The Yamaha MT-07 Review (FZ-07)
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The Yamaha MT-07 (FZ-07), has spent years building a reputation as one of the most accessible, entertaining, and easy-to-love middleweight bikes on the market, but is the 2026 model all torque and no talk?
The MT-07 is a 689cc CP2 parallel twin is famous for its punchy low-down torque, simple appeal, and grin-inducing character, which is exactly why so many riders call it the perfect first “big bike.” The latest version sharpens that formula with ride-by-wire, traction control, updated suspension, radial brakes, a TFT dash, and even an optional Y-AMT automatic transmission. A 689cc twin-cylinder machine known for its torque, simplicity, and affordability, it’s often praised as the “perfect first big bike.” So I decided to rent one and find out for myself on the roads of Northern Thailand.
On paper, it looked ideal: light enough to feel manageable, torquey enough to be fun, and simple enough not to feel intimidating. In reality, the MT-07 still makes a very strong case for itself, but like every bike, it suits some roads and riders better than others.
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Contents
Motorcycle Reviews
BMW 310GS Review – Small Adventure Bike, Big Fun?
Specs at a Glance
Specifications Overview
- Engine: 689cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin
- Power: 73.4 hp (54.0 kW) @ 8,750 rpm
- Torque: 68 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Seat Height: 805 mm
- Wet Weight: 183 kg
- Fuel Capacity: 14 liters
- Suspension Travel: 130 mm (Front & Rear)
- Brake Discs: Dual 298 mm front discs, 245 mm rear disc, ABS
- Tires: Front 120/70 R17, Rear 180/55 R17
First Impressions
Yamaha MT-07 Review: Initial Thoughts
At first glance, the MT-07 looks compact, stripped-back, and properly aggressive in that unmistakable Hyper Naked way. The latest styling is sharper and more minimal than before, with a distinct LED front end and a more tightly packaged tail section. Yamaha has clearly leaned harder into the “Dark Side of Japan” design language, and whether you love or hate that phrase, the bike does look cleaner and more modern than the old model.
At my height, around 165 cm / 5’5″, the MT-07 felt encouraging straight away. The 805 mm seat height is approachable, and because the bike is relatively narrow through the middle, it feels easier to manage than some taller or bulkier middleweights. That first impression matters: a bike can have all the spec-sheet appeal in the world, but if it feels awkward every time you stop, it quickly stops being fun.
The MT-07 immediately gives off the sense that it wants to be ridden, not merely admired. It feels built around usability and enjoyment rather than bragging rights.
Is it suitable for Thailand?
Thailand Suitability
For Thailand, especially Northern Thailand, the MT-07 makes a lot of sense if your riding is mostly on tarmac. It has the engine for mountain roads, enough comfort for day rides, and manageable proportions for filtering through towns or dealing with uneven road surfaces at lower speeds.
What it is not is an adventure bike. This is a street-focused naked with 17-inch road wheels, sporty tyres, and 130 mm of suspension travel. It can cope with rough patches, broken asphalt, and the occasional gravel shoulder, but it is happiest on paved roads. If your routes regularly include dirt tracks, muddy shortcuts, or deeply broken surfaces, a dual-sport or lightweight adventure bike would still be the smarter tool
For the sort of riding many people actually do here, though, weekend loops, café runs, mountain roads, and intercity trips, the MT-07 hits a very appealing middle ground.
Features and Technology
Features of The Yamaha MT-07
The MT-07 features in 2025/2026:
- Ride-by-Wire Throttle: Newly introduced on the 2025/2026 models, this electronic throttle allows for the addition of Yamaha D-Mode (Ride Modes). It provides a more refined, precise connection between the rider and the CP2 engine, enabling preset power maps like Sport, Street, and Custom for different riding conditions.
- Assist & Slipper (A&S) Clutch: This system reduces the physical effort required to pull the clutch lever while providing much smoother deceleration. It is specifically designed to prevent rear-wheel chatter or locking during aggressive downshifts, keeping the bike stable when entering corners quickly.
- Standard Dual-Channel ABS: The MT-07 features a high-performance dual-channel ABS paired with radially mounted 4-piston calipers and 298 mm dual discs. While the ABS is always active for maximum safety on the street, the bike now includes Switchable Traction Control, allowing riders to turn off the TC for a more raw, “unfiltered” experience.
- Full LED Lighting: The bike features a distinctive bi-functional LED projector headlight and a minimalist LED taillight. This provides a compact, aggressive “face” and significantly better nighttime visibility and energy efficiency compared to traditional bulbs.
- Tubeless Sport Tires: Unlike the 310 GS, the MT-07 uses 17-inch lightweight 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels wrapped in high-performance street tires (like the Michelin Road 6). These tubeless tires are wider and stickier, designed specifically for maximum grip and agile cornering on pavement.
Recent new features:
- Optional Automatic (Y-AMT): There is now a version available without a clutch lever that uses a button-operated manual or fully automatic gearbox.
- Traction Control: The 2025 model is the first MT-07 to ever feature switchable traction control.
- Acoustic Amplifying: Yamaha added “sound enhancer” ports on top of the fuel tank cover to channel the engine’s intake roar directly to the rider.
The optional Y-AMT version is particularly interesting. It removes the clutch lever and allows either paddle-shift manual operation or full automatic shifting. That may sound strange on a bike famous for its simplicity, but for newer riders, commuters, or people dealing with heavy traffic, it could be genuinely appealing. It also adds only a small weight penalty.
Suspension Note
Suspension Note
The MT-07’s updated chassis is a real improvement over the older bike. The new inverted fork and stiffer front end as major upgrades, giving the bike better feedback, more stability, and a more planted feel when cornering. This was one of the biggest weaknesses of earlier MT-07s, so it is good to see Yamaha address it properly.
That said, the bike still is not magic carpet plush. One recurring issue is the rear suspension can feel harsh on bumpy roads, and that is especially relevant in Thailand, where even good routes can be interrupted by patched asphalt, potholes, and broken edges. So while the new MT-07 is clearly better sorted than before, it still leans sporty rather than cushy.
In other words: excellent for smooth-to-average roads, less ideal if your idea of a fun route includes lots of rough, neglected surfaces.
On-Road Performance
Riding On-Road
This is where the MT-07 earns its reputation.
The CP2 engine remains the star of the show. It is not about massive top-end rush or superbike drama; it is about usable torque, quick response, and an engaging feel at everyday speeds. That makes the bike fun in exactly the situations most riders encounter most often: pulling out of corners, overtaking slower traffic, rolling on through a series of bends, and riding briskly without needing silly speeds.
The new front-end setup makes the bike more composed and confidence-inspiring than before. Steering remains light and friendly, but the chassis now feels more mature, especially when the road turns twisty. That is exactly what this bike needed: not a personality transplant, just more polish
The brakes are another welcome step forward. The new radial-mounted calipers give the MT-07 more serious stopping hardware than previous versions, matching the bike’s sporty side far better than before.
Touring Potential
Riding Comfort
The MT-07 is not a dedicated touring machine, but it is more capable than its minimal styling suggests. The upright riding position, decent tank size, and modest fuel consumption make it perfectly realistic for longer day rides and multi-day trips, especially in a country where fuel stops are easy to find. Yamaha claims 4.1 L/100 km, and with a 14-litre tank, the theoretical range is respectable. You are not going to confuse it with a long-distance tourer, but for the kind of motorcycle travel many people actually do, day loops, scenic rides, and moving between towns, it is absolutely up to the job
One main compromise is wind protection. On longer faster stretches, you will remember this is a naked bike. That is hardly a surprise, but it is the one area where a more touring-oriented machine would obviously be easier to live with.
One additional factor I personally noticed, was a growing ache between my shoulder blades. The bonus with ADV-style bikes is the ability to shift body weight around, relieving tension when riding for long hours. After several hours of riding, I began to miss this.
Final Thoughts
Yamaha MT07 Review – My Conclusion
After riding the Yamaha MT-07 in Northern Thailand, I came away understanding exactly why it has become such a favourite.
It is not because it is the most powerful bike in its class. It is not because it is the most luxurious or the most advanced. It is because it gets the important things right. It is accessible without being boring, quick without being intimidating, and simple without feeling cheap. The latest updates only strengthen that formula, giving it better brakes, better suspension, better electronics, and a more premium feel while preserving the same easygoing character that made people love it in the first place.
Would I call it the perfect bike for Thailand? Not for every kind of riding. If I were planning lots of rough-road exploring, I would still want something lighter, taller, and more dirt-friendly. But for paved roads, mountain routes, day rides, and general road-based travel, the MT-07 is a lot of fun and makes a very convincing case for itself.
How was this Yamaha MT-07 Review? Is there other aspects that you would have liked to to have covered? Leave a comment. I’d be interested to read your thoughts.
Yes I own a MT 07 and it is an excellent bike even more fun than my Ducati Monster, but my main gripe is that they dared make such a nice bike with the worst seat ever so bloody uncomfortable and then they have the hide of Pete to offer a OEM comfort seat at $330 how dare they. And I noticed on reading for the 2017 model MT09 that they gave it a more comfortable seat ha ha. Do they Yamaha actually take these bikes for long rides of more than 20min as I have to stop every 40min and walk around and get the blood flowing in my backside. Other than that it would be 5stars but I give 3stars out of 5
Because of the seat.
Hey Dallas! Sorry for the late reply. Ive been getting a ton of spam comments, so had to filter through them all.
Appreciate the feedback. The seat did seem very thin…like the bare bones. I have a lot of natural padding (HAHA), so wasn’t as bad for me. My main problem was a crampy feeling in my legs as they felt a bit squished..but that could also be that im just not used to riding a road bike. Definitely could be improved if i owned the bike, as i could adjust it to my positioning to make it more comfortable. However, asking for such a high price for a seat upgrade is a shocker!