To say that I was excited to ride the new Yamaha MT-10 was something of understatement: I had owned the 10’s predecessor, the FZ1S, covering 10,000 miles over four highly enjoyable years. That had been a superb machine. The prospect of an update based on the later R1 with the ‘big-bang’ flat plane crank was intriguing. Now a decade old the FZ1 was looking very dated against the much more funky newcomers such as the Kawasaki Z1000.
On Trend
The MT-10 however is bang on trend, not only with engineering features, ABS, traction control, switchable engine modes and even cruise control, but also with very daring ‘transformer’ esque styling. Very cool. The grey with yellow wheels of the demo bike I road doesn’t suit it best though. I think the black option looks ace. Yamaha have sold out that option funnily enough! So what we have here is a cool, trick bike kicking out 160bhp for £10k brand new (in 2016). That my friends is a hell of a deal!
Bang up to date styling, not 100% sold on this colour combination to be honest
Transformers!
At Ease Immediately
Straight away this is a bike I felt at home on. A reasonable seat height combining with a slim profile to allow even a stumpy like me ride the bike comfortably. The controls were all neat and logical including the digital display. However, I would still rather see round analogue dials for a least revs and speed. I am just an old fashioned guy!
Neat, informative, modern…I still prefer dials….
Traction control was a doddle to use and to change between settings. The same could be said for the three engine modes, normal, mad and bonkers (STD, A & B really). Take note MV Agusta. The same functions on my Brutale 1090RR are a b@st@rd to change.
Enough Time to Get the Vibe
I had the bike for three hours and covered just over 90 miles over one of my standard routes through rural Worcestershire and Shropshire. The bike is an absolute hoot to ride. That powerful motor utterly dominates the experience. Even on standard pipes that four pot mill with the odd firing order emits a wonderful howl.
I swept out of Bewdley, through Far Forest over Clee Hill and attacked one of my favourite roads that cuts across from just outside Ludlow to the outskirts of Bridgnorth the B4364. This is twenty miles of bucking, twisting, weaving and bumpy tarmac that not everybody likes but I really enjoy attacking.
Went back for Seconds
The MT10 lapped it up and could be chucked about like a much smaller bike. Where it has really moved on when compared to my old FZ1 is the gearbox. That characteristic Yamaha ‘clunkiness’ has been banished at long last. The brakes seemed fine to me. I could imagine somebody who pushes harder than me or has come from a front line sports bike might want a bit more feel. The suspension was superb, compliant and composed over this demanding road. In fact I enjoyed myself so much that after a quick rest halt at the cafe in Quatt I headed straight back over the same road again!
Clee Hill. I was lucky with the weather and could really appreciate my beautiful surroundings.
The back drop kind of suit the bikes looks in this colour combo. I felt like I was on the set of a Blake’s 7 episode (look it up all those under 50)
Not Perfect
The only fly in the ointment was the throttle response in the most aggressive of the three settings, it was just a bit jerky for me, especially if rolled the throttle on to go then had to back off suddenly. I left it in STD mode most of the time and the thing still went like a stabbed rat! I also had a play with the cruise control control, but didn’t like it…I just felt odd and quickly turned it off.
One of my few gripes: The LH control pack is a bit busy. Seven switches making the primary function (indicator switch) a little awkward to use. If that is the best gripe I can come up with you tell we are onto a great bike here!
So overall a stonking bike, especially at the money Yamaha are punting it out for.
Would I buy one? Possibly….(Update I never did, but still hanker after one!)
Words and Pictures: Tony Donnelly
The even madder SP model might be worth a look too. The review of that bike can be found here