INCOMING, Happy 50th to me.... Yeah, it's a Yamaha... it's the easy option.

[weeksy]

Your probably just using the clutch properly and looking after that back tyre.

Apparently he's not using the edges

[weeksy]

2021-10-31_04-55-25 by Steve Weeks - Flickr2BBcode LITE

[KungFooBob]

I'd got for a more generic reg with your initials, we all know the MT-07 will be a distant memory in 6 months time.

[weeksy]

I'd got for a more generic reg with your initials, we all know the MT-07 will be a distant memory in 6 months time.

Keeper. Honest.

[Taipan]

Lol you don't need to tell me

They're great on track. But are they really useful on road?

It's a very valid point and a major reason I've not pressed a button. Well, that and the lack of money
But as I've said I'm not even sure if next year will see me do a trackday and you're right that on the road it's not needed.

Maybe I'll make you all buy me a number plate instead

[weeksy]

Todays right was somewhat challenging. Lets just say the road conditions were far from ideal. The moisture in the air overnight and the slight frost meant that most of the roads i want to ride are holding water, only very slightly and it wasn't 'water' as such, but a dampness, change in grip, you can see the drier bits etc, you all know the conditions. But looking at the forecast and the time of year, i'm thinking it's possibly the last ride of the season/year so thought i'd make the most of it.

With that in mind i spent a decent 90 mins or so out on a slightly extended lunch along with taking in roads/routes i've not done before. I'm not big on exploring in many ways, i stick to what i know, what i like and what i enjoy. But thought i'd go rogue today and headed over to Kingsclere, Whitchurch, Overton and Andover way. This meant that at times i was a little more cautious as i didn't know the roads, corners, or even mostly where i was/going.

But this also gave me a chance to try and be a little more subjective/critical with the bike as i was giving plenty of time to cruising rather than just being pinned everywhere. With that in mind i was trying to pick faults/issues with it really, but you know what, i'm struggling to do so. Well, i say struggling to do so, i simply can't come up with anything. There's just nothing it doesn't do really really well. In the latter stages of the ride i ticked over 200 miles on the clocks so started using the last part of the rpm range. I'd been changing up around 8000/8500 generally, with the red line being up at 11,500 i think. I wasn't exactly taking things easy before then, but i was being a smidgen less than full rpm. This did highlight though that it does get a move on at the higher rpm indeed, it's not flighty or frantic, but really good fun.

I also took in some of the A34, which is about as close to a motorway as my riding gets, once again it didn't disappoint me at all. The 690 was quite hard work at times on the 80mph constant stuff, but the MT07 found it effortless, you could arguably sit in 5th, but i was using 6th just to test it out, it's not often you get 6th gear round here as you're up and down the box. There was no ridiculous wind-blast and no vibrations etc to speak of, just simple straight forward riding. The throttle wasn't heavy so not too bad as with some bikes i've had fatigue in the hand from holding it open etc.

So that's where we ended up on the ride, i was sitting thinking about mods/upgrades over winter.... You know what, i'm really struggling to think of things to do with it. I did have a list of Quickshifter, Slipper clutch, screen. But i'm not actually convinced any of the 3 are required now. I know for sure an exhaust would be lovely to have, but £500 for a bit of noise and a bit prettier, well i'm not convinced about that. The QS, well the gear changes are seamless on it at the moment so what's the point. Slipper clutch, yeah it's still in my head, but not at £600+ fitting.

So i reckon the only thing to do over winter is get a screen and see if that makes it even nicer at 80mph etc.

2021-11-02_01-01-01 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[Skub]

I kinda like the 'ant' front of your bike. I put a small screen on my Zed and I can't honestly say it makes a big difference aside from looks.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I kinda like the 'ant' front of your bike. I put a small screen on my Zed and I can't honestly say it makes a big difference aside from looks.

That's the bit I really don't like on the MT-07 (I'm not saying the headlight on my GSX looks great btw), the rest of it I could live with, but if I'd bought an MT-07 I'd have changed the headlight area.

[weeksy]

It may well be the latest in the season i've ridden, it certainly is in recent years that's for sure. But i think i'll get out again today by the look of things.. it's mostly dry and whilst it'll be chilly, you can sort that with appropriate clothing and heated grips, certainly for an hour anyway. the MT-07 now has about 230 miles clocked on it and i'd like to get somewhere close to 300 if possible before it goes away for winter.

[KungFooBob]

When is it due the first service?

[weeksy]

When is it due the first service?

NOt actually looked but i'd guess 600 miles, however i'm not actually sure it matters whether it's 300 or 600 so i'll likely see how the next weeks go and whether i can get a few sneaky dry ones before the roads get gritted and whatever it's on, it'll get sent out for servicing over the winter.

[Taipan]

Power wise, how does it differ to a 690?

[weeksy]

Power wise, how does it differ to a 690?

Very little differemce. They ride slightly different and the Mt is smoother and better fuelled. In speed tests on YouTube they're close

[weeksy]

BRRRRRRR !!!

Cold out there again today. But the little Yamaha has sparked the desire to get out, so it has to be done.

2021-11-05_12-55-57 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

I did however lose a race today to a CAR !!!! Which on an even weirder note is owned by a mate who i do MTB stuff with 350bhp Audi V6. Boy can that thing go round bends.... In the conditions we have at the moment on the roads here of wet/dry/maybe/gravelly there was absolutely no way i was chucking it into and round some of the lanes as hard as he was. Only making up the ground again on the straight bits, but even that took some work !!
With 110 on the clocks i wouldn't call the MT-07 stable.... it's getting a bit loose and lively on these roads at that speed.

I may have found something i'll change on it though
NEW GENUINE YAMAHA MT07 MT-07 2020 HIGH SEAT B4C-247C0-01-00
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284096716229 ... 1438.l2649

Increased seat height by 28mm

I think it'd actually benefit from being a little taller in the seat, certainly my knee would appreciate it i think.

Other than that the ride was a case of trying to avoid the horrible stuff which i mostly managed. thrown in with a bit of fun and fastish sweepers

most most enjoyable.

[Deadpool2]

Glad you are still enjoying it

[KungFooBob]

I like the idea of the higher seat.

Be nice if when you buy a brand new bike they gave you an option on set height etc.. rather than making you pay again for a new seat!

Got a pic of a bike with one fitted?

[weeksy]

I like the idea of the higher seat.

Be nice if when you buy a brand new bike they gave you an option on set height etc.. rather than making you pay again for a new seat!

Got a pic of a bike with one fitted?

NOne i can see online anywhere no.

[Bigyin]

BRRRRRRR !!!

Cold out there again today. But the little Yamaha has sparked the desire to get out, so it has to be done.

I am just pleased you are riding a bike in November and enjoying it

[Nordboy]

BRRRRRRR !!!

Cold out there again today. But the little Yamaha has sparked the desire to get out, so it has to be done.

I am just pleased you are riding a bike in November and enjoying it

I'm running a 2 week advanced bike course starting Monday....seemed a good idea at the time!!!

[Bigyin]

I'm running a 2 week advanced bike course starting Monday....seemed a good idea at the time!!!

It will be fine . Look on the bright side, at least the participants will be able to ride in lower grip environments.

I was asked what dates i wanted to be instructing over xmas and new year period