How Long Do Yamaha MT-07 Last? (Complete Guide)

The Yamaha MT-07 is a naked or standard motorcycle – a straightforward, stripped-down commuter bike for zipping around town.

MT stands for Masters of Torque; its 689cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, eight-valve, parallel-twin cylinder motor lives up to its name.

Once called the YZ-07, Yamaha rebranded the the bike in 2017 to match it’s name in the rest of the world

If you’re wondering how long these bikes last, we’ll answer that in this article…

Here is the short answer to how long Yamaha MT-07s last:

The MT-07 can last for well over 75,000 miles. Its state-of-the-art Yamaha engine is more than capable of moving its lightweight frame without incurring stress or excess wear and tear. Based on an annual mileage of 3,000 miles, a well-maintained MT-07 can last over 25 years.

How Many Miles Can a Yamaha MT-07 Last?

As a standard, mild-mannered motorcycle, the MT-07 can last for more than 75,000 miles if its owner rides, maintains, and stores per Yamaha’s spec instructions.

With a clean air filter, constant oil changes, and routine scheduled maintenance, a simple bike like the MT07 can last for years.

Unfortunately, heavy customization is relatively common on standard bikes like the MT-07 since the design is so straightforward.

After-market air intake and exhaust upgrades can be fun on these rugged little rippers, but be wary as customization can shorten the number of miles a bike can go. 

Some riders even go as far as to cut their airboxes open to “enrichen” their air intake.

Look, I’m all about getting that extra throttle response with an air cleaner upgrade, but your air filter is the only thing keeping dirt and debris out of your motor.

Leaving your air filter as-is will ensure you hit that high-mile mark without a seized engine.

Also, getting your MT-07’s valves checked by a Yamaha-literate mechanic every 15,000 miles can extend the lifespan over 100k.

Yamaha dealer techs are supposed to be the premier choice for this, but not all dealerships are created equally – do your research.

Some dealerships might have a few master techs on deck, while other service centers are so delayed that they have inexperienced mechanics handling things like valve inspections.

Inspections often get deprioritized, but as we’ll explain a bit more later, routine maintenance includes thorough inspections.

To hit that 100,000-mile mark, we suggest finding a local mechanic who knows the MT-07 well, even if it is a simple bike.

Find a mechanic you trust at a Yamaha-capable service center and stick with them for routine examinations on critical components like valves, as inspecting and adjusting them yourself can require dismounting the motor.

To quote one enthusiastic MT-07 rider:

“[An MT-07 can get] 100k miles easy. You’ll have to replace consumables and things like exhaust headers (depending on salt), exhaust gaskets, head cover gaskets, caliper piston o-rings, fork lower bushings (*grin*), and service the suspension every 10,000 miles or so. Depending on how you treat them, your clutch pack (springs and plates) will eventually go (probably 30K miles). Wheel bearings will probably go between 30-50K. Cables (clutch and throttle) should be oiled every few months and replaced probably five or so years in. You’ll want to service the swingarm and shock linkage bearings every three seasons.”

In short, how many miles an MT-07 can last depends on the owner’s maintenance etiquette, but a well-maintained one can pass 100,000 miles.

We brushed on this earlier, but although many naked bike riders assume that a routine service consists of nothing more than an oil and filter change, it means inspections too.

You, your mechanic, or Yamaha’s service techs should go through your naked bike with a long, detailed checklist per the schedule in its owner’s manual.

  • When your service manual says “inspect and adjust as needed,” they mean more than just assessing the MT’s outer condition.
  • Inspecting your clutch cable, for example, means inspecting, lubricating, and adjusting, and not just squeezing the lever a few times.

In summary, a Yamaha MT-07 can last for well over 75,000, but routine inspection and maintenance are critical to its lifespan.

How Reliable is the Yamaha MT-07?

The Yamaha MT-07 is one of the best-crafted and profoundly researched naked motorcycles on the market to date. If you maintain your MT-07 correctly, it will remain a reliable, high-performing commuter for years. 

Take a peek at the Yamaha forums, and you’ll note hundreds of MT-07 owners are telling you that their MT-07 is the pride and joy of their lives.

It’s not uncommon to see MT-07’s with over 100,000 miles worth of mileage, including stunt miles, that still perform reliably.

To be clear, in this article, we consider reliability to be how often the bike is in the shop due to repairs, whereas longevity is how long the cycle lasts.

That said, the MT-07 is a popular choice for heavy customization and stunt riding.

Stunting requires high revs in low gears, which can wear out your engine way earlier than usual.

Customization makes your MT-07 less reliable than an MT-07 with the stock set-up Yamaha engineered specifically to accompany its power-packed little motor.

Like longevity, MT-07 reliability is heavily dependent on owner habits like storage, maintenance, and how often they ride their bike.

Related: 7 Common Yamaha MT-07 Problems (Explained)

What is Considered High Mileage for a Yamaha MT-07?

A used Yamaha MT-07 is considered high mileage after 25,000 miles. That said, this number is based on the assumption that all naked bikes are for entry-level riders who push hard and ride rough, but that’s not always the case. The mileage has little bearing on the actual lifespan of the motorcycle.

It’s not just the fabled Yamaha MT-07 that’s considered high mileage after 25,000 miles; it’s all standard bikes.

If the previous owner stored the bike properly, serviced it regularly, you might be able to get a good deal on a high-mile MT-07 that still has plenty of life left.

A high-mileage used MT-07 might be less expensive than a low-miler, but that doesn’t mean the low-mile-owner took better care of their bike than the high-miler.

A low odometer reading could result from a bike that sat in the driveway with old fluids corroding its lines and gaskets.

A used MT-07 with a high-mile odometer reading that was carefully maintained, ridden responsibly,  and stored correctly would outlast a low-mile bike that sat neglected, even if inside, but indeed if it sat outside in the elements.

So in review, an MT-07 is considered to be high-mileage after 25,000 miles, but that doesn’t mean it’s at the end of its life if the previous owner:

  • Washed it often and dried it off well. Tp prevent keeps dirt and debris from entering the engine.
  • Stored it indoors or under a tarp to keep it away from the rain and sun.
  • Rode correctly—smooth acceleration and braking.
  • Used ethanol-free gas to reduce engine grime buildup.
  • Rode the bike regularly—even the parts of bikes as well made as the MT-07 will break down and corrode if the bike sat unused.

What Are the Best Model Years to Buy and Avoid?

Best Years: 2022 and 2017

The best year Yamaha MT-07 is the most recent 2022 model. Yamaha’s research, development, engineering, and design teams are some of the best in the industry – they never stop improving on their technology and mechanical engineering, making the latest the greatest.

Here are a few features that make 2022 the best model so far:

Advanced Twin-Cylinder Engine: The MT-07 stocks an updated, compact 689cc, liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder, fuel-injected, DOHC motor. Yamaha gave the engine a unique power character to provide low to mid-range torque pulled strong by RPMs in the high-rev range with a linear throttle response to create an exciting, real-world ride with usable power.

Unique air duct design: This helps the latest rendition of the MT-07 engine maintain consistent response. The 2022 exhaust is an integrated 2-to-1; the two headers run into one pipe.

ECU upgrade: The new Electronic Control Unit stocks the 2022 model with better specs than ever, including more efficient fuel injection and a more refined throttle and engine response even at low RPMs.

Valve Design: The 2022 year model includes more abrasion resistance on the valve side of its brand new valve seat design. Upgraded angle cuts on the 2022 MT-07 make the gearshift feel more responsive than ever.

Efficiency: Yamaha moved the catalytic converter closer to the engine headers on the 2022 model, boosting engine efficiency.

Handlebars: The 2022 MT-07 equips a new tapered handlebar‒32mm wider and 19mm taller for improved feeling control and comfort.

Design: The 2022 MT-07’s new look brings out its distinctive appeal with newly designed parts and components. Its design showcases its naked bike style, including new LED lighting for the position lights, signals, and headlight.

If a brand-spankin’ new MT-07 isn’t on the cards for you, don’t fret!

You may have gathered from the heading above that as far as we’re concerned, the 2022 year model shares its crown with the 2017.

  • The 2017 MT-07, also known as the FZ-07 in some regions, is possibly the best-looking year model. It’s the last year-model with the OG aesthetic, including the swooping tanks and the old-school naked-style seat.
  • 2017 was what I like to call a cross-road year for the Yamaha MT-07. It marked a big step in performance, reliability, and the implementation of modern tech, but Yamaha didn’t modify the style until 2018. This puts the 2017 year model MT-07 on the sweet spot between the old and the new. 

Worst Years: 2014 (2015 in the U.S.)

The worst year Yamaha MT-07 was the 2014, labeled the 2015 in the US. It isn’t a bad bike by any means, but it’s the first year model -Yamaha makes a point to cultivate upgrades and develop its engineering ability further and further each year.

Since the first model year was released, Yamaha has worked out many of its kinks.

  1. The stock suspension on the first-year-model MT-07  was a weak point, garnering complaints from the owners of 2014/15 MT-07s on more than a few online forums.
  2. The ECU flash wasn’t tuned to its full potential until later models, making the earliest rendition of the MT-07 the least responsive, albeit not powerless by any means.
  3. The early year models had a rusty swingarm issue you can read about in great detail on various Yamaha forums. The swingarms were rusting on their own, regardless of how adequate the owner stored and maintained their motorcycle. Yamaha did fix this problem via warranty, but there’s always a chance that some of the more neglectful owners never took their bikes in for upgrades.

What Usually Breaks First on a Yamaha MT-07?

The first thing to break on the Yamaha MT-07 is the clutch disc. Various MT-07 owners have experienced their inner clutch plates breaking, resulting in an intrusive rattling noise.

Possible symptoms of a broken Clutch Plate on a Yamaha MT-07 are:

  • Clutch dragging
  • Clutch slipping
  • Clutch sticking
  • Skipped Gears
  • Rattling noises coming from the gearbox

Solutions to the Broken Clutch-Plate Rattle on an MT-07:

If the clutch plate is the problem, the only solution is to replace the damaged disc with a new one.

However, if you’ve replaced the clutch discs and they break again, it’s the clutch basket itself that’s bad. You’ll have to replace it and the clutch discs to solve the problem.

If your MT-07 is an older year model, your safest bet it acquires a whole new clutch kit and swap out the entire clutch, springs, and plate assembly.

Is the Yamaha MT-07 Expensive to Maintain?

The Maintenance costs of a Yamaha MT-07 are average considering it’s a state-of-the-art naked bike. The more you keep up with the maintenance, the cheaper the ownership costs are long-term.

Here are a few examples of MT-07  maintenance prices:

  • $350 for a set of tires
  • $150 for a stator replacement
  • $80 for a new battery
  • $150 for fork seals, bushings, snap rings, washers, dust seals, and fluid
  • $100 for the wheel bearings front and rear
  • $60 an oil change

There are other ownership costs to factor in, such as:

  • Jacket = $200
  • Gloves = $100
  • Winter riding gear = $200-$500
  • Rain gear = $75-$300
  • Helmets = $100-$500
  • Fuel = $15 a tank
  • Storage =$?
  • Insurance =average cost of naked bike motorcycle insurance is $721 a year.

You may also be interested in our article: Are Yamaha Motorcycles Any Good?

How Long Do MT-07 Brakes Last

MT-07 brake pads can be expected to last for 10,000 miles on average if using it as a commuter. They will wear out much sooner if your MT-07 is used as a stunt bike, if you brake rough, or if you ride the brakes in curves at high speeds.

The MT-07 is a naked bike meant for commuting.

Aggressive riding habits and poor road conditions can cut down the lifespan of your brake pads.

Examine your Yamaha brake pads every 2,500 miles – make sure they’re still safe and in good working order.

How Long Do MT-07 Tires Last?

A rear Yamaha MT-07 tire is expected to last around 5,000- 10,000 miles if the bike is ridden responsibly. A front tire is expected to last between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. However, no MT-07 tire is safe to ride on after five years, regardless of bike mileage.

The lifespan of a tire varies significantly depending on whether you are commuting per the bike’s intended function, stunt riding, or ripping up roads in extreme weather conditions.

To extend the life of your tires, check your tire pressure after riding in harsh conditions, inflating as needed.

Improper tire pressure on a Yamaha MT-07 can cause:

  • Poor braking performance
  • Decreased handling and riding precision
  • Poor fuel economy

4 Tips to Make Sure Your Yamaha MT-07 Lasts Long

Regular and proper cleaning, storage, and maintenance are critical to keeping your MT-07 on the road and performing reliably for 80,000+ miles.

It’s also the key to having an exhilarating but smooth, fun, and safe ride zipping through town on one of the premier standard bikes in the market.

1) Clean your MT-07 with Yamaha-Approved Cleaning Products

Regularly washing your MT-07 is a great way to extend its life span.

  • The build-up of dirt and grime can cause the components of a motorcycle to break down much faster.
  • Regular washes prevents dust and dirt from getting inside the engine.

That said, the wrong cleaning chemicals will corrode some components.

Be sure to use products designed to be used not just on any naked motorcycle but on a Yamaha.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Suzuki SV650 Last?

2) Ride your MT-07 Properly,—Ride Often

An MT-07 that’s been sitting unused for an extended period is often full of old fluids. Expired bike fluids can cause corrosion to your bike’s lines. Motorcycles were made to be used.

The parts on a motorcycle break down much faster when they sit dormant compared to when they’re being used.

  • Avoid starting your MT-07 in the below-freezing temperatures
  • Avoid idling your MT-07 for long periods in sweltering weather
  • Avoid redlining your MT-07
  • Don’t stunt-ride your MT-07

3) Follow Yamaha’s Suggested Schedule For Regular Service Maintenance

Your MT-07 should be serviced according to its owner’s manual schedule. You also want to service your Yamaha bike before storing it for long periods.

A healthy service includes:

  • Oil and filter change
  • Replace or clean air filter
  • Refill fluids
  • Inspect tire pressure and tread, replace when worn
  • Check brake pads and lines
  • Inspect and replace old batteries
  • Grease chains

As we mentioned earlier, legitimate service entails more than just an oil change, but a close examination of fluid levels and condition of every component on the bike.

You may also be interested in our article: Are Ducati Scramblers Reliable? (12 Important Facts)

4) Store Your Bike Properly

Store your Yamaha MT-07 away from dirt, rain, UV rays, and moisture when not in use.

It doesn’t have to be stored indoors; with a high-quality tarp, holding it outside might work, but keeping your naked bike indoors is the general suggestion.

That said, take care not to store your MT-07 in the proximity of corrosive chemicals, as airborne chemicals can cause corrosion as well.

Resources

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/hyper-naked/models/mt-07

You may also be interested in our articles: Is the Yamaha Tenere 700 Reliable? (11 important Facts)

Author:

  • Michael Ta Nous

    I've been weaving words into stories since my early scribbling days, and my journey in the world of motorcycles and their communities spans almost two decades. Living with a talented motorcycle mechanic as a roommate, our garage transformed into a vibrant workshop where I absorbed the intricacies of...