Introduced as part of Yamaha’s modern MT lineup, this middleweight naked roadster first appeared to the public as a reference/export-spec model at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and then reached production in 2014. Yamaha positioned it as a smart, accessible large-displacement motorcycle focused on everyday rideability, lightweight handling, and style rather than outright specification bragging rights. It quickly became one of the key models in the MT family and helped define the brand’s torque-led, street-focused character.
The nameplate is closely tied to Yamaha’s broader “Master of Torque” idea: a machine built around strong low- and mid-range character, a slim chassis, and an upright, easygoing riding position. In Yamaha’s own lineage pages, the model is shown as one of the foundational modern MT machines alongside the larger MT-09, and it is described as a major step in re-establishing the MT identity for global markets. The model’s success also helped create a strong platform for later variants and related models, reinforcing its role as more than just a single motorcycle.
Over time, the model has seen updates and styling revisions, including a notable refresh in 2021, but it has remained in continuous production rather than disappearing and later returning. That makes it a long-running current nameplate rather than a discontinued-and-revived one. Enthusiasts and industry observers alike have treated it as one of the most important modern Yamaha naked bikes: approachable, practical, and central to the company’s contemporary performance image.