2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Review | MC Commute

Yamaha grows its superport lineup with the introduction of its 2022 YZF-R7 ($8,999). This twin-cylinder sportbike gets the Tuning Fork brand’s YZF-R7 moniker— last used on a limited-edition 750cc superbike offered for the 1999 model year. Although the name invokes a competition meaning, today’s R7 is an everyday person’s street bike in the vein of vehicles like Aprilia’s RS 660 and Kawasaki’s Ninja 650 ABS. -- Throw a leg over the R7 and it feels nice and slim. The reach to the clip-on style handlebar (below the top clamp) isn’t much of a stretch and it’s a fairly easy motorcycle to get comfortable on for a six-foot tall rider. The saddle is thicker than an R6 or R1M which will likely afford greater comfort on the road. Although the R7 only weighs five pounds less than the retired four-cylinder R6, due to its parallel-twin engine configuration, it feels lighter and more maneuverable with wheels in motion. Folks seeking an easy handling sportbike will appreciate the R7. Suspension-wise the R7 offers adequate pitch and damping control even at an elevated track pace on Bridgestone’s grippy Battlax RS-11 competition tires. Battlax S22 street rubber is OE fitment. The suspenders also include spring preload and damping adjustment. Still its components don’t offer anywhere near the same level of precise feel and road holding as an R6 or an R1. However, considering its lower speeds, we can certainly live with this setup. As usual, we are big fans of the CP2-generation...