Yamaha MT-07 Problems: 3 Known Issues (Explained)

The MT-07 is a middleweight bike produced by Yamaha as part of its Masters of Torque (MT) series.

Formerly the ‘FZ-07’, the model underwent a major redesign in 2018.

The Yamaha MT-07 has thrilled both critics and riders alike with its smooth engine performance and agile handling.

It is a versatile motorcycle and can serve as a daily rider, track racer, or beginner bike.

However, like every motorcycle, the Yamaha MT-07 has a few flaws of its own.

In this article, we will outline the most common problems on this motorcycle and, where possible, offer possible fixes.

Let’s go!

1. Clutch Discs May Shatter

According to some MT-07 owners, the inner clutch plates may break and lead to a pronounced rattling noise.

Other problems that could surface if the clutch plates are damaged include:

– Difficulty in Shifting Gears:

A sure sign your clutch discs may be damaged is hard gearshifts.

Broken clutch discs will cause the clutch not to engage properly.

If this happens, the bike won’t shift properly, and you’ll find it hard to accelerate or decelerate.

– Slipping:

If your clutch discs are shattered, they won’t be able to effectively connect the pressure plate and flywheel.

This will inevitably lead to the clutch slipping on rides.

As a result, the engine won’t transfer power effectively to the transmission and, by extension, the wheels.

You then get in a situation where the engine’s speed (RPM) increases, but the bike’s speed doesn’t.

– Dragging/Sticking Clutch:

If you detect your clutch is dragging or sticking, chances are you have damaged clutch discs.

– Weird Noises When Using the Clutch:

If a squealing or chirping noise is audible when you apply the clutch, the clutch discs may be broken.

A likely cause of this problem is the practice of slipping the clutch. Slipping the clutch or riding the clutch refers to a situation where the rider partially engages the motorcycle clutch.

Particularly, the act causes excessive wear on the clutch plates. In worse cases, the clutch discs may shatter, as evidenced in some MT-07 owners’ cases.

A faulty clutch basket can also cause the clutch discs to break.

The clutch basket houses the entire clutch and, if worn/damaged, can ruin other clutch components such as the discs.

Possible Solutions:

Should signs point to broken clutch discs on your bike, the first thing you should do is inspect the clutch basket.

If the clutch basket is damaged and you replace the clutch discs, they will break again. If the clutch basket is bad, replace it and the clutch discs as well.

Unfortunately, the only solution to broken clutch discs is to get a replacement.

In particular, if your bike is a high-mileage model, we’d advise you to buy the entire clutch kit with springs and plates.

 2. Multiple-Engine Problems

The following engine problems have been reported to plague the Yamaha MT-07:

– Engine Stalls/Cuts Out

According to some users, the engine on the Yamaha MT-07 often cuts out intermittently during rides.

This problem often pops up randomly, although riders say it mostly happens when the bike is idling, say, at a red light.

Most of the owners traced the problem to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). The ECU controls many aspects of the engine’s operation. It also communicates with the fuel system to decide how much fuel the engine gets. 

Apparently, the ECU on the affected bikes was reducing fuel supply to the engine at idle. This led to the engine being fuel-starved.

In such situations, the engine doesn’t get the fuel it needs to run and inevitably cuts out.

Since this is a fueling problem, the fix is to program the ECU to increase fuel supply at idle.  This will ensure the engine gets enough gasoline and doesn’t cut out.

Please don’t increase the fueling significantly, as it may cause problems for your bike.

In fact, we advise that you take your bike to your local Yamaha certified dealership for proper diagnosis and potential new mapping.

– Loss of Power & Surging

This is another series of common engine problems on the Yamaha MT-07.

Per complaints from riders, the engine “surges” during operation. Surging refers to a situation where the engine’s RPM goes up and down with no rider input.

Users also complained that the engine on the MT-07 model loses power and stalls mid-transit. The stalling problem often occurs when the bike’s engine is warm/hot.

The surging problem pops up at different times. It could occur while the bike is idling or during a ride.

An interesting fact about the two problems is they mostly occurred when ambient temperatures were high. That is, they occurred in hot-weather conditions, e.g., summer.

Both problems can make for incredibly uncomfortable rides.

They can even put you in danger, especially if your bike stalls in a bad spot.

Also read our article on 6 Most Common Problems With Yamaha XSR 700 & 900

Possible Causes:

1. The bike is leaking coolant:
   • An engine contains many moving parts that are constantly generating friction (and heat).
   • If the heat increases to dangerous levels (overheating), the engine’s performance will suffer. Coolant helps reduce the temperature in the engine.
   • When the bike leaks coolant, engine temperatures will rise, which will lead to erratic engine performance.
   • Loss of power (stalling) and surging are symptoms of poor engine performance.
2. Inadequate engine oil:
   • We mentioned earlier that your engine has many moving parts creating friction and heat.
   • Engine oil lubricates these components and reduces friction (and heat).
   • If engine oil levels are low, friction will increase, and overall engine temperatures.
   • If this happens, the engine will run poorly and may stall or surge during rides.
3. Faulty engine fan:
   • On liquid-cooled bikes like the Yamaha MT-07, an engine fan helps cool the engine.
   • If the engine fan is faulty, it may severely affect the engine performance.
4. Out-of-sync throttle bodies:
   • If the throttle bodies are out of sync, poor engine performance becomes inevitable.
   • The engine will run rough, accompanied by surging and total loss of power.
5. Engine running lean:
   • If the engine is running lean, it means it’s getting too much air (at the expense of fuel).
   • This often leads to a variety of engine running problems, some of which include stalling and surging.
   • A clogged fuel filter, bad fuel pump, or air leak can cause the engine to run lean.

Possible Solutions:

1. Check coolant and engine oil: Inspect fluid levels and ensure you have the right amounts in your engine. Also, check if the fluids haven’t worn out already. If they have, replace them immediately.
2. Inspect your bike’s cooling system: Conduct a visual check of your bike’s cooling system, including the engine fan and other components. Replace anything that needs replacing.
3. Check throttle bodies: Ask your mechanic to run a check on the bike’s throttle bodies to see if they are in sync. If they are out of sync, ensure the mechanic does the syncing for you.
4. Lean engine: If you think a lean air-fuel mixture is responsible for the engine problem, check for the following components:
   • Blocked Fuel filters
   • Cracked Intake manifolds
   • Leaking Vacuum lines
   • Bad Fuel pump

3. Bike Battery Issues

Battery problems are quite common on many bikes, not just Yamahas.

Still, it helps to know the battery issues you may encounter on the MT-07 model. Per reports, the battery on the MT-07s often loses power.

This leads to the bike dying during trips. In fact, an owner said his bike ran well at startup, only for it to die after 17 miles of riding.

The battery ensures the motorcycle runs well, and problems with it can easily affect a bike’s performance.

The owners of the affected bikes traced the battery issues to the following:

I. “Parasitic Drain”:

Typically, electrical components draw power from the battery when the bike is in operation.

However, some components continue to draw power even when the bike is not in use.

This is described as a “parasitic drain.”

The parasitic drain will explain why the bike battery suddenly dies after a few miles. Simply put, the battery had lost all the power it got when you charged it.

Add-on components such as anti-theft alarms, GPS, auxiliary lights, etc., can cause a drain.

II. Inadequate Use:

Even with nothing drawing power, batteries often lose power when they sit unused.

The self-discharging process hurts battery life in the long run.

For example, if the battery sits with low voltage for long, sulfate will form on the battery plates, preventing them from being charged fully.

This will eventually lead to the battery dying after a brief period of use.

III. Bad Battery:

Like other components, batteries, too, wear out.

A bad battery may fail to charge, drain abnormally, etc.

Any of these issues can lead to battery-influenced issues on the bike.

General Pros and Cons of the Yamaha MT-07

Here are some high points and drawbacks of the Yamaha MT-07:

Pros of Yamaha MT-07

The following are positives of the MT-07:

The Yamaha MT-07 is one of the bestselling naked bikes for many reasons. It features a reliable, liquid-cooled 689cc engine designed to produce gobs of low-range/mid-range torque.

Besides, its sturdy, lightweight frame makes handling easy.

The MT-07 models also come standard with ABS, which provides excellent stopping power in hard braking situations and slick roads.

Cons of the Yamaha MT-07

Here are some of the MT-07’s shortcomings:

1. Clutch discs may shatter.
2. Bike battery issues
3. Multiple engine problems

What Do the Reviews Say?

“The MT-07 is a motorcycle that offers big-time fun, affordability, and riding enjoyment. This versatile naked roadster offers deep engine torque from its 689 cc parallel-twin and a comfortable upright riding position combined with a lightweight, easy-to-handle sport chassis.”

What Is the Resale Value On the Yamaha MT-07?

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ⓘ  The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.