After five years of loyal service and fueled by tightened European emission standards (Euro5, there it is again) it was time for the flagship of the Yamaha MT fleet, the MT-10, to be dusted off and refreshed. And that is exactly what they have done at Yamaha.
With the recent update of the MT-09(SP), XSR900 and MT-07 in mind, a ‘new’ MT-10 was on the way, but it must be said that they are making a lot of progress in Iwata in terms of the MT series. Not surprising in itself, they are the best horses in the stable in terms of sales figures. Although that is of course slightly less true for the MT-10, which in its role as flagship has a slightly higher price tag. Speaking of that price tag, we don’t know anything about that yet. Just that the MT-10 will be at dealers in April. But it will be more than the 15,999 euros that you had to pay for the ‘old one’. What stands out are the slightly rounder lines, the Transformer feeling has been pushed back slightly, and of course it is not only LED all around, but the MT now also does it with DRL lighting in the top fairing.
What we also know is that the MT-10 engine has been slightly modified, which had to be done because of Euro5, but it also gave the engineers the space to make the 998cc crossplane four-cylinder engine operate more efficiently, partly due to lighter, forged pistons and coated cylinder walls. The RbW throttle response has been refined, as has the injection. There are also changes on the intake and exhaust side; the intake path has been modified for more torque between 4,000 and 8,000 rpm and a fuller sound from the airbox, and the titanium exhaust system has been redesigned. Result: 5 hp extra. The MT-10 is now good for 165 hp at (same) 11,500 rpm, the torque now peaks at 112 Nm instead of 111. Small differences, but it’s a gain and that’s in view of the emissions requirements in itself good looking.
The wheelbase grew by 5 mm to 1,405 mm, although it remains a mystery why exactly, the suspicion is a longer swingarm. The weight grew, mainly due to the Euro5 approved exhaust system, with 2 kilos to 212 kg roadworthy. Furthermore, we see the familiar – recalibrated – KYB setup all around in terms of suspension; a 43mm upside down fork and also fully adjustable rear monoshock. Yamaha does not say a word about the SP (with Öhlins Smart EC) at this stage. Another adjustment is – just like on the MT-09 – a radial Brembo brake pump, the radially mounted 4-piston calipers and 320 mm discs have remained the same.
No shortage of electronics, of course. For example, the MT10 now has an up/down quickshifter as standard, 4 power modes ranging from an aggressive mode (1) to a very soft mode (4) for in the rain, an IMU for the angle-dependent traction control (5 pcs.) and ABS. controllable, Silde Control (SCS), Lift Control (LIF), Adjustable Engine Brake (EBM) and 4 Ride Modes. In Mode A to D, Yamaha has pre-cooked all the electronics itself, apart from that you can also set everything – on a new 4.2-inch TFT dashboard – to your own liking.
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