The Tuning Fork’s Best-Selling Street Bike
I must confess- I don’t like riding this motorcycle.
From the torquey parallel 689cc liquid-cooled twin, the upright and comfortable “street fighter” riding triangle, to the thrilling, arm-stretching acceleration when twisting the throttle, and that deep guttural growl through the 2-into-1 exhaust, the 2024 Yamaha MT-07 just does me in.
I don’t like riding this motorcycle- I love riding it.
And therein lies my problem with this bike. Several problems, really. First, I’m finding that I’m neglecting the other bikes in my garage, bikes that I own and other loaners from other brands. The MT-07 is such a hoot to ride, it’s the default key I reach for when I need to run up town, or just to blow off some steam down a country road after a day at the editor desk. The other bikes are currently unhappy with me.
Riding for ice cream or coffee or something…
Second, I can’t keep my wrist from wringing it’s neck at the throttle, as the robust acceleration, the front wanting to float, and that damned awesome low exhaust note just makes me want to pin it every time I’m clicking up through the gears. Geez, this bike’s going to get me in trouble with the local “boys in blue”, I swear. The sound, the hungry vibration, the head-snapping surge, It’s making me a reckless 22 year old again. That’s unhealthy at my age.
Third, while I’m not enamored with the “Transformers” look of the headlight nacelle or the “Midnight Cyan” color scheme of this particular loaner (my wife says the color scheme is “cute”. I don’t like cute.), the MT-07 fits me perfectly at 5’8”, and I’d ride it all day, every day at the bargain $8200 one can be had for. I find myself measuring space in the bike garage, pondering if I could make some room for one in the not-too-distant future (the “Team Yamaha Blue” scheme knocks me out).
I don’t need another motorcycle… do I?
My favorite road sign.
When I first picked up the bike at Yamaha Motors USA HQ north of Atlanta, they told me, “The MT-07 has been our best selling street bike in North America in recent years.” That kind of surprised me, given their entire MT line, which includes a great entry level model in the MT-03, the amazing triple that we love so much in the MT-09, and the muscular, naked version of their legendary R1, the MT-10. What makes this MT-07 so desirable?
I soon found out, hence my opening comments.
The first time I turned the key and thumbed the starter, I was struck by the low growl of that cross-plane parallel twin engine. Sounds pretty bad-ass, for a stock exhaust. It’s the same mill that Yamaha runs in their popular R7 sport bike , the retro-inspired XSR700, and the incredible Teneré 700 ADV machine. Very torquey, pulls hard shifting through the gears, and begs to be throttled. I try to oblige at every opportunity.
Out where the population density is measured in bovine rather than human.
Speaking of hard shifting, the clutch plates in our particular MT-07 shift with a solid “clunk” in each of the six gears, until the engine warms up and you get shifting higher in the rev range. A quick shifter is available in the Yama parts bin for this bike, which I think would be a good install.
I know I keep saying it, but I can’t help myself- wringing the throttle and shifting up through the gears is just an adrenaline rush for me, given the acceleration, the slight vibration felt through the bike when throttling up (which I like), and the deep roar of that twin’s exhaust. Imagine a Yoshimura or Akropovič slip-on or even a whole system on this bike. Geez. They both make one for it, btw.
Nice deep growl for a stock exhaust.
Okay, here’s some specs and deets you performance gear heads enjoy. The 2024 MT-07 runs on Yamaha’s 689cc, 270° DOHC 4-valves per cylinder mill, with a bore/stroke of 3.1/3.1 x 2.7 inches, and a compression ratio of 11.5:1. The CP2 engine puts down about 74 hp at 9000 rpm, 50 ft. lbs. of torque to the rear wheel at 6500 rpm, and allegedly can touch 142 mph wide open. I’ve not attempted that, yet. Again, the “boys in blue” concern.
The MT-07 weighs in at about 395 lbs. wet, and with the tank capacity at 3.7 US gallons, the bike can conceivably get upwards of 55-65 mpg. Meaning 200+ miles on a full tank is doable, however unlikely given the propensity to succumb to the temptation to wring the throttle too frequently. I’ve been averaging about 160+ miles per fill-up. Maybe I need to take it easy a bit more. Nah, perish the thought.
Who thought this was a good place for the key??
Referencing the Yama parts bin earlier, the MT-07 offerings include not only a quickshifter, but a couple of different flyscreens/short windshields, a fender eliminator, a radiator grill guard, some top case luggage accoutrements, and farkles like tank side pads and swingarm spools. Not a deep parts list, to be honest.
And since we’re being honest, the one big thing I truly do not like about the MT-07 is the ignition switch location. It’s up in front of the instrument display, on top of the headlight. So you have to reach over the TFT display, fumble around to insert then turn the key from there, and if you have a small key chain, it’s dangling and flapping around out front for all to see. Who thought that was a bright idea? So most definitely buy the OEM front cowl or “sport screen” for the MT-07. It will look cool on the bike, deflect a little bit of wind away from full frontal impact on your chest, and cover that infernal ignition switch location.
“Out in the country, past the city limits sign,…”
Other than that, I think I’d only add the quickshifter and the fender eliminator. I don’t really see the MT-07 as a full tourer with its more upright yet sport bike-like rider triangle, although riders certainly can do that with the top case options. But for a day or two (or a few) in the saddle, a nice backpack thrown on, I’d ride the MT-07 and not get tired of it.
As I’ve stated, I don’t like riding this motorcycle- I love riding it. And I think many of you will too.
Rob
*For more on the 2024 Yamaha MT-07, click here:
My Riding Gear:
TexSport armored riding jacket
HJC i10 Robust helmet
Alpinestars Faster 3 gloves and shoes
REV’IT! Davis TF armored riding pants
Check out our video ride/review without ever leaving this page:
I bought a 2015 (first year) bike at 5 years old. 30,000 miles and about four years later and every time I get on this bike it makes me smile (actually laugh uncontrollably), blows off 107 cubic inch Harleys easily. I’ve had a few of those too, it reminds me of my 68 Triumph Bonnie with more horsepower, better brakes (well brakes), no Lucas Prince of darkness electrics and the tires actually stick to the road. Dunlop Mutants. Good day to you, thanks for the writing and remember, ride fast, take chances.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the MT-07, Dave. We completely agree.
A friend often says, Ride Fast, Ride Safe, Ride Home.
Rob, you are Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond rolled into one 😀 😉 .
Haha, I like the comparison,… I think! LOL
Couldn’t agree more with the assessment–I don’t even mind the ignition key location. However, I found the stock shock to be tooth-jaringly stiff and installed an aftermarket unit (still a bit harsh). Otherwise, a hoot to ride.
You’re right, the rear shock is a bit stiff. Good point!