Yamaha MT-07

The Yamaha MT-07 (FZ-07 in early US years) launched for 2014 on a 689 cc CP2 parallel twin: 270-degree crank, about 73–75 hp, and a steel backbone frame. It undercut European middleweights on price and beat them on torque-to-weight, which is why it became the default used-bike recommendation in the class.

Yamaha has left the recipe alone. Facelifts in 2018 and 2021 changed the tail, lights and dash (TFT on later bikes) and added a quickshifter on some versions. The 2025–26 bikes stay on the same displacement and a seat height of 805 mm. Wet weight is about 183 kg. An A2-restricted version is sold in Europe.

The MT-07 is a naked roadster, not a touring bike and not a beginner 300. It is more torque-rich than a CBR500F and less aggressive than an MT-09. Riders who want a fairing look at the R7, which uses this engine. Compare it with the Kawasaki Z650, Honda CB650R and Triumph Trident 660. Later updates focused on the dash and rider aids rather than a new engine.