Yamaha MT-07

I must be the very last journalist toride Yamaha’s much praised andhugely successful MT-07, but it was well worth the wait.

The parallel twin made a positive impact on me almost immediately. I don’t think it’s perfect, and in my book it could do with one particular issue sorting out to get a full score. But it’s a good bike.

Within yards of the first 40-mile outing I made on it, I used the F word: FUN. Fun is an overriding impression you get with the MT, and it’s got bags of the stuff. The super-friendly bike’s pretty damned competent at all the more serious stuff too. Two key points encouraged my own positive feelings for the bike coming so readily. Its light weight and excellent engine really won me over. There’s just something so endearing about a bike needing little effort to throw around equating to being such fun. With the ever-so-easily manageable MT-07, you really don’t have to work hard to feel reward.

That first 40-mile run aboard the Yamaha revealed much about it. The route included a variety of different road types and qualities, as well as varying traffic volumes. Runs might not last long enough for a full assessment of a bike, but by the time I get to the end I’m often in a pretty enlightened position on its virtues.

An engine gets used at all rpm in all gears, and the MT-07’s scored really well for its user-friendly nature. The big bang effect of its 270° crossplane crank’s firing order makes an already useful configuration even easier to get the best from, and adds some distinct character to the bike.