In the mid-2010s, Yamaha did something radical: they made motorcycling affordable, accessible, and, most importantly, fun again. The catalyst was the MT-07 (known as the FZ-07 in North America). While the spec sheet described a modest 689 cc parallel twin, the reality was a masterpiece of torque and character that punched well above its weight class.
The MT-07’s success is reflected in the numbers: since its debut, it has consistently been one of Yamaha’s top-selling models, with over 160,000 units sold in Europe alone by 2023. Its lightweight chassis and 'peach' of an engine have made it a favorite of the custom scene, proving that you don’t need a vintage donor to build a soul-stirring machine.
From aggressive streetfighters to authentic flat trackers, the MT-07 is the ultimate modern canvas. Here are five of our favorite Yamaha MT-07 customs ever featured on Bike EXIF.
‘Faster Son’ by Shinya Kimura
When Yamaha Europe wanted to bridge the gap between their modern technology and vintage heritage, they called the legendary Shinya Kimura. The result was ‘Faster Son,’ the bike that sparked Yamaha's entire "Faster Sons" design philosophy and the subsequent XSR700 production model. Shinya’s approach was to "assimilate" old design into something new rather than just replicating the past.
The metalwork on 'Faster Son' is extraordinary, featuring hand-hammered aluminum fairings that flow into a nostalgic green tank, a nod to the classic Yamaha XS1. Despite the vintage aesthetic, Shinya was careful not to spoil the MT-07's functionality. The bike remains a fully usable machine with fenders, mirrors, and the original liquid-cooled engine sitting comfortably within the bespoke metalwork.
Riding on Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tires, the bike stands as a harmony of eras. It isn't a trend-following cafe racer; it is a timeless piece of functional art that proves modern liquid-cooled engines can still have a place in the world of traditional craftsmanship. [MORE]
‘Onyx Blade’ by Rough Crafts
Winston Yeh of Rough Crafts' Onyx Blade' is a reimagining of the MT-07. Commissioned by a rider in Taipei who needed an agile weapon for the city's notorious traffic, the build highlights the MT-07’s triangular frame, a feature Winston felt was overlooked in the stock bike. The sharp, creased aluminum bodywork was hand-fabricated by OneHandMade and finished in a signature matte Lamborghini grey by Air Runner Custom Paint.
To address the MT-07’s soft factory suspension, Winston brought in Gears Racing to shorten and firm up the front end. The bike rolls on custom 17-inch wheels from Wukawa Industry, wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rain tires, a practical choice for Taipei’s 165 rainy days per year. The engine remains largely stock, save for an Akrapovič exhaust and K&N filters.
The detailing is typical Rough Crafts: finned risers, a headlight grille, and a relocation of the stock instrument cluster to the tank. It’s a stealth build that manages to be both more aggressive and more refined than the original, turning a budget-friendly roadster into a high-end urban brawler. [MORE]
The MT-07 Supermoto by Andrew Stagg
Not all world-class customs come from multi-man shops. Andrew Stagg, a metal fabricator from Queensland, Australia, built this striking MT-07 in a corner of a friend’s workshop using little more than a welder, a bandsaw, and C-clamps. His goal was to fix the MT-07’s 'humped' tank silhouette, which he achieved by fabricating a new aluminum subframe and a 9-liter fuel cell that creates a razor-straight top line.
The bodywork is a geometric supermoto fantasy, with hand-formed aluminum side panels, a fake tank, and radiator shrouds. Andrew even moved the ABS pump and built an aluminum battery box to keep the lines clean. To tighten up the handling, he installed a custom Gazi Suspension rear shock that is 20mm longer than the stock unit, giving the bike a more aggressive, nose-down stance.
Finished in Yamaha’s iconic ‘speed block’ racing livery, the bike looks like a factory prototype. The fact that it was built by a one-man band on a budget makes the result even more impressive. It’s an example of how to leverage the MT-07’s "good bones" without needing a Ferrari-sized budget. [MORE]
The MT07-DT ‘Personal’ by Palhegyi Design
Jeff Palhegyi is the man responsible for the chassis that has dominated American Flat Track TT racing. While his shop, Palhegyi Design, has built 17 frames for professional teams, number 18 was built for Jeff’s personal collection using a "smorgasbord" of leftover prototype parts. At its core is a chromoly trellis frame that weighs a featherlight 15 lbs, the lightest Jeff has ever produced.
The 2021 MT-07 engine is suspended as a stressed member, featuring a Yamaha Racing oil pan machined from an 18 lb billet for extra cornering clearance. The spec sheet is pure race-spec: Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and Roland Sands Design 19-inch flat track wheels. The carbon fiber bodywork from Estenson Racing brings the total weight of the body assembly to under 6 lbs.
This isn't just a show bike; it’s a championship-winning platform refined for personal use. Jeff has noted that it is only a few lights away from being a street tracker, which would make it perhaps the most potent and lightweight MT-07 to ever wear a license plate. [MORE]
The Framer’ by Deus Ex Machina
Michael 'Woolie' Woolaway of Deus Ex Machina doesn't do things by halves. 'The Framer' is his idea of a street tracker: a legitimate AMA flat track mile racer that just happens to have lights. The frame and swingarm are chromoly, designed with the help of legendary chassis designer Jeff Cole. In fact, this was the last frame Cole designed before his retirement.
The engine is a 2017 MT-07 parallel twin, but it has been bored and Nikasil-plated to 750 cc. Woolie added a factory Yamaha racing kit, including oversized pistons, ported heads, and upgraded cams. To ensure the bike could survive the street, he hand-fabricated a larger aluminum fuel tank and added a small spotlight tucked into a custom nacelle.
The bike sits on 19-inch Roland Sands Traction wheels and Öhlins forks. Finished in black Candy paint, it has a purpose-built, menacing vibe. Woolie describes it as the big brother to his famous Honda CR500 tracker, a proper mile bike that can pull "third gear wheelies all day." [MORE]
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