On the right is Sankichi Abe, a good friend of mine for 45 years, who personally delivered the MT-07 to me. We were paired riders in the first five Suzuka 8 Hours.
The MT-07 is a basic sport while the MT-09 is excellent
As I wrote in my last column, I really liked the MT-09 I rode at the test ride.
At the time, I was looking at various candidates for my favorite motorcycle, and by the time I wrote that article, I had my heart set on the MT-09 SP. However, it was the MT-07 that had just arrived at our house.
So what was my review of the MT-07 when I took it for a test ride? In contrast to the MT-09, which is reminiscent of an excellent sport motorcycle, the MT-07 gives the impression of being a basic sport motorcycle, especially in terms of suspension performance. The MT-07 may be fun to ride on the street, touring, or even on the track, but it's far from being refined by cutting-edge technology.
If it were equipped with a suspension comparable to that of the MT-09, I thought I would be able to enjoy a higher grade of riding because it would be able to suppress sudden posture changes under braking (from my impression, the MT-07's front fork is not a cartridge type but an old-fashioned free-valve type) and provide a moist ground feeling.
Of course, that's not Yamaha's way of cutting corners. It's a matter of adapting to the reality that there's not much demand for high-level suspension, but rather more people wanting a lower price.
The new 2021 MT-07 features a new engine intake and exhaust, a new ECU to comply with exhaust gas regulations, and a redesigned headlight area. The price is 814,000 yen.
The newly developed 2-into-1 exhaust system with the integrated exhaust pipe and exhaust system is extremely thick. The maximum power output has been increased from 73PS/9000rpm to 73PS/8750rpm, producing more power at a lower rpm.
The suspension is unchanged from the previous model. The suspension is a front upright fork and rear horizontally mounted linkage mono suspension. The rear only has adjustable damping on the rebound side.
The deciding factor in my choice was that it fit the reality of the situation.
The process of changing my mind about the MT-07, which I had the impression was not good enough, was unexpected. It was both interesting and fun for me. When I imagined getting my hands on the MT-09, I felt excited and uplifted. However, on the other hand, I couldn't deny that I felt the pressure.
When I imagine the case of the MT-07, it makes me feel relieved. It seems to be a life-sized motorcycle. It is true that the front tends to sink rapidly when the front brake is applied strongly, but depending on your point of view, this also extends the range of fun. In addition to delicate braking, it is possible to cope with deceleration G's to a great extent by using the flexibility of your body to apply a gentle load. If you look at it this way, recent high-performance motorcycles have progressed to allow for rough riding and poor handling, but the MT-07 also makes it easy to learn the basics safely.
Also, the bank sensor is quite long, and I feel the setting can detect the limit of the bank angle quickly. I also like the fact that you can try it from a familiar place. What was even more decisive was a comment from a friend of mine who had been racing with me for 45 years. He said, "If you ride an interesting motorcycle like the MT-09 on a regular basis, you're already in danger. Think about your age." And so, my beloved motorcycle became the MT-07.
If I had to buy an MT-07, I could have chosen the new YZF-R7, but I decided against it because of its forward-leaning riding position and 835mm seat height (the MT-07 is 805mm).
The new YZF-R7 uses an inverted forks in the front, which seems to provide braking comparable to that of the MT-09, so it's good for those who are more sports-oriented.
The new MT-09 SP, which I considered buying, is amazing for its cornering accuracy, which allows you to trace a line true to your will in medium to high-speed compound corners. It is the ultimate street sport.
See YAMAHA Moto Index Page
See Accessories for YAMAHA MT-07 (FZ-07)
See Accessories for YAMAHA MT-09 (FZ-09)
See Accessories for YAMAHA YZF-R7 (OW-02)
