In recent days I have organized a motorcycle tour. Strange eh? I wanted to try the Yamaha Ténéré 700 but I didn't want to do the “usual” solo test, I wanted to do it in company. That, with this post, I proposed a “Meet’N’Ride Ovest” to those who want to follow me by offering two possibilities: come with your own bike or ride a Yamaha Ténéré 700. In both cases the route was mostly asphalted but with a nice stretch of dirt road easy to try the bike, have fun, learn and… stop for lunch.
I say learn why the bikes were made available by Sideways Adventouring, recent “spin-off” of the renowned Di Traverso School dedicata, as evidenced, driving courses for those approaching adventuring or who want to perfect their riding techniques on adventure bikes. But Di Traverso Adventouring is not just this and wants to offer those who love this “discipline” different possibilities to practice your passion. So here we have found common ground, in this case in the form of Ténéré 700!
Let's try the bikes together!
To involve the clan and readers in a real test and not in a simple demo ride is an idea that has been in my head for quite some time. As always, I have to let these ideas settle, let them work in the undergrowth and finally emerge ripe at the right moment, when the best circumstances arise.
So within a few weeks a couple of opportunities arose to set up what only later I decided to rename #FullTest. Because in the end you have to give it a name since there are many, after seeing the posts on Instagram, you are asking me for information. Then, yes I will do others!
The first opportunity came thanks to Rent Garda which allowed me to involve a clan supporter, Alberto, in testing the new ones Zero Motorcycles SR – F ed SR – S. I'll tell you about it in this video and article and in the October issue of In Moto.
The second chance has come, precisely, thanks to Di Traverso Adventouring, that allowed me to carry three supporters of the clan to try the Yamaha Ténéré 700 for a full day including mistreatment. We have done everything: fast roads, strade slow, traffic, curve, ups and downs, dirt road in the woods and fords.
How was the first #FULLTEST?
The FullTest works exactly like a normal day on the bike, as if the bike you want to try was already your bike.
I say already because maybe you are interested in buying it and before doing so you want to do a thorough test, or are you just curious. In any case, it is at your disposal and entrusted to you, so it's up to you to take care of it: the rule of breaking pay still applies.
We met at the facility GO4 at the Novara Ovest exit of the A4. It is a field equipped for teaching off-road driving primarily on four wheels and recently also on two wheels. In fact it is precisely here that Di Traverso Adventouring has decided to put one of its foundations. Arrived, we parked our motorcycles, had breakfast and knowledge and completed the bureaucratic formalities for the rental of the Ténéré.
For everyone's safety, it is essential to do things in a workmanlike manner. Before leaving we had a short briefing on the route and the bike and then off we go, direction Liguria. Me in front, the new testers in the middle and close as Alessandro fucks, instructor of Di Traverso e, for the occasion, water carrier: given the temperature, we filled the side bags with bottles of water and ice.
For this first Fulltest I decided not to do even a stretch of highway. This, however, has lengthened the times a lot, so I think I will review this decision when we do the same itinerary again. We went down through Monferrato and Alessandrino up to Altare from where the dirt path begins that led us to the Rocche Bianche and to the small farmhouse where we had lunch and relaxed.
We obviously tasted the cold cuts of the area, the cheese with caramelized onions and panissa with onion; lasagna alla genovese, stuffed vegetables and to finish panna cotta with mint. I don't know if the hardest part was resisting the temptation of a glass of wine or getting back on the saddle after a while… relax. Fortunately, the rest of the off-road route was not particularly complicated and aroused the senses. We reached “the summit” just the time to take a look at the view, we rode the bikes and returned with another nice lap of another three hours to the starting point.
When the next dates?
The feedback from those who participated was all positive so I decided to replicate the experiment and expand it on new paths and (hope) also on other bikes.
There are already two tested routes available and others I will add gradually.
I propose some dates for next month, but keep in mind that it can also be organized “On Demand”: if you are already a group of 3 amici we can agree on the day that is most convenient for you.
Here are the next free dates:
- 24 October – Fulltest Ténéré 700 – partenza Novara, 3 bike available
- 07 November – Fulltest Ténéré Special chestnut – partenza Novara, 3 bike available
And others will come!
The cost is 150 euro per day and includes the bike, path, the guide and lunch.
They remain excluding petrol and any tolls motorway.
Upon departure, a deposit of 200 euros to cover any damage.
Those who are members of the Motoretto Clan are entitled to a discount of 25 Euro, while for those who want to follow with their own bike the cost is 50 Euro.
To participate write me at info@motoreetto.it
