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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. The MT-10 however is bang on trend, not only with engineering…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 and 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…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!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, but 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…the same functions on my MV Agusta 1090RR are a b@st@rd to change.
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 and even on standard pipes that 4 pot 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….twenty miles of bucking, twisting, weaving and bumpy tarmac that not everybody likes but I really enjoy attacking. 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, but 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!
I was lucky with the weather and could really appreciate my beautiful surroundings…this was taken at Clee Hill
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)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…7 switches…makes 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….
Thanks to the Motorcycle Mart of Kidderminster for the loan of (yet another) demonstrator…
https://www.motorcyclemart.co.uk/
Good review, Radar
Definitely a great deal – 160bhp for £10K is outstanding.
Sounds like the Tracer on steroids….
Good review, Radar
Definitely a great deal – 160bhp for £10K is outstanding.
Sounds like the Tracer on steroids….
Good way of putting it. Logically this is the bike I should ride rather than the MV
Good review, Radar
Definitely a great deal – 160bhp for £10K is outstanding.
Sounds like the Tracer on steroids….
Good way of putting it. Logically this is the bike I should ride rather than the MV
But can you compare Yamaha with MV?
The GS1200 beats the Explorer in every review I’ve ever read, but I still prefer the big Triumph. Logic loses out to bias every time!Good review, Radar
Definitely a great deal – 160bhp for £10K is outstanding.
Sounds like the Tracer on steroids….
Good way of putting it. Logically this is the bike I should ride rather than the MV
But can you compare Yamaha with MV?
The GS1200 beats the Explorer in every review I’ve ever read, but I still prefer the big Triumph. Logic loses out to bias every time!On paper the two bikes seem to have a lot in common, in reality they don’t oddly…the MV just feels more exclusive and is even more bonkers to ride. This doesn’t stop the Yamaha being a superb bike. Logically I should run a MT-10 or perhaps a MT-09 Tracer
Well, i finally got my turn on Saturday. I’m in love all over again!
I’ll start by saying i agree pretty much with everything Radar has said above, a spot on assessment of this two wheeled thug. The throttle twist action is very light, highlighting the jerky/instantaneous throttle response in “turbo-nutter-bastard” mode.
The engine is the cross-plane unit found in the R1 but the cam lobes have been re-profiled and the crankshaft is slightly heavier to hone down the power delivery. For those of you who haven’t ridden the 2009 and later cross-plane engined R1, in turbo-nutter-bastard mode, you need to be awake! Just even think about opening the taps and it’s already gone, the power comes in like a bitchslap and before you’ve realised what is going on, you’re already way past the speed limit!
Whilst this is really great fun, it would make the MT-10 almost unrideable. So, to keep things still crazy enough to have you giggling like a possessed school boy, but still keep it rubber side down, Yam have made the changes to the engine.
Don’t be disheartened though, you still get 165BHP & 112Nm (83ft-lb) to play with….. this is more than enough to power wheelie in 4th…… as i found out!!
The brakes to keep this grunt in check are more than man enough for the job, but like Radar said, some Brembo HH sintered pads & braided hoses will give a better bite.
Handling wise, this thing is a jet fighter! It’s very easy to throw around, you’ll find your limits way before you find the bikes limit! It’s light, very well balanced and very stable. I only wish i’d been able to put my leathers on (i’m still carrying my winter coat from last year so i can’t get them over my not so pert bottom…. GUTTED!), it would have been knee down all over the place!!How good is the MT-10?? Well i’ll put it to you this way, if you’ve got a BMW S1000R, SELL IT!! You’ve got the wrong bike!!
P.S. The blue/black is the best paint job on it!
P.P.S. The MT-09 has now been scrubbed from the “must test ride” list on account of testing the MT-10!The MT-10 is a mightily impressive bike, I am still toying with the idea getting rid of the MV and Duke and getting one.
Don’t totally rule out an MT-09…have a try….this what I thought of it…https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-09-tasty-triple-review-and-pics/
A rode it’s sensible brother too
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-09-tracer-review-and-pictures/
and it’s little brother
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-07-review-and-pics-test-ride-a-yamaha-buy-a-harley/
and it’s cool retro cousin
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-xsr900-cool-cafe-racer-or-slick-modern-speed-machine/
Yamaha are doing great things right now after a few years in the doldrums
I quite like these, although not a fan of the colour (once you go black, you never look back!)
Is a possible replacement for my Ducati Sport Classic Biposto
I quite like these, although not a fan of the colour (once you go black, you never look back!)
Is a possible replacement for my Ducati Sport Classic Biposto
Have you tracked one down to test ride yet? My local dealer still has a demo I think
There is one in Southampton and another in Maidstone, but both are a bit of a treck. Will wait until next year now as I am pumping all my available credit into the Guzzi
There is one in Southampton and another in Maidstone, but both are a bit of a treck. Will wait until next year now as I am pumping all my available credit into the Guzzi
Fair enough, I suppose selling your Duke will ease up funds too. Let is know what you think when you do blag a go on one
will def do so, am rather excited to have a shot on one when I get the chance!
In a logical world I should buy one, a natural progression from my old FZ1S
The MT-10 is a mightily impressive bike, I am still toying with the idea getting rid of the MV and Duke and getting one.
Don’t totally rule out an MT-09…have a try….this what I thought of it…https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-09-tasty-triple-review-and-pics/
A rode it’s sensible brother too
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-09-tracer-review-and-pictures/
and it’s little brother
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-07-review-and-pics-test-ride-a-yamaha-buy-a-harley/
and it’s cool retro cousin
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-xsr900-cool-cafe-racer-or-slick-modern-speed-machine/
Yamaha are doing great things right now after a few years in the doldrums
Now you see it’s not that i dislike the MT09 at all, it’s a brilliant bike, i absolutely adore them! They look fantastic and sound gorgeous, especially with the Akra zorst fitted! I’d recommend one to anybody. A mate of mine from Brum was looking at get the 07…. i stopped him in his tracks and pointed him in the direction of the 09. He hasn’t looked back!
BUT, once you’ve ridden the 10 how can you go back? Buy the 09 having ridden the 10 and you’ll always from that day on, (until you upgrade to the 10 at least) kicking yourself for plumbing for 2nd best! The 10 really is a thug in an Armani suit and that’s exactly what i love about it. Now i just need to find the £26k to buy the fully spec’d 10 AND the BMW R1200R!!
The MT-10 is a mightily impressive bike, I am still toying with the idea getting rid of the MV and Duke and getting one.
Don’t totally rule out an MT-09…have a try….this what I thought of it…https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-09-tasty-triple-review-and-pics/
A rode it’s sensible brother too
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-09-tracer-review-and-pictures/
and it’s little brother
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-mt-07-review-and-pics-test-ride-a-yamaha-buy-a-harley/
and it’s cool retro cousin
https://bikemeet.net/forums/topic/yamaha-xsr900-cool-cafe-racer-or-slick-modern-speed-machine/
Yamaha are doing great things right now after a few years in the doldrums
Now you see it’s not that i dislike the MT09 at all, it’s a brilliant bike, i absolutely adore them! They look fantastic and sound gorgeous, especially with the Akra zorst fitted! I’d recommend one to anybody. A mate of mine from Brum was looking at get the 07…. i stopped him in his tracks and pointed him in the direction of the 09. He hasn’t looked back!
BUT, once you’ve ridden the 10 how can you go back? Buy the 09 having ridden the 10 and you’ll always from that day on, (until you upgrade to the 10 at least) kicking yourself for plumbing for 2nd best! The 10 really is a thug in an Armani suit and that’s exactly what i love about it. Now i just need to find the £26k to buy the fully spec’d 10 AND the BMW R1200R!!
I loved the raw power of my FZ1S, my MV1090 is just bonkers too. I know what you are saying about the MT-09, but it remains a corking bike. Must try and get a go on a R1200R too
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