There’s something special about middleweight sportbikes. They’re fast enough to make you grin, light enough to toss around, and still manageable for everyday riders. They sit right in that perfect zone between beginner bikes and big superbikes, which makes them fun for pretty much anyone.
Yamaha nailed that formula with the CP2 platform. It’s one of those engines that feels alive no matter where you ride it. The 689cc parallel twin first showed up in the MT-07 back in 2014 and went on to power a whole family of bikes like the Ténéré 700 and the YZF-R7. I’ve somehow owned three MT-07s myself, and I’ll happily say it again: the CP2 is one of the best motorcycle engines ever made. It’s smooth, punchy, and ridiculously reliable. You can beat on it all day and it’ll still feel eager the next morning.
Now Yamaha’s getting ready to roll out the next chapter for this platform. According to new Swiss homologation filings uncovered by Motorcycle.com’s Dennis Chung, a refreshed YZF-R7 is coming for 2026 with a Euro 5+ compliant version of the CP2 engine. Now, if you're unfamiliar, Dennis has built a bit of a reputation for digging through patents and certification documents before anyone else, and he’s pretty much become the motorcycle world’s unofficial oracle for upcoming models.
The new R7 carries the model code RM60 and uses the updated M427E motor that already powers the latest MT-07. That means it should come with all the same upgrades like electronic throttle control, selectable ride modes, and switchable traction control.
Power stays about the same at 72 horsepower at 8,750 rpm and 50.2 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. So no wild jumps in numbers, which honestly feels right. The R7 has always been about balance, not bragging rights. It’s predictable, confidence-inspiring, and one of those bikes that you instantly click with whether you’re at a local track or carving twisties on a Sunday.
The filing also shows the R7 getting a bit wider at 28.5 inches and weighing around 417 pounds, just a touch heavier than before. So yeah, it’s basically the same sleek, approachable sportbike that riders already love, just updated for the next round of emissions rules and modern tech.
With Euro 5+ certification sorted, Yamaha’s making sure the R7 sticks around for years to come. That’s good news for riders who still want something analog-feeling in an increasingly digital motorcycle world. Expect to see the new R7 officially break cover at EICMA this November, possibly right next to the much-hyped R9.
And for those of us who know the CP2 by heart, that’s something worth getting excited about.
Source: Motorcycle.com
