The cool morning breeze of Mount Abu brushed against my riding jacket as the narrow, winding roads snaked ahead like a ribbon through the Aravalli hills. The town was still waking up, monkeys patrolled the walls of roadside dhabas, and the occasional mist curled above the granite slopes. I was up early for a reason: to push the newly launched 2025 Yamaha MT-07 through its paces on one of India’s most underrated motorcycling playgrounds. And trust me, this bike, now armed with fresh tech, sharper looks, and optional Y-AMT transmission, demanded more than just a casual spin through the hills. As I thumbed the starter and heard the CP2 engine burble to life, I could already sense Yamaha’s intent. The 2025 MT-07 isn’t just a refresh, it’s a significant evolution. And Mount Abu? It was about to become my testbed.
New chassis with USD fork
The first few curves after exiting the main bazaar were tight and unpredictable, like they were designed to test suspension setups. And this is where the new 41mm upside-down fork showed its chops. It’s not adjustable, but the feedback is impressive. Even on Mount Abu’s mix of smooth patches and nasty mid-corner bumps, the front felt communicative without being harsh. The lighter triple clamp, 42% lighter, saving about 0.4 kg, makes a difference you feel, not just read about. At the rear, the preload- and rebound-adjustable monoshock sat on a new steel swingarm. With my 85 kg frame plus gear, it never flinched. Whether it was mid-corner compression or a sharp dip on the incline to Guru Shikhar, the bike held its line. Lightweight forged wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires only added to the confidence.
Defused Cyclops look
Pulling over near Toad Rock to take in the view, the front end of the bike caught the first rays of the sun, and it looked stunning. The single LED headlamp design remains, but it’s now more integrated, less alien. The polished Transformer-style face blends better with the MT DNA, echoing cues from the MT-09 without being a clone. It’s more refined, like a punk rocker who’s learned to wear a tailored jacket without losing attitude.
New wasp waist and improved seating position
Let me put it this way: I’ve ridden MTs before, but this new wasp waist design feels tailored for the Indian rider. With a seat height of 805 mm and narrower midsection, I could easily flat-foot both feet at Udaipur Circle without leaning. The revised rider triangle, 10 mm lower pegs, 22 mm flatter and 9 mm wider handlebars, feels more aggressive yet relaxed. Through the 180-degree switchbacks above Achalgarh Fort, the improved ergonomics made transitions seamless. The firm saddle supported hard acceleration, while the tank’s new acoustic intake sound gave every throttle input a deep, throaty soundtrack. No gimmicks, just raw, delicious intake rumble.
First CP2 model with Y-AMT transmission
Now here’s where the MT-07 enters new territory. My test bike came with the optional Y-AMT (Yamaha Automated Manual Transmission). No clutch lever, no shift lever. Instead, I had paddle shifters on the left bar, and a decision to make: trust the automatic, or go manual? On the open straights toward the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, I toggled to D+ mode (Sport) and let the system do its thing. Shifts were clean, quick, and intuitive. In hairpins, I took control via paddles, especially useful when I wanted to hold a lower gear and keep the torque wave alive. It’s still the same CP2 689cc parallel twin: 73.4 hp at 8,750 rpm, and 68 Nm at 6,500 rpm. But with ride-by-wire, it now comes alive with two riding modes, Street and Sport, and a Custom setting if you opt for the manual version. And yes, it still revs high and loves to be wrung out.
Traction control for the MT-07 for the first time
The climb past Honeymoon Point saw gravel strewn across a few tight bends, perfect to test the new traction control system. While it’s not lean-sensitive (no IMU), it’s a welcome addition for mid-corner confidence. At no point did the system intervene intrusively, but I appreciated its silent watch over the rear Dunlop when exiting dusty corners with liberal throttle. And the best part? You can switch it off completely if you’re in the mood to slide. I didn’t, because I enjoy my bones unbroken.
Cruise control only for the MT-07 with Y-AMT
Descending the mountain toward Abu Road, traffic thinned and the road opened up. That’s when I toggled cruise control, exclusive to the Y-AMT variant. From 3rd to 6th gear and between 40 to 180 km/h, it worked flawlessly. Set it, forget it, and focus on the views. It’s a small touch, but one that turns the MT-07 from a naked hooligan into a legit tourer. The Y-AMT even auto-selects first gear at stops and prevents rollbacks. For a city-dweller or hill rider, that’s one less thing to worry about.
Free navigation app from Garmin
I paired my phone via Yamaha’s MyRide app and launched Garmin StreetCross navigation on the 5-inch TFT. It’s full-color, snappy, and has four layout options. A long press on the home button switched it between instrument mode and full-map view, a lifesaver when navigating unfamiliar ghats. Calls, music, notifications, it all worked smoothly. Yamaha has truly caught up to the MT-09 in terms of tech, and it shows.
Fresh look to start
From the techy new joystick to the quirky toggle-style turn signals, everything feels more premium. Auto-canceling indicators (after 15 seconds and 150 meters) and emergency brake flashers are nice safety touches. The “Ice Storm” color on my unit, paired with blue alloy wheels, turned heads at every stop, modern, bold, and unmistakably Yamaha. Other colors? Icon Blue and Tech Black, both equally tempting.
Conclusion
The 2025 Yamaha MT-07 is no longer the charmingly raw middleweight it once was. It’s grown up, but without losing its soul. It’s still playful, nimble, and eager to attack corners like a caffeine-charged cat, but now it brings along tech-savvy features, optional automation, and real-world usability that rivals bikes twice its price.
From the switchbacks of Mount Abu to the wide open stretches past Nakki Lake, this bike proved itself, versatile, engaging, and refreshingly uncomplicated. The new chassis works beautifully, the Y-AMT opens doors to newer riders (and lazy veterans like me), and the added tech doesn’t complicate the experience, it enhances it.
At €8,524 for the manual and €9,024 for the Y-AMT, it’s hard not to recommend. Especially when it makes you feel like the mountain was made for it, and maybe, just maybe, for you too.
