2025-on Yamaha MT-07 review: Fourth gen brings a new level of refinement to the class leading model

While the chassis may look the same as the previous model, Yamaha say that every part is new apart from the headstock. That includes a new swingarm and beefed up swing arm pivot point. The chassis is now 13% stiffer, but still weighs the same contributing 14.8kg to the bikes wet weight of 183kg. To compliment the stiffness are new 41mm upside down (an MT-07 first) KYB pre-load adjustable front forks and updated rear shock. The result is an impressively balanced, well suspended and plush package. Gone is the bouncy ride of the earlier generation bikes on bumpy or undulating roads, instead it’s all become rather refined…

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Two more firsts for the MT-07 are radial calipers and a slipper clutch. The new calipers by ADVICS bite down on twin 298mm discs, giving both great feel and impressive stopping power. Used in conjunction with the rear brake, the ability to sit and settle the bike down under hard braking is both fantastic and satisfying.

The new slipper clutch increases poise under deceleration, but while it’s a step in the right direction to alleviate excessive engine braking, it doesn’t go far enough and the grab from rear wheel remains intrusive.

It comes standard with Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tyres in the same 180 section rear tyre as before, complimenting the poise of the bike without compromising turning and changes of direction.

Riding on the incredibly twisty roads in the mountains of Spain it’s hard to think of a better tool for the job due to its perfect balance of performance, weight, grip and handling.

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The 2025 bike retains its 805mm seat height, which actually feels lower due to a 25mm reduction in width at the ‘waist’ of the bike meaning it even easier to get your feet on the ground. It’s a win for shorter riders, but it’s lack of mass in the bikes midriff means there’s less to grip onto with your legs during hard braking or acceleration. Footpegs are 10mm lower to give larger riders more room, but don’t worry there is still masses of ground clearance.

At the heart of the bike sits the much loved 690cc twin cylinder CP2 motor. It may be over 10 years old, but it still manages to hold its own against far newer engines in the market. Thanks to its 270 degree crank and latest Ride by Wire electronics it delivers its claimed 72bhp in a measured yet fun way. There’s never too much power to catch you out, instead thanks to its healthy 50lb/ft torque and accurate fuelling it enables you to exploit everything it’s got if that’s your thing, or just cruise along care free knowing that a healthy mount of easy access performance is just a twist of the throttle away.

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Thanks to the ride-by-wire electronics the power and torque curves are incredibly linear with a particular focus on delivering performance between 3,000 and 7,000rpm. There is also a re-worked gear box for smoother faster changes, with nothing but positive gear changes up and down the gear box on our seven hour ride which involved hundreds of gear changes

It sounds good too. In a world where noise it becoming an increasing factor, Yamaha have worked to reduce the noise level to the outside world but have instead used a redesigned air box with four strategically placed holes in the tank to give sound to the rider.

It may have a sub £8k price point, but the MT-07 is well finished and retains a premium feel. From the styling, paint quality through o neat cable routing, it feels high quality and well put together.

With such a proven engine that’s used over multiple platforms in the Yamaha range it’s one of the most proven packages on the market. Yamaha have sold an incredible 190,000 MT-07s since its launch in 2014.

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Owners of the 2021-2024 Yamaha MT-07 model have collectively rated the bike 3.6 stars out of 5 for reliability and build quality, with the bulk of the lower ratings aimed at the finish quality and it's lack of corrosion resistance.

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Given its huge popularity residual values are good. And while the latest generation MT-07 is the best, all the previous models have been excellent. The 2014 bike won MCN Bike of the Year and each of the following iterations have delivered more of the same.

As a result, residual values are good, something that is also down to the wide appeal of the model which makes it fun and engaging for someone being one as their first big bike through to experienced veteran…and everyone in between.

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In terms of rivals the MT-07 has a few with manufacturers keen to eat into some of the Yamaha pie. Its main competition comes from the impressive Triumph Trident 660 priced at £7,895. There is also the award winning Suzuki GSX-8S at £8299 and the Honda CB650R which has an OTR price of £7929.

A new 5” TFT dash and five way joystick on the left hand bar is clear, concise, intuitive and easy to use. It tells you all the information you want without being a data overload. The switch gear is easy to use as is the joystick, but the irregular shape of the indicators control feels like a design that is trying to answer a question that has never been asked.

You can also connect your phone to the new dash which means you can see messages, play music as well as have Garmin navigation to guide you. It’s a small display but it uses the space well and having a sat nav combined feels premium.

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There is no quickshifter or autoblipper on the bike, but Yamaha do an upgrade, which was introduced on the previous generation MT-07.

Being 11 years old there are a wide range of accessories available In fact there is a total of 96 different add on parts – with 32 of them being new for the latest model.

There are also a wide range of aftermarket accessories available from most of the major manufacturers for this popular model.