Yamaha plugs the hole in its YZF line between the R3 and R1 Supersports with the all-new-for 2022 YZF-R7 model. Power comes from the proven CP2 plant with a new LCD instrument bundle, all LED lighting, and adjustable KYB suspension as part of the stock equipment package. All of this comes built around the narrowest YZF platform that also incorporates the pilot's body in the overall shape to maximize penetration. This is also the first YZF model to come stock with a slip-and-assist clutch for an extra layer of safety on the street, and even on the track if you're into that sort of thing.

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Performance and Capability

Yamaha's CrossPlane concept is a proven technology, so it should be a source of confidence that the factory tapped its twin-cylinder CP2 to power this new YZF-R7 platform. An 80 mm bore and 68.6 mm stroke on the YZF-R7 gives the lump a 689 cc total displacement with a middling 11.5-to-1 compression ratio.

U.S. power figures are scarce, but the YZF-R7 in the EU cranks out 72.4 horsepower at 8,750 rpm with 49.4 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine is exactly like the one in the MT-07, but the six-speed transmission comes with shorter gears to maximize acceleration, and the new Assist and Slipper clutch prevents the dreaded rear wheel-hop on hard downshifts.

It's a vertical twin, or a parallel-twin if you prefer, but the crank comes with a 270-degree offset between the first- and second-cylinder throws so it sounds more like a V-twin at idle. This improves traction due to the rear wheel having a chance to gain purchase over the longer of the two firing intervals. Dual over-head cams time four poppets per cylinder for effective aspiration, no doubt this has a synergistic relationship with the ram-air port in the nose.

While the slipper clutch delivers a lighter lever pull weight than a standard setup, you can get even fancier if you spring for the optional Quick Shift System. The QSS delivers seamless upshifts without ever rolling off the throttle or touching the clutch lever. It's a must-have for aspiring racers. The YZF-R7's top speed is around 163 mph with stock gearing and original equipment chain-type final drive.

Design

The new YZF-R7 is the slimmest member of Yamaha's supersport lineup. It also has the greatest level of rider/machine integration, all to improve penetration and lower drag.

The wind tunnel-tested magic is apparent right away in the vented front fender and its foil-shaped uprights that shunt the wind outboard and into laminar flow with the engine cowl. At the tip of the nose is an M-shaped port in the fairing that capitalizes on the pressurized air just in front of the bike for a budget boost to the engine's volumetric efficiency.

Recessed dual LED headlights in the fairing work alongside a central beam with an Adaptive Bi-Functional feature. This keeps the light pool where you need it, even in the curves.

The mirrors ride atop long stalks, but I can't help thinking that Yamaha missed an opportunity by not sticking the blinkers into the mirror housings. Instead, we have these afterthought-class turn signals that are sure to go bye-bye the first time you drop it in the parking lot.

A WSBK-style bubble screen works with the aggressive rider's triangle to make both man and machine part of the finished shape. Clip-on bars mount under the top of the tripletree encouraging a forward-leaning posture.

The 3.4-gallon fuel tank contributes an appropriately sized hump to the flyline. This, along with the upswept tail, forms a deep swale that slings the pilot's butt 32.9 inches off the deck. This is typical of the genre and fine for all but the shortest of inseams.

Like the vast majority of would-be racebikes built for the streets, the R7 rocks a barely-there pillion pad with fold-up footpegs for a very brave passenger. A dead-narrow LED taillight rides in the tip of the tail while the back blinkers and plate holder mount on the mudguard, ostensibly for easy removal ahead of track days.

The instrumentation packed into a new, high-contrast, liquid-crystal display screen allows ease of operation. This works right along with the new handlebar switches and controls that also streamline functionality.

Chassis

Not only is the new chassis on the YZF-R7 ultra-narrow, but it's also super light to contribute to the low 414-pound curb weight. High-strength steel tubing provides ample rigidity, but the engine contributes to the overall structure by serving as a low-flex member that displaces the cradle section of the frame. An asymmetrical swingarm finishes the standing structure with a straight arm on the drive side and a gull-wing member on the exhaust side.

A single, coil-over “Monocross” shock lays nearly horizontally in the bike, and like the steering head, it relies on the engine as a structural member. Adjustable spring preload and rebound damping are the only tweaks to the rear end. Up front, a set of 41 mm, usd KYB forks rocks the full trinity of adjustments so you can dial in for your ride whether it be road or track.

Both ends ride on a generous 5.1 inches of suspension travel. Rake and trail are dead-short at 23.4 degrees and 3.5 inches respectively for a remarkably agile nature that pairs well with the light and narrow frame for quick flicks and confident reversals.

Cast, 17-inch wheels round out the rolling chassis and come shod with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 E tires in a 120/70 ahead of a 180/55. The rubber has a “Z” rating, so it can handle anything you and the R7 can dish out.

Dual, four-pot Brembo calipers bite 298 mm front discs with a single-bore anchor and 245 mm disc to take care of business out back. ABS comes standard, but know that it's non-switchable so you've got it whether you like it or not.

2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Price

The Yamaha YZF-R7 costs $8,999 for its inaugural year. You can have it in the stealthy Performance Black or the Team Yamaha Blue colorway. Yamaha covers your new ride with its one-year limited factory warranty. If you're looking for the YZF-R7 for sale, they hit dealers in June 2021.

Competitors

All of the serious players have a race/street entry in the mid-range displacement bracket, and for Honda, this is the CBR600RR model.

Honda CBR600RR

Honda runs with a liquid-cooled four-banger lump with a 599 cc displacement, 119 horsepower, and 47 pounds o' grunt against Yammie's 72.4/49.4 output, a comparison that clearly shows the potential difference between a twin-cylinder mill and a four-banger. Plus, the Honda revs up to an astounding 14,000 rpm due to inertia-reducing efforts, so there's that to consider, as well.

Like Yamaha, Honda's design team looks to add some downward force at the front wheel through the use of external foil-shaped winglets. Fully adjustable Showa Big-Piston forks and an equally adjustable rear shock more or less break even with the R7's stems in tune-ability, and Honda may even lose a slight edge in the chassis electronics with an optional ABS model for which Yamaha throws in as standard. You'll pay for that feature to the tune of $12,899, but even the base model fetches a fine price at $11,899, which will be hard to justify against the R7's $8,999 sticker.

He Said

“As far as mid-range crotch rockets go, the YZF family has long been one of my favorites. It cuts a figure all its own in a market flooded with full-panel supersports, and I gotta' say, the man-machine integration efforts do not go unnoticed. I mean, it just pulls you right into the void left by the tapered tank and broad-shouldered upper cowling. A very sexy beast in its own way.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “ The new YZF-R7 is not a replacement for the R6, so if your hopes were up at the R7's announcement, let yourself down easy. The R6 would chew up the R7 and spit it out in little pieces, so what's the deal with this new mid-displacement member of the YZF stable? This new model is for the everyday sportbike rider. It's a more manageable bike with manageable power in a YZF outer coating and MT-07 innards.”

Further Reading

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