Summary

• The Yamaha MT-07 is a standout streetfighter bike identified for its value, consolation, options, and know-how within the middleweight bare bike section.
• With its redesign in 2018, the MT-07 noticed enhancements in seating space, headlights, taillight, suspension, and colour schemes, making it much more interesting to city riders.
• In its 2021 iteration, the MT-07 obtained updates to its design, engine, and exhaust system whereas sustaining its efficiency figures and introducing new colour choices. The suspension stays some extent of criticism.

Over everything of its existence, Yamaha has been liable for some of the best motorcycles ever created. There’s the insane V-max, the extremely succesful Super Ténéré, and the gold customary of sports activities bikes, the R1. But the bike Yamaha might find yourself being identified for probably the most, might become the bubbling, and perpetually youthful MT-07.

In a lineup that additionally features a bunch of different MTs, all good in their very own means, the MT-07 shines like a diamond within the darkest of caves. There is probably not a greater streetfighter bike, presently in manufacturing as we speak, in terms of value, consolation, options, and know-how. But it took a while to get right here, and a number of other permutations.

Flashback to 1999, if you’ll, to the Tokyo Motor Show, the place Yamaha, recent off its success with the YZF-R1, launched a brand new idea bike referred to as the MT-01. A V-twin that appeared nothing like the present MT bikes, nonetheless, had the bones of what finally would turn into a model of its personal. It wasn’t till 2005 that Yamaha was able to debut the MT-01 in earnest. And although that exact bike wasn’t tremendous fashionable, and by no means formally got here to the US, what got here after it, modified the bare bike sport ceaselessly.

In order to provide the most modern and correct data doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Yamaha and different authoritative sources, together with Cycle World, MotorCycle News, and Motorcyclist.

Sports Passion Motorcycle with Smart Value

Release Year 2015

What precisely was the state of middleweight bare bikes in 2015, when Yamaha rolled out the FZ-07, because it was identified in North America? Well, Ducati had their Monster 696, earlier than they messed with its fashionable beauty. Honda had the CB 500F, a bland if serviceable bike. Royal Enfield was just starting to toy with the idea of the INT650. And Suzuki’s legendary SV650 was become the grotesque, and extremely unpopular SVF650 Gladius.

Into this market, Yamaha, after taking a quick hiatus from the canceled MT-01, unleashed a trio of latest streetfighters. The MT-09, a direct competitor to Triumph’s Triples, the MT-125, a single-cylinder child MT for sure markets, and the MT-07, a reasonably priced parallel-twin with gobs of torque and trendy beauty. Yamaha referred to as the idea “Sports Passion Motorcycle with Smart Value”, and so they could not have presumably been extra proper. It hit the right kind of tone with urban riders, on the lookout for low cost thrills, in a good-looking package deal, and it has been a bestseller ever since.

Engine Specifications

Model Highlights

• 31.7-inch approachable seat
• 397 kilos claimed moist weight
• Comfortable, upright ergonomics

Design Update

Release Year 2018

Four years later, with the profitable launch of the MT-07 beneath their belt, Yamaha determined to actually swing for the fences by redesigning the physique. This is the place you could possibly actually begin to see the underpinnings of the modern MT-07 take shape.

Yamaha up to date the seat with a claimed 30% extra seating space. They additionally upgraded the headlight with higher-quality elements. The taillight turned barely extra compact. The entrance suspension obtained an improve as properly, with a better spring charge and damping drive. And, extra importantly, the rear suspension received damping adjustability.

But it was with the colours that Yamaha chosen for this replace the place issues actually began to come back off the rails, so to talk. With a black physique and a jolt of neon inexperienced on the wheels, the bike simply appeared prefer it meant enterprise. There was additionally a white, black and purple model, and a blue and black model.

Engine Specifications

Model Highlights

• New seat design
• New, extra trendy colour schemes
• Upgraded suspension

New Style, Engine, and Ergonomics

Release Year 2021

In 2021, the complete lineup of MTs was of their third technology of design. And that included the MT-07, now readying itself to tackle tougher competitors. Gone was the usual headlight, in favor of a extra menacing and robotic eyeball. The colour scheme additionally went via a change, with the MT now out there in blue, black, and the favored teal, grey mixture that featured vivid purple wheels.

The engine was changed with an EU5-compliant model, which facilitated the necessity for a redesigned, built-in 2-into-1 exhaust system. And realizing full properly simply how a lot riders love the sound of their very own bikes, Yamaha tuned that new exhaust with acoustic evaluation know-how. The weight stayed the identical, as did the efficiency figures, and the lights have been all transformed to LEDs.

Despite all of those modifications, age was beginning to creep in. Yes, the suspension was upgraded a number of years again, nevertheless it wasn’t that notably nice, and Yamaha uncared for to deal with the negative feedback they were receiving. There was additionally a slew of latest contenders, able to take MT-07 down, mainly amongst them the newly launched Triumph Trident.

Seemingly extra assured, refined, and mature, the Trident took the previous Daytona engine and re-tuned it for the fashionable age. Something that continues to pay dividends because the Triumph 660cc platform has grown to 3 fashions: the Trident, Tiger Sport 660, and, in a little bit of round information, the recently announced Daytona 660.

Engine Specifications

Model Highlights

• New engine and exhaust
• Updated colour and design
• New handlebars and seating place

An Urban Ronin

Release Year 2024

Much of the 2024 model of the MT-07 stays the identical. When you’ve one thing that works, it is uncommon that you just want frequent redesigns. The suspension remains a hot topic of debate, amongst press and riders of all kinds. However, Yamaha did make some minor modifications to the MT-07. The TFT show is new, with a full-color display and cellphone connectivity, and permits flipping between Street and Touring settings with ease.

After ten years of being in the marketplace, there may be now a large accent catalog out there to you, which incorporates every part from fast shifters to baggage. There was just one different replace, moreover these minor tweaks, and that was the current addition of the Cyan Storm colour, which may be seen in most of Yamaha’s advertising for this bike.

Today, the MT-07 is the most effective proof of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” method to bike design. Yamaha’s engineers and designers did one thing fairly uncommon in 2015. They received one thing proper from the get-go. The MT-07 definitely has its flaws, as a result of what bike would not? But its lasting recognition, playful nature, and modern-day aesthetics all however be certain that the MT-07 may have a lasting legacy on the world of naked standard motorcycles.

Engine Specifications

Model Highlights

• Cyan Storm colour scheme
• New TFT full-color show
• Phone connectivity