What you see in these images is Yamaha’s all new, naked, litre-class streetfighter. The dark themed machine with twin LED headlights looks evil and has a character that would surely make quite a few of us want to own it right away. The MT-10, along with the Suzuki’s GSX-S and the Kawasaki Z1000 is the third super naked from Japan.
Powering the Yamaha MT-10 is a 998cc inline-four powerplant, based on the R1, replete with crossplane crankshaft. The Deltabox chassis and other components are also shared between the supersport and the new naked. There’s no official word on the power and torque output figures, but we can safely expect the MT-10 to boast a healthy low and mid-range grunt than focus solely on the top range performance. In our estimation, the near 205 bhp engine of the R1 will be detuned to make the streetfighter good for a healthy 160-170 bhp.
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Sure, that styling isn’t going to please all – least of them, the purists. It seems like Yamaha have decided to strip the R1 of all its aprons and tried to make the MT-10 look deliberately monstrous, ugly, even. The MT-10 revealing all its mechanicals, along with a criss-cross of curvy and straight lines is a visual pain, and yet, we’re sure it will please many. Those fluorescent wheel rims do their bit in adding to the loud disposition of the bike. It’s a hairy chested beast, this – and such things mysteriously work for a wide audience.
According to Yamaha’s official statement, “while the YZF-R1 is a full-on supersport bike, the MT-10 is aimed at those riders looking for a thrilling and versatile performance bike that can be used in a range of situations.”
To enhance the new MT’s all round comfort in typical day-to-day usage, the Deltabox frame has a revised strength/rigidity balance for handling agility, controllability and accurate feedback. The motorcycle has a short 1400mm wheelbase, albeit with a new chassis layout. The motorcycle also gets 43mm KYB USD front fork and fully adjustable rear monoshock.
The MT-10 also gets the electronics package from the R1, along with three riding modes (Standard, A and B) and a three stage traction control. There’s also a Cruise Control System on offer.
Stopping power is provided by twin 320mm discs up front – ABS comes as standard. The bike features a 17-litre fuel tank and lightweight 5-spoke alloys which come shod with Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport tyres.
Yamaha will also be offering a whole range of customization options and accessories when the bike goes on sale in May 2016. The price has not been announced yet, though Yamaha expects to sell about 3500 units in Europe in the first year of the bike’s launch.
Check out the video and images of the motorcycle in the gallery below
