Location: Paddock Sepang International Circuit
Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn. Bhd. (HLYM) today introduced its latest big bike model, Yamaha MT-07 – a 4 stroke, 689 cc liquid cooled, inline 2-cylinder engine with fuel injection motorcycle. Present to unveil the Yamaha MT-07 at Sepang International Circuit were Yamaha Moto GP riders, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.
“The introduction of the Yamaha MT-07 marks our second model in the MT series and will complement the Yamaha MT-09 and Yamaha XJ6 in our big bike line-up. The model MT-07 is designed to bring fun, affordability and enjoyment back to the street. This versatile new naked bike is just about everything – from its deep torque through to the agile chassis and outstanding economy” said Mr C.H. Ng, Managing Director of Hong Leong Yamaha Motor.
The Malaysian big bike market
”For the first 8 months of 2014, the big bike market (cc >250 cc) remained flat, in fact declined marginally by 1% to 9,255 units as compared to the same period of last year at 9,326 units. This, in our view, is a short term market correction in big bike demand after two consecutive years of high growth at 53% and 50% in year 2012 and 2013 respectively. The tightening on loan financing by banks and credit companies since beginning of this year has also contributed to this dampening demand.
Mr Ng, however, said that on a longer term, Hong Leong Yamaha is positive that the big bike market demand will experience sustainable growth supported by a growing affluent lifestyle, a strong economy and excellent highways.
“Leisure riding activities have increased tremendously as this can be seen by the upsurge of riding convoys and riding tours organized by various motorcycle riding clubs as well as individual groups of bikers thus growing the need for big bikes” he said.
The new Yamaha MT-07 CBU is priced at RM 42,000 (excluding road tax, insurance and number plate) and is available at selected authorised Yamaha dealerships nationwide beginning end November onwards with a colour choice of Racing Red and Race Blu. The introduction of Yamaha MT-07 will offer customers one more model choice to match their discerning lifestyle and riding preferences.
With the entry of the Yamaha MT-07 will see stiff competition in the 400cc~600cc two-cylinder naked/street-fighter class segments. However, the price factor is also a model of success in the Malaysian market. 
After a high-powered motorcycle enthusiast community in Malaysia in the wake of the news of Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia will also CKD the Yamaha MT-09 end of this year. HYLM also will bring the model Yamaha R25 March~April 2015.
The new Yamaha MT-07’s inline two-cylinder engine, 4-stroke 689cc liquid-cooled Crossplane DOHC technology capable of producing power 55.0 kW (74.8PS) @ 9,000 rpm , with an overall weight of the MT-07 is 178kg , making the Yamaha MT-07 model is the lightest and powerful street-fighter in the class of 2-cylinder 600cc , HYLM will not bring in the ABS models of MT-07
Factor model for the all-new, powerful, lightweight and competitively priced on par with its competitors in its class, the Yamaha MT-07 is sure to be found at the market of Malaysia. Malaysia will be the first country in Asia Pacific region (outside Japan) to locally assemble this model. The MT-07 competes in the 601 – 700 cc segment where currently Yamaha is not represented. HLYM are targeting the middle of 2015 to introduce the locally assembled MT-07 to the market.
