SPOT THE DIFFERENCE...

To clear up the differences between the Rally and the Standard, here's what you need to know, alongside the fact the Rally will set you back an extra £1000 over the base model... but it's money well spent, if you ask us.

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For context, the two bikes largely share the same components, meaning the biggest real difference from a riding point of view was the suspension and the seat height. If the Rally’s was described as bloody tall, the seat height on the Standard is simply tall. But once I was riding and standing on the pegs, the saddle height became irrelevant. That said, we did undertake a little bit of road riding first on the Standard, which gave me the chance to appreciate how firm but spacious it is.

With the new design, it’s so much easier to sit that bit further forward, while cocooned behind the tall, narrow screen. The ergonomics are hard to fault, being both spacious and relaxed, while the new switchgears have really upped the game as far as controls are concerned. As short-lived as our stint on tarmac was, the Ténéré gave a good impression. But things took a slight change when we got on the dirt. Within a matter of metres it was notable how much less plush and forgiving the Standard’s suspension was. It seemed to feel everything that much more - and pummelled you in the process - owing to much lesser refined damping characteristics and less travel.