The 2015 Yamaha MT-07 Moto Cage is being promoted as a new motorcycle concept by Yamaha, and given the ‘adventure’ makeovers given to other new bikes, who are we to argue? Except this time the target market isn’t aspiring Dakar racers – instead the Japanese firm has decided to offer something to the young, hip, Icon-wearing stunt riders.
Well, at least it isn’t another retro bike, and they’ve chosen the right base model for it. The MT-07 was a decent middleweight launched in 2014 which was well-priced at just £5199 with ABS as an optional extra. It was light, relatively frugal which was fortunate with a 14 litre tank, and best at lower speeds where it could wheelie nicely and make the best use of the 689cc parallel twin engine.
So how has it been stuntified? Well, it’s got new graphics, a bright red tubular cage around the mid-section (hence the name), and a new adjustable headlight surround. Oh, and the wheels are now in mismatched colours.
That appears to be about it, with the mainly cosmetic changes, and no messing with the rest of the specs. So you’re looking at 74bhp, a top end of around 130mph, and dual 282mm discs with four-piston calipers at the front for stoppies. The 245mm rear disc should slide OK, and the tyres are 120/70ZR17 fronts and 180/55ZR17 rears when you’ve left your rubber on the Tarmac of the local supermarket car park.
Rescogs Opinion:
It’s nice to see a new model which attempts to do something different. But we’re still left asking why?
The Yamaha MT-07 is a decent bike, and lends itself well to the purpose – as a bike for younger riders it’s a bargain which performs much better than the price, and is capable of all types of fun.
But the stunt riders we know tend to go for more substantial protection and bikes they don’t mind throwing down the road repeatedly whilst trying to learn their trade. If stunt riding is all about individuality and coming up with something different, what benefits do you get from a mass-produced bike?
So, sadly, this appears to be one for the imitators who will give it some hamfisted throttle action to lift the wheel two inches off the deck, think they’ve masted stunt riding and immediately lob it down the road. On the plus side, the similarity to the standard bike means parts will be dead easy to find
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