Here Are the First Leaked Photos of the Yamaha YZF-R7

We know that Yamaha is readying a full-fairing version of the MT-07 street bike. We know that Yamaha is going to call this parellel-twin powered motorcycle the YZF-R7. And, we know that the Yamaha YZF-R7 is going to debut very soon.

Today, we get our first look at the 2021 Yamaha YZF-R7, ahead of its official debut. The two photos might not spill the full monty about this machine, but they do provide some key insights into this new track wannabe.

We first spotted the photo leak on Dutch website Nieuwsmotor.nl, though the photos are circulating widely on the internet now, and appear to come from a leak on the Yamaha North America website.

Right away, we can see that Yamaha has upgraded the front end of the YZF-R7 to have upside down forks, which is a welcomed sight from the budget suspension found on the MT-07.

How adjustable the suspension is on the Yamaha YZF-R7 remains to be seen, but this is a good start in terms of chassis dynamics.

We can also see that Yamaha has beefed up the frame on the YZF-R7, where it mounts to the rear of the engine and swingarm, the frame is more filled in and appears larger.

The forward part of the frame does not appear to be a twin-spar aluminum design, however, as we can see the same forward engine mount used on the MT-07 on the leaked photo above of the R7. Interestingly, the swingarm appears to be unchanged.

The styling is as you would expect – derived from the now defunct R6, which itself was a lift from the current generation R1. That should sit well with the sport biking masses, as the R1/R6 has proven to be pleasing and sporty.

The center-mounted headlight in the front fairing opening (which we assume is a faux air-intake for the twin-cylinder engine) might be a less appreciated design element, but Yamaha has kept the side marker lights.

The brakes and wheels seem to come straight from the MT-07, as does the exhaust.

What will be interesting to see is whether Yamaha has updated the YZF-R7 with any electronic packages, to keep the bike competitive with offerings like the Aprilia RS 660, or if the Japanese brand is content on being on the budget side of the middleweight-twin equation.

Yamaha is teasing now a release date of May 18th for the YZF-R7, but there is a good chance we’ll know more about the bike before then. Stay tuned.