MILAN SHOW: Yamaha T7 concept is world's maddest MT-07

If this doesn’t make you feel like putting some motocross boots on and heading off into the great unknown, then you’re missing a key strand of your biking DNA.

While Yamaha are fast to point out that this is just a concept bike, there’s absolutely no doubt that the firm will put this XT660 Ténéré replacement into production, continuing a 33-year line of Dakar-inspired middleweight desert assault bikes.

The facts 

• 74bhp (est)
• 180kg (est)
• Seat height 895mm (est)

Highlights

• CP2 700cc parallel-twin engine
• Full-on WR450F Dakar styling
• Expected to arrive in 2018

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The game moves on dramatically though with this concept. Packing the MT-07’s CP2 engine into an all-new chassis, the T7 should dig into the soft stuff with superb tractability from the parallel-twin 700. 

Equipped with an aluminium fuel tank, quad-projector LED headlight, a carbon fairing and skid plate, and a custom made Akrapovic exhaust – as well as high specification KYB front suspension, 21in front and 18in rear – the T7 concept is a serious statement of intent.

It’s a WR450F Dakar for the masses, and while much of the bling Dakar-aping spec sheet might be sacrificed for production, the overall effect will remain – and we love it.  

 

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