Voge DS800X Rally vs Yamaha Ténéré 700 (2026): Value Rally Twin or Proven Benchmark?

The short version: the Yamaha Ténéré 700 is still the benchmark rally-style twin: lighter, with more suspension travel and ground clearance, a 2025 update that finally brought ride-by-wire, traction control and a proper TFT, and resale values that barely move. The Voge DS800X Rally (sold as the Valico 800DSX Rally in some markets) answers with about 20 hp more, a 24-litre tank, tubeless spoked wheels and a standard kit list Yamaha either charges extra for or doesn't offer, for roughly £3,400 less in the UK. If you ride hard off-road and keep bikes for years, the Yamaha earns its premium. If you tour long distances on mixed roads and want everything in the box, the Voge is the stronger deal. The full breakdown is below.

Here's the uncomfortable fact for anyone shopping in this class. On paper the Ténéré 700 is the less powerful bike, with the smaller tank and the shorter equipment list, and it costs more. It still sells on reputation, and that reputation is deserved. The question this comparison answers is simple: how much of the Yamaha's premium is the badge, and how much is engineering you'll actually feel?

Where They Come From

The Ténéré 700 arrived in 2019 and built its name on simplicity: the 689cc CP2 twin from the MT-07, a steel double-cradle frame, a 21-inch front wheel and, at first, almost no electronics. Riders loved it for exactly that. For 2025 Yamaha gave it its biggest update yet. There's now a YCC-T ride-by-wire throttle with two power maps (Sport and Explore), switchable traction control, three-stage ABS (on, rear off, fully off) and a 6.3-inch portrait TFT with smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. The fork and shock are now fully adjustable, with a new rear linkage, wider World Raid-style footpegs and a Euro5+ engine with a revised intake for better low-rev torque. Peak power didn't change, and weight went up slightly.

The DS800X Rally is Voge's dirt-first 800 and comes from Loncin, the group that has built engines for BMW Motorrad for years. It pairs a 798cc, 270° parallel twin with fully adjustable KYB suspension, Nissin radial brakes and a 24-litre rotomoulded tank. It arrived in Europe for the 2025/2026 season and was pitched straight at the Ténéré's customers. We've covered the bike on its own in our DS800X Rally specs and features guide and compared it with its closest Chinese rival in DS800X Rally vs CFMoto 800MT. This time it meets the bike it really wants to beat.

Side by Side: The Full Numbers

Specification	Voge DS800X Rally	Yamaha Ténéré 700 (2025-26)
Engine	798cc parallel twin, 270° crank, DOHC 8-valve	689cc CP2 parallel twin, 270° crank, DOHC 8-valve
Power	93.8 hp (70 kW) @ 9,000 rpm	72.4 hp (54 kW) @ 9,000 rpm
Torque	81 Nm @ 6,500 rpm	68 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
Weight	213 kg (Voge "net" figure); 227 kg ready to ride, full tank (German spec)	208 kg wet
Seat height	850 mm	875 mm (Low: 860 mm)
Ground clearance	220 mm	240 mm
Suspension	KYB 43 mm USD fork, 200 mm; KYB linkage shock, 190 mm; fully adjustable	KYB 43 mm USD fork, 210 mm; linkage shock, 200 mm; fully adjustable
Wheels	21" / 18" spoked, tubeless	21" / 18" spoked, tube-type
Tyres	90/90-21, 150/70 R18 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR	90/90-21, 150/70-18
Front brakes	Twin discs, Nissin radial four-piston calipers	Twin 282 mm discs, Brembo two-piston calipers
Fuel tank	24 L	16 L
Wheelbase	1,576 mm	~1,595 mm
Throttle	Cable, two engine maps	Ride-by-wire (YCC-T), two power maps
Rider aids	Switchable TC; ABS on / rear off / off	Switchable TC (on/off); ABS on / rear off / off
Display	7" portrait TFT, connectivity, navigation, TPMS	6.3" portrait TFT, MyRide app, turn-by-turn navigation
Price	UK: £6,999 + OTR; Italy: €7,990 f.c.	UK: £10,404; Italy: €10,999

Manufacturer figures and published list prices. Voge doesn't say whether its 213 kg "net" figure includes fuel; the German importer quotes 227 kg ready to ride with a full tank. Prices vary by market and promotion - confirm locally.

Engine and Performance: 20 hp Is a Real Gap

With 93.8 hp and 81 Nm against 72.4 hp and 68 Nm, the Voge has about 30% more power and 19% more torque. Both twins use a 270° crank, so they sound and pull alike at low revs. The gap shows up at motorway speeds, two-up and loaded: the DS800X has more in reserve for overtakes, and testers praise its flexibility and lively mid-range. Italian magazine Motorbox measured roughly 20 km per litre at a little over 130 km/h. That suggests well over 450 km per tank on the motorway. MOTORRAD's estimate is about 460 km.

The Yamaha wins on refinement. Its CP2 is one of the most proven twins on sale, and the new ride-by-wire throttle gives it clean, predictable response. Motorbox, Driven and the owner reports collected in our DS800X common issues guide all report the same thing about the Voge: its cable throttle and fuelling are abrupt at low revs. It's annoying in traffic and tiring on slow, technical off-road sections, which is exactly where you want a smooth throttle. Yamaha also offers a 35 kW A2 version of the Ténéré. Motorbox reported that the DS800X Rally had no restricted version in Italy at launch.

Off-Road Ability: The Yamaha's Home Ground

This is where buyers often assume the Voge's "Rally" badge gives it the edge. It doesn't. Compare the data: the standard Ténéré has 10 mm more travel at each end and 20 mm more ground clearance, and it carries less weight. The Ténéré 700 Rally adds 230/220 mm of travel and a 910 mm seat. Weight matters most here. The official figures aren't measured the same way, but the German ready-to-ride figure (227 kg) against Yamaha's 208 kg wet points to a gap of about 15-20 kg. You feel that when you pick the bike up on a climb or paddle it through ruts.

Testers also flagged the Voge's electronics off-road. Motorbox found the ABS intrusive on loose surfaces and described the traction control as unusable off-road because it cuts power hard and restores it slowly. Most riders will switch both off on the trail, and both can be switched off. The Yamaha's aids aren't perfect either. ADVPulse found its front ABS sometimes confused on choppy ground and its traction control is only on or off. Still, its baseline chassis is the more natural off-roader.

The Voge's off-road advantages are practical ones. Its tubeless spoked wheels let you fix a puncture with a plug kit at the roadside, while the Ténéré still uses inner tubes. It also comes with a steering damper, crash bars, a sump guard and hand guards as standard. Testers praised its tight chassis and the grip from its Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres. Its lower 850 mm seat is also easier for average-height riders, and it helps when you're paddling through rough ground.

Chassis, Comfort and Ergonomics

On the road the gap narrows. Driven called the DS800X's chassis tight and confidence-inspiring at speed, with sharp, easily modulated brakes and a comfortable riding position. The Nissin radial four-piston calipers are a clear step up from the Ténéré's two-piston Brembos on paper. There are criticisms. Motorbox and Driven both note that the Voge's weight feels high-set at manoeuvring speeds, the screen needs tools to adjust, and there's buffeting around 110 km/h.

For 2025 Yamaha lowered the Ténéré's tank top, fitted a one-piece seat and added a tool-free remote preload adjuster. MCN's owners' ratings give it 4/5 for reliability and build quality. The main complaint from tall or heavy riders is the rear spring rate. ADVPulse's 95 kg tester couldn't reach the correct sag even at maximum preload.

Equipment: Standard vs Optional

Feature	Voge DS800X Rally	Yamaha Ténéré 700
Heated grips	Standard	Optional accessory
Heated seat	Standard	Not standard
Tyre pressure monitoring	Standard	Not standard
Front 1080p dashcam	Standard (UK spec)	Not available
Crash bars, sump guard, hand guards	Standard	Crash bars optional (aluminium skid plate on Rally)
Centre stand	Standard	Not standard
Steering damper	Standard, adjustable	Not standard
Ride-by-wire throttle	No (cable)	Standard
Quickshifter	Not available	Optional (up and down)
Cruise control	No	No (World Raid only)

The lists show two different approaches. Voge fits touring and protection kit as standard: heat, TPMS, a camera, crash protection and a centre stand. Yamaha spent its update budget on the core electronics: ride-by-wire, traction control and a modern dash. It sells the comfort and protection items as accessories. Add heated grips, crash bars and a centre stand to a Ténéré and the price gap grows further. Neither standard bike has cruise control, which still surprises us at this price.

Price, Warranty and Resale

The price gap is large. In the UK the DS800X Rally lists at £6,999 plus on-the-road charges (dealers show £7,299 OTR). The Ténéré 700 is £10,404, which puts more than £3,000 between them. In Italy it's €7,990 f.c. against €10,999. In Germany Voge asks €8,999 plus delivery. In the UK both come with a two-year warranty. Voge's UK cover is unlimited-mileage, and at least one Italian dealer advertises 36 months. Prices vary by market and promotion - confirm locally.

Resale is where the Yamaha gets much of that money back. MCN's market data puts a used 2025-on Ténéré at around £10,100, close to the new list price, which reflects years of demand for the model. The DS800X Rally is too new to have any resale record, and newer brands have usually depreciated faster than established Japanese names. If you keep a bike for two or three years, a smaller loss on the Yamaha could cancel out much of its higher purchase price. If you keep it for six years, the Voge's lower starting price matters more.

Where the Yamaha Wins - And It Genuinely Does

Here's where the Ténéré is genuinely better. It has more suspension travel, more ground clearance and less weight, which are the three numbers that matter most when the trail gets difficult. Its ride-by-wire throttle is smooth, which the Voge's cable throttle isn't yet. The CP2 has a long, proven record and Yamaha's dealer network is much larger. The Rally and World Raid versions give you more capable options without changing brand, and the World Raid adds a 23-litre twin tank, cornering ABS and cruise control. Aftermarket support is the biggest in the class. Resale is the strongest too. If off-road riding is your main reason for buying, and you want a bike with a long track record, the Yamaha is worth the extra money.

The Verdict: Two Right Answers

Our verdict: the Ténéré 700 is the better off-road motorcycle. The DS800X Rally is the better value adventure tourer. If your riding is mostly tarmac with gravel roads, the Voge's power, range and equipment make a strong case. If you regularly ride steep, rocky trails, buy the Yamaha.

Whichever You Choose

If you choose the DS800X Rally, protect the areas off-road riding damages first. Our stainless steel radiator guard covers the exposed radiator, and the crash bar spring protector takes the hit in low-speed drops. If the buffeting testers mentioned bothers you, the adjustable windscreen riser is the simple fix. A 3D tank pad kit protects the paint, which helps when you sell the bike. Everything else is in the DS800X Rally accessories collection, plus our protection range and top cases for touring (sizing advice is in the top case fitment guide). Still unsure about the brand? Read our Voge reliability guide first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Voge DS800X Rally better than the Yamaha Ténéré 700?

It depends on how you ride. The Voge has more power, a much bigger tank, more standard equipment and a much lower price. The Ténéré has more suspension travel, more ground clearance, less weight, a smoother ride-by-wire throttle and far stronger resale. For mixed-surface touring we'd choose the Voge. For hard off-road riding we'd choose the Yamaha.

Which is better off-road, the DS800X Rally or the Ténéré 700?

The Ténéré 700, on the numbers: 210/200 mm of travel against 200/190 mm, 240 mm of ground clearance against 220 mm, and less weight. The Voge's advantages off-road are its tubeless wheels, standard crash protection and lower seat.

How much heavier is the Voge DS800X Rally than the Ténéré 700?

Probably about 15-20 kg when both are fuelled. Voge's 213 kg "net" figure doesn't say whether fuel is included, but the German spec gives 227 kg ready to ride with 24 litres on board. Yamaha quotes 208 kg wet with a 16-litre tank. Some of the Voge's extra weight is the eight extra litres of fuel.

Does the 2025 Ténéré 700 have ride-by-wire and traction control?

Yes. The 2025 update added a YCC-T ride-by-wire throttle, two power maps, on/off traction control, three-stage ABS and a 6.3-inch TFT with navigation. Cruise control is still only on the World Raid.

What is the fuel range of the DS800X Rally vs the Ténéré 700?

The Voge's 24-litre tank gives about 450-480 km at motorway speeds, based on MOTORRAD's estimate and Motorbox's test. Yamaha's claimed economy gives the Ténéré's 16-litre tank about 370 km. The World Raid's 23-litre tank closes most of that gap.

Do either have cruise control?

Neither does in standard form. The DS800X Rally doesn't offer it at all, and on the Yamaha it comes only on the more expensive Ténéré 700 World Raid.

Can I ride them on an A2 licence?

Yamaha sells a 35 kW A2 version of the Ténéré 700. At the Italian launch the DS800X Rally had no restricted version, so check with your local Voge importer.

---

Ridden both, or switched from a Ténéré to a Voge (or back)? Tell us in the comments. Owners' experience helps the next rider choosing between them. Whichever you choose, use code VOGEBLOG5 for 5% off your first accessories order.