2021 Yamaha MT-07 — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $6,000–$8,500. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.
Kestrel Take
One of the best-selling and most-recommended middleweight nakeds in the world — a torquey, characterful parallel-twin that's cheap, reliable, and endlessly fun. A superb first or only bike. The main risks are new-rider drop damage and the usual maintenance, not the engineering. Low risk.
What we checked
Checked against public records, 2026-09-25
NHTSA holds 1 owner complaint for the 2021 Yamaha MT-07, and 2 recall campaigns.
That is too small a record to read a pattern from, so we are not going to pretend otherwise — with numbers this low one owner moves the percentage by a lot. What has been filed is grouped under electrics and electronics (1), the engine (1), the fuel system (1). Treat those as things to look at, not as the vehicle's known weaknesses. A thin file usually means few of these were sold or few owners filed. It is not evidence the vehicle is trouble-free, and the issues below are our own research rather than a reading of this record.
2 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.
Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.
Known Issues for the 2021 Yamaha MT-07
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.
A hugely popular beginner bike, so many were dropped; check the bar-ends, levers, engine cases, and tank for damage.
Repair cost (estimate): $50-$600
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (1).
The CP2 twin needs periodic valve checks (generous interval); verify the history.
Repair cost (estimate): $250-$500
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (1).
The budget suspension is basic; many upgrade it. A characteristic, not a defect.
Repair cost (estimate): $300-$1,000 if upgrading
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Drop or crash damage
- ✗No valve service history
- ✗A thrashed beginner bike
- ✗Salvage title
Good Signs
- ✓Undropped, clean bike
- ✓Documented valve service
- ✓One careful owner
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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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