Yamaha MT-07
No, I’m still convinced there’s something dodgy going on here with the Yamaha MT-07. Even after a sun-drenched launch and a few days thrashing one back in Blighty, I can’t fathom how Yamaha has packed so much majestical mayhem into £5,000 of bike. I was also dubious of the MT-07’s ‘new from the ground-up’ claim before riding one. Not anymore!
The MT-07 is the newest bike here, and that’s clear by simply looking at it. Yamaha has been very clever with the styling, hiding (most) of the cheaper aesthetics and immersing it in neat trinkets like the endurancestyle rear spindle guards. Regardless of spec, it really shouldn’t be so cheap – but don't tell Yamaha...
MT denotes ‘more torque’. There’s no denying that the 689cc lump, despite the relative measly capacity, has lashings of it. Lashings upon lashings of grunt-infested fun that sends the front wheel skyward with little encouragement. And this is £5k? With non-adjustable suspension and a good old parallel twin? It’s another bike that screws conformity, as Yamaha strayed away from sticking to the 650cc formula. Consequently, we won’t see one lining up on Glencrutchery road anytime soon.
Very short gearing amplifies the sharp delivery, as does the light throttle action, and you’ll struggle to keep the front wheel on the road when nailing the throttle. The motor spins quickly and aggressivly, but it's all beautifully controlled and the gasser works both ways. You sense that there’s a real touch of Jekyll and Hyde about it.
Yet another Yamaha that suffers as a victim of its own technology, the MT-09’s ride-by-wire hamstrings the ride. Many point blame at the 09’s fuel injection. It isn’t. It’s a simple electronics map. Meanwhile, back in prehistoric times, the MT-07 is enhanced by a cable-fed throttle. Yes, it’s abrupt, but having adopted ‘crossplane’ theories, Yamaha has brought total control with the MT-07. Every throttle opening equates to rear wheel action, very much like an R1, and you rarely chase engine revs. The motor feels so much more advanced than anything on test.
The chassis is just as impressive, making use if its super-slim stature. Although it isn’t as taut and responsive as the Monster, the Yamaha’s pliable set-up broadens the handling spectrum. It steers insanely fast, yet perfectly neutral, and is the only bike here with a 180-section rear tyre. This equates to big-bike handling and cornering class; stable and certain at every degree of lean.
Anyone that weighs more than a bag of potatoes would benefit from increasing the shock’s preload adjustment, just to support the rear a little. The MT’s stroke is superior to the other Japanese bikes. It’s also much softer at both ends than the Monster but more over big bumps.
There’s nothing substantially wrong with the Yamaha. If we’re overcritical, the only slight negative is the noise, or lack of; there's no induction bark and a very weak exhaust note. Invest in a pipe...