the stock T7 tires suck! I LOVE the Tusk 2Track rear and Waypoint front, and I’ve worn out 3-4 sets on T7s. With dealer pricing, they can’t be beat. I swap the front at about 4,000 miles and the rear at 6,000, but they could go further. I’ve seen front go very BALD around 7,000.

Acerbis frame guards

My boots rub the paint off the frame, so I’m trying these for the first time.

Insta360 X6 setup

Quick-release, horizontal mounting, a weather cover for charging and extra battery, so the camera’s always ready.

Want to ride a bike built like this? Check out my Motorcycle Backcountry Guided Rides and Tours and subscribe for build updates.

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