New R7

[Esceptico]

Just read that Yamaha have spruced up the MT-07 with some better parts, clips ons and fairing to make a Supersportslite bike.

Although logical to call it the R7 I’m not sure about the name as there is already an R7 and a very different beast.

I think the new R7 could be a great bike though. I’ve been thinking of downsizing. Had a long test ride on a CBR500R recently. The riding experience was pretty good. Took it to some roads I know well and could keep up a good pace (although slow steering compared to my Tuono almost caught me out). It was nice to ride a bike where I could use full throttle without the constant risk of prison/deportation. One major downside was the noise - it just sounded st. I’ve not ridden the MT-07 so not sure if it is better. Also the CBR500R was just a bit underpowered. Around 70 bhp sounds about perfect.

I was tempted to swap from the Tuono but I would have had the hassle of selling it privately. I love buying bikes but hate selling them.

[dibblecorse]

Not really logical to call it an R7, the R moniker had always been the preserve of the top of the line superbikes, maybe it would just be an MT07-R ... bit like the BMW car badging, its not a proper R but more a soft R.

Sounds like a nice bike though, a proper R7 is on my grail list ...

[Walter Sobchak]

That isn’t an R7 it’s an MT-07 in a fancy suit.
An R7 is a very exotic 750cc inline 4 old school superbike preferably in red/white with #41 on the front of it.
One of which would be sitting next to my RC30 and RC45 if I’d had a Euromillions win.
Saying all that though it looks good and I bet it’s fun to ride, especially on the road, don’t know if I’d have one over an RS660 ?, but then I’m not really the target market.

Edited by Walter Sobchak on Tuesday 18th May 20:12

[Stuart Fordyce]

Practically every MT-07 round my way - and there are lots - has the optional Akrapovic fitted, and with the baffles out. They are appallingly loud. I'm sure the R7 will go the same way!

A bigger issue with these is whether they come with the inadequate suspension the MT-07 and MT-09 are known for. Just because the forks are upside down doesn't mean they are good.

[airsafari87]

Hizzy and Haga would not approve of this.

[DarthtaterM16]

airsafari87 said:

Hizzy and Haga would not approve of this.

I got excited when I saw the thread title but was bitterly disappointed by the end of the first sentence ::

[NAS]

You can argue about the name, but I'd venture most new R7 customers wouldn't know the old one ever existed. And it fits in the naming strategy.

I'm actually excited about it. Decent chassis, fun engine, low price. Good basis for a mini-twin racer. Tyre sizes from factory are 190 rear for example.

[HughiusMaximus]

It will be interesting to see it go up against the Aprilia RS 660, which feels like its natural competitor.

Initial reports will have it coming in at around £8k so around £2k cheaper than the Aprilia.

[dibblecorse]

NAS said:

You can argue about the name, but I'd venture most new R7 customers wouldn't know the old one ever existed. And it fits in the naming strategy.

I'm actually excited about it. Decent chassis, fun engine, low price. Good basis for a mini-twin racer. Tyre sizes from factory are 190 rear for example.

I think the R7 name should be given the same protection as the BMW M1 ......

[Esceptico]

HughiusMaximus said:

It will be interesting to see it go up against the Aprilia RS 660, which feels like its natural competitor.

Initial reports will have it coming in at around £8k so around £2k cheaper than the Aprilia.

The RS660 has almost 100 bhp so quite a step up from the R7.

[HughiusMaximus]

Esceptico said:

The RS660 has almost 100 bhp so quite a step up from the R7.

Maybe but I don't think this segment is really about power

[MDifficult]

The R7 is probably my favourite race bike of all time. Noriyuki Haga made it look like poetry in motion.

Anyone with a 60-large burning a hole in their pocket can currently treat themselves to a box fresh one… and have my undying envy..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Unused-Yamaha-YZF-R...

Any other bike being called an R7 would be a travesty. Totally agree with the post that it should be protected for all time like the BMW M1

[Esceptico]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

If I lived somewhere with no speed limits or just minimal fines if you are caught then I would have no thoughts of downsizing. The potential for a ban/prison/deportation does up the risk of riding a bike where you have to watch your speed constantly because giving full throttle for more than a couple of seconds means big speeds.

[tdm34]

Wonder if Yamaha will do an R9? now that would be a thing....

[the tribester]

Well it looks better than I expected.


Just needs this colour option.

[Krikkit]

MDifficult said:

The R7 is probably my favourite race bike of all time. Noriyuki Haga made it look like poetry in motion.

Anyone with a 60-large burning a hole in their pocket can currently treat themselves to a box fresh one… and have my undying envy..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Unused-Yamaha-YZF-R...

Any other bike being called an R7 would be a travesty. Totally agree with the post that it should be protected for all time like the BMW M1

I understand the love for a homologation special, but frankly I don't think it deserves to be held so obsessively on a pedestal that they can't re-use the name 20 years later.

I didn't win the championship it was built for, or even come close. It was a pretty poor road bike by accounts at the time, and crazy crazy money. The R1 was roughly £9k for a UK model in 2000ish, this was £22k.

[Scorched yellow]

Esceptico said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

If I lived somewhere with no speed limits or just minimal fines if you are caught then I would have no thoughts of downsizing. The potential for a ban/prison/deportation does up the risk of riding a bike where you have to watch your speed constantly because giving full throttle for more than a couple of seconds means big speeds.

Let me guess - you live in New Zealand?

[lukeyman]

Scorched yellow said:

Esceptico said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

If I lived somewhere with no speed limits or just minimal fines if you are caught then I would have no thoughts of downsizing. The potential for a ban/prison/deportation does up the risk of riding a bike where you have to watch your speed constantly because giving full throttle for more than a couple of seconds means big speeds.

Let me guess - you live in New Zealand?

...or you could click on their profile...

[NAS]

dibblecorse said:

NAS said:

You can argue about the name, but I'd venture most new R7 customers wouldn't know the old one ever existed. And it fits in the naming strategy.

I'm actually excited about it. Decent chassis, fun engine, low price. Good basis for a mini-twin racer. Tyre sizes from factory are 190 rear for example.

I think the R7 name should be given the same protection as the BMW M1 ......

Agreed. But I am a nerd.

[Scorched yellow]

lukeyman said:

Scorched yellow said:

Esceptico said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

If I lived somewhere with no speed limits or just minimal fines if you are caught then I would have no thoughts of downsizing. The potential for a ban/prison/deportation does up the risk of riding a bike where you have to watch your speed constantly because giving full throttle for more than a couple of seconds means big speeds.

Let me guess - you live in New Zealand?

...or you could click on their profile...

Every post he mentions living in NZ and that he is considering downsizing.