If you are expecting it to be another version of the FZ1 or something similar, then HELL NO because this is Yamaha's super-naked class entrant, the YZF-R1 based naked street-fighter, the all new MT-10 that was unveiled in Milan. The bike was ridden on to the stage by the 2015 MotoGP World Champion, Jorge Lorenzo along with this team-mate and the nine times MotoGP World Champion, Valentino Rossi who rode the XSR900.The MT-10 is the naked sibling of the current YZF-R1. The MT-10 shares most of the mechanicals with the Yamaha R1. It lacks the fairing, but at the same time retains the projector headlamps of the previous generation YZF-R1.
The 2016 MT-10 is powered by the YZF-R1's 998cc crossplane engine. Yamaha says that the engine has been tuned for better low and mid-range torque. The changes to the engine to help boost low and mid-range includes newly designed intake, exhaust and fuelling systems and steel connecting rods from the low-spec YZF-R1S model. Even though the power, torque figures are not revealed yet, we expect it to produce a healthy 165 PS power and around 101 Nm of torque.The bike comes loaded with electronics that include switchable traction control with three levels, three riding modes, an assist and slipper clutch and cruise control. The bike also gets an optional Quick Shift System (QSS).
The bike has a versatile forward leaning riding posture. The aluminium Deltabox main frame is also derived from the YZF-R1. Yamaha claims that the MT-10 has the shortest wheelbase in the class at 1400 mm. The bike gets fully adjustable 43mm KYB inverted forks and an adjustable KYB monoshock suspension at the rear. The braking duties are carried over by 320 mm floating discs with 4-pot Nissin callipers at the front and a 220 mm disc at the rear. The MT-10 gets ABS as standard. In addition, the bike gets light weight five-spoke aluminium wheels, a 17 litres fuel tank and a newly designed multifunctional LCD instrument cluster.
If priced right, the Yamaha MT-10 will be a hard competitor for the BMW S1000R. Presently it looks like it is going to be only for the European markets, but we do expect it to be launched here in India later on. Tell us what you think about the 2016 MT-10 in the comment sections below.By: Rakesh Gowda