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The Tuning Fork brand drives a hard bargain with its fun and affordable 2021 MT-07 naked bike ($7,699). Updated this model year (read the 2021 Yamaha MT-07 First Look Preview article), we go for a ride on it and sum up its capability in this video review.

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2021 Yamaha MT-07 First Look Preview:
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/news/2021-yamaha-mt-07-first-look-preview/

2021 Yamaha MT-07 MC Commute Review:
https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-yamaha-mt-07-mc-commute-review/

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 MC Commute Review: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2022-yamaha-yzf-r7-mc-commute-review/

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Review: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2022-yamaha-yzf-r7-review/

Full story here: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-yamaha-mt-07/

Photography: Joseph Agustin
Video/edit: Joseph Agustin

Motorcycle Riding Gear Worn

Helmet: Arai Regent-X, https://www.araiamericas.com/
Jacket: Saint Unbreakable Denim Shearling Collar, https://us.saint.cc/products/unbreakable-shearling-collar-jacket
Pant: Saint Unbreakable, https://us.saint.cc/products/unbreakable-slim-jeans-armour-pocket-1
Gloves: Racer Guide, https://www.racerglovesusa.com/
Boots: TCX X-Cube Air, https://us.tcxboots.com/

Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine

See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/

Category

🥇
Sports
Transcript
00:00 Hey folks, we just got done riding Yamaha's new 2021 MT-07.
00:05 This is a mid-size naked bike from the Tuning Fork brand.
00:12 It's positioned between Yamaha's parallel twin powered MT-03
00:18 and it's triple cylinder MT-09.
00:26 A new motorcycle that we test rode a couple months ago
00:30 on the Motorcyclist Mag YouTube channel.
00:33 Now the MT-07 employs the same
00:37 dark side of Japan styling updates.
00:41 You can see the nose is a little bit more short now,
00:45 a little more narrow.
00:46 It's got full LED lighting, including the turn signals
00:51 and the shapely dark side of Japan tail light.
00:55 It's a really nice styling element
00:57 and touch that I like on this bike.
01:00 Starting with the engine,
01:02 this thing continues to be powered
01:03 by Yamaha's 689cc CP2 parallel twin.
01:08 This engine benefits from an uneven firing order,
01:14 which gives it the torquey feel and sound of a V-twin.
01:19 (engine revving)
01:22 It's a great engine.
01:24 It has tons of get up and go.
01:26 It's got smooth power.
01:28 The parallel twin configuration
01:30 makes for a very narrow seating position
01:33 and it's just a hoot to ride.
01:36 Yamaha did some very careful modifications
01:39 for the 2021 model year to the powertrain.
01:42 The transmission's been honed a little bit
01:45 for slicker shifting.
01:46 The valve train's been modified
01:49 and the engine intake has a little bit cleaner sound to it.
01:54 And these modifications just make
01:58 an already very easy to ride bike
02:01 even more easy to ride and even more playful.
02:05 Now, this MT07 rides on a telescopic fork
02:10 and a linkage equipped shock.
02:13 There is no suspension adjustment.
02:16 The suspension offers just over five inches of wheel travel.
02:21 I like the suspension on this bike.
02:23 It really absorbs the rough stuff well
02:26 and delivers me to my destination
02:28 in a very comfortable fashion.
02:31 Now, if you're a heavier rider or a faster rider,
02:34 for sure, once you start leaning on suspension components,
02:37 the bike gets a little bouncy.
02:40 It doesn't have a lot of rebound damping.
02:42 It's a little bit fast overall,
02:44 but for its intended use and for overall street riding
02:48 and for a little bit of fun in the corners,
02:50 the suspension is more than capable
02:53 of giving you a good feeling on the motorcycle.
02:57 I also really like the fitment of Michelin's Road 5 tires.
03:02 These tires are excellent.
03:04 Michelin hasn't been making very, very good
03:08 high-performance street tires in a while,
03:10 but these Road 5s are one of my favorite Michelin tires.
03:13 They heat up quick.
03:14 They have lots of grip.
03:15 They have deep tread grooves.
03:17 So if you're riding in inclement weather,
03:19 these tires are able to evacuate the precipitation
03:23 from the road surface.
03:24 A great tire, and it's cool that the MT07
03:28 is fitted with this premium tire from Michelin.
03:30 The ergonomics have been modified on this bike.
03:34 The handlebar is about a little over an inch wider
03:37 and about three quarters of an inch taller.
03:40 I like the way I feel on this bike.
03:42 I would be lying if I didn't say
03:43 it still kind of feels like a mini bike to me.
03:46 There are other motorcycles in this category
03:49 that have more full-size big bike ergonomics,
03:53 but this MT07 isn't one of them.
03:56 It is comfortable to ride, but when I'm riding it,
03:59 I feel like a giant ogre guy on a small bike.
04:02 But at the same time, how small the motorcycle is
04:06 really pays dividend.
04:07 It's very easy to turn around in a parking lot.
04:09 It only weighs 406 pounds
04:12 with its fuel tank filled to the brim,
04:14 and it's a very easy motorcycle to ride.
04:18 Overall, if you're looking for a very easy to ride,
04:22 peppy, fun, mid-side street bike,
04:25 you will be very happy with the $7,600 MT07.
04:29 It looks cool.
04:34 It has enough performance to put a smile on your face.
04:37 It's easy to ride, it's easy to park,
04:39 and it won't break the bank
04:42 when you're laying down the cash to buy it.
04:45 All right, folks, that's a wrap
04:46 from the 2021 MT07 first ride review.
04:51 Make sure to surf on over to MotorcyclistOnline.com.
04:56 That is where all of my written content lives.
04:59 Make sure to check out our 2022 YZFR7 Sportbike content.
05:05 Which uses the same powertrain and parts of the chassis.
05:09 Give this video a thumbs up if you liked it,
05:11 thumbs it down if you thought it was sucky,
05:14 and we'll see you next time.
05:15 Thanks for watching.
05:16 (upbeat music)
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