Yamaha MT-07 (FZ-07 in U.S.) offers plenty of fun and it’s almost a bargain. With about 5.700 euros (7.860 U.S. dollars) you get a real city motorcycle, easy to handle with and with an unique character.
Yamaha MT-07 is a part of the new Iwata MT family. It’s a new approach to urban motorcycle area, dedicated to the youngsters which have high expectations and low budget. And Yamaha took a special care about the budget: MT-07 costs only 5.700 euros without ABS – a very good price for this kind of motorcycle.
Dark side spirit
MT-07 reflects it’s bigger sibling feeling, but it’s quite cheaper and not so furious. It’s got 75 hp which doesn’t look so impressive, so you might take it as a boring motorcycle. But it isn’t. Yes, it’s got only 75 hp, but it’s also very light – 179 kilos (wet). Also, the 689 cc parallel twin offers quite good torque at low and medium rpm (max. torque: 68 Nm at 6.500 rpm). For example, the much more popular Honda Hornet offers 63 Nm at 10.500 rpm (because of the inline four). So, you have a very “happy” engine at any rev. It revs so happy that you have to take care for the wheelie thing. Although it’s a beginner oriented motorcycle, it flips up in a second on the back wheel. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound so good. It could have much more personality with a proper exhaust.
I’m not sure it’s necessary to talk about handling in the city. Yamaha MT-07 is an urban commuter and the city is it’s favorite playground. You can easy do line-splitting (if you’re allowed to do so in your country) and it has a very good acceleration.
Not the best choice for touring
Yamaha MT-07 is not a bike made for touring. It’s very light, completely naked and you feel some instability at higher speeds (beyond legal speed limit). Of course, you can cover +300 km distances if you like to, but don’t expect it will behave as a long trip bike. You’ll get tired quickly on the highway because of the wind and of the riding position.
Otherwise, it’s a real pleasure to get Yamaha MT-07 on the hairpin curves. It’s one of the most easy to handle motorcycles I ever ridden, even if it’s got an 180 width rear wheel. It attacks every corner without stressing it and it revs happily when you exit them.
Take care of the braking system. The front brake could have been stiffer, and the rear break is very sensible. If you push it harder, it can easily block your wheel (it’s a very light motorcycle, as I said) so you’ll slide like a skater – at least this happened with the motorcycle we tested. Of course, the problem can be solved with the optional ABS or simply without pushing the brake so hard. In fact, the more experienced motorcycle riders will not consider this a problem (it’s pretty nice to slide), but as a beginner you’ll have to take care or choose the ABS version.
Small, but very comfortable
Yamaha MT-07 is a very small motorcycle, but it has a very comfortable position because of the footpegs, located at a low position. The saddle is very soft and pretty large, but the pillion is not so lucky. The mirrors are very good and the display shows you every information you need.
High quality at a low price
Yamaha MT-07 is not a so good looking motorcycle. It’s not ugly either, but it doesn’t impress through the look. It doesn’t have the MT-09 strong character and the headlight is very small. However, you’ll find some pretty nice design details that will catch your eyes and it’s good proper finishes for it’s price. It’s 1.000 euros cheaper than the Kawasaki ER-6n and 200 euros more expensive than Honda CB500 (ABS version). More than that, it’s made in Japan.
Fuel consumption
It depends of how hard are you willing to push the bike. We had 5.4 liters/100 km in a high pace rhythm and in a busy traffic, bot on a normal use it’s somewhere below 5 liters/100 km.
As a conclusion, Yamaha MT-07 offers you good quality, character and pretty much performance (for it’s class) at a very low price. It’s a fantastic bike in the city, but it’s not quite an all-rounder. If you’d like to ride it daily to job it’s a very good solution. Not only it’s effective, but it puts a grim on your face. If you’re planning to do some long trips you should consider another type of bike. But as an urban commuter it’s very good and it would have been a good deal even at a bigger price.
Photo: Mihnea Ratte Photography
Technical specifications Yamaha MT-07 (FZ-07):
Engine
Engine type 2-Cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves
Displacement 689 cm³
Bore x stroke 80.0 mm x 68.6 mm
Compression ratio 11.5 : 1
Maximum power 55.0 kW (74.8PS) @ 9,000 rpm
Limited power version 35.0 kW
Maximum Torque 68.0 Nm (6.9 kg-m) @ 6,500 rpm
Lubrication system Wet sump
Clutch Type Wet, Multiple Disc
Fuel Injection
Ignition system TCI Starter system
Electric Transmission system Constant Mesh, 6-speed
Final transmission Chain
Chassis
Frame Diamond
Front suspension system Telescopic forks
Front travel 130 mm
Caster Angle 24º 50
Trail 90 mm
Rear suspension system Swingarm, (Link type suspension)
Rear Travel 130 mm
Front brake Hydraulic dual disc, Ø 282 mm
Rear brake Hydraulic single disc, Ø 245 mm
Front tyre 120/70 ZR 17M/C(58W) (Tubeless)
Rear tyre 180/55 ZR 17M/C(73W) (Tubeless)
Dimensions
Overall length 2,085 mm
Overall width 745 mm
Overall height 1,090 mm
Seat height 805 mm
Wheel base 1,400 mm
Minimum ground clearance 140 mm
Wet weight (including full oil and fuel tank) 179 kg / ABS 182 kg
Fuel tank capacity 14 L
Oil tank capacity 3.0 L