Traveled: Yamaha MT-10
Yamaha is very proud of the latest member of the MT family. Be that as it may, in just two years they built a whole family of motorcycles that are selling well on the old continent, as well as in our country (MT-09, MT-07, MT-125, MT-03). They brought in emotion, courage and awakened the dark side of Japan. Already at the first meeting with the MT-09, I wrote that I can congratulate Yamaha engineers, and this time I will do the same. The motorcycle they made breaks tradition and inspires. They admitted to themselves: it may not be impressive either, but then you simply are not a buyer of this engine. Their trade assortment today really lacks interesting motorcycles for every taste. But with the MT-10 no one remained indifferent.
At first I had some doubts about the boldness of the design, reminiscent of robots from the Transformers series, but when I drove the first kilometers through southern Spain, it became clear to me that a motorcycle with such a strong character it deserves.
Yamaha says it's not a stripped-down superbike, it's not an unarmored R1, and I have to agree with that. The Yamaha R1 and R1M are motorcycles designed for extremely high speeds on the race track. This is a radical feature for riding at 300 kilometers per hour, and everything is subordinated to it, from the sitting position on the motorcycle to the power of the engine, the rigid frame and the six-axle system that controls and manages almost all parameters and motion processes. heavy-duty computer and controls the motor electronics and operation of the rear wheel traction control system, brake system and active suspension. The MT-10 does not need this, as it is designed to drive on ordinary roads, where the speed rarely exceeds 200 kilometers per hour. Then for more everyday use. But don't let that fool you, I think I would really like the MT-10 and set a fast time on a race track, but its terrain is curves, mountain roads, it could also be where it will steal the views from - for its dominant appearance.
The winding mountain roads in the outback of Almeria were the perfect testing ground for what she was capable of. The occasional rain made things even more interesting, as I was able to test whether it rides neutral and dry in the wet. The overall characteristics of this bike are three: snappy acceleration, great brakes, and an incredibly neutral feel behind the wide handlebars. It rides very intuitively while riding, I easily fit into the bike and felt very well what was happening under the wheels. The three rear slip control programs and the three engine programs proved to be a breeze as I was able to find the right setting for changing conditions while driving through simple and quick menus. With a nice MotoGP soundstage, but certainly within decibel limits and Euro 4 regulations, 160 horses is a lot. Enough for a tourist trip or an adrenaline rush around the corner. But even more convincing than the power is the 111 Nm of torque that allows for continuous acceleration in every gear. They even provided us with this deluxe and stock cruise control, which is great for highway driving and works in fourth, fifth and sixth gears from 50 to 180 kilometers per hour. While it has a great six-speed with a short set-up, it's that magical third gear. In this MT-10, it pulls incredibly purposefully from 50 mph to bold overkill. In a series of corners, the PA delivers adrenaline-fueled acceleration and offers exceptional agility delivered by great torque. All this is supported by the sound, or rather the roar of the beastly inline-four-cylinder design of the CP4 (shift ignition angle). I have never experienced such sharp accelerations on a bare bike. That being said, the Yamaha MT-10 remains sovereign and calm thanks to suspension and frame taken from the R1. Although I have a very short wheelbase, it stays still even at top speed. And here I must touch on another remarkable quality. The R1 LED mask is designed to keep the rider upright even when the gauge is over 200 km/h! Even on the freeway, you can easily hold on to the steering wheel, but if you lean forward, there will be almost no air resistance. The aerodynamics on the Yamaha are excellent and the grille attached to the frame has been improved to the point where the wind protection is excellent! For all those who miss the old Fazer or plan to drive longer and want even more comfort, they have dedicated a beautiful windshield that you can choose from a rich selection of accessories. With a pair of side cases and a bigger, taller, more comfortable seat, the MT-10 transforms from a single cornering beast into a sport bike.
With a full tank of fuel (17 liters), we drove a good 200 kilometers, after which there is a reserve for another 50 kilometers. When driving dynamically on mountain roads, consumption ranges from 6,9 to 7,2 liters per 100 kilometers, depending on the trip computer. It could have been smaller, but given the bike's sporty nature and sharp acceleration, that's understandable.
The price is not overpriced. For € 13.745, you get an exceptional bike with the latest technology and looks that is currently the most daring of all hypersport bikes.
text: Petr Kavčič n photo: фабрика
