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Yamaha MT07 "Darkside" Review
By Ren Withnell
Review Date August '14
I got the chance to go to the Yamaha MT "Darkside" tour thingy and test ride the new MT07 or the MT09. The most obvious question is why did I test the smaller '07 rather than the larger, more powerful '09? Because if you read my missives often enough you'll already know I'm not into big bikes that drink fuel and have far more power than any normal sensible person can use on the road. To be honest...I'd was more interested in the MT125 but these were only available for novices to potter around the car park on.
Yamaha's "Darkside" thing is a marketing tool that should appeal to riders who want to see themselves as cool, mysterious, mean and moody. It's all about oriental fonts, grey and black logos and handsome people looking sultry on their exciting, dangerous new motorcycles. The only reason there's no samurai swords present is to prevent people getting confused with Kawasaki's Ninja. It's all about the image. And when it's all about the image I get concerned it's because there's no substance.
Darkside huh? I should be hoping that this test ride will be me on a wide open road or the feds chasing me through a gritty abandoned steel mill while curvaceous blondes get excited watching through broken windows. Nope. It's an empty car park around the back of a cinema in Manchester, some railings, a truck and a line of bikes. At least it's not raining, not yet anyhow. I'm not feeling sexy or at all dangerous.
I feel even less dangerous when I have to sign a disclaimer, don a stretchy orange vest and am told in no uncertain terms that I must behave myself, follow the marshal's instructions and don't break any laws.
At least the MT07 is up to the job looks wise. It does look aggressive with all it's bulk up front and a skinny back end, like a cartoon bulldog. LCD clocks used to be trick but the gf's cheap Chinese bike has them. Upside-down forks, yeah old hat. Steel frame! As I look around there's nothing new here it's all styling. The blurb harps on about the 270 degree crank being part of Yamaha's crossplane technology. This means they're trying to tie in with the R1, but parallel twins with 270 degree cranks have been around for yonks, including the now ancient Yamaha TRX and TDM 850's. Nope, still not impressed.
Stylish, but nothing new or revolutionary.
It starts well, but then so does my CBF 125. I'm about 5 foot 8 and while it's a little tall I can get my feet flat and the weight is perfectly acceptable. I join our group and set off out the car park to go and explore my darkside, or bits of eastern Greater Manchester at least.
I have a soft spot for torque. Immediate, instant, hard acceleration without hesitation or waiting on revs. If I want thrills I want a motorcycle that feels like I've been rear-ended by a truck doing 100 mph when I open the throttle. Oh boy, yeah, that's the MT07's darkside allright, a brutal instant punch to the kidneys. As I curve out of the junction in second I blip the throttle and the bike sets off without me, whoa there! Maybe there's something about this bike after all.
Even with the threat of a kick in the ass it is simplicity itself to ride through the 30 zones. I'm sat bolt upright and high making observation simple and monitoring the other riders and marshals is hassle free. The clutch is light, the fuelling feels correct and all the controls come to hand and respond positively without offence. The brakes will bite and the throttle will kick but under ordinary usage they are friendly and comforting. I'm reminded of an ex, everything is fine as long as I don't say the wrong thing.
Serious brakeage will bite but perfectly friendly if treated with respect.
We hit the motorway. That bucking bronco acceleration is gone, once the initial punch is absorbed by my body the acceleration is firm and progressive. The motor produces about 75 horses and that is not going to out-gun any serious sports bikes. However at legal speeds it is more than enough and the motor is barely warming up at 70. I take a moment to back off and flick the throttle open again to relish in the grunt but the raw edge as gone as the speeds have risen. It's still satisfying, it's no longer exhilarating. If you like your protection then the MT07 offers none. Mean and moody types don't fear a bit of wind in the face do they.
We only get to take in a few lanes, corners and bends. Riding in the group means there's very little chance to push the bike. I try my best to back off and hammer it through a few and I find the handling acceptable, predictable and somewhat ordinary. I did not get that instant confidence I had last year when I rode Honda's CB 500 X and at one point over some rough tarmac I felt distinct vagueness from they tyres. I did manage to work out it prefers to be ridden super-motard style, tip the bike in while remaining upright, looking around the bend. This style helped a lot.
Through some tricky junctions and adverse camber streets I did note it was surprisingly easy to ride. Odd, this bike is aimed at the darkside and yet I can see this being a suitable step up for a novice post test. There is indeed an A2 restricted version and I can see why, it's well mannered and balanced. Then of course with attitude on the happy handle it'll be off like a scalded cat. Curious, and somewhat appealing to my all round sensibilities.
After almost an hour we're returning to the car park and I notice a downside, not a darkside. The seat. It's a bit of a plank, there's not much padding on there and with the upright position my ass is getting numb. I don't know, bikes these days huh, it's all about the looks no-one seems to think we might want to ride them for a while too.
Come on Yamaha - put some padding on will ya.
Yamaha's made a fuss on their website blurb about "Outstanding fuel efficiency". What the website neglects to mention is just HOW fuel efficient it is, that worries me. If it is impressively economical I'd expect to see the figure shouted out everywhere. I ask a Yamaha rep upon my return and he suggests "Around 70 mpg mate". Yeah, not bad, not bad compared to a Fazer or R6 but then against Honda's NC750 or CB500 it's not so good. Mind you, the MT07 has a lot more poke than these 2. It's good, but it's not outstanding.
So, what is this motorcycle all about? It is actually aimed at what I expect will be a popular market. Owners will likely be riders who are perhaps still a little new to motorcycling but want to look cool, to look like they can do rolling burnouts, half-mile wheelies and rolling stoppies. Thing is, this type of rider where image is all important will spend a few extra quid and have the full size big man machine, the MT09, MT07's are for girls right? There may be a few out there who can reign in their ego to look at fuel consumption, ease of use and lighter weight I suppose.
From my own point of view this is very much a fun bike. It's almost a super-motard in terms of hooligan ability and that bottom end punch will be just awesome through narrow twisty back roads. This was Yamaha's remit with the MT range, putting the fun back into their motorcycles. Unlike a full on motard it is a little more practical and town friendly, it can be perfectly well mannered if treated gently. What would not work for me is that it does not lend itself to big miles or lots of luggage. The seat is hard and the rear end is thin and spindly.
So the MT07 is a toy, a plaything. Lets face it for most riders that is what a motorcycle is, a weekend toy. I suspect the MT09 will be more popular simply because it's the daddy although the 07 is probably a better real world bike on real roads with real speeds. Now, if Yamaha stick that engine in a sensible adventure or touring rig and turn the economy up some more they might just be onto a winner...
The mota is a peach, just in the wrong bike for my taste.
Reader's Comments
Paul said :-
Pretty much my take on the bike after a brief ride. The seat is absolute crap and i would be lucky to tolerate for 1 hour. This bike is all about the motor. I agree that this motor is looking for a better type of bike. Some lightweight, more 'normal' fared or un-fared bike or even a dirt bike. What i would have given to have this motor in my off-road bikes from years past.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Bob said :-
The last paragraph is the key, come on Yamaha - stick this engine in the XT660R and you won't be able to make them fast enough.
Also I agree, having ridden the MT09 and the MT07 I'd have the MT07, as the big one is just too much for normal riding around.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Cheers Bob. MT07 meets XT660 grrrr...now ya talkin'.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
kieran said :-
i just rode mine from Prague to holland.
the engine is amazing but the seat is the worst i've used in 30 years of biking still can't walk right....
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Keith m said :-
Blimey your a tough crowd to please. I own a 2016 MT07 and think its brilliant. Very light, punchy,comfortable. Ive been to Scotland and Spain on it this year and ive not got any complaints about the seat comfort.The star of the show is the engine with its mid range punch it puts a smile on my face every time I ride it.Its not perfect as I hate the way it violently crashes into first gear first thing in the morning and the throttle can be snatchy in the lower gears. Touring wise theres lots of racks and panniers out there but my Kreiga was easy to fix on so I used that, but mounting a sat nav isnt easy as the clocks are mounted on the handlebars.Ive read lots of complaints about the soft suspension but its not caused me any problems but I am light so I suspect that helps but it can wallow in corners but nothing major.My bike came with Metzeler Roadtec tyres and they are brilliant wet or dry. I rode 250miles back home from Plymouth in pouring rain and they just inspired complete confindence. I'd recomend this bike to anyone its so user friendly and a giggle a minute.
02/11/2019 16:05:38 UTC
Upt'North said :-
You couldn't more right about the tough crowd, especially our "Ed", just don't mention France!
As an aside don't come on here saying your lightweight, it hurts!
Also, nice pic.
Upt'North.
02/11/2019 16:56:48 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The MT07 motor is a cracker, now it's in the Tracer and rumours it's in the Tenere it'll be where I'd want it to be. How Yamaha got so much grunt out of the MT range of engines is impressive.
Comfort is an individual thing. I figure your body size and type are just a happy fit for the MT07.
I'm really pleased to hear you're enjoying the bike, especially for touring. I take it you've had no reliability issues or teething problems?
Yes, where was that picture taken Keith?
04/11/2019 10:26:23 UTC
Ross said :-
I had a loan of an XSR700 for the day earlier this year, while my bike was in for a service. I think it's much the same as an MT07 apart from the styling. As has been said above, a lovely 'grunty' motor but I found it really snatchy and horrible at low rev's/small throttle openings and the gearbox was stiff and clunky...it left a scuff on my boot and a red mark on my foot after a few hours pottering about, which my Suzuki never did. Also the seat (which is different to the MT) had me squirming after about half an hour, too! Unfortunately not the bike for me, as there was some good deals available on them at the time.
04/11/2019 15:42:06 UTC
ROD said :-
Ross, You have been spoiled by that perfect fueling, slick gearbox and comfy seat on the zuma!
I have found that the older I get the fewer bikes I like.
When I was younger I was impressed by the performance figures and the looks of a bike.
Now I see all of the compromises I would have to make with each bike.
04/11/2019 22:18:18 UTC
Keith m said :-
Ed: the picture was taken in the Picos in Spain. Not had any reliability problems with the bike. I bought with 8000 miles on it and it has 15000 now. The only grip I've got is the rust on the welds on the swingarm, a well documented problem, and I need to respray the inside of it. Yamaha need to put more than one coat of paint on it.
Comfort is good for me weighting 10 half stone (sorry upt north) 5ft 8 tall I've always hated heavy bikes and this is suits me. I'm sure the z650 would be just as good.
Ross: your right about the snatchy throttle. I've got used to it but it's very noticeable coming out of roundabout or turning into junctions especially in the wet when your trying to be smooth. So I tend to go up a gear and the engine has so much bottom end it doesn't complain. You'll read or watch road tests with people saying it runs out of puff at the top end of the Rev range which it does. But 70mph is at 5000rpm, it's happiest at between 4 to 6500rpm so don't rev it, short shift and use the great lump of torque in the mid range.
The engine is definitely in the Tenere and getting great reviews.
04/11/2019 23:25:16 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ah the beautiful Picos Keith. Lucky lucky boy.
When I had my brief ride on the MT07 I didn't notice much slow speed snatchyness - but - I'd imagine the chain would have been over-tightened to reduce this.
05/11/2019 08:57:18 UTC
Ross said :-
"ROD said :-
Ross, You have been spoiled by that perfect fueling, slick gearbox and comfy seat on the zuma!"
That could be right, Rod, the Inazuma was so good I, err,...sold it!
05/11/2019 17:14:38 UTC
Borsuk said :-
Sharon and I both did our training on MT07´s, albeit the lowered short arse version. It was a good bike at low speeds the only problem was that anything more than a few degrees turn of the throttle and it was wanting to fly. Not good when you don`t really want to go above 5 mph for most of the mod 1.
08/11/2019 21:51:37 UTC
Keith m said :-
I had to look up mod 1 as I didn't have to do it. Yeah an MT07 wouldn't have been my first choice. In first it's very eager to get away and the engine braking is pretty heavy as well.
09/11/2019 10:02:04 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Now Sharon loved her MT07 for the training, finding it easier to do u-turns on that than her own 125. This conclusively proves that Sharon Parker is not right in the head AT ALL.
11/11/2019 09:01:55 UTC
Borsuk said :-
They are nimble and flickable enough, they just get bored at low speeds and the horses want to get the wind in their manes.
11/11/2019 13:04:32 UTC
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