My Yamaha MT-07 Setup for Everyday Riding

One of the easiest things to do after buying a motorcycle is start shopping for it.

A screen.

An exhaust.

Levers.

Mirrors.

Protection.

Luggage.

Phone mount.

Lighting.

Suspension.

Before long, the aftermarket makes it feel as though your perfectly functional motorcycle has somehow become an unfinished project.

I’ve fallen into that thought process too.

But after roughly 10,000 km with my 2021 Yamaha MT-07, I’m becoming much more interested in a different question:

What does this modification actually improve?

My MT-07 is called TITAN.

I use him for normal weekday riding around Amsterdam, city traffic and weekend getaways.

That means my ideal setup isn’t a track build.

It isn’t a touring conversion.

And it isn’t a catalogue of every part available for an MT-07.

What I want is a motorcycle that remains simple, manageable and fun while becoming slightly better suited to the riding I actually do.

This is where TITAN currently stands.

If you want the background to the motorcycle itself, you can start with Meet TITAN, my Yamaha MT-07.

My current Yamaha MT-07 setup

TITAN currently has:

Modification	What it does for my setup
Michelin Road 6 tyres	Everyday and wet-weather road use
Akrapovič Titanium exhaust	Sound, character and some weight reduction
BMC air filter	Aftermarket intake/filter setup
Short brake and clutch levers	Different control feel and cockpit appearance
Windscreen	Slight reduction in wind pressure
Tail tidy	Cleaner rear-end appearance

That’s actually not an enormous modification list.

And I like that.

The motorcycle still fundamentally feels like an MT-07.

I’ve just changed a few areas around how I use it and how I want TITAN to feel.

My setup philosophy: solve the problem first

If I were starting again, I wouldn’t begin with:

“What are the best MT-07 modifications?”

I’d begin with:

“What is currently bothering me about the motorcycle?”

Maybe nothing is.

In that case, ride it.

You don’t have to modify a motorcycle because somebody else’s YouTube build has twenty aftermarket parts.

I think modifications make more sense when they start with an actual reason.

For example:

Problem: I want tyres that suit year-round road riding.

Possible solution: sport-touring tyres.

Problem: I regularly feel wind pressure on faster roads.

Possible solution: a modest screen.

Problem: I dislike the standard lever feel.

Possible solution: properly fitted adjustable or short levers.

That’s very different from:

“This part exists, therefore I need it.”

That distinction has probably saved me from buying quite a few things.

1. Michelin Road 6 tyres

If I had to rank the components on TITAN by how seriously I think about them, the tyres would be near the top.

Not because they’re visually exciting.

Because they’re the motorcycle’s connection with the road.

TITAN currently runs:

Michelin Road 6 front and rear.

Michelin positions the Road 6 as a sport-touring road tyre and specifically emphasises wet-road performance and longevity. Michelin says the Road 6 improved wet grip and tyre life compared with the earlier Road 5 in its testing.

For the way I ride in the Netherlands, the intended use makes sense.

Rain isn’t unusual.

Road conditions change.

My riding combines urban roads with longer weekend rides.

I don’t need a tyre designed purely around track performance.

I want something that suits real road use in varied conditions.

That’s why the Road 6 fits my setup well.

What have they been like for me?

I’m careful about turning tyre impressions into absolute claims because grip depends on far more than the name on the sidewall.

Temperature matters.

Pressure matters.

Road surface matters.

Rider input matters.

Tyre condition matters.

But I have been comfortable using the Road 6 through the mixture of normal and wet-weather road riding that forms part of my ownership.

For me, tyres are also a reminder that an “upgrade” doesn’t necessarily mean:

more power

or

more noise.

Sometimes the best improvement is simply choosing a consumable that suits your use better.

Michelin’s current Road 6 information positions the tyre around road and sport-touring use, including wet conditions.

Would I prioritise tyres?

Absolutely—but only when the existing tyres actually need replacing or aren’t suitable for the riding you’re doing.

Inspect what you have.

Understand its age and condition.

Then make the change when there is a reason.

My tyre replacement happened at roughly 28,200 km as part of a €584 visit that also included rear brake pads.

I’ve broken those costs down separately in my first-year MT-07 running-cost guide.

2. Akrapovič Titanium exhaust

This is probably the modification that gives TITAN the most obvious personality.

The exhaust is one of the first things you notice when the motorcycle starts.

And I’ll admit that not every modification needs to be justified through pure practicality.

I like the sound.

I like the character it gives the motorcycle.

And it makes TITAN feel more like my bike.

That’s enough of a reason – provided the system is appropriate and legal for the motorcycle and where you’re riding it.

Is the exhaust necessary?

No.

Let’s make that very clear.

A standard MT-07 does not need an aftermarket exhaust to become useful.

It doesn’t suddenly become a bad motorcycle because the exhaust is stock.

For me, this is much more of an experience modification than an everyday-practicality modification.

The compatible Akrapovič Racing Line Titanium system listed for the 2021 MT-07 uses a titanium silencer, stainless headers and carbon-fibre end cap. Akrapovič lists a roughly 2 kg weight reduction versus stock for that system, alongside relatively modest claimed power and torque changes.

I wouldn’t buy an exhaust expecting the MT-07 to become an entirely different performance motorcycle.

The bigger difference for me is character.

Sound needs some restraint too

A louder motorcycle isn’t automatically a better motorcycle.

I live and ride around other people.

Residential streets.

City traffic.

Early mornings.

Quiet areas.

I like TITAN sounding good.

I don’t need everybody within three streets to participate.

So when thinking about exhausts, I’d consider:

• homologation;
• noise;
• installation;
• local regulations;
• whether the exact configuration remains road legal.

Akrapovič lists the relevant 2021 Racing Line system as EC/ECE type-approved in its specified configuration. That doesn’t mean every altered exhaust configuration is automatically compliant everywhere, so check the exact system and local requirements.

Would I buy the exhaust before practical upgrades?

Probably not.

If my budget were limited and I had to choose between:

good tyres

and

better sound

the tyres win.

Every time.

The exhaust is enjoyable.

It is not essential.

That distinction is going to come up repeatedly in this article.

3. BMC air filter

TITAN also has a BMC air filter.

This was installed as part of the larger service work I’ve already documented.

And this is an area where I want to be careful with modification language.

I don’t have before-and-after dyno data.

I haven’t scientifically isolated the air filter from the exhaust or other variables.

So I’m not going to tell you that installing an air filter suddenly transformed the motorcycle.

It didn’t create some dramatic moment where TITAN became an entirely different machine.

It is simply part of the bike’s current intake setup.

The important thing with an aftermarket filter: maintenance changes

This matters more to me than vague performance claims.

Once you move away from the standard Yamaha filter, you need to follow the maintenance procedure for the actual filter fitted to the motorcycle.

That’s why I mentioned the BMC filter specifically in my MT-07 maintenance guide.

The standard Yamaha maintenance schedule is written around the standard setup.

Aftermarket components can have different cleaning, inspection or replacement requirements.

So:

Modification and maintenance belong together.

If I change something on the motorcycle, I also need to understand how that change should be maintained.

That’s more important to me than claiming an extra amount of horsepower I haven’t measured.

Would I consider an air filter a beginner modification?

Not particularly.

If you’ve just bought an MT-07, I would spend my attention elsewhere first.

Maintenance.

Tyres.

Brakes.

Riding.

Understanding the motorcycle.

An intake modification isn’t where I’d begin unless there is a specific reason.

4. Short brake and clutch levers

This is a smaller change, but it’s one I interact with every time I ride.

TITAN has short brake and clutch levers.

Part of the appeal is visual.

They clean up the cockpit slightly.

But the bigger everyday point is that controls are personal.

Hand size differs.

Reach differs.

Riding style differs.

What feels natural to one rider may not feel natural to another.

Control modifications need to be installed properly

This is one area where I wouldn’t buy the cheapest unknown component simply because it looks good.

Brake and clutch levers are controls.

They matter.

A lever should:

• fit the motorcycle correctly;
• move freely;
• allow the proper control operation;
• not interfere with surrounding components;
• retain the required free play or adjustment where applicable.

If you’re unsure, proper installation matters more than the aesthetic improvement.

The goal isn’t:

“My levers look cool.”

The goal is:

“My controls work correctly and feel natural to use – And then it can look cool too.”

Do short levers make me a better rider?

No.

My braking improves through braking practice.

My clutch control improves through clutch practice.

The lever itself doesn’t create skill.

That’s an important modification principle.

Accessories can change ergonomics.

They can’t shortcut technique.

5. Windscreen

A small windscreen makes sense for the mixture of riding I do.

TITAN is a naked motorcycle.

That means wind is part of the deal.

Around Amsterdam and at lower speeds, I don’t think about wind protection particularly often.

Once the speeds increase and stay there for longer, I notice it much more.

The screen helps reduce some pressure.

But I don’t want to oversell it.

A small screen does not turn an MT-07 into a tourer

This sounds obvious.

Yet accessories sometimes get marketed as though one piece of plastic will completely change the category of motorcycle underneath you.

It won’t.

I still experience wind.

My head and upper body are not sitting behind a huge touring fairing.

The MT-07 remains a naked bike.

What the windscreen gives me is a modest improvement.

And sometimes modest improvements are enough.

Would I keep the windscreen?

For my current mix of weekday riding and weekend getaways:

Yes.

It solves enough of a real problem that it earns its place.

That’s exactly how I want to evaluate accessories.

Not:

“Is this modification impressive?”

But:

“Would I notice if I removed it?”

For the windscreen, I think I would.

6. Tail tidy

The tail tidy sits at the opposite end of the scale.

This isn’t something I’m going to pretend transformed the motorcycle.

Its main job for me is appearance.

It cleans up the rear.

It reduces the bulky visual effect of the standard rear assembly.

And I prefer the way TITAN looks with it.

That’s basically the argument.

Not every modification has to improve performance

I think motorcycle discussions sometimes become strangely defensive about cosmetic modifications.

A part doesn’t need to make you faster to justify its existence.

Sometimes:

I like how it looks.

is a perfectly reasonable answer.

As long as the modification:

• doesn’t compromise safety;
• doesn’t create mechanical problems;
• remains compliant with the road rules that apply to you.

A motorcycle is functional.

It’s also something many of us enjoy making personal.

Those things can coexist.

Which modifications actually changed my everyday riding?

If I separate function from personality, I’d describe TITAN’s setup roughly like this:

Most connected to everyday use

Michelin Road 6 tyres

They affect every kilometre the motorcycle travels.

Windscreen

Useful when speeds and riding time increase.

Short levers

Something I physically interact with on every ride.

More about character and personalisation

Akrapovič exhaust

Sound and personality matter much more to me here than chasing performance numbers.

Tail tidy

Mostly appearance.

Part of the underlying mechanical setup

BMC air filter

Something I account for when servicing the motorcycle, rather than something I think about every time I ride.

That doesn’t mean one category is “good” and another is “bad.”

It simply makes the purpose clearer.

What I haven’t modified

This is just as important as what I have.

There are plenty of MT-07 upgrades I could buy.

I haven’t.

Suspension

I’ve mentioned before that the 2021 MT-07 suspension feels fairly basic to me.

But I haven’t rushed out and replaced it.

Why?

Because I don’t yet feel a strong enough need.

If I eventually reach the point where I can clearly say:

“This specific behaviour is limiting what I want from the motorcycle.”

then suspension work becomes an informed decision.

Until then, I’d rather continue improving the rider.

Big performance modifications

I’m not chasing maximum horsepower.

The standard CP2 platform already gives me more than enough for the road riding I do.

More engine performance isn’t high on my problem list.

Huge touring conversion

I use TITAN for weekend getaways.

That doesn’t mean I’m trying to turn an MT-07 into an adventure tourer.

If my riding changes dramatically, the right solution might eventually be a different motorcycle rather than another fifteen accessories.

That possibility is worth being honest about.

The modification trap: fixing problems you don’t have

Motorcycling makes it extremely easy to discover imaginary problems.

You watch a video.

Somebody tells you the stock component is terrible.

Now you notice it.

Then another video says you need another part.

Suddenly your perfectly enjoyable motorcycle has become a list of deficiencies.

I try to push against that.

My current rule is:

Ride first. Modify second.

Spend enough time with the motorcycle to understand what you actually want changed.

Then solve that problem.

How I would prioritise an everyday MT-07 setup

If I were starting with a mostly standard used MT-07 today, my priorities would look something like this.

First: condition and maintenance

Before accessories:

Are the tyres good?

Are the brakes good?

Is the chain healthy?

Are the fluids and servicing current?

Is anything leaking?

A poorly maintained motorcycle with €2,000 of accessories is still a poorly maintained motorcycle.

Second: security

Especially for city ownership.

Locks aren’t exciting.

Neither is having your motorcycle disappear.

Third: rider comfort and practical annoyances

Do I genuinely need:

• wind protection?
• luggage?
• different control ergonomics?
• navigation access?

Solve what bothers you repeatedly.

Fourth: personalisation

Now we get to:

• sound;
• appearance;
• cosmetic details.

These things matter too.

I just don’t put them ahead of the motorcycle functioning properly.

What about luggage?

You’ll notice luggage isn’t part of my core modification list.

That’s deliberate because luggage is less of a permanent motorcycle modification and more of a use-case decision for me.

Daily riding and weekend trips create very different luggage needs.

Rather than burying that inside this article, I’m giving MT-07 luggage its own guide later in the cluster.

Same principle:

What are you carrying?

comes before:

What luggage should you buy?

What about phone mounts and everyday accessories?

Same story.

There are items around the motorcycle that can make everyday riding easier without really being part of the bike’s mechanical setup.

Navigation.

Security.

Bags.

Covers.

Cleaning equipment.

Tools.

Those are better handled in the next article:

MT-07 Accessories Worth Considering for Everyday Riding.

If I returned TITAN to near-stock, what would I miss first?

Interesting question.

Probably the things that quietly help rather than the things that shout the loudest.

I’d notice the tyres because they’re part of how the motorcycle feels every ride.

I’d notice removing the windscreen on longer/faster rides.

I’d notice the control change if the levers returned to standard.

And yes, I’d definitely notice the exhaust.

Probably immediately.

But for a very different reason.

That’s the point.

Different modifications earn their place in different ways.

What has been the best modification?

I don’t think there is one universal answer.

If “best” means:

Most important for everyday riding?

I’d look at the tyres.

Most noticeable emotionally?

The exhaust.

Most straightforward comfort improvement?

The windscreen.

Most visual?

The tail tidy.

Most personal to my controls?

The levers.

What would I change next?

At this stage, I’m actually more interested in using TITAN than modifying TITAN.

There are still practical areas I can improve.

Luggage is one.

Possibly comfort for certain types of longer ride.

And at some point I may revisit suspension if my riding gives me a strong enough reason.

I’m not sure motorcycles ever really become finished anyway.

The better goal for me is:

A setup that keeps matching the riding I actually do.

Right now, TITAN does.

My setup after 10,000 km: the bigger lesson

The most useful thing I’ve learned isn’t which exhaust or tyre to buy.

It’s that modification decisions become easier once you stop thinking about the motorcycle as a project and start thinking about it as a tool you actually use.

My motorcycle needs to:

• handle Amsterdam roads;
• work during normal weekdays;
• deal with changing Dutch weather;
• remain enjoyable when the city ends;
• be manageable;
• remain relatively simple;
• still feel like mine.

The current setup supports that.

Could I add more?

Easily.

Do I need to?

Probably not.

And that might be the most valuable modification lesson I’ve learned so far.

FAQs

Related Reads

Continue the MT-07 series:

Living With a Yamaha MT-07: My 10,000 km Ownership Guide

What I Like — and Don’t Like — About Owning a Yamaha MT-07

Yamaha MT-07 Maintenance: Service Intervals and Checks Owners Should Know

What Does a Yamaha MT-07 Cost to Own in the Netherlands?

MT-07 Accessories Worth Considering for Everyday Riding