Performance On A Budget: 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Blends Track-Focused Features With A Rider-Friendly Design

---

The new YZF-R7 offers many of Yamaha’s track-focused features and bridges the gap between the entry-level YZF-R3 and the high-end YZF-R1. (Photo courtesy of Yamaha.)

Yamaha Motor’s new YZF-R7 is based on the components of the brand’s popular MT-07 streetfigher, with new features appealing to experienced riders looking for the performance characteristics of Yamaha’s R-series supersport motorcycles. Key performance elements include a sporty front suspension with an inverted, 41-millimeter (1.6-inch) front fork with optimized settings that deliver excellent front-end feel during corning and braking. The fully adjustable fork lets drivers refine preload, rebound, and compression damping force.

Proven Power

The YZF-R7 boasts the same liquid-cooled 689-cc in-line two-cylinder CP2 engine as the MT-07. Yamaha says it optimized the secondary gear ratio (from the MT-07’s 43/16 = 2.678 to 42/16 = 2.625) to create a sportier ride. The 270-degreee crank is designed with an uneven firing sequence, which emphasizes torquey acceleration and responsive power at all engine speeds, Yamaha says. Riders can monitor a wealth of information on the new LCD instrument panel, and new handlebar switches make it easy to navigate the on-screen menus.

---

The 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 will arrive at authorized Yamaha dealers beginning in June 2021 and will be available in Team Yamaha Blue and Performance Black color schemes. (Photo courtesy of Yamaha.)

Ride Aggressively

Yamaha equipped the YZF-R7 with an ultra-narrow chassis; when combined with its high-strength steel frame, responsive handling is the result. In particular, Yamaha highlights the aluminum center braces near the swingarm pivot, a design element that should improve torsional rigidity. The new narrow frame gives the bike the slimmest bodywork in Yamaha’s R-series. Riders can settle into the YZF-R7’s cockpit, thanks to low-profile tank covers with deep knee pockets the manufacturer says allow for hip and knee position adjustments while riding, making it easy to quickly get into a tuck position on the track.

Find The Right Yamaha

The 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 should arrive at Yamaha dealers in June with both Team Yamaha Blue and Performance Black colors available at an MSRP of $8,999. You’ll find new and used Yamaha motor sports vehicles, including sport bikes and more, for sale every day on MotorSportsUniverse.com.

Source: Yamaha Motor