YZF-R7 Camshaft Kit ST-2M: What It Does
By Yoshimura R&D of America, Inc. | Published: 2026-10-25
Category: How-to Guides
Learn what the Yoshimura ST-2M camshaft kit does for your YZF-R7, how to diagnose performance issues, and the steps to install it correctly.
Quick answer
The Yoshimura ST-2M camshaft kit for the YZF-R7 replaces the stock cams with billet steel units that increase mid-to-high RPM power. If your R7 feels flat above 7,000 RPM, this kit is the direct fix.
Why the ST-2M is different
Yoshimura has been grinding camshafts since 1954, and the ST-2M is a modern result of that legacy. Unlike a simple lobe swap, this kit uses a full billet intake and exhaust cam machined from a special steel alloy in Japan. The alloy is harder than stock castings, which means less flex at high RPM and more consistent valve timing.
The trade-off is cost. At roughly $1,004 (versus a catalog comparison of $1,619), the kit is a significant investment compared to a slip-on exhaust. But if you are chasing lap times or track-day performance, the camshaft is where the CP2 engine actually changes its power character.
When you should stay with stock
If your riding never exceeds 7,000 RPM or you only commute, the stock cams are fine. The ST-2M shifts the power band upward, which can make the bike feel weaker at low revs until you adapt your riding style. It also requires a tune afterward, adding labor and ECU cost.
Diagnosis: Is the ST-2M right for your R7?
- Symptom: Your YZF-R7 feels like it hits a wall at 7,000–8,000 RPM. The engine revs but doesn't pull harder, and you are leaving the track day feeling like the bike is holding back.
- Likely cause: The stock camshaft timing is optimized for a broad, flat torque curve that prioritizes mid-range over peak power. The CP2 engine has more potential in the upper revs that the factory cams leave on the table.
- Corrective action: Install the Yoshimura ST-2M camshaft kit. This replaces both intake and exhaust cams with billet units that alter valve opening and closing points to let the engine breathe at high RPM. Expect a noticeable power gain from 7,000 RPM onward, with a sharper throttle response. After installation, the engine must be re-tuned. Do not run the bike without an ECU flash or tuner that accounts for the new cam timing.
- Stop or choose another option: If you are not comfortable with an engine-teardown-level install (cylinder head removal, timing chain work, valve clearance checks), or if you cannot budget for a professional tune afterward, consider a Yoshimura race exhaust and ECU flash instead. That combination recovers some upper-RPM power without opening the engine.
Product facts
- YZF-R7 22-25 CAMSHAFT KIT ST-2M: Full billet intake and exhaust cam made by Yoshimura Japan from a special steel alloy. The billet construction resists flex better than stock cast cams, keeping valve timing accurate at high RPM for more consistent power.
YZF-R7 22-25 CAMSHAFT KIT ST-2M
