00:00Since its launch in 2014, the Yamaha MT-07 has been one of the UK's best-loved bikes.
00:08It kick-started a new chapter for the Japanese manufacturer,
00:12delivering a bike that set a new high in the middleweight naked bike class
00:16thanks to its impressive, easy-access performance and class-leading price point.
00:21But above all, it was fun.
00:23Fast forward 11 years and 2025 marks the launch of the fourth-generation MT-07
00:30in what is now an increasingly popular and highly competitive class.
00:35Knowing the relentless desire of their competitors to eat into their market share,
00:40Yamaha have taken the evolution of their flagship middleweight seriously,
00:44delivering a comprehensively upgraded package in a bid to remain top of the class.
00:49It's officially Yamaha's best-selling model with its latest range of changes
00:53include all-new ride-by-wire electronics, new styling, stiffer chassis and better suspension.
01:01The result is a super easy bike to ride that has the uncanny ability to be novice-friendly yet
01:06still lots of fun and rewarding for more experienced riders.
01:11With stiff competition in the market, the new MT-07 is more than competitively priced
01:17and is available in dealers now at 7,700 pounds.
01:22Yamaha have also launched the YMT version of the MT-07,
01:26which features their impressive automatic gearbox technology
01:30coming in just 350 pound more at 8,050 pounds.
01:35With its improved chassis, better suspension and excellent ride by wire electronics,
01:40there is no question that this latest generation MT-07 is a step-up over the previous model.
01:48This combined with new styling, a satisfying sound, track and fully connected TFT dash
01:54should be enough to stay top of the class, despite the stiff competition from its Suzuki,
01:59Honda and Triumph rivals.
02:01It's now a more mature bike that has become impressively competent in every area
02:06and retains an uncanny ability to be a go-to first big bike for a new rider
02:11while being able or satisfy the most experienced or talented rider, and everyone in between.
02:18In fact, its only downside is whether its newfound competence and composure
02:22has in fact diluted the pure fun character that runs through the veins of the previous MT-07S.
02:29While the chassis may look the same as the previous model,
02:32Yamaha say that every part is new apart from the headstock.
02:37That includes a new swing arm and beefed-up swing arm pivot point.
02:41The chassis is now 13% stiffer, but still weighs the same,
02:45contributing 14.8 kilograms to the bike's wet weight of 183 kilograms.
02:52To complement the stiffness are new 41 millimeters upside down,
02:56an MT-07 first, KYB preload adjustable front forks, and updated rear shock.
03:04The result is an impressively balanced, well-suspended, and plush package.
03:09Gone is the bouncy ride of the earlier generation bikes on bumpy or undulating roads.
03:14Instead, it's all become rather refined.
03:17Two more firsts for the MT-07 are radial calipers and a slipper clutch.
03:23The new calipers by Advix bite down on twin 298 millimeters discs,
03:29giving both great feel and impressive stopping power.
03:33Used in conjunction with the rear brake,
03:35the ability to sit and settle the bike down under hard braking is both fantastic and satisfying.
03:42The new slipper clutch increases poise under deceleration,
03:45but while it's a step in the right direction to alleviate excessive engine braking,
03:50it doesn't go far enough and the grab from rear will remains intrusive.
03:55It comes standard with Dunlop Spore Max Q5A tires in the same 180-section rear tire as before,
04:04complementing the poise of the bike without compromising turning and changes of direction.
04:08Riding on the incredibly twisty roads in the mountains of Spain,
04:12it's hard to think of a better tool for the job due to its perfect balance of performance,
04:17weight, grip, and handling.
04:20The 2025 bike retains its 805 millimeters seat height,
04:25which actually feels lower due to a 25 millimeters reduction in width at the waist,
04:30of the bike meaning it even easier to get your feet on the ground.
04:33It's a win for shorter riders, but its lack of mass in the bike's midriff
04:38means there's less to grip onto with your legs during hard braking or acceleration.
04:43Footpegs are 10 millimeters lower to give larger riders more room,
04:47but don't worry, there is still masses of ground clearance.
04:51At the heart of the bike sits the much-loved 690 cubic centimeters twin-cylinder CP2 motor.
04:59It may be over 10 years old,
05:00but it still manages to hold its own against far newer engines in the market.
05:05Thanks to its 270-degree crank and latest ride by Wire Electronics,
05:10it delivers its claimed 72 brake horsepower in a measured yet fun way.
05:15There's never too much power to catch you out.
05:18Instead, thanks to its healthy 50 pounds per FT torque and accurate fueling,
05:23it enables you to exploit everything it's got if that's your thing.
05:26Or just cruise along carefree knowing that a healthy amount of easy access performance
05:31is just a twist of the throttle away.
05:34Thanks to the Ride-by-Wire Electronics,
05:36the power and torque curves are incredibly linear,
05:39with a particular focus on delivering performance between 3,00 and 7000 RPM.
05:45There is also a reworked gearbox for smoother, faster changes,
05:50with nothing but positive gear changes up and down the gearbox on our 7-hour ride,
05:55which involved hundreds of gear changes it sounds good too.
05:59In a world where noise it becoming an increasing factor,
06:03Yamaha have worked to reduce the noise level to the outside world,
06:06but have instead used a redesigned airbox
06:09with four strategically placed holes in the tank to give sound to the rider.
06:13IT may have a sub-8,000-pound price point, but the MT-07 is well-finished
06:19and retains a premium feel.
06:22From the styling, paint quality through Oneik cable routing,
06:26it feels high quality and well put together.
06:29With such a proven engine that's used over multiple platforms in the Yamaha range,
06:33it's one of the most proven packages on the market.
06:36Yamaha have sold an incredible 190,000 MT-07S since its launch in 2014,
06:44owners of the 2021-2024 Yamaha MT-07 model have collectively rated the bike 3.6 stars out of 5
06:53for reliability and build quality,
06:56with the bulk of the lower ratings aimed at the finish quality
06:59and its lack of corrosion resistance.
07:01Given its huge popularity, residual values are good.
07:06And while the latest generation MT-07 is the best,
07:10all the previous models have been excellent.
07:13The 2014 Bike 1 MCN Bike of the Year
07:16and each of the following iterations have delivered more of the same.
07:20As a result, residual values are good,
07:23something that is also down to the wide appeal of the model
07:26which makes it fun and engaging for someone being one
07:29as their first big bike through to experienced veteran
07:32and everyone in between.
07:34In terms of rivals,
07:35the MT-07 has a few with manufacturers keen to eat into some of the Yamaha pie.
07:42Its main competition comes from the impressive Triumph,
07:45Trident 660 priced at 7,895 pounds.
07:49There is also the award-winning Suzuki GSX.
07:538S at 8,299 pounds and the Honda CB650R which has an OTR price of pound 79.29.
08:03A new 5-inch TFT dash and 5-way joystick on the left-hand bar is clear, concise,
08:10intuitive and easy to use.
08:12It tells you all the information you want without being a data overload.
08:16The switchgear is easy to use as is the joystick,
08:20but the irregular shape of the indicators control feels like a design
08:24that is trying to answer a question that has never been asked.
08:27You can also connect your phone to the new dash,
08:30which means you can see messages.
08:32Play music as well as have Garmin navigation to guide you.
08:36It's a small display, but it uses the space well
08:38and having a sat NAV combined feels premium.
08:42There is no quickshifter or auto-blipper on the bike,
08:45but Yamaha do an upgrade,
08:47which was introduced on the previous generation MT-07.
08:51Being 11 years old, there are a wide range of accessories available.
08:55In fact, there is a total of 96 different add-on parts,
08:59with 32 of them being new for the latest model.
09:02thoughtful!
09:02Would you like to accept that?
09:02With my mind?
09:03For the latest model, I love you,
09:03if the latest model is manufactured on homemade football.
09:07The most people again have been ona is Männer Jahren.
09:10It is reinvented by go-te身.
09:11It is more the conscious,
09:12with the Deck mind of spec Conf parameter,
09:13but if you want to explain it to us,
09:15with figures four ideas available,
09:15and tell probably the scripture to do with a phenomenal channel.
09:21Thank you so much.
09:22This will be the most important one in this model.
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