Recently I had the chance to ride Yamaha's mighty MT-07, I thought I would give you my thoughts.
I had great expectations for the Yamaha MT-07; all the magazines have raved about it, dealers all over were selling out of them when it was released and it looks darned good to boot. It's not all for nothing either, this little 689cc parallel twin really does tick every box for a budget motorcycle and yet it costs much less than you’d expect. It’s also spawned other models; the retro styled XSR700 and touring biased Tracer 700, which share all the running gear of the original.
Let's start with the engine; as mentioned it has a parallel twin with a 270 degree firing order which gives it a V-twin character and plenty of low down grunt; a key aspect of the bike. While it may not have the most power on earth it has oodles of grunt and weighing only 179kg fully fuelled it drives out of corners with enthusiasm. It can even pull power wheelies in second gear if you really give it some, but it doesn't alarm you in any way. The power delivery is so friendly and usable you're completely aware of what will happen when you open the throttle.
The transmission is silky smooth and the clutch nice and light. The gearing is well thought out, the first few gears are relatively short whilst top gear, sixth, allows for some surprisingly relaxed cruising with 60mph being reached at only 4000rpm.
The friendly power allows you to make the most of the fantastic handling too, while it may not have a technologically advanced chassis it's set up in such a way that it just doesn't need any fancy whizz-bang parts. The chassis is made of steel and the suspension is distinctly budget, but clever design has meant its handling is supremely nimble and confidence inspiring, making it ideal for the newer rider, but still giving a massive grin to anyone used to more power.
Being a naked bike it has no wind protection, but it also means you're much less likely to lose your licence, yet there is an aftermarket screen available to make sustained speed a bit more comfortable. The seat is relatively low and remarkably narrow at the front to give shorter riders a better chance of reaching the ground, but it has a wide rear giving decent comfort. Seat to peg distance isn't cramped for my 6 foot frame either and the upright position means your wrists won't be aching. The Tracer 700 provides greater wind protection, as well as a slightly longer wheelbase for stability with improved passenger accommodation.
Equipment wise it's pretty sparse, but you can't really expect all the bells and whistles at this price point, and frankly the bike's better because of it. The dash is excellent; it has a gear indicator, fuel gauge and MPG readout amongst all the other usual functions, though it is situated out of the rider's viewpoint so it requires a look down to read it. ABS is now standard due to new regulations, but the model I rode didn’t have it installed as it wasn’t brand new, though I have no doubt it'll be as well implemented as all the other features on this bike. The suspension's made up of non-adjustable conventional forks and a preload adjustable rear shock mated to a double-sided swingarm wrapped about a 180 section rear tyre. The suspension is basic but provides a good ride unless the bike is being thrashed when its budget nature makes itself known. In typical Yamaha fashion the rear shock is one of its weakest points so it can be a little bouncy, and is not quite up to the task of enthusiastic riding with a pillion. Standard fit Michelin Pilot Road 3s are an excellent addition and allow you to enjoy the bike in the wet and dry to its fullest.
The fit and finish of the bike overall is excellent, the paintwork especially is very good looking for this price. Some find the almost unfinished look offputting, however it is designed to be like this. Reliability is good as it usually is with Yamaha’s motorcycles, with few complaints from owners.
So, overall, the MT-07 is a brilliant bike. If it cost £1000 more it'd still be a brilliant bike. It redefined the middleweight sector with its blend of affordability, performance and fun-factor and costs less than its direct rivals. They were selling out when they were first released, and they’re still strong sellers now. Go give one a go, you might just want one.
