If you've spent any time off the pavement on a T7, you've probably realized that an axp skid plate tenere 700 is one of the first upgrades you actually need. Let's be real for a second: the stock "protection" Yamaha gives you is basically a glorified piece of foil. It might stop a stray pebble from chipping your paint, but the first time you case a log or bottom out in a rock garden, that thin metal is going to fold like a lawn chair.
I've seen enough crushed oil filters and mangled exhaust headers to know that skimping on underbody protection is a gamble that usually ends with a very expensive tow truck bill. That's where the AXP Racing plate comes into the conversation. It's become a bit of a cult favorite in the adventure riding community, and after living with one for a while, it's easy to see why.
Why Plastic is Actually Better Than Metal
When most people think of a skid plate, they immediately think of heavy-duty aluminum. It makes sense, right? Metal feels tough. But the axp skid plate tenere 700 is made from 8mm thick HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene). If you're scratching your head thinking, "Wait, isn't that just plastic?"—well, yes, but it's not the kind of plastic your milk jugs are made of.
The beauty of HDPE is how it handles impacts. When you bash an aluminum plate against a rock, the metal deforms. It dents, it stays dented, and it transmits that shock directly into the frame or the mounting points. Plastic, on the other hand, has a bit of "memory." It flexes, absorbs the energy, and usually pops back into its original shape.
Even better is the way it slides. If you've ever high-centered an adventure bike on a log with an aluminum plate, you know that metal tends to "bite" into the wood or rock, leaving you stuck. The AXP plate is slick. It allows the bike to slide over obstacles much more easily, which can be the difference between a minor hiccup and a full-blown workout trying to heave your bike over a ledge.
Solving the Tenere 700 Linkage Problem
One of the biggest design flaws on the Yamaha Tenere 700—at least if you're riding it like a dirt bike—is the exposed rear suspension linkage. It hangs down there like a low-hanging fruit, just waiting to get smashed by a rock. Replacing a mangled linkage is neither cheap nor fun.
This is where the axp skid plate tenere 700 really wins over a lot of its competitors. Most skid plates stop right before the linkage, leaving it completely vulnerable. AXP designed their plate with an extended "tail" that covers the entire linkage assembly. It's a peace-of-mind feature that's hard to ignore. When you're bouncing through a dry creek bed, you don't want to be constantly worrying if your rear shock mount is about to take a direct hit. Knowing that there's a thick slab of HDPE between the ground and your bike's vitals makes the whole riding experience way less stressful.
The Quiet Factor
If you've ever switched from a stock plate to a big aluminum aftermarket one, you probably noticed a massive increase in noise. Metal skid plates act like a megaphone for your engine. They reflect all those mechanical clicks, whirs, and clacks right up into your helmet. It can honestly make your bike sound like it's about to explode.
Because the AXP is made of plastic, it doesn't reflect sound the same way. It actually dampens a lot of the vibration and noise. It makes for a much "quieter" ride, which might not seem like a big deal until you're six hours into a long-distance ADV trip and your ears aren't ringing from engine resonance. It's one of those subtle benefits that you don't really appreciate until you experience the difference firsthand.
Installation and the "Mud Trap" Reality
Okay, let's talk about the actual ownership experience. Installing the axp skid plate tenere 700 isn't exactly rocket science, but it can be a little bit of a wrestling match. Since it's a single, thick piece of plastic that's been formed into a specific shape, you sometimes have to use a little muscle to get the bolt holes to line up perfectly with the frame. It's not a dealbreaker, but maybe don't wait until five minutes before a ride to try and bolt it on for the first time.
Another thing to keep in mind is mud. Because this plate offers so much coverage—including the sides of the engine and the linkage—it can become a bit of a bucket for mud and debris. If you're riding in heavy, peanut-butter-consistency clay, you're going to carry some extra weight by the end of the day.
The good news is that AXP included some drainage holes, and it's relatively easy to hose out. Some guys like to stuff "skid plate foam" in the gaps to keep the mud from building up, which is a cheap and effective fix if you live somewhere particularly boggy.
Maintenance and Oil Changes
One of the most annoying parts of owning a protected bike is having to take the armor off every time you want to do a simple oil change. With the axp skid plate tenere 700, you do have to remove the plate to get to the oil filter and the drain plug properly.
While some plates have "access holes," they often lead to a massive mess as oil drains onto the inside of the plate and then leaks out everywhere for the next three days. I honestly prefer just taking the plate off. It's only a few bolts, and it gives you a chance to inspect the underside of the engine and clean out all those rocks and sticks you picked up on the trail. Once you've done it a couple of times, you can get the plate off in under two minutes.
Is It Worth the Price?
You'll find cheaper skid plates out there, and you'll definitely find more expensive ones. The AXP sits in a bit of a sweet spot. You're paying for a specific type of engineering that prioritizes sliding, impact absorption, and full-linkage protection.
If you mostly stick to fire roads and smooth gravel, the AXP might be overkill. You could probably get away with a lighter, thinner aluminum plate. But if you're the type of person who sees a "No Maintenance Beyond This Point" sign and gets excited, the axp skid plate tenere 700 is almost a mandatory investment.
It's built for the person who wants to take their 450lb twin-cylinder bike into places that would make an enduro rider sweat. It's rugged, it looks aggressive (especially in that signature blue or the stealthy black), and it actually does what it's supposed to do without adding unnecessary weight.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, your skid plate is a sacrificial part. Its entire job is to get beaten up so your engine doesn't have to. I've seen AXP plates that look like they've been through a war—gouged, scratched, and scarred—but the bikes they were attached to were perfectly fine.
The Tenere 700 is such a capable machine right out of the box, but it has those few vulnerable spots that just feel like a ticking time bomb. Bolting on an axp skid plate tenere 700 effectively deletes those worries. You stop looking at every rock as a potential "engine-ender" and start focusing more on your line and your throttle control. And honestly, that's exactly what good gear should do: let you forget about the bike and just enjoy the ride.