Everything Everywhere Anytime: October 2018

Yamaha MT-07 2017

The Yamaha MT-07 2016, by looking at it for the first time, it's smaller than it look. ER-6 series from Kawasaki and CB's from Honda is one of the most famous middle-weight bikes. And Yamaha presented this 07 in 2016, and it does caught my attention. The Yamaha MT “Master of Torque” 689 cc parallel -twin engine does have that sensitive throttle and it definitely deliver the torque. Weighing at 179 kg and 14 litre tank, it's a good light bike.

Pulling the clutch and shifting the 07 into first gear, and the torque kicks in. The Yamaha weren’t kidding. When it comes to corners on the 07 I didn’t feel that confidence inspiring. Coming into a corners, showed that the MT-07 didn’t like being pushed to the limit, it does not respond well, it feels heavy and it keep push the bike up. But with the right speed, right momentum and RPM it does respond well enough. Breaking is superb! It doesn't come with ABS and TCS, but it does delivered a good breaking power.

The dash is controlled by two buttons built into it – bar-mounted controls would be good, but all you can do is scroll through the odo, trips and fuel consumption figures, so I won’t be fiddling much. There’s a gear position indicator, revs and a clock on the liquid crystal display, as well as a fuel gauge. Resetting the data isn’t particularly intuitive, but it’s not as if you need a large owner’s manual to work it out. Which is fortunate, as there’s very little space under the seat; a metal plate lifts out once the pillion seat’s unlocked to reveal a shallow tray that holds a typically lightweight tool set. The tail light is LED, but the indicators are standard bulbs, the front of which have been moved from the headlight surround to the sides of the engine for a much better look.

The LCD panel takes center stage. I personally liked the 07’s instrument panel. A gear position indicator is included, as is an “Eco” indicator for when the bike is in optimum fuel saving mode. The only ugly side of this bike is the tank, there's a cheap plastic cover right in middle of the tank. For sure, you could always replace it with chrome or carbonized item. But yeah that is my opinion. Riding position is great, so this 07 is a great daily commuter bike, or maybe long-distance naked tourer. I guess it could be both. Yamaha is not my favourite brand, but as I rode this MT 07, I started to like this bike.

The crossplane engine system is brilliant! To be honest the MT series from Yamaha is a pretty good production. The price is affordable for a middle-weight bikes. And I do not put the MT’s as a street bike. As the MT’s does have a powerful torque. A dragster is a suitable category for the MT's. So what’s next? Yes! Coming soon, I will be reviewing another MT from Yamaha.