Yamaha brings a mid-range supersport motorcycle to life, reviving a big name: the Yamaha YZF-R7. Unlike the homologation model from 1999 to 2002, the current R7 is neither limited nor delicately designed for racing use, but a mass-market offshoot of the MT-07, which is intended to introduce the young generation to the topic of super sports cars.
The new sportswoman takes over the 689 cc crossplane twin from this successful bike 1: 1. Despite the race optics, it remains at 73.4 hp at 8750 and 67 Nm at 6500 tours (there is also an A2 version with 35 kW). The six-speed gearbox, however, has a slightly shorter second gear and can be given a quickshifter on request, which allows upshifting without using the clutch. The so-called A&S coupling is also new. This servo-assisted slipper clutch requires a third less manual force. It’s a shame that the clutch lever is not adjustable.
Completely new fork
Instead of a non-adjustable telescopic fork, Yamaha installs an upside-down part with 41 mm bars from Kayaba. The upper triple clamp is cast, the lower one is forged. The steering head angle is slightly steeper than that of the MT-07. Spring preload as well as compression and rebound damping are adjustable, the spring travel is 130 mm. The Brembo four-piston radial brakes with two 298 mm discs are also very promising.
At the rear, the brake and swing arm remain the same, but the rebound damping is now adjustable in addition to the preload. The tire dimensions are taken over by the R7 from the MT-07 (120/70 or 180/55 ZR 17), as are the 10-spoke aluminum rims, although Bridgestone S22 is installed.
The look is super sporty, the fairing based on the discontinued R6 and R1. Two LED slots on the front side are position lights, an LED spot in the middle of the M-shaped air inlet is the main and high-beam headlamp in personal union. The impression that it is very narrow is not misleading: it is even narrower than the R3 and R125. A black and white LCD display sits behind the panel.
With a full tank of 188 kg, the R7 is four kilograms heavier than the MT-07. 13 liters fit into the tank.
Legendary namesake
The original R7 is a legend. It was limited to 500 pieces and served as a homologation model for the 750 cc class of the Superbike World Championship and for the Suzuka 8 Hours. Like the R1, it had five valves on each of its four cylinders, the engine was built to a high quality, including titanium valves and connecting rods, the pistons were forged and had nickel-plated bottoms. The 43mm USD fork and rear damper were from Öhlins. The engine had a standard output of 100 hp, with a racing kit it achieved 160 hp at 13,700 rpm, which enabled a top speed of 290 km / h.
The R7 for everyone comes in autumn
The current Yamaha R7 is due to hit the market in October. At what price, Yamaha has not yet revealed, but they are talking about “an extremely low price”. The MT-07 costs 7,374 euros. Maybe we’ll just assume eight and a half thousand for the R7. If we can ask for anything.