Yamaha MT-07 2026 — Specifications

The MT-07 is a lively and spirited roadster. Lively by its temperament, its eager engine, and its immediate desire to mess around. Enlivened because the arrival of the 750 Hornet dealt it a serious blow, compounded by a slight downturn at the top of the market; a position it had monopolized for years.

Less powerful, less well-equipped, a price difference too small to compensate for its shortcomings… What could Yamaha do? Make small improvements in 2023 to tide it over until today’s major overhaul… then…. This time, the MT-07 takes the bit in its teeth and revises a lot of things!!!

First, its face. If the previous MT-07 had relied only on its looks to seduce, its success would have been………… Let's leave it at that to avoid upsetting anyone and appreciate the facelift of the newcomer. Strongly inspired by the MT-09, it would gain a feline purity if Yamaha didn’s insist on this luminous blemish on the front of its new models. Whatever the case, this less challenging physique allows one to reconsider the machine. The eyes are clever, the face fine, the build mischievous. Less prominent shoulders, redesigned frame covers and radiator cowls, simplified rear fairing, reworked tank and reduced rear fender allow the MT-07 to assert a new momentum.

It was already a lot of fun before; it will be even easier and more effective with this Phase 4. From end to end of the machine, Yamaha has extensively revised the structural design of its star roadster. Look at the tubular frame! It looks a lot like the old one, but only the steering column is retained. Optimization of steel tubes and reinforcing plates has allowed to increase its rigidity (longitudinal and lateral) by 12% or 13%; without changing its weight, stabilized at around fifteen kilos. The swingarm is all new, retaining a “banana” profile but losing its lateral recesses. Not for looks, but to gain mass and rigidity.

But what will have immediately caught your eye is the arrival of an inverted fork. Giving it a more sporty look, especially with the new radially mounted calipers, it also adds rigidity to the chassis. On the other side, linkages and the shock absorber have been adapted to this general reinforcement. But a stiffer chassis is often (a little) more technical to handle. Except that the MT-07 has lost a little weight all around:

Normally, the evolutions of the MT-07 IV should have made it gain 4.5 kg. But the factory’s work has instead allowed to reduce the weight by 1 kg. As a result, it now claims 183 units on the scale.

But let's go back to the wheels. The Spinforged aluminum rims, produced by fluoturning, are 480 grams lighter. This weight saving is one of the most important because it is on unsprung masses, which boosts agility (-4% of inertia). The tires have also been changed; Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires will now take on the job.

In addition to that, the handlebar offers a better leverage with its 18 mm of additional width. Yamaha has also revised the rider position, the said handlebar being lowered by 22 mm and moved back by 9.3 mm. A small dose of comfort has been planned for the legs thanks to the footrests lowered by 10 mm. It will lean earlier in corners, especially since the MT loves that.

Speaking of curves. We’re going to be able to enter them harder, but are we going to enter them faster? At first glance, the CP2 engine must have been reworked, given the new design of the ignition and clutch casings. Uh….. That is to say.... Yes, the twin-cylinder has been worked on to pass Euro5+ but…. It’s mainly around it that things are moving. With 74 horsepower and 7 Nm of torque, its values remain as they were before. More than the watts, it’s mainly the joy and punch of this little block that enchants all its users (even if it is outperformed by the Honda engine in pure performance). The standard has a bit stifled the sensations; a shame but far from being prohibitive.

Yamaha has rather called on acousticians rather than engine specialists to evolve the 690 cm3. An acoustic amplification process, like on the MT-10 and MT-09, has been implemented to make the block more present, sending sound waves to the rider to enter into symbiosis with it. Yeah…….. In any case, the release vents of the "wave" are much less inspired than those of its big sisters, crossing the middle of the tank with a cutter. Below, the air filter, intake manifold, carburetor and intake covers have been optimized to brighten the vocals.

From a more practical point of view, users will appreciate the new assisted anti-dribble clutch. Thanks to it, less effort on the lever to disengage and a "digestion" of the rear end's energy return in case of too muscular or impatient downshifting.

Since its debut, the MT-07 has never been very keen on electronics. Recently, it has reluctantly installed a 5-inch TFT screen, but no further. While with competitors, things are moving. So, it is taking back control with the grafting of a ride-by-wire throttle (called YCC-T at Yamaha) – which brings it new possibilities. First, the arrival of a two-level traction control (deactivatable). Then, the choice of three power modes. After that, the arrangement of three Riding Modes (Sport – Street – Custom). On the options side, the quickshifter can now be installed. And on the Y-AMT version, a cruise control is standard.

Owners of the previous generation MT-07 will find the meter modified. It still measures the same dimensions. Except that the interface has changed, offering twice as many display themes (4 now), and of course, it retains smartphone pairing for music, calls and turn-by-turn navigation (with the Garmin StreetCross app). All these new functions impose other controls. The commodo are of a new generation, allowing for easy navigation. The turn signals also gain intelligence: a simple press and they flash three times; a firmer press gives a classic operation; an automatic activation of the warning lights if the rider brakes hard; and finally, they turn off automatically after 15 seconds and 150 meters.

Big job for the MT-07, which was tired of seeing the Z 650 and Hornet circling around it, observing the approach of the Trident, and hearing more and more often the threat of Chinese motorcycles. This major evolution allows it to regain its footing. Moreover, it will also be available with the robotic gearbox Y-AMT as an option. Quasi-unprecedented at this level of range (it must not forget the NC 750 DCT), this technology allows the rider to choose between an assisted manual selection or two automatic gearbox schemes - D for daily driving or D+ for a sporty temperament. No selector, no clutch, just the use of the thumb and index finger.

M.B - Photo manufacturer

The Riding Modes of the Yamaha MT-07: