Not following you on the wheel size which is 17 for both on the honda, while the Tenere has the 19/17 which is far better. They have the same travel suspension. The Tenere has nice plush suspension right out of the factory which is of course better for some dirt riding as well. I admittedly do not know about the Honda in this instance.
Less weight is good for those who dream of a trail bike, which I usually do not consider anything about a 500 a trail bike anyhow. So the extra weight of the Tenere I see as an advantage as a smoother ride and soaks up those bumps much better. Now mind you wrestling around a bike all day on dirt then without a doubt, the 500 handily wins.
The Later I never really thought about until a friend following me with his GS 650 commented about how much smoother my ride was over his, and here I thought he must have been happier on the lighter bike
Personal thing in this area of course, as is most in all reality.
I agree with you on the FZ 7 however.
Yami has enough street machines, end it Yami, more real dirt!