By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
BMW F 800 R (K73-2) vs Yamaha MT-07 (RM04)
BMW F 800 R vs Yamaha MT-07: which one's easier to live with every day.
You'll climb onto the BMW F 800 R and find your elbows up and your weight over wide bars, a streetfighter crouch that plants the bike under you. The Yamaha MT-07 feels big once you're aboard.
So which one do you buy?
The F 800 R has the edge if…
Traveling with luggage
Nose ahead: F 800 R
The F 800 R feels a little more at home with bags on. It's a fine margin, so test both loaded if you can.
The MT-07 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: MT-07
On a twisty road, the MT-07 edges ahead. Not by enough to settle it alone.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The lower sticker price doesn't settle which one is the better buy. Neither is the clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
F 800 R
Up Back of the Dragon, the F 800 R's twin builds its pull in one smooth sweep, and there's enough of it to keep your attention. Left in Comfort, the chassis turns vague mid-corner. Sport cleans that up.
Nils rode the F 800 R in 2015 (NastyNils Testride).
MT-07
Down low, the MT-07's crossplane twin thumps out a V-twin-style pulse. It doesn't need revs to pull. From a standstill, a snap of the throttle hoists the front tire for a few yards, and it isn't hard to do. It flicks into bends almost like a supermoto.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The F 800 R has the lower seat: 31.1 in (790 mm) vs 31.7 in (805 mm).
- The MT-07 has the lower wet weight: 401 lb (182 kg) vs 439 lb (199 kg).
- The F 800 R makes more peak power: 90 hp (66 kW) vs 75 hp (55 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Neither one is built for long-haul comfort. For big miles, look at a proper tourer or sport tourer.
Nothing splits them on commuting and a first bike. Ride both back to back and the decision usually makes itself.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
F 800 R
Strengths
- Cultivated, tractable twin
- Sharpens right up in Sport
- Streetfighter riding position
- Five seat-height options
- Eager parallel-twin engine
Trade-offs
- Vague in the soft setting
- Jerky low-speed running
- Indicator switch niggle
- Vibrations at highway speeds
MT-07
Strengths
- Easy To Trust Quickly
- Cheap To Run
- Light, Friendly Controls
- Addictive CP2 engine character
- Accessible for all skill levels
Trade-offs
- Idle And Decel Cutouts
- Fragile 5th Gear
- Quick To Corrode
- Budget build quality
- Jerky throttle response at low RPM
Known problems to check before you buy
F 800 R
- Indicator switch failure A few owners report the left-hand indicator switch becoming intermittent or failing.
- Rough low-speed engine running Some riders experience jerky throttle response or uneven idle during low-speed riding, particularly at steady throttle under light engine loads.
MT-07
- Intermittent engine cutout at idle and during deceleration The engine cuts out intermittently, especially when idling at traffic lights or decelerating to a stop. The ECU appears to reduce fuel supply too aggressively at idle. Problem worsens in hot weather. Stalling during downshifting is particularly hazardous. Multiple NHTSA consumer complaints filed. Reportedly improved with ECU mapping adjustments in later production.
- Battery loses charge during extended standstill Battery depletes when the bike sits for extended periods. Components draw power even when ignition is off. On models with parking light position, the ignition switch can cause parasitic draw if moisture enters. Some owners report charging system issues linked to the regulator/rectifier.
- Instrument cluster LCD flickers, goes blank, or shows partial information LCD display develops flickering, blank sections, or complete failure. Causes include loose internal ribbon cable, water ingress, or corroded connector pins. Aftermarket replacement LCD modules available (same part 2014–2020 compatible).
- Pronounced clutch rattle at idle; potential inner plate failure Pronounced rattling noise from the clutch at idle in neutral. Noise disappears when clutch lever is pulled in. In severe cases, inner clutch plates can break or shatter. Contributing factor may be worn clutch basket. More pronounced on cold starts.
- Gear indicator fails to display correct gear (especially 5th/6th) The gear indicator in the LCD display fails to show the correct gear, particularly in 5th and 6th gear. The number flashes, disappears, or displays incorrect values. Root cause: dirty contacts on the gear position sensor. Cleaning is a temporary fix; sensor replacement (~40 USD) is the permanent solution. Yamaha developed a revised sensor.
- Poor surface finishes on fasteners and coolant pipes Widespread corrosion across peripheral components: radiator coolant pipes (chrome with thin lacquer, deteriorates rapidly from road spray), allen key bolt heads, brake line fittings, disc bobbins, gear lever linkage, rear sprocket, suspension linkage fasteners, and seat lock (seizes). Screw heads across the frame show rust. Weld slag not properly cleaned on some frames.
- Side stand safety switch causes unexpected engine cutout The bike starts normally in neutral but dies immediately when shifted into gear. Caused by the kickstand safety switch failing, corroding, or the starter cutoff relay malfunctioning. The switch connector is vulnerable to moisture ingress.
- Surface rust on steel swingarm The steel swingarm develops surface rust, particularly underneath the chain guard and near chain adjusters. Rust can appear within months of purchase, even without winter riding. The paint/coating is thin and easily damaged by chain debris. Weld seams and areas under the chain slider are most affected. Yamaha has replaced some swingarms under warranty.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 10-year-old F 800 R with a 10-year-old MT-07.
- F 800 R
- about $7,300
- MT-07
- about $6,000
At ten years old, the BMW F 800 R sits around $7,300 while the Yamaha MT-07 lands near $6,000. That puts the MT-07 about $1,300 cheaper. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| F 800 R | MT-07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.7 in (805 mm) |
| Wet weight | 439 lb (199 kg) | 401 lb (182 kg) |
| F 800 R | MT-07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 798 cc | 689 cc |
| Power | 90 hp (66 kW) | 75 hp (55 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,000 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 63 lb-ft (86 Nm) | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) |
| F 800 R | MT-07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 45 mpg (US) / 5.2 L/100 km | 53 mpg (US) / 4.4 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 US gal (16 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| F 800 R | MT-07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 320 mm | 282 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| F 800 R | MT-07 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option |
| Traction Control | Option | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Option | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Option | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
