Aprilia was late, slightly drunk (with the styling) and clearly looking to wind up the Yamaha Ténéré 700 in this mid-weight ADV bike party. And I think it’s definitely succeeded in that task. It’s not quite a mic-drop moment, but it’s bloody close. It’s better on-road, just as capable off it, and nudges the bigger, higher spec bikes that are just up the road - Tiger 900 Rally, Honda Africa Twin, BMW F850 GS Adventure…
It’s not much more expensive, than the Yamaha, and a shade cheaper than the class leader from KTM, that means more to some than it does for others, but it’s a crucial point of note. For many riders, trying to pick which machine to go with will likely come down to personal preference or brand loyalty. Although you shouldn’t overlook the newcomer to the party, it’s actually a bloody machine that is more than capable of giving some established names a muddy nose.
