AP MotoArts readies a Yamaha FZ-07 for the track, creates a sweet sportsbike, adds the much-coveted R to its name
Andy Palmer of AP MotoArts has mastered a skill that’s bent to make him an even bigger name in the Western United States, and his recent FZ-07 R machines are just the perfect proof. A road racer and bike builder in SoCal since 2002, Palmer has finally managed to make ends meet as far as his dreams are concerned. He is now able to turn your everyday middleweight FZ-07 naked commuter into a machine fit for the track.
In case the FZ badge sounds a bit unfamiliar, we’ll just tell you that you’re looking at the Yamaha MT machine that was renamed for the North American market. The FZ-07 is, in fact, the bike sold in Europe as the MT-07, a 689cc parallel twin naked bike that’s equally great for commuting and even longer trips. Now, with Andy’s prowess, it can also tap into road-racing, too.
Palmer’s drive to create a track version of the FZ-07 was the lack of racing machines that are both affordable and manageable by riders with limited track expertise. Back in the day, Andy used Suzuki SV650 as his preferred platform, but things are evolving, hence the jump in Yamaha’s camp.
Thanks to the upgrades, his FZ-07 R also gained some horsepower, now producing a peak of 78 hp, which is a neat figure for a bike that tips the scales at 175 kg (386 lb) dry. Nothing to write home about, some might say, but don’t forget that the customers Andy works for are not pro or semi-pro riders, and neither are they willing to spend huge amounts of money for this type of fun.
AP MotoArts are a tad secretive as to the modifications they made to the stock Yamaha, but they can make all sorts of changes to your stock machine. The upgrade list includes fairings with a special mounting kit, rearsets, several fork and rear shock options, ride height links, a slipper clutch, velocity stacks and racing airbox, rear wheel conversion kits, plus ECU flash and even a quick-shifter package.
However, one of the most spectacular needs no particular introduction. If anything, the bodywork of the FZ-07 looks awesome, in each of the trims they showcase. And because customers may have different Yamaha Racing idols, AP MotoArts delivers stunning designs that honor the white and red ‘80s speed block liveries, as well as the Movistar-Yamaha blue livery used in MotoGP today by Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales.
Check with AP MotoArts for pricing and availability.