Review: 2016 Yamaha MT-07 HO

The MT-07 is a nice looking machine, with plenty of room for modifications.

It might be over 20-years later but finally we have a four-stroke bike that is equally as hoonable, practical and fun as an RD350LC, in the MT-07. This is a wicked little machine and you really have to ride one, I guarantee you will smile non-stop on this bike.

My first run on the MT-07 was a 120km peak hour 7:00am ride to and through Sydney to Western Sydney.

Firstly, I was immediately comfortable on the bike. The ergonomics are relaxing yet give a sense of control over the bike. You sit in the MT-07, low in the wide seat, with the ‘bars upswept and ‘pegs wide and low. The position is fantastic, if not a little to rearward biased.

The switchgear is basic, the clutch lever not span adjustable (the front brake is of course), the comprehensive and simple to read dash is centrally located on the top triple-clamp, which is cool, but the mirrors are small and could be 50 per cent bigger.

Fuel economy was exceptional particularly for riding which would be considered hoony, with lots of full throttle!

The MT-07 turned me into an instant hoon as soon as I left home. I was on the back wheel within a few kilometres and from then on in could not help myself at every other traffic light. The torque and instant acceleration of the MT-07 is fantastic. Punchy and smooth, it lends itself to fun and truly made me smile like an idiot from the get go.

There are very few negatives in traffic – the clutch action is very heavy, the throttle snappy below 50km/h, and the speedo is out by 10 per cent. Aside from that it is all fun times!

The narrow bike is ideal for lane splitting, making peak hour traffic jams nothing but a blur. The seat although firm is comfy for an hour or so and the fuel economy is stunning. I averaged just 4.1L/100 over a 500km test of mainly full throttle!

My second ride was a big loop of 300km, which also included town work but mainly country roads and smooth flowing twisties. The MT-07 was stunning. Good enough brakes for the basic package they are, fantastic manners considering the suspension is low end – showing how good the ‘fun to ride’ geometry is, and that engine just loves to be free.

With a large radiator and a water-cooled oil-cooler the MT runs at a steady temperature. The exhaust looks good but is painfully quiet so needs replacing with a loud system. A quickshifter would be brilliant, as would stickier tyres.

However, for 10 grand you can’t complain.

A seriously good bike – one of my all-time favourites…

SPECIFICATIONS: YAMAHA MT-07 HO 

yamaha-motor.com.au

Price: $9,999 + ORC
Warranty: Two-year/unlimited kilometre
Colours: Race Blu

Claimed Power: 56.45kW[74.8hp]@9000rpm
Claimed Torque: 68Nm[50Nm]@6500rpm
Claimed Weight: 179kg wet ready to ride
Fuel Capacity: 14L

Engine: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline-twin, four-stroke, four-valve, 80 x 68.6mm bore x stroke, 689cc, 11.5:1 compression, lightweight one-piece two-into-one exhaust
Gearbox: Six speed
Clutch: Wet, multiple disc

Chassis: High tensile steel tubing backbone-type frame, asymmetrical steel swingarm

Suspension: 41mm front forks, 130mm travel, adjustable link-type Monocross rear shock

Brakes: Dual 282mm front wave rotors, four-piston calipers, single 245mm rear wave rotor, single-piston Nissin caliper

Wheels & Tyres: Lightweight cast aluminium 10-spoke, Bridgestone BT023R 120/70-ZR17, 180/55-ZR17

DIMENSIONS:
Seat height: 805mm
Overall height: 1090mm
Overall length: 2085mm
Wheelbase: 1400mm

Instruments: Bar mounted LED display

Brakes are a solid package, without being amazing, while the lightweight cast aluminium 10-spoke wheels are a sporty touch for such a reasonably priced machine.

The engine is a stonker, not because of extreme power, but because there’s plenty there when you need it, through most of the rev range, and there’s heaps of fun to be had.

The position is fantastic, if not a little to rearward biased, with well finished rearsets and a minimalist exhaust that isn’t too hard on the eyes. Sure it’d be the first thing you changed, but still!