The Honda XL750 Transalp is 8kg heavier than the Yamaha Ténéré 700, with a seat 25mm lower, and scores 4/10 against 8/10 on the Holloway Green Lane Score.
4/10Transalp
8/10Ténéré 700
Which suits you
Choose the Ténéré 700 if low-speed control and picking it up after a drop matter most: it is 8kg lighter wet.
The Transalp has the lower seat by 25mm, which matters more on a rutted lane than on the road if you are shorter in the leg.
The Ténéré 700 has 30mm more ground clearance (240mm against 210mm), useful over deep ruts and rocky steps.
Both take a 90/90-21 front tyre, so the same front tyre options fit either bike.
The Transalp goes further on a tank, roughly 245 miles against 225, which helps on lanes where fuel stops are far apart.
The Transalp makes more power (91.8hp against 73.4hp), better for road miles between lanes, though power is rarely what you need on a lane itself.
A tick marks the better figure for green laning. Manufacturer figures; weights are wet unless marked as estimates.
Where they sit against every other bike
Wet weight against ground clearance across the whole Bike Finder. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit.
Our take on each
Honda XL750 Transalp: A smooth, comfortable all-rounder better suited to gravel and light lanes than serious technical green laning, the soft suspension and low clearance are the limiting factor.
Yamaha Ténéré 700: The benchmark adventure green-laner: tractable and well-equipped off-road, only really let down by its height and weight if you drop it in the mud.
Remember: rider ability, tyres and the weather on the day move the real answer more than the bike does. Check each lane's own difficulty and legal status before you ride.
Find where to ride either one
Plan a day of legal green lanes across England and Wales on Holloway's map, with each lane's difficulty and status.
