Menus
- Evolution or revolution for the 2018 vintage of the flagship roadster of the MT range ?
- Unambiguous ambivalence
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- In the city
- Motorway and expressways
- Departmental
- Part-cycle
- Braking
- Comfort / Duo
- Consumption
- Conclusion
- The video test of the Yamaha MT-07
- Colors
- Standard equipment
- Main accessories
Evolution or revolution for the 2018 vintage of the flagship roadster of the MT range ?
Unambiguous ambivalence
By unveiling, in 2013, the MT09, the first representative of a family with a strong personality, both aesthetic and mechanical, Yamaha has revolutionized its offer in all segments (roadster, road, sports), all licenses (A, A1, A2, A3) and all displacements, mono, bi, tri and four cylinders ! From MT125, to MT10, passing by MT03, MT07, Tracer 700 and 900, the commercial success is undeniable. Thus, between 2013 and 2017, more than 150,000 motorcyclists chose an MT from the range. And it is with the best-seller that we are confronted again: the light and sparkling roadster MT07.
Since its launch in 2014, it is quite simply one of the best-selling Yamaha, with 120,440 units sold in 4 years and an average of 33.9% market share. Yes, a third of the roadsters sold are MT07s! 35% to new customers and 31% to A2 permits…. Suffice to say that the flagship of sales is expected at the turn of its development. On the menu, MT DNA: aesthetics and character…
It is in Marbella, in the south of Spain, that we dive again into the Dark Side of Japan, Yamaha philosophy and prelude to the introduction of the all new evolution of the MT family..
Discovery
Stylish, elegant, the predecessor kept a fairly fluid line and rather goes everywhere. It thus hid its game well, mimicking lower displacement and being able to suggest a wise behavior. An idea that the plebiscite of driving schools could reinforce. Yet it is indeed two faces that the Yamaha offers. And it is this ambivalence that forges its success: ease of handling associated with a strong character ….
For 2018, the successful roadster is playing fair, abandoning good manners and pricking itself on testosterone, building muscle and enhancing its aesthetic. But we do not touch the grisbi, the recipe so precious and the evolution remains contained and assured. It is inspired by that of the exuberant big sister MT09 first generation, from which it takes in particular the angular and more massive style of the lighthouse. Thus affirmed, the front face is all the better integrated with the new tank and less thick scoops, with the meshed opening and more marked design, giving a more assured build to the MT07. The indicators leave the optical unit to frame a radiator casing again more streamlined. In fact, the family resemblance is reinforced and the general appearance enhances the machine. As such, it is surprising not to have kept the mudguard of the old generation which would be much better than the new element ….
Another specific feature, new seats adorn the midsize. The pilot seat is more welcoming and its front volumes now enclose the tank, unchanged, of 14 liters. More rounded, its volumes affirm a greater visual impact.
The cycle part evolves and you can find all the technical details in the mechanical part dedicated to it.
In summary, we find the twin-cylinder 689 cm3, with the power of 74.8 hp (55.0 kW at 9,000 rpm) and the torque (6.8 da.Nm at 6,500) unchanged while the A2 version is limited to 47 hp (35 kW).
More info in the technical part
Racy, displaying a powerful build, the new aesthetic of the MT07 is more homogeneous and gives much more presence to the roadster. We appreciate the bronze-colored side casings, the surface treatment of the metal and plastic parts and a very correct general finish. Layout and welds of the frame and swingarm are flawless.
Obviously, right side, the hoses are present, but hardly avoidable on a stripped machine…. We especially retain a weight of 182 kg, for a machine ready to pounce (49.2% front, 50.2 rear, 164 kg dry) which makes the Yam ‘a daily tool and a good friend of arsenal. Points confirmed during testing.
In the saddle
An important feature of the MT07 2018, the seats have changed significantly, especially the rider saddle. Much longer and wider, it abandons its MT logo shape in favor of a more rational and efficient design. The tank also advances 10mm and the leg arch increases only 10mm, for an unchanged height of 805mm (28mm higher saddle available as an option). Thus, the position of the pilot becomes more natural and we gain clearly in ease and possibilities of recoil..
Reasonably bent, the legs of the older ones find their ease, the feet on sheathed supports. Large, the upper part of the tank framed by the scoops covers the thighs, while the arms fall nicely on the hanger with the marked lugs. Natural, the whole offers a relaxed and efficient driving position.
We find, under the eyes, an entirely digital instrument block. Large, the window incorporates bargraph-type tachometer in the lower part, gear indicator engaged in the center, flanked by the fuel gauge, the clock and the tachometer. A final space is used to display successively, by push-button on the instrument panel, odometer, two partials, exterior and oil temperature, average and instantaneous consumption. From 4 to 9,000 revolutions, the engine speed diagram widens in order to emphasize the better availability of the unit at these speeds. Note the eco light, highlighting the type of driving.
The brake lever is adjustable in spacing, but not the clutch lever and the stems seem cramped and narrow. Good point, a warning command is present on the right side.
In the city
Discreet when starting up, the parallel twin makes its syncopated pulsations heard, but distills a little sour music. This will deserve an adaptable. However, the good vibrations of its mechanics enchant from the first meters, just like its astonishing flexibility. Before the Dark side, it is the Bright side that we appreciate in town, allowing the MT07 to spin in fourth on a trickle of gas, at less than 2,000 laps and 40 km / h. However, the transmission sometimes causes jerks at low speed during acceleration. The clutch, like the selection, are particularly smooth and the roadster spins between vehicles with ease..
Hyper compact, its size and agility in traffic are a daily asset, making any maneuver a formality. Likewise, the efficient centralization of the masses gives a good balance for spinning at low speed in traffic. This is why 70% of its owners commuting (urban / peri-urban evolutions) with this machine..
Less pleasant, the pushers turn out to be really small and their support narrow. It is mainly the indicators that we are looking for, the button being too far inwards. More efficient, the mirrors return a wide field and little subject to vibrations.
The general smoothness is deceptive and we feel very quickly, on the intermediate reports, all the vigor of the twin. Well armed to challenge the holy week, the MT07 also knows how to be the apostle of Sunday rest for pious pilgrimages to winding roads..
Motorway and expressways
Under its appearance of small machines, the Yamaha MT07 hides its true capacities of tonic midsize. A "700cc" is certainly not a small motorcycle and is even less soft when it comes to attacking the great outdoors. It is with force that the roadster throws its front wheel in the air and attacks the fast tracks, without ever running out of breath. As proof, at 170 km / h, the twin throws again vigorously on the last report, stalled on the still ascending slope of its maximum power. Wedged in the bottom of the saddle, leaning over the tank, we go to grab the last graduations of the tachometer. With its lively geometry and a predominantly rear weight, the MT07 is sensitive to gusts of wind, but its heading does not suffer at high speeds if you do not cling to the handlebars..
In legal terms, the tuning forks block pounded quietly at 5,200 rpm, just as ready to restart the machine. At this pace, the comfort is very correct, but obviously deals with the aerodynamic requirements of motorcycles without fairings. Contained, at 130 km / h, the vibrations are more sustained around 8,000 revolutions / minute. All of this reminds us that it is not on this ground that the bestseller Yamaha excels, but rather on the secondary network..
Departmental
With its weight / power ratio among the best, the Yam ‘is not there to amuse the gallery. Good thing, the Iberian region where we operate has two advantages for a test driver: the first is its density in curves of all kinds, the second is that we end up knowing the various routes. Vibrant, hectic, the Mechante Teigne has other good surprises in store on the tortured route of our test. Starting with the quality of its new damping.
Although the asphalt is sometimes slippery, we set the pace on the "goat roads" where the MT07 reveals its ability to absorb bumps and other compressions. It is hardly that on the biggest faults caught at unreasonable speed (not 80, no, no….) That the mount kicks in the stretchers. Normal. Alas served by an original tire assembly too rigid and round, the roadster calmly accepts the many changes of pace and angle. If the inertia caused by the rear tire is sensitive (the 180 mm seem to "stick" during the lateral tilts) the liveliness of the cycle part saves the dynamics. Efficient, the ergonomics induced by the new saddle and an advanced fuel tank also allow the rider to move more easily and, if necessary, get out of the motorcycle to sway. In small slippery corners, we appreciate the precision of the throttle control which allows to keep a motor net and revive the cavalry under control..
When braking, we appreciate the new ability of the fork to work progressively over its entire travel. The more so as the MT07 freezes rather little on the angle to the grip of the brakes. Likewise, the compression adjustment of the shock absorber controls the front-to-rear reactions more evenly. A turn and a half on the adjusting screw makes it even better. Yamaha confirms having also hardened the springs by 6% and braked the rebound by 16%.
The charm also works in large curves at high speed. Gone are the days of the machine that settles to the stop on its suspensions when passing bumps. No more plate swings on raises. From now on, precision is more at the rendezvous, without being a scalpel, but allowing the pilot to appreciate all the dynamic potential of his Tonic Frame..
And the MT07 is not lacking. From 6 to 9,000 revs on the intermediates, its twin always combines torque and power brilliantly. Rough as it should be on this range, the mechanics envelops its playful character with effective pulsations. It pulls out of a curve, resting on the rear tire, the steering gear often close to take-off. And between two turns, the power speaks clearly to the 182 kilos of the roadster. Agile, it follows the reliefs effortlessly on the handlebars. If only we had more lively and talkative tires, we would appreciate all the more the rigor of the front axle on the entries of curves. Finally, the increased quality of the suspension improves (slightly) the limits of ground clearance by reducing excessive compression in curves..
Less pleasant, the tachometer is difficult to read and the dashboard screen placed really too low. The general ergonomics are however rather good, in line with the road ambitions of a quality streamlined roadster..
Part-cycle
Well born and now better damped, the cycle part of the MT07 is all the more reassuring and lively. Precise and frank, the Yamaha brings a lot of confidence to its rider. Working with progressiveness and agreement, the suspensions provide very good comfort, but will be exceeded on the largest compressions.
Braking
To reduce the pace, the front calipers give full satisfaction, providing power and feeling as soon as the lever is taken, thus conferring excellent control. The substantial consistency of the decelerations is almost surprising and is very useful on the heaviest braking. Progressive, easily dosed at the front, this force is ideally controlled by the ABS and the whole is reassuring both in everyday life and in sporty driving..
Comfort / Duo
Welcoming, the pilot seat now offers much more ease to the pilot, well supported by a depreciation in clear progress. No miracle either, the relative delicacy of the seat is felt, but after all the same 240 km of road sometimes generous in jolts.
Consumption
During this test, carried out at a varied and often high pace, the average consumption recorded was 5.9 liters per 100 km. At a more reasonable pace, 5 units should be the standard, allowing 250 km of range. Correct for an everyday machine with an eco-fun vocation.
Conclusion
A small change was announced and yet it is a big step forward for TM, whose new provisions are boosting dynamic and pleasure capabilities. Retaining its primary qualities of accessibility to the wider public, the MT07 always takes care of its two faces: grip and style on one side, efficiency and dynamism on the other. The risk-taking on the part of the manufacturer is reduced, but the changes are to the benefit of the model. Especially since the price changes little, still passing a symbolic barrier: € 7,099 (against 6,999 before).
Enough to calmly face tough competition, starting with the sworn enemy, the Kawasaki Z650 asking for € 7,100. The other contenders are less in the sights: BMW and its F800R priced at € 8,550, Honda CB650F, four-cylinder, placed at € 6,999, Triumph Street Triple S 765 demanding € 9,125 and Suzuki GSX650F at € 7,399
In this basket of crabs, the Yamaha MT07 reaffirms its hegemony through continuous evolution, but boosts its qualities by erasing known flaws. Demonstrative, accessible, novelty plays more and more ambivalence, but now without ambiguity.
Strong points
- Engine approval
- Suspension in clear progress
- Agility of the chassis
- Lightness
- Finishes
- Service / price ratio
Weak points
- Original tire assembly
- Skimpy commodos
- Rather low instrument cluster
- Rear brake too intrusive
The technical sheet of the Yamaha MT-07
Test conditions
- 240 km of varied roads, highway and city.
- Good weather
- Slippery bitumen in places
- Tasty Spanish cuisine
The video test of the Yamaha MT-07
Colors
- Night Fluo
- Yamaha Blue
- Tech Black
Standard equipment
- ABS braking
- Compression-rebound adjustment on shock absorber
Main accessories
- Akrapovič exhaust,
- Ohlins shock absorbers and fork springs
- Comfort saddles
- Bubble
- Radiator screens
- Crankcase guards
- Clutch lever adjustable in spacing
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