Yamaha MT-07

Perhaps the greatest perk of working for AMCN is having access to the long-term fleet. You get to ride around on a brand-new bike as though it were your own, making modifications, planning rides and simply enjoying that warm fuzzy feeling whenever you think of it waiting in the garage. But when the loan time is up, it’s up, and that kinda sucks.

For me, saying farewell to the MT-07 has been especially sad. Most of us remember our first ride fondly, and that’s what the Yamaha LAMS was for me. From those first tentative forays into Melbourne’s eastern suburbs with L plate affixed, to a post-deadline blat out to Arthurs Seat, road confidence courses with HART, early morning and late evening commutes to and from the office and eventually, actually getting my licence. No matter what the situation, the MT-07 just felt right.

If there is a better learner bike on the market, I have yet to come across it. The easy upright riding position gives you a great view in traffic, the user-friendly controls and dash calm learner nerves, and the tight turning circle really helps in slow manoeuvring (one of the hardest things for a newbie). Then there is that parallel-twin engine. The 38.3kW of power was more than enough, and I’ll never forget the first time I felt the 57.5Nm of torque tugging on my arms. If you’re investing in a new bike for your learner period, you want to be sure you won’t outgrow it too quickly. I could happily ride the MT-07 for three years of learner restrictions; in fact, I could imagine hanging onto it long after that.

Over more than six months of living with a motorcycle you inevitably come across some things that don’t work so well, but this is a hard bike to fault. Being very picky, the 14-litre tank never quite fit that amount of petrol in it, which meant regular refuelling. The throttle response in low gears can also catch you out. One major pork chop moment saw me trying to take off quickly at a set of lights, getting the front wheel in the air and then stalling it. The tuning work done by Dyno Dave helped in that department. But those minor quibbles wouldn’t stop me laying my own hard-earned down for an MT-07.

Since starting at AMCN, I’ve heard many generations reminisce about the bikes they grew up with. Looking at the uptake of not just the MT-07, but whole MT family, I suspect I’ll be part of a big crop of riders who in years to come will do the same talking about Yamaha’s ‘Monster Torque’ bikes. See you later revvin’ 07, thanks for the memories.

YAMAHA MT-07

Liquid-cooled, 655cc,

DOHC, eight-valve parallel twin

78 x 68.6mm

38.3kW & 57.5Nm

179kg (wet, claimed)

$9599 (+ ORC)

By MARK VENDER