2024 Tenere 700 Rally: An Unforgettable Adventure
- StoriesNewsAusMotorcyclist Older Magazines
- October 14, 2024
The 2024 Tenere 700 Rally was an incredible event for the owners of Australia’s most popular adventure bike. Over the course of five days, riders embarked on a thrilling journey, starting and finishing in Coffs Harbour, navigating through every imaginable terrain and experiencing all kinds of weather. From slick clay to dusty gravel, the route offered non-stop challenges, often shifting conditions in the blink of an eye.
The rally kicked off with a presentation and dinner on the beautiful Coffs Coast, where attendees enjoyed prize giveaways from co-sponsor Dunlop, alongside a Yamaha goodie bag. The Dunlop team showcased their latest Dunlop Trailmax Raid tyres, fitting them on several bikes for their first test on Australian soil.
Despite earlier rainfall, the event began with bright skies as 30 Tenere 700 riders picked up their GPS units from RideADV, the event organizers, and set off for Evans Head via a scenic, challenging route. Slippery red clay sections tested the riders’ skills, and just before reaching Brooms Head, parts of the trail were submerged, providing plenty of stories to share over dinner.
Day two took the riders from Evans Head to Tenterfield, with a treacherous boghole providing some fun, followed by a ride into the hometown of the famous entertainer, Peter Allen. Day three saw a scenic loop back through Tenterfield and onwards to Inverell, via the iconic Rocky River Road, with varying traction that rewarded those who stayed focused.
Day four brought riders into the vast farmlands, heading west from Inverell to Walcha. A river crossing claimed one unlucky rider who took an unexpected bath, but it was all smiles at the end of the day at Apsley Arms, where the final dinner and awards ceremony took place. The highlight was the recognition of Steve Parrish, who was on his 20th RideADV event.
On the final day, the group faced a bit of rain, extending their ride along Oxley Highway. Despite the detour, everyone returned to Coffs Harbour with wide smiles and tales of adventure. The lighthearted Wally the Wombat award, given for the silliest mistake each day, provided plenty of laughs. The Dunlop Trailmax Raid tyres performed exceptionally well, offering great grip across all terrains, while the Ténéré 700 bikes once again proved their legendary reliability, completing the rally with zero mechanical issues.
“The 2024 Ténéré 700 Rally was super fun. The trails had a bit of everything to keep riders focused, but best of all, it was an opportunity to ride an awesome bike and hang out with a great group of riders over five days. Can’t wait for the next one,” said YMA Marketing Manager Sean Goldhawk.
Greg Yager, organizer from RideADV, added, “We have now covered well over 500,000 kilometers on both standard and World Raid Ténérés, and we have not had any major mechanical issues. This bike has truly proven its reliability, making our job as tour operators much easier.”
The 2024 Ténéré 700 Rally was more than just a ride—it was a celebration of the bike’s reliability, the riders’ passion, and the thrill of adventure.
