Yamaha MT-07 700 2017 — Specifications

What could have shaken up the mid-size roadster market so thoroughly that Kawasaki and Suzuki turned pale on their own turf? A 689 cc twin from Yamaha, plain and simple. In 2017, the MT-07 700 enters its fourth year on the market with a discreet update to meet Euro4 standards. A few reflectors at the bottom of the fork legs, an engine recalibration to keep emissions in check, and that's all it took. The character, however, remains untouched.

On paper, the Yamaha MT-07 700 reinvents nothing. Its 75 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 67.7 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm place it in the same waters as the Kawasaki ER-6n and the Suzuki SV 650, two benchmarks in the segment. But it's under the hood where the difference plays out. The CP2 engine, with its 270° crankshaft offset inherited from the crossplane philosophy dear to Yamaha, delivers torque in an irregular, almost organic fashion. The result? A throttle response that feels more alive, more textured than an overly smoothed-out four-cylinder. Four valves per cylinder, forged pistons, six-speed gearbox: the mechanicals remain understated but effective. The average fuel consumption of the phase 2 MT-07 700 proves reasonable for daily use, reinforcing its status as a versatile motorcycle.

The chassis contributes to this feeling of nervous lightness. A diamond-type steel tube frame that uses the engine as a stressed member, an asymmetric swingarm bolted directly to the crankcases: Yamaha designed this rolling chassis as a cohesive unit, not as an assembly of compromises. The wet weight of the 2017 Yamaha MT-07 700 comes in at 179 kg, roughly thirty kilos lighter than the old XJ6. On the scales, that's an argument that carries serious weight for A2 licence holders and experienced riders alike looking for an agile city machine. The 41 mm telescopic fork and monoshock each offer 130 mm of travel. No inverted fork, no semi-active suspension: just the essentials, well calibrated. The braking, on the other hand, proves generous for the category. Two 282 mm discs clamped by four-piston calipers up front — that's serious hardware for a machine of this size. The rear tyre in 180/55-17 comes as a surprise: a dimension usually found on the R6. A choice driven more by aesthetics than necessity, but one that gives the MT-07 a convincing visual stance.

The price of the 2017 Yamaha MT-07 700 in France stands at 6,899 euros. A price tag that, since the model's launch in 2014, places this Yamaha among the most affordable offerings on the market. Those looking for the price of a 2015 or 2016 MT-07 700 in France will find even softer valuations on the used market, making it a smart choice for a first purchase. As for the power output of the 2023 Yamaha MT-07 700, it has evolved slightly over the years, but the foundation remains the proven CP2 twin.

With its seat perched at 805 mm, its 14-litre tank and an announced top speed of 190 km/h, the MT-07 makes no claim to rival the sportbikes. It aims precisely, right between the young licence holder who wants character without breaking the bank and the experienced rider seeking an uninhibited urban toy. Against a rounder SV 650 or a tamer ER-6n, the Yamaha MT-07 700 asserts its sharp temperament and angular styling inherited from the MT-09. For those who prefer retro lines, Yamaha offers the same recipe with the XSR 700. For tourers, the Tracer 700 wraps the same mill in a package built to devour miles. Three faces for one mechanical heart: hard to be more rational than that.