Yamaha R7: The new mid-range supersportscar

 

 

The new R7 pays tribute with its name to the original, limited edition Superbike YZF-R7. The 2021 R7 bears its name with pride. It is a supersport machine of a different kind. At the heart of the R7 is the popular and absolutely reliable CP2 engine, which is famous for its powerful and linear torque delivery. Yamaha's new super sports car is ready to bring a breath of fresh air to the middleweight market. In addition to the premium fairing, the R7 comes with other high-quality specifications such as the radially mounted front brakes, the upside-down fork and an anti-hopping clutch. It combines thrilling supersport performance with outstanding handling and the uncompromising style of the R-Series. All this at a highly competitive price.

The R7 is not only lightweight, compact and agile, but has made it its mission to offer the driver the greatest fun factor in the class. The same applies to driving on the race track or in road traffic. This supersport motorcycle offers an affordable start into R/World.

With a clear focus on pure driving pleasure, accessibility and affordability, the R7 opens up an exciting new dimension to the R Series. The successful Yamaha CP2 engine with 689 cc displacement is considered one of the most characterful and reliable in its class and is the perfect drive for this new model with its direct power delivery.

Thanks to the crankshaft with 270-degree pin offset, which ensures an uneven ignition sequence, the liquid-cooled two-cylinder CP2 in-line engine with two overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder offers high torque with a linear course over a wide speed range. So it responds vividly in all gears and at every engine speed. It delivers the maximum output of 73.4 hp (54 kW) at 8,750 rpm and, more importantly, the maximum torque of 67 Nm at 6,500 rpm. Thus, the R7 offers an extremely strong start from a standstill as well as breathtaking acceleration.

The special revisions include new ECU tuning, optimized air intake ducts, improved exhaust design and optimized fuel injection. These changes improve controllability and ensure smooth and direct gas acceptance. Of course, this also makes the model fully EU5 compliant. For an even sportier character with greater acceleration, the gear ratio is slightly reduced.

One of the most important features of the R7 is the anti-hopping clutch. It ensures smoother gear changes and prevents the engine from overturning and the rear wheel from jumping during heavy braking. This makes handling more predictable and easier to control when cornering. Another advantage of the R7's anti-hopping clutch is that it requires less power at the clutch lever, around 33% less than standard clutches.

Riders can optionally have a Quick Shift System (QSS) installed in their new R7 through their Yamaha partner. This simple but effective QSS detects the upshift by means of a switch, after which the ECU interrupts the power transmission for a few milliseconds. This enables faster and smoother upshifting and thus even better acceleration.

The design of the R7 is particularly slim and compact. Its frame allows for responsive and agile handling and is designed for quick changes of direction. A fixed aluminium centre strut contributes to the manoeuvrable handling of the machine on the race track and on the road. The frame also uses tubes with different stiffness to ensure the ideal balance.

The new chassis played an important role in the development of the R7. The R7 should guarantee a direct feel for the front wheel when braking and in curves. The new 41 mm KYB fork offers a high degree of stability as well as optimal road holding - on racetracks and winding country roads alike. The fork is fully adjustable in preload as well as in compression and rebound damping. With the compression stage in the left spar and the rebound stage in the right spar, adjustments can be made quickly and easily.
 
For precise handling with clean feedback, the R7's advanced upside-down fork offers a steep steering head angle of 23.7 degrees with 90 mm trailing. The wheelbase is a compact 1395 mm. With the weight distribution between the front and rear wheels in a ratio of 51/49, this new Supersport machine was built for sharp and fast cornering.

The R7 has a newly developed articulated monocross strut whose damping characteristics and spring rate are matched to the sporty character of the machine. Due to the horizontal mounting, the shock absorber contributes to mass centralization, which benefits handling agility. Spring preload and rebound damping are adjustable.

The sporty seating position of the R7 is the result of many hours spent by Yamaha factory riders on test drives. The Stummellenker underlines the supersport DNA of the motorcycle. After much experimentation with various handlebar, seat and footrest configurations, the machine ultimately offers a sporty, adaptable driving position that offers plenty of freedom of movement for different driving situations – especially on race tracks and winding roads.

The seat allows maximum freedom of movement thanks to its shape, which is narrower on the inside of the driver's thighs and wider at the rear. The angle of the stumps and the positioning of the footrest system have been carefully selected to allow for a crouched driving position that gives the driver the best possible control as well as the greatest possible aerodynamic efficiency. The deep tank fairing further contributes to the tight seating position. The knee recesses offer the driver additional support when braking and in an inclined position.

The R7 has a separate pillion seat. Riders who drive exclusively alone can optionally attach a pillion seat cover from yamaha's original accessory range to their R7.

The R7's affiliation with the R Series is reflected in the advanced front brake with radial 4-piston calipers that ensure precise and uniform braking performance. This advanced front brake system also includes a radial Brembo master cylinder that provides linear braking power and thus improved control.

What makes the R7 so attractive is the fact that it offers its drivers a high degree of control in a wide variety of situations. Due to its compact and athletic profile, the rider has control over the machine – not the other way around.

With a wet weight of only 188 kg and compact dimensions, the machine is extremely accessible, so that the driver can truly become one with this super sports car of the new generation. Combined with the mass-centralized design, small frontal area and low moment of inertia, the compactness of the R7 provides the driver with a sense of complete control. It gives the driver equal pleasure during track days, weekend trips or daily commutes.

The key to making a Supersport machine as aerodynamically efficient as possible is to have the front as small as possible. It is precisely in this area that the R7 has a strong advantage. The compact CP2 engine is one of the narrowest in the 700 cc class. Due to the minimalist tubular frame, the overall dimensions are kept to a minimum. These factors have allowed Yamaha to build the slimmest member of the entire R-Series – even narrower than the R3 and R125. The R7 is one of the most aerodynamically efficient bikes ever. The narrow front end not only makes the R7 an absolute eye-catcher, but also pays off in terms of performance. The new R7 can compete with any other Yamaha model with a CP2 engine in terms of maximum performance and achieve a significantly higher top speed.

With the aggressive glow in the eye-like twin headlights and the M-shaped air intake system in the style of a YZR-M1 MotoGP™ machine, there is no doubt that the R7 is a full-fledged member of the R Series. While the symmetrical twin headlights serve as position lights, the actual headlight is hidden in the opening of the air intake system.

The compact Supersport cockpit includes newly developed, lightweight LCD instruments with high-contrast negative mode display that provides clear and easy-to-read information, allowing the R7 rider to focus on the road in front of him. The display includes a gear and shift indicator and a QSS display when using this optional system.

To ensure effortless manoeuvring, agile handling and a fine response of the chassis, the R7 is equipped with lightweight 10-spoke alloy wheels. A 120/70ZR17 front tyre and a wider 180/55ZR17 rear tyre offer plenty of grip for stable and safe road holding when cornering, accelerating and braking.

The dynamic new R7 is available in two color options and has been selected to introduce the next generation of colors and graphics for the R Series for the first time. The first color option is Icon Blue; in this color, the upper and lower trim surfaces and wheels are painted in familiar blue, while the sides of the trim are painted in contrasting, darker matte blue. The engine, frame trim and swingarm have a Crystal Graphite finish that highlights the performance and dynamics of the R7.

The R7 will also be available in the Yamaha Black color option with minimal graphics and accents. The glossy black finish gives the machine a targeted look, which is rounded off by the Crystal Graphite engine and frame.

Delivery to European Yamaha partners will begin in October 2021. The recommended retail price will be announced shortly.

Yamaha's comprehensive range of original accessories includes an ever-evolving range of performance, protection and visuals products designed for both track riders and road users.

The special race track parts are aimed at drivers who are looking for maximum performance. The selection includes an Akrapović titanium exhaust system, a Quick Shift system, engine protection cover and a radiator protection. For the road rider, Yamaha's range offers a shorter license plate holder, LED turn signals, a tank pad, engine protection cover and much more.

The Paddock Blue apparel range offers a solid selection of casual wear as well as a comprehensive range of CE-approved motorcycle apparel.

With Yamaha's MyGarage app, motorcycles can be configured from the comfort of your home via smartphone or laptop. So you can put together a virtual R7 with a wide selection of accessories. With this free app, users can add and remove accessories to put together the perfect R7 configuration. The finished result can be viewed in 3D from all angles.

With MyGarage, speculation in the selection of accessories to be attached has an end. Once the configuration is complete, the customer can send the result directly to the Yamaha partner of their choice to mount the selected original accessories on the new R7.
All information about original Yamaha accessories, GYTR performance parts, Paddock Blue apparel or the MyGarage app can be found at www.yamaha-motor.de.

Yamaha's free MyRide app gives R7 riders the chance to get the most out of every ride. It is available for iOS and Android devices. With the app, driven routes can be recorded and saved. The user can create their own story and add images to the ride to share via social media. The MyRide app also offers users the ability to view driving statistics such as distance, altitude, top speed, average speed, acceleration and lean angle and compare them with other riders.