The Yamaha MT-07 has been a sales sensation for Yamaha in 2015 and for good reason too. The dynamic and exciting nakedbike is as close as you get to big bike style, handling and performance for an entry-level rider. For that reason it’s also a bike learners will hang on to once they are on their full licence.

While the MT-07L carries a 38kW, 655cc parallel twin engine to comply with Australia’s learner licence restrictions, the rest of the world got the MT-07 with a 55kW, 689cc engine.

Carrying the HO (High Output) model name, it is the same chassis and running gear as the MT-07L with a Race Blu colour scheme and an engine boasting 44 percent more power and 18 percent more torque than the learner version.

Image: Josh Evans.

The engine performance as whole builds on all aspects of the MT-07L’s performance with the capacity increase moving peak power 1000rpm up in the rev range to 9000rpm and torque 2500rpm higher to 6500rpm. It’s a significant change yet one that doesn’t change the nature of the machine just improves it in every respect.

From idle through to a few thousand rpm short of the 10,000rpm redline, the engine’s delivery is linear and strong – noticeably stronger on the HO. There’s no need to frantically build up revs to get the bike moving and there’s no need to work the six-speed gearbox to keep things happening, something the HO does effortlessly.

On a machine that weighs in at 179kg fully fuelled, the extra power and torque is most noiotcebale with it’s speed getting off the line and in its engine response at higher speeds. It still doesn’t take it anywhere close to the effortlessly exciting nature of the MT-09, but it’ll easily wheelie off the throttle and make a tight piece of road a lot of fun.

On a racetrack it’d be best on a tight one, as the speedo doesn’t progress much past the 200 mark. While the boost in power and torque makes it more of a package for experienced riders, at slower speeds it is still as predictable and easy to use as the learner bike.

Image: Josh Evans.

The HO engine doesn’t challenge the competence of the chassis, after all, it is the engine the chassis was designed to run. The brakes are strong, the handling is effortless and the suspension balanced. Sure, the HO’s engine will push the chassis harder somewhere like the racetrack and show its limitations, but this bike is built for the street.

With a non-adjustable front-end and preload adjustment at the rear, adjustment is minimal, as you’d expect on a machine under $10k. Suspension control is set on the firm side of things and, like the MT-07L, is hard to fault in any riding environ.

But where the MT-07 is at its best is on tight roads or cutting through town. The light handling and responsive suspension along with the torquey motor make this sort of riding a breeze.

The twin disc brake set-up is strong and has great feel though they don’t run ABS like the learner model does. Of course it’s not a necessity, but as it is now standard on the MT-07L it’d be good to have.

Image: Josh Evans.

The seat height is a moderate 800mm that may challenge very short riders, but even quite tall people will feel comfortable with the MT-07’s ergonomics. It looks more aggressive than it is and the riding position is quite neutral with your feet set almost forward, handlebar tall and only a short reach forward. The rear seat is there for pillions if you need it, but the space looks better than it is accommodating.

The blue colour on the frame, wheels and shock spring along with the silver bodywork is a racy-looking point of difference from the learner model and is also the only colour the HO comes in. The colour is part of Yamaha’s ‘Race Blu’ livery series included on other models in the range in Europe for a few years now.

The quality of finish is great on the MT-07HO, and that’s not even considering the price. The componentry is all top-spec and the design worthy of a flagship model. Even without ABS, there a lot of value in the colour and performance coming at a price premium of $400 over the MT-07L. If you are starting out riding you’ve got the dilemma of working out whether to get an L now or an HO later!

If it was me and I wanted a bike to ride around town, commute on, have fun on weekends, and ride down to the Island in October, it’d be hard to go past the MT-07HO. It’s economical, enjoyable, exciting, good looking and a bargain. Everything you want, and not often what you get, in a middleweight motorcycle.

Specifications

Capacity: 689cc
Power: 55kW @ 9000rpm
Torque: 68Nm@ 6500rpm
Wet weight: 179kg
Seat height: 805mm
Colours: Race Blu
Price: $9999 (plus on-road charges)
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited distance
Detailed specs: www.yamaha-motor.com.au