Yamaha MT-07 Special Edition

The Yamaha MT-07 has always had a special place in my heart. I have owned three of them over the years, and each one reminded me why this bike has become a worldwide phenomenon. It strikes a perfect balance between accessibility and versatility. It is light enough for new riders to handle, yet engaging enough to keep experienced ones hooked. And let's not even get started on the wheelies.

Yamaha France is now offering local riders a special treat that the rest of us around the world cannot have: the new MT-07 Grand Prix de France 2025 edition. This bike pays tribute to Fabio Quartararo's YZR-M1 MotoGP machine at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans. The special MT-07 features the M1's tricolour race livery with red, white, and blue stripes across its bodywork.

In addition to the unique paint scheme, Yamaha includes a fly screen with a mounting kit, a tail tidy, and a full decal kit in the package. These extras add about 611 euros (approximately $650) in value. French riders can purchase the complete bike for 8,299 euros ($8,950) in manual form, or 8,799 euros ($9,500) with the Y-AMT semi-automatic gearbox.

One of the things I have always admired about the MT-07 is how well it can pull off different looks. It looks just as good with bold graphics as it does in a simple colorway. Not every motorcycle can achieve that, but the MT-07 does it effortlessly, as demonstrated by this Grand Prix edition.

This special edition MT-07 reflects Yamaha's racing story in many ways. While not the fastest or most high-tech naked bike, the MT-07 is beloved worldwide for delivering what riders truly want. Similarly, Yamaha's MotoGP program has faced challenges in recent seasons but continues to inspire loyalty among fans.

For those of us outside of France who cannot access this special edition MT-07, it serves as a reminder of the global motorcycle market and how manufacturers are catering to specific audiences. While we may not be able to get our hands on the French-only edition officially, it highlights the importance of the MT-07 in Yamaha's lineup. It may even inspire riders to add some race-inspired color to their own bikes, allowing them to feel like racers on their daily commutes.