Yamaha updates some of its middleweight motorcycles

At the recent EICMA show, Yamaha unveiled its new XSR700 Legacy model, a scrambler powered by its torquey 689cc crossplane cranked parallel twin. There was also a revamped Niken GT and mildly enhanced MT-07.

The Euro5-compliant engine of the XSR Legacy sits in a lightweight slim tubular backbone frame. It is a traditional scrambler with handlebars typical of the style and chunky footpegs. A round LED head and taillight are the usual XSR fare, while tyres are dual purpose Pirelli MT 60 RS. There are also new colours and graphics.

The MT-07 is mildly updated after a significant refresh last year. Its fuel delivery system is said to be more refined to match a new exhaust system, and there are new valve seats. 

The handlebars are marginally wider and taller for a more upright and relaxed riding position. Lighting is fully LED, and there’s a new instrument display. Graphics are also updated.

The new five-inch TFT screen features a choice of Street or Touring displays. The former is a more modern layout with a bargraph tachometer at the top and digital speedo and gear selection readouts. Meantime, the Touring theme has a traditional circular analogue-style tachometer on the right and digital speedometer on the left. 

Riders can download a Y-Connect app to integrate their smartphone to the TFT, allowing for more flexability regarding incoming calls, texts and emails. Expect music playback control as well.

The MT-07 comes prewired from the factory for a quickshifter, permitting clutchless upshifts only. So installing the quickshifter is essentially a plug-and-play operation.

The liquid-cooled 689cc CP2 parallel twin engine and naked styling are unchanged. Peak torque of 67Nm arrives at 6500 rpm while peak power is said to be 54kW.

Finally, the Niken GT undergoes a host of updates for 2023, the most significant being it now gets a capacity increase of five per cent from 847 to 890cc, while crank webs are eight per cent heavier, the aims of these changes to produce more controllable power delivery and increased low down rideability.

The new engine is also inclined five degrees further forward. There’s a new crankcase and radiator too. 

The engine features ride by wire control with Sport, Street and Rain modes, while a ‘start assist’ system helps prevent stalling when moving away from a standstill. 

Other updates include a proper seven-inch TFT screen with smartphone connectivity, a bidirectional quickshifter, updated TC, a more comfortable seat, a stiffer frame, and updated rear suspension. 

At this point, it is not yet clear whether Niken GT will be making it onto the Yamaha Motor NZ line-up but there’s a high chance it may not.