IMPROVEMENT
It might look like it’s only had a minor change here and there, but the 2018 version of the MT-07 really has been dipped in Yamaha’s ‘improve’ glue.
When it first appeared four years ago, the Yamaha MT-07 caught a lot of the motorcycle market napping. Here was a bike that really could tick the ‘all things to all riders’ box and do so with a comparatively cheap price tag.
In an age of hyper bikes, the MT-07 reminded a biking world that you don’t need launch control or midcorner ABS to have a good time on two wheels. It offered a brilliant chassis and eager engine, combined with a sort-of prone/sort-of upright riding position and minimal fuss. What on earth was not to love about that original 2014 MT-07?
The suspension. That’s what. It was okay for the package that it was in, but it was only okay. Built to a budget, the MT-07 was too soft on the front and rear. Which is fine and dandy if you want to commute and toddle off to the shops – but when you wanted to have some fun, the bouncy bits could get a bit annoying.
Step forward, friendly engineers of Yamaha for the second iteration of the MT-07 and take a bow. Subtle but serious suspension fiddling has solved the problem. The bike still feels very similar to the old bike in 90% of your riding life, but in the remaining 10% of smiles wide things have become a lot better.
With 130mm of travel at either end the bike is now more settled at pace and more compliant over things like speed humps and potholes. The bike’s front forks are 41mm KYB (Kayaba)
gear stays, but the whole bike has been given an MT-family makeover to keep things in the pretty, pretty department on a par with other models in the range.
Out on the ride the bike was very engaging. The old model was always fun with a nimble touch that encouraged you to explore what the Yamaha was capable of – but you often felt like the old suspension was letting the side down just a tad. The new bike’s springers match the rest of the bike’s personality and as you develop as a rider you’ll soon have the big hero blobs off the footrests.
The new MT-07 is very noticeably better on the road, especially in
quicker corners. It’s no sport bike and it doesn’t claim to be, but fourth gear runs flicking from corner to corner on the Ronda road just outside of Malaga happened in a lovely, balanced, predictable manner.
One thing to mention was that in the slower sections of our test route, especially where the road was dirty, too much right hand with the bike leant over could get the back end moving on the corner exit a bit. I’ll be honest with you – this was really good fun and never once caused concern. Twenty years ago we’d have all called this ‘personality’ and said that it reflects the overtones of this fun middleweight bike.
I’m still doing that. The Yamaha MT-07 has lots of personality. It’s a fun bike to ride.
Okay, so at pace and if you’re a bit heavy-handed the suspension might feel a touch unrefined, but for 90% of riders on 99% of roads it’s fine. The MT isn’t an R1 and it never claims to be, it’s a cracking road bike.
Throttle pick-up from a closed fist isn’t particularly smooth (something reminiscent of those first-run MTs) but it’s nothing to write home about. Gear selection is lovely and the clutch spot on. Without the interference of any sort of anti-slip malarkey you need to be sure about downchanges otherwise the bike will lock up the back wheel. Don’t let that scare you though, it’s nothing to worry about. It’s something real motorcycles (some would argue) do and to be honest, you shouldn’t have to rely on slipper clutches to be able to downchange without a lock up. I know… there’ll be letters about me saying that…
That motor is a lovely thing. You’ll spend all of your time between 3000 and 7000rpm and the CP2 engine just barks torque at you in a linear way. It’s all very predictable and usable. Bit vibey though.
Looks-wise, the MT-07 now gets the same face and bum as the MT-09 with a ‘wing’ under the headlight and two ‘wings’ fitted under the pillion seat (these can be removed when you want to fit luggage). It’s a Yamaha MT family member through and through – and it doesn’t let you forget that.
This is a cracking small bike that’s much more of an all-rounder than the more expensive Triumph Street Triple and now, with those welcome revisions to the suspension and seat, it’s the bike I’d go for in this class.
I really recommend that you get out there and try one.