2022 Yamaha R7 (LAMS) Review - Best Beginner Sports?
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Yamaha's R7 LAMS or LA offers a restricted 655 cc version of the new sportsbike, designed specifically for new riders and Australia's beginner segment restrictions, a bit like the A2 system in the UK.
Priced at $1000 lower than the full power version, with a decent bit of horsepower lopped off and a little torque, the R7 LA offers all the benefits of the full version but learner legal.
Is that a noticeable difference in performance in real world terms? Not in regular riding conditions, but the bike does feel like they've taken the slightest of edges off the power delivery, and there's little doubt it's more noticeable up top, once you surpass legal road speeds.
Here's my thoughts after spending time with the R7 LA.
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Rode the LA at a demo day, currently ride a ninja 400. Power honestly felt identical, maybe a tad bit more torque. Couldn't really tell tbh. Would recommend anyone new to riding to buy something cheap like a 400 second hand and save up for a super sport once you're due for your fulls. All LAMS bikes more or less will feel slow. They are nice and light for cornering after upgrading factory rubber, but if you prefer acceleration, speed, and just darting around the roads and traffic, then save your money. Just my $0.02
Ironically I think the way the R7 is tuned makes the additional torque less obvious, where on the MT-07 as it's more in the mid-range it's quite noticeably better, even on the LAMS version. The 300-400s are pretty hard to beat for value realistically - new or used, but I don't think the R7 is a supersport replacement, it's way more road and everyday friendly, while still offering the real deal on the ergos, where on the Ninja you'd need to buy rearsets and clip-ons to achieve that.
Most likely whatever you start on it'll start feeling slow, as you see the same feedback from riders who start on supersport machines over in the US even after just a year or two. There's no way they are outriding the potential of those bikes, unless they are the next Rossi. I don't think that's as much as a reflection of the LAMS class as people think it is, at least if we're talking bikes like the Ninja 400, R7 and similar which are pretty good overall packages.
Plus I'd think people considering the R7 LA are more likely also looking at bikes like the Ninja 650, CBR650R, RS 660 L, none of which are choices for those looking for the cheapest beginner option, or even cheapest beginner bang for buck.
@Phil Heslop In Australia they can't as it's a 660 cc limit for LAMS bikes, so they made the 655 cc version specifically. The Aprilia runs RbW and a fairly extensive electronic system, so they just use the EU electronic restriction method as it falls within the capacity limit. With the MT-07 being a bit more old school there's a bit more to it.
So it's mainly an issue with the Australian legislation more than anything. We're kind of lucky Yamaha did us a solid with the 655 cc LAMS versions! I think de-restricting in Australia is also a bit of a grey area in most states, as far as updating the rego and getting that approved, if you do it all legally and by the book. In Europe they are lucky, a dealer can do it.
A great review and good analysis to help guide a newer rider in things to consider. I've flicked you on to a young fella who was asking me about this bike only to find he'd already seen your review. Nothing more for me to tell him. You had all bases covered really well. Keep up the good work and I've just subscribed.
Wicked, glad you enjoyed it and it's of some help to others considering the R7!
haven't had an opportunity to try the R7 myself yet, hopefully in few years time I'll be in a place to get one for myself.
Still having my 2019 R3 and still having a blast on it. Just recently put new tires (Battlax S22) and it feels as a completly new bike to me and I feel like I am falling in love all over again.
Those are a really good tyre, it's really impressive what a difference upgrading them can do, even just from a well worn set. The R3 is a great too, part of the appeal of the smaller bikes is being able to ride them so hard!
@@MotoJournoKris and of course in times like those at the moment small bike fuel economy is perfect for traveling. I almost don't even count in fuel expenses when I go on a trip with my R3
@@92Cuky_ Definitely another big consideration that's likely to drive people to the more economic options the way things are going. I think a big strength of that 300-400 segment is they really are the ideal everyday commuter bikes even for long term ownership. Cheap to insure, cheap(er) to repair, cheap to run and keep registered. Even if you have a bigger bike they still make a lot of sense to keep miles off the expensive machine in some scenarios! The same goes for the scooters and some smaller capacity machines too of course, but the 300-400s are a nice middle ground.
Looking at getting this as my first and probably only bike for commuting to work and enjoyment
I feel like it's a great bike for that kind of combination of uses.
Me too. Im saving up to get R7
Great review
Very thorough Chris. I was a bit surprised they tuned it for the higher RPM’s given it’ll have been limited by lams. I actually suspect it might have been smarter for the LAMS market to just stick the MT07LA donk straight in as is - if you can’t have more power, give more torques lower down right? But ultimately I think that’s a ‘Australia & NZ too small a market’ problem.
With the price it is imho too expensive for a learner bike. It’s up at that triumph/Ducati end of lams bike pricing. However the beauty/irritation of lams is it applies to everyone and it lasts FAR too long in some states, so you will have a lot of people 40’s, 50’s starting out that want a sport bike, have more disposable cash but the likes of Victoria are gonna restrict them for about 3.5 years, so may as well buy new for them I guess - after all that’s why the lams stripple has done so so well for triumph.
But yeah, great review. How would you say it compares to the Kawasaki ninja 650L? A bit more aggressive and premium?
I'd guess it's a bit of a catch 22, the R7 does have more top end even on the LA, where the MT-07 feels a little flatter, but that punchy mid-range on the MT is definitely a big part of it's success. Normally the vast majority of the torque carries across to the restricted versions at least.
I definitely think that's the target, those with a bit more money to spend and a bit more discerning about what they want, rather than just whatever is either cheap/value driven for a LAMS.
The biggest standout versus the Ninja is definitely the more aggressive seating position, the Ninja is quite relaxed and upright in comparison. On the surface the Ninja 650 suspension is taughter than the MT-07 by comparison, which the R7 also offers, however obviously the R7 has the adjustability, with the R7 also having an edge in the braking department with a stronger setup overall. Lack of a TFT is a minus versus the Ninja 650 however. The Ninja 650L is a bit more like if they'd just thrown fairings on an MT-07, but given it a TFT.
Nice video! The R7 is a nice bike. I do quite like the quarter V8 sound these make with an aftermarket exhaust.
My bike is a 2020 CBR650R. I have a full licence but could only get it in lams. I never got the muffler changed since it sounds great stock. My favourite rev range is 6, 7,000 rpms.
Those are a fun machine, the fours have a great note to them too, and there's not many in the LAMS segment which makes them stand out. Did Honda discontinue the full power version in Australia? They used to offer both but I've only seen the LAMS lately.
@@MotoJournoKris Yep they really are great machines. To non bike riders they'd most likely think from the look & sound of them they're super sports! These bikes are in a league of their own since no other 650 4's are available from other brands.
I hope someday that changes. This bikes rivals are either parallel or V twins.
Yeah unfortunately when the 650F was replaced by the 650R, they only bring in the restricted ones which is a shame. If it was available at time of purchase I would of bought a high output one if they existed.
The only new 650 capable of 88 to 90 HP as I have seen in overseas markets.
I hope Honda realizes not everybody wants a 1,000RR or 600RR. I also like the upright riding position my sport tourer has & if I sit against the tank I sit almost fully upright.
@@Siren-experiments Yep I got to test one when they first came out and was really impressed. Made a lot more sense as a road bike to me than the 600RR or 1000RR, even if they are amazing machines in their own right.
Great review Kris. Thank you. The pricing for Australia is very interesting. Compared to the Honda CBR650R, this is much cheaper in the States and Europe. Australia, it’s more expensive. Can’t work out why, as logistically, the sea freight is about the same.
That seems to happen every now and then. I wouldn't be surprised if bringing in the 655 cc LAMS versions especially for us might add to the cost of both the LAMS and full power versions though! Can't think of anything else that would have a bit impact.
@@MotoJournoKris I guess you are right with this as it’s the only logical explanation. They couldn’t bring in a LAMS version that was more expensive than the HO one. The other manufacturers who already make a maximum 660 with an A2 variation however can bring then in at a competitive price. I think both the R7’s are about $2k over priced tho.
@@marcusgeorge1825 I wish all the naked 650s were still around that 10k mark but they creep up a little every year. I guess we'll see if there's any new competition which may put some downward pressure on that in the next few years...
@@MotoJournoKris Kris, two main reasons why the costs of bikes (and just about anything else these days) is two fold. Raw materials have gone through the roof in price and sea freight has quadrupled in the last 18 months. Dealing with both on a daily basis I haven’t seen prices rise like they have in 30 years. Just look at the rise in the second hand market. Huge.
@@marcusgeorge1825 Yep it's crazy. I'd heard about the shipping issues a while back, particularly with people basically getting bumped off the list as someone would pay more for their slot. That combined with higher costs, it's not really surprising. Somewhat of a mystery how higher interest rates will help fight that inflation of course!
What’s top speed for R7. I’m in Victoria, and I’m on my learners is the R7 restricted at all, can you de restrict it later on. I’m really confused on this bike 😂
There's two versions in Australia the full power or HO version, and the LAMS (LA) version. The LAMS is a smaller capacity 655 cc version just for Australia. It's restricted and while you probably can de-restrict it, it's probably not worth the effort. The full power version is a larger capacity in comparison - 689 cc.
Yes learner can ride this one R7 655cc.. im saving yp to get this one for my first bike
I had too the same bike lams r7 and it goes pretty good to 210km didn’t push more then that till now but can reach to 225 or 230
@@MotoJournoKris how I can upgrade it to unrestricted version ? By doing some crazy stuff with exhaust? Like modifying the air flow and using a long one pipe exhaust directly ?
@@Overlord_r7 There's things you can do, but the LAMS version in Australia is a 655 cc where the full power is 689 cc. If it's the same as the MT-07 there's probably a throttle plate restrictor, and airbox restrictions.
Great video! Anyone know the 0-60km & 0-100km for the R7LA compared to the R7HO ?
Not sure on that one I'm afraid, would have been interesting to test!
I’m a one armed rider. How is it for. Right arm riding ?
Not sure on that one to be honest!
Where are the twistys
Most of this is North of Sydney.