Yamaha MT-10 SP 2024: Advanced Fighter [ROAD TEST]

Yamaha MT10-SP – “The dark side of Japan” can we say? Oh no?! Since the MT family - Master of Torque - invaded the market more than 10 years ago, this statement wanted by the Japanese has become popular everywhere. She is the signed nude Yamaha most powerful ever, as well as the progenitor of the breed: we are talking about the MT-10 SP, derived from the R1M but stripped of the fairings and with more manageable power. Like its sister with a racing nature, it spares no heart-pounding emotions thanks to the powerful CP4 engine and the new Öhlins smart EC 2.0 suspensions, both inherited from the R1M and then duly subjected to the necessary modifications to better adapt to the new intended use.

Iwata flexes his muscles

Eye contact leaves no room for uncertainty: you either love it or hate it. Ungainly in its volumes, with the front section very wide and dominant compared to the tail, light and not too "pointed" upwards as today's designers have accustomed us to, the MT-10 SP attracts attention for its "transformer look ” which wouldn't make her look out of place at all alongside the robot protagonists of the famous series created by Michael Bay. So what? We like it, a lot. Because the style is individual and aggressive, starting from the fairing fixed to the frame which integrates the twin-eye LED headlights with separate high and low beams, surmounted by the DRL lights - which look like eyebrows - and the tiny windscreen which has only the function to contain the instrumentation. On the sides of the very well shaped tank, here are the dynamic air vents which (in addition to widening the bike especially on a visual level) have a grille in the upper part in order to enhance the sound of the CP4 in intake, returning it directly to the rider who finds himself even more involved in riding the Iwata naked bike. The tip located under the radiator is a prerogative of the SP version and helps to make the look even more attractive which is completed at the rear by the tail which, perhaps, could have been the subject of a more exciting aesthetic study, especially given the impact that occurs when you come face to face with the nose of the MT-10 SP. The sporting ambitions of the Jappo are not even hidden by the exclusive Icon Performance coloring, clearly inspired by the graphic scheme that characterizes the R1M, the historical icon of the company represented by the crossed tuning forks. Few superstructures and lots of visible mechanics, with the gold color of the Öhlins components standing out... and we are ready to command!

Everyday racer. Öhlins approved

Many choose naked bikes because they are comfortable, they have a steering radius that allows you to maneuver even in city traffic and, when the weekend arrives, they transform into the ideal companions for trips out of town. Those who choose an MT-10 SP can easily add participation in track days to the list of feasible things: the main feature of this model, in fact, are the new ones (the MT-10 SP is the first naked Yamaha to adopt them) semi-active suspensions signed by Öhlins, a guarantee when looking for a combination that is suitable for driving on the road and on the track. Derived from the R1M but revised for use on a naked, they offer a wider range of damping adjustments for a degree of response adaptable to road conditions and personal preferences. There are 3 semi-active modes to choose from: thanks to the data collected by the IMU, the calculation system adjusts rebound and compression based on the driving conditions that are received by the electronic control. A-1 turns out to be the sportiest configuration, ideal for smooth surfaces or on the track; there A-2 it is an excellent compromise for most uses, from urban commuting to "sporty" weekend outings. Finally, the mode A-3 it is ideal for difficult surfaces or uneven asphalt: it absorbs every roughness but is far too soft and risks affecting the overall riding pleasure of the motorbike. There are also three manual adjustment modes and they are marked by the letter M: just access the dedicated menu to manually act on the available parameters to adjust the fork and rear wheel according to your sensations. To venture into this world you need a minimum knowledge of driving dynamics and the changes that virtual clicks can make to the suspensions to understand if you are going in the right direction with the adjustments; Fortunately, returning everything to factory settings is very simple!

Riding like at home

Riding the MT-10 SP you can feel that slight inclination forward which allows you to have full control of the situation. The saddle - with harder padding than the normal MT - placed 835 mm from the ground, is comfortable and provides a lot of grip even in the most brutal accelerations, while the legs "embrace" the shaped tank with the mastery of a Japanese samurai. The double-section anodized black handlebar is just the right width and the hands grasp the grips, bringing the torso slightly forward: the feet are on the footrests and the moment you set off, appreciating the perfect triangulation designed by the Iwata engineers is matter of seconds. The blocks are the same as those of the R1M and allow all the various adjustments as long as the bike is stationary: on the left one we find the cruise control (exactly!) and the navigation slide; on the right, however, the wheel which - kept pressed - allows access to the various menus, which can then be navigated by rotating it in both directions.

YRC settings is the most interesting one and, once inside, you will find all the possibilities for customizing the maps (there are 4): the data is displayed on the 4,2” TFT display which is exactly that of its faired sister, tidy and easily readable in all lighting conditions. The electronic equipment is truly complete and relies on the classic 6-axis IMU and two measurement sensors; we find the Traction Control sensitive to the lean angle, the Slide Control (SCS - which does not induce skidding but prevents it), the anti-Lift (LIF), the engine brake regulation (EBM) on two levels and the Brake Control (BC). All these parameters, preset by the manufacturer and combined in the form of 4 Power Modes selectable by the user according to their needs, are brought together under the heading YRC - acronym for Yamaha Ride Control – and allow you to change the temperament of the MT10-SP with the press of a button. Obviously there is no shortage of the Ride-By-Wire accelerator and the Quick Shift System, an electronic gearbox so well calibrated that it works perfectly even at low rpm.

Crossplane pleasure

The very solid diamond Deltabox frame combined with the long aluminum swingarm uses the CP4 engine as a stressed element. CP, acronym for Crossplane, also known as big bang, is an authentic torque generator, especially on the MT-10 SP. Here, Yamaha has not aimed at mere bench numbers but rather at offering a total riding experience: the acronym MT stands for "Master of Torque" and in fact, we have plenty of torque. I am 112 Nm delivered at 9.000 rpm, while at 165,9 rpm the horsepower that this powerful irregular combustion engine is able to deliver is 11.500. We could sit here reeling off the data and the functioning of the technology chosen by the Japanese giant but, just like Yamaha, we certainly prefer to talk to you about the driving experience aboard this authentic streetfighter, which is engaging and exhilarating at the same time.

How are you

The fairing fixed to the frame is a distinctive sign of Yamaha's desire to make the MT-10 SP quantum as sporty as possible. The market in this segment is populated by supernakeds which, by now, go beyond 200 hp and, if they don't, still present extreme configurations, equipment derived from the track and decidedly more extreme heights. Here, however, we find ourselves in front of a motorbike that can accompany you around every day, just like it did with me, proving to be a perfect travel companion. It is very short: its wheelbase of only 1.405 mm makes it the most compact in the category, to the advantage of maneuverability and agility between curves. Agility which in reality is not at the top of the category because in changes of direction on tight mixed terrain, it is not a lightning strike and requires a certain physicality to enter and exit corners quickly. Nothing problematic, let's be clear, especially considering that she is never nervous at the handlebar level and the sensation of having the front in her hand is always clear. The focus, however, is on the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspensions and on the mapping that the technicians have provided for this high-performance version: the A-3 mode is decidedly very soft, ideal for driving in the city, on bumpy roads or on rough road surfaces. but, as soon as possible, choosing A-2 is the best thing you can do. An excellent compromise that allows the MT-10 SP to travel in complete safety and responsiveness in everyday life, even when you intend to increase the pace.

Then when the purpose is the extreme fun and the road or track allows it, the choice necessarily falls on the A-1 mode, which is the sportiest one, designed to provide a reactive and precise driving feeling. It must be considered that the beating heart is always the powerful CP4 which, as we said before, pushes hard especially up to 8/9.000 rpm, a speed that is often not worth exceeding because it gives its best right around that range. With Power Mode 1, the thrust is violent because the engine is in its wild state, the front wheel easily points to the sky and the gears enter one after the other thanks to the quick shifter that doesn't work well, more! The first time you take hold of the brakes and act violently on the Brembo radial master cylinder, however, you would expect more bite and above all more immediacy between the pressure on the lever and the response of the double 320 mm discs present on the front, especially considering that the SP comes standard with braided hoses. Mode 1, in everyday life, is even too "violent" which is why moving to "phase 2" could be an excellent choice to have fun with every thrust of the throttle but without that sensation of immediate take-off that we like yes, but not in all circumstances. Modes 3 and 4 are designed to provide smooth and conservative responses, allowing anyone to ride the queen of MTs, while still emerging unscathed. NDR: “Mode 1 active, TC at 1, Anti-Lift disabled, Slide Control at minimum and Brake Control set to the least invasive level, they are the definitive combo to unleash a real endorphin party!”

Conclusions and price

“But in the end, is it better for me to buy the SP version compared to the normal MT-10?” Absolutely yes. And not for the braided brake hoses or the multi-shaped tip: the turning point is the semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension. An upgrade that is worth all 3000 Euros more than the basic version, thus attesting the price of the MT-10 SP - available only in the Icon Performance color - at 19.299 euros. These are not figures within everyone's reach but this is now the category benchmark. In addition to singing the praises of Iwata's maxi naked, there are also two things that didn't excite us, starting with the braking system which - despite boasting braided hoses - lacks bite especially in the first part of the lever operation; in tight mixed conditions however, a bit of agility is missing and, finally, if you have a heavy hand, consumption makes itself felt. What is certain is that 166 hp calls for fun and, in this segment, fun comes at a price... just like you pay for the beautiful exhaust Slip-On Akrapovic worth 1.260 Euros that Yamaha mounted on the sample under test (to be added to the purchase price of the motorbike, obviously). With him, however, the voice of the CP4 explodes and as a bonus there are powerful explosions on release and the "fired" characteristics at every gear change, typical of this engine. Money well spent, in short.

Dimensions: length 2100 mm; width 800 mm; wheelbase 1405 mm; saddle height 835 mm; trail 102 mm
Motor: Crossplane 4 cylinder, 4 stroke, liquid cooled, DOHC, max power 165,9 hp at 11.500 rpm, max torque 112 Nm at 9.000 rpm
Displacement: 998 cc
Shift: 6-speed
Weight: 215 kg with all fluids and a full tank of petrol
Front suspension: Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 fork
Rear suspension: Mono Öhlins Smart EC 2.0
Braking system: Ant. double disc 320mm, rear. single disc 220 mm
Tires: Bridgestone Battlax S22 120/70 ZR17 – 190/55 ZR17
Tank capacity: Lt 17
Consumption: 6,83 L / 100km
Price: 19.299 € fc