Yamaha MT-07 700 2024 — Specifications

Who can boast of having reigned unchallenged over the mid-size roadster segment for nearly a decade? The Yamaha MT-07 700, undisputed queen of sales in France, is nonetheless seeing its throne begin to wobble. The Honda Hornet 750 arrives with compelling arguments, the Triumph Trident 660 is chipping away at market share, and even the Kawasaki Z 650 lurks in the shadows. For this 2024 edition, Yamaha has opted for a targeted facelift rather than a revolution. A calculated bet, balancing aesthetic boldness with mechanical wisdom.

On the styling front, the MT-07 plays the unapologetic aggression card. Its single-eyed front face, hallmark of the "Masters of Torque" family, doesn't aim to seduce but to intimidate. A Y-shaped light signature frames the main LED headlight, while the turn signals and taillight also switch to LEDs. The tank has been redesigned, the radiator shrouds reshaped, and Yamaha has drowned the levers, footpegs, and fork tubes in matte black. The result is divisive, but it has the merit of looking like nothing else on the road. The rear, however, hasn't moved a millimeter. We would have liked a bit more ambition on that front.

Beneath the bodywork, the 689 cc CP2 twin retains its playful character. The transition to Euro5 demanded its toll: new exhaust, injection recalibration, revised intake ducts. Power output for the Yamaha MT-07 700 now stands at 73 hp at 8,750 rpm, with torque of 66.7 Nm at 6,500 rpm. A marginal loss compared to previous generations, imperceptible on the road. Wet weight climbs to 184 kg — two kilos more — with no noticeable impact on agility. This twin remains an expressive engine that makes you want to run through the gears of the six-speed gearbox from the very first roundabout. Average fuel consumption on the Yamaha MT-07 700 phase 2 was already well contained, and this version shouldn't change the equation with its 14-liter tank.

The real progress lies in the dashboard. The 5-inch color TFT screen finally replaces the old LCD and offers two display modes, Street or Touring, with smartphone connectivity via the MyRide app. Telemetry, route tracking, lean angles — data enthusiasts will be well served. On the other hand, those hoping for an inverted fork or adjustable suspension will have to keep waiting. The 41 mm telescopic fork and rear monoshock, both with 130 mm of travel, remain basic components that show their limits when the pace picks up. The tubular steel diamond frame carries over unchanged, unlike the MT-09 which received a complete overhaul. Only the braking system makes progress: 298 mm discs replace the former 282 mm petal discs, clamped by four-piston calipers, and the switch to Michelin Road 5 tires inspires more confidence than the previous Bridgestones. The handlebar, widened by 32 mm, improves leverage and makes the bike even sharper through direction changes. With its seat height at 805 mm, it remains accessible to most rider builds.

The price of a 2024 Yamaha MT-07 700 reaches €7,999 in France, a figure that's climbing significantly compared to the first generations. When you remember the price of a 2015 or 2016 Yamaha MT-07 700, the gap is substantial. The Hornet 750, more powerful and better equipped in the suspension department, plays in the same price bracket and puts unprecedented pressure on the Japanese contender. Yet the MT-07 holds an advantage that numbers can't capture: that immediate thrill, that urge to lift the front wheel out of every corner, that lightness of spirit that bonds you to the handlebars from the very first meters. It remains a perfect entry point for A2 license holders, a formidable urban toy, and a capable weekend companion that can reach a top speed of 190 km/h when the road opens up. Yamaha hasn't reinvented its golden goose. They've simply given it a fresh face, connected it, and slightly sharpened its edge. Enough to stay on top? The answer will play out in the dealerships.