VOLUME 58 ISSUE 35 AUGUST 31, 2021 P99
The bike that springs to mind more
than anything here is the RD350
two-stroke, a stunning little machine
that kickstarted a generation on the
wonders of motorcycle riding. For
me, the MT-07 is the new RD350. It's got
a similar feel, a similar target audience, just
with everything updated for a new era.
Bikes now are so techy that we need
machines like the MT to remind us we can
have our cake and eat it, too. I'm yet to
find a rider who has ridden an MT-07 and
doesn't at least like, if not love, the
experience.
There are parts of the personality
I don't like. The frame is flexy, the
front suspension isn't great, and the
brakes aren't that amazing. But that engine,
the ride position, the looks and the style
more than make up for it, in my opinion.
The best compliment I can give the MT
is my mom even bought one, and being
the momma's boy that I am, that's saying
something.
CN
At a touch over
400 pounds ready
to go, the MT is far
from intimidating
in corners.
SPECIFICATIONS
2021 YAMAHA MT-07 ($7699)
ENGINE
4-stroke, parallel twin
VALVETRAIN
DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder
COOLING SYSTEM
Liquid-cooled
DISPLACEMENT
689cc
BORE X STROKE
80 x 68.6mm
COMPRESSION RATIO
11.5:1
FUEL SYSTEM
EFI
EXHAUST
2-2
CLUTCH
Wet, slipper
TRANSMISSION
6-speed
FRONT SUSPENSION
41mm fork, non-adjustable
REAR SUSPENSION
Monoshock, adjustable
preload and rebound
damping
FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL
5.1 in.
REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL
5.1 in.
FRONT BRAKE
Dual 298mm disc, 4-piston
caliper, ABS
REAR BRAKE
Single 245mm disc, single
piston, ABS
FRONT TIRE
120/70ZR17 in.
REAR TIRE
180/55ZR17 in.
WHEELBASE
55.1 in.
SEAT HEIGHT
31.7 in.
FUEL CAPACITY
3.7 gal
WEIGHT (WET, NO FUEL,
CLAIMED)
406 lbs.
