In This Article:
For its 2023 rendition, the R7 Yamaha acquired a new color option: Intensity White. As its name implies, this theme will wrap your R7 bike in white, bright bodywork from head to bottom.
This livery is admittedly subtle, but in compensation, Yamaha has sprinkled red alloy and gray “R7” fairing graphics to spice up the overall flavor.
Nevertheless, apart from this brand-new paint option, no notable adjustments or additional features have been spotted for 2023. R7 retains its parallel-twin, 689cc liquid engine derived from MT-07, with a pumped horsepower of approximately 72.4 HP.
Its suspension setup also witnesses zero changes (still the same mono-shock and adjustable telescopic fork). Most of its old brakes (245mm single rear disc and 298mm twin front discs) are present, too.
2023 Yamaha YZF-R7 Key Specs
- Make: Yamaha
- Model Year: 2023
- Type: Supper Sport
- Color: Intensity White, Team Yamaha Blue, Performance Black
- MSRP Price: $9,199
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Engine: 689cc
- Power: 72.4 HP
- Mileage: 58 mpg (24.7 km/l)
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 13 L (3.4 gal.)
- Seat Height: 836mm (32.9 in.)
- Wet Weight: 188 kg (414 lb.)
2023 Yamaha YZF-R7 Specifications
Engine
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 8-valves (4-valves/cylinder), inline twin cylinder |
| Displacement | 689cc |
| Power | 72.4 horsepower |
| Bore x stroke | 80 x 68.6 mm |
| Compression ratio | 11.5:1 |
| Maximum Torque | 6.9 kg-m (50 ft-lbs.) @ 6,500 rpm |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Ignition system | TCI |
| Starter system | Electric |
| Transmission system | 6-speed; multiplate wet clutch; with Assist & Slipper clutch |
| Fuel consumption | 4.6 L/100km (58 mpg) |
| Fuel delivery | Fuel injection |
| Final Drive | “O”-ring chain |
Chassis
| Front suspension system | Telescopic fork; 5.1-in travel, adjustable for preload, rebound and compression |
| Rear suspension system | Linked-type Monocross shock, adjustable preload and rebound; 5.1-in travel |
| Front brake | Dual 298mm hydraulic discs / 4-piston calipers / ABS equipped |
| Rear brake | 245mm hydraulic disc / single piston caliper / ABS equipped |
| Front tire | 120/70ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55ZR17 |
Dimensions
| Rake/ Trail | 23° / 1016 mm |
| Overall length | 2,070 mm (81.5 in.) |
| Overall width | 706 mm (27.8 in.) |
| Overall height | 1,161 mm (45.7 in.) |
| Seat height | 836mm (32.9 in.) |
| Wheelbase | 1,394 mm (54.9 in.) |
| Ground clearance | 135 mm (5.3 in.) |
| Wet Weight | 188 kg (414 lb.) |
| Fuel tank capacity | 13 L (3.4 gal.) |
Competitors
| Model | Price | Engine | Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Suzuki SV650 | $7,499 | 645cc V-twin | 125 mph |
| 2023 Kawasaki Ninja 650 | $7,799 | 649cc parallel-twin | 130 mph |
| 2023 Honda CBR650R | $9,399 | 649cc inline-four | 140 mph |
2023 Yamaha YZF-R7 Features
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Adaptive Bi-Functional LED Headlight
The iconic R-Series M-shaped intake duct and twin-eye look compliments the all-new YZF-R7 along with an adaptive bi-functional LED headlight.
LED Lighting
Light Emitted Diode (LED) elements are used for the front and rear turn signals, the tail light unit and the headlights. Not only do LEDs offer long life with minimal power draw, they provide brilliant illumination for confidence and visibility day or night.
Refined Sportbike Ergonomics
Thanks to the low-profile fuel tank design and compact clip-on handlebar position, the rider is able to naturally grip the machine for confidence, especially when tucking aggressively behind the windscreen on the racetrack.
Sleek R-Series Styling
The YZF-R7’s aggressive new design is next generation R-Series styling, with the slimmest bodywork in the supersport lineup for optimal aerodynamics, handling and agility. The glaring face of the YZF-R7 features a compact LED headlight housed in the iconic M-shaped intake duct, while its sharp tail is reminiscent of the YZF-R1.
CHASSIS
Inverted Front Fork
The YZF-R7 features a preload, rebound and compression adjustable inverted KYB 41mm front fork offering optimized spring rates and damping settings for an excellent front-end feel during cornering and braking.
Lightweight Frame Tuned for Rigidity Balance
A high-strength steel frame with a rigid-mount aluminum center brace provides an optimized balance of rigidity for linear and nimble responsiveness to rider input.
Monocross Rear Shock
The all-new linked-type Monocross single-shock design reduces weight and further centralizes mass. Its adjustable spring preload and rebound damping are tuned to strike an ideal balance between ride comfort and sporty performance, for capability across a wide range of uses from urban commuting to track days.
Potent Braking
A newly-designed radial brake master cylinder from Brembo combines with radial-mounted front brake calipers on dual 298mm front brake rotors to optimize braking pressure for linear delivery with excellent performance and controllability.
Sporty New Suspension
The YZF-R7 features an inverted 41mm front fork with optimized spring rate and damping settings for an excellent front-end feel during cornering and braking. An all-new linked-type Monocross single-shock with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping strikes an ideal balance between ride comfort and supersport performance, for capability across a wide range of uses from urban commuting to track days.
Supersport Riding Position
The YZF-R7’s carefully developed rider’s triangle and racing-inspired cockpit puts you in a comfortable, confidence-inspiring riding position. A new seat combined with new tank covers featuring deep knee pockets, provide optimal hip and knee positioning. Riders get the freedom to adjust positions while also maintaining a firmly planted feel in corners and sturdy body hold under braking. Separate clip-on handlebars are set in relation to rider hip and footpeg placement for a commanding riding position.
Thin Proportions for Perfect Control
All-new dimensions give the YZF-R7 the slimmest proportions of the entire R-Series family, aiding in confident cornering performance on the track and quick, agile direction changes on twisty roads. The slim design also reduces wind resistance for optimal aerodynamics, while new bodywork incorporates the rider’s body to improve the flow of air around the bike.
ELECTRONICS
Digital LCD Instrumentation
A new full-LCD instrument panel informs the rider of gear position, fuel capacity, real time and average fuel economy, water temp, clock, and more—all presented in a high-contrast display.
ENGINE
All-New A&S Clutch
A first for Yamaha’s CP2 platform, the all-new Assist and Slipper clutch reduces clutch lever force while providing seamless downshifts and a controlled feeling over the bike’s engine braking. This helps make the supersport riding experience more accessible to more riders. For fast and smooth upshifts, an optional Quick Shift System (QSS) is also available on the YZF-R7.
Linear Torque with Smooth Acceleration
The all-new YZF-R7 boasts a 270-degree crankshaft that delivers a tactile experience of pulse and acceleration with limited vibration. The CP2 engine provides the rider a linear-feeling, direct connection from the throttle to the rear wheel.
Quick Shift System for Smooth Upshifts
An optional Quick Shift System (QSS) can be paired with the YZF-R7 to help provide speedy, smooth upshifts. When the sensor on the shift rod detects movement in the gearshift lever, adjustments are made in the engine output according to ECU calculations to instantly cancel out the drive torque of the engaged gear to promote swifter gear changes.
Strong, Lightweight Pistons
Forged aluminum pistons with direct-plated cylinders integrated with the crank case make for lighter weight and excellent strength at extreme temperatures, ensuring reliability at higher rpm.
Torquey CP2 Powerplant
Yamaha’s proven 689cc liquid-cooled, inline 2-cylinder DOHC fuel-injected CP2 engine delivers excellent power and performance throughout the rpm range for an exhilarating ride and a true supersport experience. Its 270-degree crankshaft delivers linear torque for exciting acceleration and limited vibration.
TOP FEATURES
Adaptive Bi-Functional LED Headlight
The iconic R-Series M-shaped intake duct and twin-eye look compliments the all-new YZF-R7 along with an adaptive bi-functional LED headlight.
All-New A&S Clutch
A first for Yamaha’s CP2 platform, the all-new Assist and Slipper clutch reduces clutch lever force while providing seamless downshifts and a controlled feeling over the bike’s engine braking. This helps make the supersport riding experience more accessible to more riders. For fast and smooth upshifts, an optional Quick Shift System (QSS) is also available on the YZF-R7.
Sporty New Suspension
The YZF-R7 features an inverted 41mm front fork with optimized spring rate and damping settings for an excellent front-end feel during cornering and braking. An all-new linked-type Monocross single-shock with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping strikes an ideal balance between ride comfort and supersport performance, for capability across a wide range of uses from urban commuting to track days.
Thin Proportions for Perfect Control
All-new dimensions give the YZF-R7 the slimmest proportions of the entire R-Series family, aiding in confident cornering performance on the track and quick, agile direction changes on twisty roads. The slim design also reduces wind resistance for optimal aerodynamics, while new bodywork incorporates the rider’s body to improve the flow of air around the bike.
Torquey CP2 Powerplant
Yamaha’s proven 689cc liquid-cooled, inline 2-cylinder DOHC fuel-injected CP2 engine delivers excellent power and performance throughout the rpm range for an exhilarating ride and a true supersport experience. Its 270-degree crankshaft delivers linear torque for exciting acceleration and limited vibration.
Supersport Performance and Handling
2023 Yamaha YZF-R7 Top Speed
This R7 beast can max out at about 231 KmPH (or 143.5 MPH) – slightly faster than Kawasaki Ninja 650, its long-time rival. What is not-so-impressive to us here is that the bike creeps forward after 210 KmPH (130.4 MPH) and changes digits gradually after 220 KmPH (136.7 MPH).
Some might question, Why do you call that impressive? Simple: despite Yamaha claiming R7 is not a replacement for R6, that’s exactly where the bike slots in. Worse, our top speed tests only prove its velocity isn’t even on par with R6’s 165 MPH!
Hence, instead of staying in the middle between R1 and R3, R7’s capability actually leans closer to R3 and lags miles behind R1; anyone wanting to prepare themselves for R1 grunt will never find R7 a good fit.
Is it Yamaha’s strategy to pave the way for an R9 model derived from MT-09? Only time can tell.
Acceleration
For experienced riders with prior ownership of MT-07, you might expect its straight-line performances to stay within the same ballparks as the 2023 R7 – only slightly less frantic in everyday street riding.
In fact, R7’s weight has exceeded MT now, the result of its lengthened gearing. Our initial assumption upon this change is that it may hurt R7’s acceleration and put it in an inferior position to MT-07. To our surprise, that was far from the case.
Despite its shorter wheelbase, frequent testing revealed R7 was more consistent, easier to launch, and less prone to wheelie than MT-07. The long gearing and a bit of extra weight – contrary to our initial thought – might help somewhat; and combined with the sportier seat position, they ensure the front has little extra weight to tame all wheelie tendencies. Together, all these assistive features add up to better PBs and more compatible timing when pushing turns into shoving.
So what’s the exact number? Our testers discovered R7 can:
- Hit 0 to 60 MPH transition within 3.27 seconds (the benchmark requires gear changes, though. But thanks to the R7’s quick shifter, we didn’t waste much time on second gear’s positive shift).
- Hit 0 to 100 MPH transition in approximately 7.88 seconds – pretty fast for a 70-HP motorcycle.
Engine Braking and Cornering
R7’s well-developed racing cockpits and rider triangle puts us in a confidence-inspiring and extremely comfortable riding position. The seat is equipped with deep-knee sachets and tank covers to offer optimal knee and hip positioning. We could adjust positions to our heart’s content, while also staying firmly-planted at corners and under brake levers.
Furthermore, the designed Bembo’s master cylinder brake arrives with radial-mounted calipers on dual front rotors (298mm) to help optimize the bike’s brake pressure. Our controllability, engine performance, and linear delivery during test rides were top-notched.
To seal the deal, Yamaha features rebound, adjustable spring preload, and compression inverted front fork (41mm, KYB), which utilizes damping settings and spring rates. Regardless of our braking and cornering techniques, the front-end feel was unbeatable.
Handling
Our biggest critique for MT-07 centered on the lack of handling performance; it’s great to see the Yamaha YZF-R7 has fixed most of these ailments to grant us a more tactile experience! Its suspension upgrades had us spiral into challenging intersections with utmost confidence.
The advanced CP2 engine motors are still as playful and exciting as we remembered from MT-07s. “Quick, yet not fast” should be the best term to describe it. With a beefy end and sharp throttle response, the bike launched off in the most gratifying manner, which delighted our testers to no end!
Sadly, at upper powerband ranges and higher speeds (ex: overtaking slow cars on the track’s long straightaway or twisty roads), the engine’s handling limitations were still clearly shown. Be extra mindful under these circumstances.
2023 YZF-R7: A Brief Review
On the track, R7 feels flat at first. But be patient; the harder we push, the more thrilling it becomes. Even better, our testers confirmed they could take all liberties at huge lean angles with the bike’s throttle, having zero worries about forceful or excessive launches!
We admit its relative shortage of basic spec and straight-line operation might discourage some intermediate riders (plus, the braking system could have been more upgraded). Nevertheless, R7s are all about the ideal balance between ride comfort and NOT scaring yourself to death.
The main takeaway? R7 is far from perfect – that’s for sure. But it neatly proves one doesn’t need excellent power and technology to have an enjoyable, exhilarating ride. Pleasant, sporty, and half the actual sales price of R1, R7 will be a friendly option for new motorcyclists to begin their true supersport experience when the real time of full licenses arrives.
2023 Yamaha YZF-R7 Photos & Videos
Photos
Videos
Reference Sources:
*Disclaimer: The prices mentioned in this article may vary depending on the dealership and location. Additionally, the specifications mentioned, such as horsepower and top speed, may vary from different sources as they are often tested under different conditions.
