Class defining MT-07 gets more tech, more spec and even more style

As the motorcycle which redefined the twin cylinder naked class upon its launch in 2014, the Yamaha MT-07 has been among Europe’s best-selling machines for over a decade.
Embracing the ‘Dark Side of Japan’ philosophy, the MT-07 has led the industry with its futuristic styling and a torque laden motor that has acquired legions of fans around the world. The edgy, sometimes radical, looks have given the MT series a cult following, inspiring a new generation of motorcyclists to take to two wheels and experience an exhilaration only those in the MT community understand.

For 2025 Yamaha again looks to be the category trendsetter, as it welcomes the newest member to the MT family with a fresh new look, an even higher specification and the option of a Y-AMT equipped version.

While Yamaha’s MT series’ aggressive styling has made it stand out from the crowd, the MT-07’s success has always come from the riding experience. The first MT-07 was an instant hit with the combination of its light weight and the playful nature of the first generation CP2 motor, and this grin-inducing character is what makes the MT-07 a modern day icon. These ingredients remain at the heart of the 2025 MT-07, which has been engineered to offer an even more invigorating riding experience thanks to a revised chassis and a host of customisable riding modes, as well as the adoption of the YCC-T electronic throttle and a sound enhanced version of the CP2 engine, which has been developed to create an even greater bond between rider and machine. The result is a versatile middleweight motorcycle, a fun machine which is equally at home on the daily commute as it is carving through mountain passes.

But for all its evolution, the 2025 MT-07 remains the torquey hooligan for which it has become notorious, albeit one with greater refinement, more technology and extra premium components.

Bold and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. The urban legend continues!
Lightness into the Dark: more spec, less weight

The MT-07 has always been lauded for its light weight and sporting nature, which is why Yamaha’s engineers have worked fastidiously to reduce weight despite a significant increase in specification.

While technology added to the 2025 MT-07 would typically have resulted in a 4.5kg increase to the overall weight, the latest machine weighs in at just 183kg – a full kilogram less than the previous model.

The adoption of new wheels, manufactured using Yamaha’s patented spinforging process, save almost half-a-kilogram from the unsprung weight – reducing the gyroscopic effect while riding and contributing to a more agile handling motorcycle – while components like the battery and die-cast aluminium triple clamp also offer significant weight savings. The minimalist bodywork on the fourth-gen MT-07 alone is responsible for a 600g saving.

Having employed a holistic approach to creating a light and agile motorcycle, Yamaha’s design team has taken every opportunity to save weight wherever possible – even where the gain may only be considered negligible. Components like the air cleaner, chain and even the fuel cap are examples of parts which have been redesigned to save a few grams, in order to keep the overall mass of the finished product to a minimum.

All-new design

The fourth-generation Yamaha MT-07 takes on a sleek new look thanks to all new bodywork and a completely redesigned bi-functional LED headlamp unit.

Leading the industry and expanding customer expectations of what a middleweight naked should be has always been a key factor in the success of the MT range. The first generation MT-07, launched in 2014, created a new kind of motorcycle based around a ‘Cool Urban Sports’ concept, inspired by the urban subculture found on the streets of Japan. In the two generations to follow, the MT-07 embraced the ‘Dark Side of Japan’ design philosophy but has always maintained a ‘double deck’ structure, with the upper portion of the motorcycle styled to express the beauty which comes from the unity of rider and machine while the lower portion remains stripped back and functional.

Understanding the visual attraction of the machine, this same philosophy has been maintained for the fourth-generation model, while adding a greater level of quality throughout the carefully sculpted bodywork.

While much of the engineering has focused on paring back and keeping weight to a minimum, the MT-07’s stylists have been keen to maintain a degree of volume with their latest project – ensuring a well-proportioned full-sized motorcycle European motorcyclists can really embrace.

The MT-07 is a fun motorcycle to ride and the design team has sought to convey that in the styling. Up front, the character is defined by the headlamp unit, with the compact LED lights deliberately styled to look like two staring eyes, giving the MT-07 its distinctive face. Great care has been taken to package hoses and cabling to maintain a neat appearance through the compact fuel tank and a new tail unit, which also has a distinct look.

With the ignition off, the rear light’s contours appear narrow, however the design really comes to life as the motorcycle roars into life. Switched on, the red LED tail lights have been styled to emphasise the link between rider and machine, creating a strong vertical axis made up of the illuminated tail unit and the rider’s back – a distinctive look which will really catch the eye of passers-by.

Technically, great care has been taken to ensure the bodywork is as light as possible, with the panels on the 2025 MT-07 weighing in at 600 grams less than those on the previous version. But emotion has always been the key factor when it comes to styling this best-selling model and the signature design remains true to the MT family traditions. While the MT-07 has spawned numerous imitators over the years, none have yet to match the sheer emotion or design purity of the machine which continues to define the category. With its all-