Yamaha aims to give sportbike riders more bang for their buck with its twin-cylinder-powered YZF-R7 ($8,999). As opposed to the more racy (and now retired YZF-R6), the R7 pairs affordability with ease of use for sport riders looking to move up from the YZF-R3.br br --br br Despite its nomenclature, the R7 is closer to the R3 than to the inline-four-powered YZF-R6. Racers and performance-minded riders will likely bemoan this comparison, but the majority of folks seeking an easy riding full-fairing streetbike will appreciate the R7.br br Powered by an MT-07-sourced 689cc CP2 parallel twin, this liquid-cooled engine delivers pleasing low and midrange grunt. It offers upwards of 87 percent of its torque peak (46.3 pound-feet) from 3,500 rpm. Unlike a middleweight four-cylinder, it doesn’t need to be revved to the moon to deliver optimum acceleration. At the business end of the 180-series Bridgestone Battlax S22 tire, the R7 pumps out around 67 hp. Redline is just above 10,000 rpm.