Motorcycle specifications YamahaMT-10 SP 2020 High-level road sports

With the MT-10, Yamaha has taken its time in renewing its offering in the segment, but has finally ensured a high-caliber descendant to the FZ1. And there's no need to miss out. In this category, the competition has set the bar very high. And the MT-10 has what it takes: the R1 's crossplane engine (downsized to 160 hp), the chassis from the same source, the brakes too... In short, the R1 in roadster form. It's only its mug that provokes uniform curiosity, but not unanimity when it comes to looks.

With the SP version, Yamaha pushes the envelope. Very far. And it doesn't hesitate to steal parts from the R1-M. We've seen worse transfers. Yamaha's Superbike is enough to make any tracker drool, and now its suspensions have arrived on the big roadster. The MT-10 SP has a big dynamic advantage with its duo of Öhlins pilot-controlled suspensions. While the quality of these Swedish components is well established, here they are taken to the next level. Called E.R.S, the suspensions benefit from the assistance of an SCU computer that adapts damping in real time for greater efficiency. With the help of sensors, the SCU reads the road, analyzes the ride and then transmits the appropriate compression and rebound settings to the fork and shock absorber servomotors. This level of suspension is usually found on MV-Agusta or Bimota bikes, but never on Japanese naked bikes.

Yamaha's streetfighter couldn't be satisfied with the Öhlins of the R1-M. It also got to grips with its TFT dashboard. A small, colorful tablet, more pleasant to look at and dispensing a wealth of information. The choice of color, a sporty and mechanical Silver Blu Carbon, is inspired by the sports bike. Clearly, the MT-10 SP is stung by a quest for performance. Alas, no carbon parts on board. We'd have liked to see a little gesture in that direction, to further affirm the genetic transfer from the R1-M.

Alongside its top-of-the-range parts, the SP benefits from the latest evolutions gathered by the standard MT-10. The engine-makers have revised the engine mapping, and the selector is reinforced by a QSS shifter, active when upshifting. Remember that the bike is equipped with three D-Mode mapping systems, 3-level traction control, an anti-dribble clutch, cruise control activatable from 50 km/h, a temperament to die for and a design that appeals to one and all. Perhaps it's on this last point alone that Yamaha should make an effort.
Powerful, technologically advanced and one of the top roadsters in the world, the Yamaha MT-10 does justice to the SP name. The price will match the quality of the machine, without waiting for the mass-market impact of certain European products.

M.B - manufacturer's media