Yamaha MT-07 (2025) – Review

Yamaha truly hit a chord when it introduced the MT-07 a decade ago – creating an instant best-seller that remains high in the charts today after three generations. Now a fourth-gen model is coming for 2025 and it includes the most significant updates ever seen on the MT-07.

Not only is there a redesigned frame, uprated running gear and a much stronger electronics package than before, but the MT-07 becomes the second model in the company’s range to be offered with the new Y-AMT semi-automatic transmission as an option, following in the footsteps of the latest MT-09 and clearly laying down a marker for what’s to come in future Yamaha models.

Pros & Cons

2025 Yamaha MT-07 - Price

Yamaha hasn’t announced the new MT-07’s price for the UK market yet – that’s coming at Motorcycle Live at the NEC in November – but since its appealing value proposition has always been one of the bike’s biggest draws it would be a surprise if the company chooses to push the RRP up by too much.

The MT-09 Y-AMT, as a new addition to the range and featuring the company’s semi-auto transmission, will carry a premium, but we can look to the larger MT-09 Y-AMT to estimate that it will only be around £550 more expensive than the base version.

Whether you opt for the manual or Y-AMT model, you’ll have the choice of three colours: ‘Ice Storm’ (that’s grey, in case you’re in doubt), ‘Icon Blue’ or ‘Tech Black’ will be available on both versions.

2025 Yamaha MT-07 - Engine & Performance

With 72.4hp (54kW) at 8750rpm and 49.4lb-ft (67Nm) of torque at 6500rpm there’s no change to the output of the ‘CP2’ 270-degree parallel twin compared to the previous model, and internally it’s unaltered, but that doesn’t mean it’s identical to the 2024 version.

There are, in fact, substantial differences both to the electronics and to the intake side of the engine, which – like the MT-09 – has been revised to improve the sound that the rider hears. The changes include a new air cleaner, intake ducts and funnels, plus a ‘sound enhancer’ in the form of openings in the top of the fuel tank cover to direct the engine’s intake roar at the rider without increasing the overall volume.

Yamaha says the result is particularly noticeable at part-throttle when accelerating through the midrange.

More importantly, the 2025 MT-07 becomes the first CP2-equipped bike to get the YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) ride-by-wire system since the engine was introduced a decade ago. That opens the door to modern rider-assist systems, and while Yamaha hasn’t gone as far as adding an IMU for cornering traction control, it has added three ‘YRC’ (Yamaha Ride Control) settings to alter the engine’s power delivery, as well as two-level traction control and a standard-fit cruise control system.

But the biggest news of all is the addition of the optional Y-AMT (Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission), which is similar to the system available on the latest MT-09 and eliminates both the clutch lever and the conventional gear-shifter in favour of two electromechanical actuators. These allow the bike to control its own clutch and gearshifts in a pair of fully-automatic settings, D and D+, the latter letting the engine rev higher before shifting. A separate MT (manual) mode lets you control the shifts via thumb and forefinger paddles on the left bar. The automatic clutch makes stalling impossible, even in manual mode, and the electronics can also prevent you from overrevving the engine.

Despite extra electronics and actuators, the Y-AMT system adds just 2kg to the bike (a far cry from Honda’s hefty DCT, which is around 10kg extra), bringing the Y-AMT-equipped model to 186kg

2025 Yamaha MT-07 - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

To look at the 2025 MT-07 you’d be forgiven for believing it’s got the same frame as its predecessor but Yamaha says that the reality is quite different and despite their similarities the 2025 bike represents a big step forward.

Changes to the shape and thickness of the frame’s tubes increase the rigidity by between 12% and 13% while keeping the weight the same as its predecessor at only 14.8kg, with the main changes focussed around the swingarm pivot area. That pivot holds a completely new swingarm, changed for the first time in MT-07’s history, with its own rigidity optimised to suit the rest of the new chassis.

At the front, the revisions continue with new die-cast triple clamps that save nearly 500g over the previous design, and which grip 41mm upside-down forks in place of the right-way-up units of the previous model. At their bottoms, you’ll find two, four-pot radial brake calipers instead of the old bike’s axial-mount designs, while the rear shock is also tweaked with adjustable preload and rebound damping.

Yamaha says that if all else was equal, the new bike’s additional equipment would lead to a 4.5kg weight gain, but thanks to the new chassis and other revisions including lightweight bodywork, the reality is that the 2025 model is 1kg lighter than its predecessor at only 184kg including a full 14-litre tank of fuel.

One of the big contributors to that weight loss is the adoption of Yamaha’s ‘Spinforged’ alloy wheels, previously used on the MT-09, which are lighter but no less strong than conventional designs thanks to a patented manufacturing technique. By losing weight from the wheels, Yamaha is also cutting unsprung and rotating masses, which should lead to exponential benefits in terms of performance and handling.

2025 Yamaha MT-07 - Comfort & Economy

Accessibility has always been an MT-07 strong point, with an accommodating riding position and seat height that make it suitable for a broad array of shapes and sizes, but the 2025 version takes that further still.

The seat – a new design – remains at the same 805mm height as before, but the new bike’s bars are 18mm wider, 22mm lower and 9.3mm further back than on the old version. Allied to pegs shifted down by 10mm to add more legroom, the result should be more leverage over the steering.

The new styling includes a completely reshaped fuel tank that, as well as incorporating the sound amplifying system, is easier to grip with your knees while retaining the same 14-litre capacity as before. A new assist-and-slipper clutch requires 22% less finger strength to pull in, while the Y-AMT version eliminates that stress altogether.

The official fuel economy figures are unchanged from the previous model, staying at 67mpg, so the range should also be unaltered.

2025 Yamaha MT-07 - Equipment

The MT-07 was already strong when it came to electronics, thanks to a 5-inch colour TFT dash with phone connectivity for calls and messages, but the 2025 model ups the game with its electronic throttle, engine modes and switchable traction control system.

As before, you can use the Yamaha MyRide app for basic phone connectivity, but now there’s also the possibility of turn-by-turn navigation via the free Garmin StreetCross app. New bar switches control it all, as well as adding extra features including turn signals that now have a ‘three-flash’ feature for lane changes with a single, light touch of the button. And when activated fully by a harder press, the indicators are now self-cancelling, stopping after 15 seconds provided the bike has travelled 150 metres or more (so they won’t self-cancel if you’re waiting at a junction, for example). Also new is the emergency stop signalling system that flashes the hazard lights when you’re hard on the brakes.

Cruise control is added for 2025, too, along with new lights and a completely restyled set of body panels that alone cut 600g from the bike’s mass.

2025 Yamaha MT-07 - Rivals

While the MT-07 had few direct competitors when it was launched a decade ago the market for affordable, naked middleweights has evolved since then – so for similar cash there’s a variety of two, three, and four-cylinder options on the table. Honda’s CB650R is an obvious one, particularly when equipped with the E-Clutch system that’s a halfway-house towards the full automated transmission of the MT-07 Y-AMT. But for riders happy to shift gears themselves, the newly updated Triumph Trident 660 has got to be on the ‘possibles’ list, along with the Suzuki GSX-8S.

Honda CB650R | Price: £7829

Read more

Power/Torque

944bhp/46.5lb-ft

Weight

203kg

Triumph Trident 660 | Price: £7895

Read more

Power/Torque

81bhp/47.2lb-ft

Weight

190kg

Suzuki GSX-8S | Price: £7999

Read more

Power/Torque

81.8bhp/57.5lb-ft

Weight

202kg

2025 Yamaha MT-07 - Verdict

We’ll let you know when we’ve ridden it.

Do you own this bike? Tell us what it’s like, or ask us questions about it at bikeclub.bennetts.co.uk.

2025 Yamaha MT-07 - Technical Specification

What is MCIA Secured?

MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard

• An ignition immobiliser system

• A vehicle marking system

• An alarm system

• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.