Yamaha FZ-07: What Makes This A Unique Beginner Bike

Summary

• The Yamaha FZ-07 is a great beginner motorcycle due to its forgiving handling, friendly engine, and essential equipment.
• The FZ-07 has easy, approachable ergonomics and handling characteristics, making it easy to handle and maneuver.
• The Yamaha FZ-07 offers affordable pricing in the used market, with well-maintained examples available for around $6,000.

Sub-400cc motorcycles are the perfect beginner motorcycles, but they have their flaws, the largest of which is downright lack of power. They are fun for a while, but soon enough, you’re likely to outgrow and get bored with them. But that doesn’t mean you get yourself a Turbo Busa — anything over the middleweight segment should never be a beginner’s motorcycle. Those big bikes are an invitation to the ER for new riders — one whiskey throttle, and you’ll be testing your riding gear on the tarmac.

Remember, not all middleweight motorcycles are beginner-friendly, either. Only a few middleweight motorcycles exist that can be perfect first bikes, like the Suzuki SV 650. But it’s time to put the good ol’ SV 650 to rest because the used market is flooded with well-maintained examples of the Yamaha FZ-07, the predecessor to the MT-07.

So, why is the Yamaha FZ-07 a good beginner motorcycle? For many reasons. The FZ-07 is an excellent motorcycle with forgiving handling characteristics, a peppy yet friendly engine, and essential equipment that gets the job done. If you are a beginner motorcyclist who doesn’t want to start on a small bike, the FZ-07 is what you should be looking at.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Yamaha, and other authoritative sources, including Motorcycle News and Motorcycle Specs. The used market prices were sourced from JD Power and Cycle Trader.

The article is designed to highlight the essentials that beginner motorcycles look for, including easy handling, engine characteristics, price, and value the bike offers.

Easy, Approachable Ergonomics And Handling Characteristics

Yamaha FZ-07 Curb Weight: 395 pounds

The Yamaha FZ-07 is a light motorcycle, even in its current MT-07 avatar. In fact, looking at the curb weight and the way this motorcycle handles would have you believe that it’s built up on an aluminum frame and swingarm but that’s not the case; the bike uses a low-cost steel frame and swingarm. And this frame is paired with non-adjustable telescopic forks at the front and a preload-adjustable monoshock with a progressive link at the tear. And the entire platform is fairly compact and narrow.

The smaller dimensions of the motorcycle make it easy for you to get on it, hold it upright even on unsure ground, and push it around in the parking lot. When you get going, the light frame comes into its own, giving this motorcycle a very approachable and agile handling characteristic that won’t feel too twitchy or slow. It’s got neutral handling characteristics, made better with a natural riding position, which allows you to not only get some practice sessions in the parking lot but, once you are ready, tackle the twisties with ease.

Dimensions And Chassis Specifications

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

Friendly Performance With A Big Bike Feel

Yamaha FZ-07 Horsepower: 74.8 HP @ 9,000 RPM

The Yamaha FZ-07 proves you don’t need a small bike to learn on and a liter bike to have fun on. The CP2 parallel twin engine in the bike is incredibly versatile — there’s a reason this engine is found in the YZF-R7 supertwin and the Tenere 700 ADV, too! This crossplane engine is light and compact, allowing the frame to be narrower, and the 270-degree firing order gives it a very V-twin feel and exhaust note.

In the FZ-07, the engine is docile and friendly, and even though it has the power to keep up with middleweights, it won’t scare you even if you are a novice biker. This is not a motorcycle that will test your grip strength or make you sweat at the higher revs, and that’s a good thing. The power delivery is predictable and smooth, and even at 5,000 RPM, the engine purrs along at 70 MPH. Although, don’t expect a searing top end — it runs out of breath at the higher RPMs. Still, the FZ-07’s top speed is nothing to scoff at; it can still get you in trouble.

The engine is paired with longer gearing, so you can putter around in the streets without constantly shifting through the gears. While cornering, the engine feels more than capable of allowing for exciting corner exits. Depending on your weight, it can still pull some power wheelies in the second gear! Imagine a beginner-level sub-400cc motorcycle on steroids, and that is what the Yamaha FZ-07 feels like.

Engine And Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

Affordable Pricing In The Used Market

Used Price: $4,500 To $7,000

The Yamaha FZ-07 is a terrific motorcycle with a brilliant engine, an easy-going yet capable chassis, and basic components. A well-maintained FZ-07 can run for years to come with minimal maintenance. The engine is nearly bulletproof and maintenance is relatively cheap. Whether you plan to use it for city duties, tackle canyon roads, or haul a saddlebag to another side of the country, the FZ-07 is the perfect bike for you.

Yes, the Yamaha FZ-07 misses out on bells and whistles; this one does not have traction control, ride-by-wire, or power maps, but it’s all the better for it. It’s got enough braking performance and ABS (post-2017 models) to help you learn the ropes and drop the anchor in sweaty situations, and the lack of bells and whistles allows you to focus on learning the basics of the motorcycle much better.

Because of the number of used examples of the Yamaha FZ-07 you can find on classifieds, you will never run out of options. So, how much is the Yamaha FZ-07? Expect to pay around $6,000 for a well-maintained example, and if you are lucky, you can even find a relatively well-maintained example for $4,500!

Model Highlights

• The motorcycle feels really light on its feet without being too finicky or twitchy in terms of its handling
• The CP2 crossplane parallel-twin engine is a beauty — it’s friendly, torquey in the mid-range, and incredibly reliable
• Despite having a small 3.69-gallon fuel tank, it can squeeze out 207 miles between refills
• The riding position is neutral and pretty comfortable

Yamaha FZ-07 Against The MT-07 And Other Competitors

Production Years: 2015 To 2018, Replaced By The MT-07

The Yamaha FZ-07 is not the latest and greatest; it has gone through several updates over the years and transformed into the MT-07, but you won’t be missing out on much except a fresh style, a TFT dash, an optional quickshifter, and slightly bigger brakes. Everything else remains relatively the same; even the power increase is not noticeable in the real world.

Yamaha FZ-07 Rivals

• Honda CB500F
• Kawasaki ER-6N and Z 650
• Ducati Monster 969
• Triumph Trident 660

The Yamaha FZ-07 has some other rivals, too, such as the Honda CB500F, Kawasaki ER-6N, and the Ducati Monster 696. Here, the CB500 is a perfect alternative, but it is somewhat sedate; ride the bike for a few months, and it’s easy to get bored with it. On the other hand, the ER-6N is an accomplished motorcycle but has its own flaws — it feels washy at high speed, it’s not as exciting to ride, and lacks basic features like ABS. Don’t even get us started on the ER-6N’s design! And avoid the Ducati 696 unless you want to spend superbike money on a middleweight naked.

The FZ-07 has many competitors in the current market, too, such as the Kawasaki Z 650, Honda CB650R, Suzuki GSX-8S, and Triumph Trident 660. The Aprilia Tuono 660 is the best of the lot, offering features that you’re unlikely to find in this segment, but it’s substantially more expensive than the rest. But against these competitors, the FZ-07 still wins the cake for being much cheaper — sometimes, half the price of a brand-new middleweight naked — and being the friendlier and more exciting of the lot.

Pros

• The used market is flooded with used Yamaha FZ-07s for excellent prices
• It’s one of the friendliest middleweight nakeds that are not boring to ride — even experienced riders can enjoy this bike
• It’s a versatile motorcycle that can handle all kinds of duties, including parking lot practice, commuting, canyon carving, and touring
• It gets the basics right; the brakes are good, the suspension is supple, and some post-2017 models get ABS — it’s an analog motorcycle
• The exhaust note is addictive

Cons

• Pre-2017 models lack ABS, which is a must for beginners, and it is devoid of any other electronic rider aids, including traction control and rider modes
• You still need to respect your FZ-07 first bike; it’s still a middleweight naked
• It feels stretched in the higher rev range and does not like being near the redline
• The design may not be everyone’s cup of tea

This is a rare breed of motorcycle that you won’t get tired of easily. There are many middleweights, but what makes the FZ-07 the perfect beginner bike is that it doesn’t demand anything from you; it offers a helping hand and says, “Come, I’ll help you become a better biker.” It’s the perfect spiritual successor to the Suzuki SV650, which is now aging in the used market. Get the FZ-07, your first bike that will entertain you but won’t scare you.

FAQ

Q: How much is the Yamaha FZ-07 in the used market?

According to JD Power, the 2015 Yamaha FZ-07 used price is around $4,800 and the 2017 FZ-07 used price is 5,500, on average. We even found a few examples that cost as high as $8,000. The price is spread across a spectrum, with low mileage examples being on the expensive side, but you can get a cheaper one, too. The motorcycle is reliable and will only require minimal maintenance, even if it is a high-mileage example.

Q: Is the Yamaha FZ-07 a good first bike?

Yes, a used Yamaha FZ-07 first bike is brilliant for beginner motorcyclists. The bike is peppy, friendly, and forgiving, and it can help you not only learn the ropes but also upgrade your skills until you become an intermediate rider. The motorcycle is no doubt capable, but it is versatile, too.

Q: What CC is the Yamaha FZ-07?

The Yamaha FZ-07 features a 689cc CP2 parallel-twin with crossplane configuration, 270-degree firing order, and dual overhead camshafts. It’s the same CP2 engine that’s still used in Yamaha’s middleweights, including the YZF-R7, Tenere 700, and XSR700.

Q: When did the FZ-07 come out?

The FZ-07 was unveiled in 2014 and hit American streets back in 2015, and it continued being the FZ-07 until 2018. After that, it was replaced by the MT-07, which is basically the same motorcycle but with a more radical styling approach and some more features.

Q: What is the FZ-07 Horsepower?

The Yamaha FZ-07 HP is rated at 74.8 HP @ 9,000 RPM, and it produces 50 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM. It is more than enough for beginner riders, almost on the edge of being too much, but if you respect the throttle and know your limits, the bike won’t throw you off. Although, it wouldn’t mind popping power wheelies in the second gear.

Q: How fast does the Yamaha FZ-07 go?

According to Motorcycle News Magazine, a 2015 Yamaha FZ-07 top speed is 130 MPH. Remember, the number varies depending on various factors, including your throttle control, clutch release, tire condition, engine condition, rider weight, and wind conditions. But 130 MPH is good enough for most riders, anyway.

Q: Do all FZ-07 have ABS?

No, ABS is not present on all Yamaha FZ-07 models. From 2015 to 2016, ABS was not even available as an option, but post-2017 FZ-07 models came with an optional ABS. We believe ABS is a necessity, especially for new riders, so lean toward choosing a post-2017 FZ-07.