THE RIDE VERDICT

THERE IS NO question that Yamaha has taken top honours in the middleweight naked sector — the MT-07’S sales figures speak for themselves. The original model has sold so well for many reasons: it looked good, was fun to ride and it appealed to a range of motorcyclists, from new riders to sport riders, as it was so versatile. Price was also a major factor in the MT-07’S success, being just over £5200 when first launched in 2014. This new machine costs a bit more than that at £6489 but the improvements Yamaha has given it mean it’s still excellent value for money.

One of the main gripes about the old bike was the suspension’s basic feel and it quite easily got overworked and started to feel a bit vague. Many owners opted to fit aftermarket suspension to their bikes to sort it out. But the new model’s reworked forks and rear shock give it a superior ride, both in terms of comfort, performance and feel, meaning there’s no need to blow money on aftermarket parts to make the bike handle.

The new MT-07 still has the combination of characteristics that made the original so popular, but now it has that something extra that isn’t in the spec panel or brochure — the ability to turn any ride, regardless of the weather and destination, into great ride. It turns the dreariest of days into sunny, summer Sundays — and that’s what makes it so damn good.

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“It turns the dreariest of days into sunny, summer Sundays”

The 2018 MT-07 takes everything that made the original so successful and adds to it Want middleweight magic on a smaller budget? Turn over for used alternatives.