In case if you didn’t know, Yamaha recently has launched the brand new YZF-R7 supersport model. Apparently, the bike shares a lot of specification from the MT-07 model but has added a refined touch of R-Series DNA thanks to years of motorsport experience by Yamaha.
The main question still remains on everyone’s mind. Why did Yamaha launched the YZF-R7 in the first place? Now let’s find out why.
In the current motorsport landscape, the middleweight supersport class has always been the prime target for 4-cylinder 600cc engine bikes. But let’s face the fact, the 4-cylinder 600cc engine bikes is quite pricey which private riders and private teams find it hard to penetrate the category. Thus, in the recent years, many race organisers have allowed the twin and triple cylinder engine with above 600 cc bikes to join the racing action.
As the R7 uses the same CP2 (crossplane 2-cylinder) 689cc engine spec as the 2021 MT-07, it will definitely a good entry for aspiring young rider to shine on the bike on the middleweight Supersport class for motorsports. While the engine is same, Yamaha say the R7’s secondary ratio has been optimized from the 43/16 = 2.678 of the MT-07 to 42/16 = 2.625 to produce an exhilarating and sporty ride. Not only that, it also features the Assist & Slipper (A&S) clutch. To make it to ride like a true supersport bike, Yamaha has made sure the bike has 41 mm upside down forks, linked-type Monocross suspension (specially tuned), easy to quickly get into a tuck and provides excellent hold for the rider under braking riding position, iconic R-Series points found in the styling of the YZF-R1, Brembo Radial master cylinder, radial-mount calipers and full-LCD instrumentation (high-contrast negative display). Being a supersport model that can be ridden on the track, Quick Shift System (QSS) for R7 is available as an optional add-on.
The YZF-R7 will definitely be a prime choice for young millennials, privateers and private racing team who which to start their racing career thanks to the race-ready features.
Meanwhile, the MT-07 has an affordable price (US = $7,699, UK = £6,902.00, Malaysia = RM 38,880) around the world thus possibly making the R7 an affordable Supersport that millennials has longed for. If Yamaha could priced it rightly, it could be the Supersport bike that everyone has been searching for. With race-ready features, R-Series styling and great engine package, Yamaha may have found the perfect solution to continue their momentum on Supersport category to attract the public and motorsports.
For now, Yamaha has yet to announced on the official pricing of the R7 so we have to stay tuned for further official announcement by Yamaha. The 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 is available in Blue and Black and will be appearing into Europe and the United States, with a Japan domestic launch scheduled after the winter of 2021. For now, I will definitely say Yamaha will be attracting their competitors to work on similar Supersport motorcycle soon. Let’s see what the YZF-R7 can bring to the table when it releases.
*The article above is for writers to expressed his opinion only.