In Milan earlier today, Yamaha rolled out the new MT-10 naked featuring an engine based on the current R1. We do not yet know whether this model will make it to the United States for the 2016 model year. Here are some of the details regarding this European model (you can also visit the Yamaha UK web site):
Ray of Darkness – power torque agility. The MT-10 is the one you’ve been waiting for. It’s by far the most powerful MT ever created. And the time has come for you to enter the next level of darkness.
You’ve done a lot of riding. So you know exactly what you want. Serious power with corner-carving precision. And natural ergonomics that mean you can ride anywhere on any road. Ride the Ray of Darkness with the MT-10.
Driven by a 998cc crossplane engine tuned for extra low to mid range torque – and rolling on a lightweight ultra-short wheelbase aluminium Deltabox chassis with a natural riding position – the MT-10 gives you ultimate power with class leading agility and total control.
Details
- Torque-rich, 4-cylinder ‘CP4’ crossplane engine
- YZF-R1-derived engine, chassis and suspension
- Tuned for strong, linear low to mid range torque
- YCC-T, D-MODE and Traction Control System
- Assist and slipper (A&S) clutch
- Lightweight aluminium Deltabox main frame
- Short 1400mm wheelbase for class-leading agility
- Dynamic mass-forward silhouette
- Upright riding position with forward lean
- High specification ABS brakes with radial calipers
- Fully adjustable high specification suspension
- Multi function LCD instruments
See more of MD’s great photography:
I am going to reserve final judgement until I see it, but it appears that a lot of the “ugly” is “fixable”. Should be interesting…
As soon as Yamaha came out with the crossplane motor, I hoped they would put it in a naked upright. I’m sure this will be an awesome bike. That said, this thing is butt ugly. Look at the last photo, nothing flows. It looks like it’s snapped together with vacuum cleaner parts. I wish they would have just modified the beautiful R1 design into such a bike.
All I know is I would love to test ride one.
called yamaha USA today and looks like we will not get this bike in 2016.best bet is to contact yamaha and demand it.I did.
I had high hopes too………*sigh*
Looks good. Lots of features I would be interested in.
Ok there’s styling elements I dont like, but more importantly, theres a collection of parts and fittings whose function and purpose I do not clearly understand particularly modular parts used in combination where one well designed part would seem to have sufficed (ex. wind deflector, ram air). A naked is supposed to be a stripped down sportbike, but to me this thing feels like I would want to start by removing superfluous parts. Complaints aside, a more everyday rideable version of the R1 with brawny motor and high spec chassis and electronics is near the top of the type of motorcycle I would want.
+1 x 1000 = spot on
That looks like an evolved Fazer. Want! Must have the grey with blue wheels.
I just realized this bike has a pretty flat seat. No spoiler like contraption in place of a passenger seat. If Yamaha brings it over, that in and of itself should sell one to everyone in the US who has ever commented on an MC site….
Its built off the old R1…..right?
Sure looks it to me… Not that the old bike was a slouch, but how many horses did they slaughter to bump the torques? These “torque-rich-nakeds” better be quicker to 100 than their Superbike brothers…or what’s the point?
The 2nd tier of the Naked-Hooligan Class has another entry.
Styling wise to me…its the front end that doesn’t gel…
First paragraph: “new MT-10 naked featuring an engine based on the current R1”.
Engine covers, radiators and exhaust seem to be the same. Headlights appear to have been brought from the new R1 too.
GIMME!
wait until you see the promo video for this bike. A real insight into what the Japanese think when they design sport bikes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuZF11yuVzE
Fascinating. I’ve worked, lived and traveled in a lot of places and have been immersed in a lot of cultures, but I’m not sure I will ever fully understand the Japanese. And I mean that in a good way.
I don’t know if it was the marketing effect of the video or if my eyes are just acclimating to the sight of it, but the bike looked better in motion than it does in these pictures. All of that darkness might have helped, though.
I think the Japanese have never gotten over fueldal Japan with Ninjas and warlords just like Americans have never gotten over the American west with ” steel horses” and saddlebags and saddles with fringe and the idea of some being ” outlaws”
Yes, a Japanese movie plot can look pretty bleak with evil robot overlord armies from across the galaxy descending to conquer earth, practically unphased by all of our missiles, death rays and star fighters… only to get their arses kicked in the final moments by some guy with a samurai sword.
You people know jack-squat!! Here, some education;
http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Japan
Funny, I almost felt the opposite way. In pictures, the bike look so “deconstructed” and cubist, that it almost doesn’t look like one single object; but rather a bunch of shapes flying in formation. Once the rider got on it, and assumed the “elbows up and out” Euromotard position, I just started feeling pain between my shoulder blades…….
The post bubble generations in Japan are probably the first sizable group of people who can realistically be described as having fully ascended to the top rung of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Their parents had pretty much perfected the world, and everything in it, by the early 90s. Everything was faster, more advanced, more precise and more perfect than anywhere or anytime before. And, honestly, after. And nothing ever broke. And it was all done at a price anyone could afford. Leaving genuine, almost as if in a vacuum, self actualization, and fading away, all that was left to do.
The face only Hero Hastur could love. Hmmm is it a love child?
YES PLEASE YES PLEASE!!!
Yamaha nailed the styling on this one!
This had better come to the USA.
I like this design. That said, I anxiously await the abbreviated tail section trend to going away.
So much is so rooted in the past now days. It’s refreshing to see something so bold.
Just a few years ago they would have done something like create a REALLY ugly headlight to ruin it all.
They should have increased the stroke with the excuse of relaxing the way it’s driven and conceive the MT11.
Why can’t we get factory options for the sub-frame? do you remember the 959 and that huge space in the cowl?
Yay we got an option to edit!!!!! way to go Dirck….
Nice concept and waaaay overdue but REALLY?!
There is NO WAAAAY I could ride something so ugly no matter how good it is…
STILL waiting for the right bike…
It makes the GSXS1000 look beautiful.
I am too old for neon green wheels,, but that bike has a lot of selling points. Hope we get it in the US.
If there ever was a bike that qualified for the “it’s so ugly it’s beautiful” category, this thing must be it.
A naked bike only looks as good as the rider position though. Some bikes look nice on the showroom floor, but when I see them on the street with a rider on, they look a bit awkward (obviously rider size plays a role) and some are the exact opposite. Some of the recent Kawasaki nakeds, for example; they look pretty meh, but with a 5’10″ish rider on the overall silhouette looks quite aggressive from most angles. Contrast that with a Brutale which looks gorgeous by itself but seems puny and a tad too squatty with most adult sized riders on. Something tells me this MT-10 thing will look pretty BAMF with a rider on. Can’t say for sure until I see photos, but I just got that feeling.
Cruise control seems like a waste of space to me though. Kinda leads one to believe compromises were made in order to allow the bike to appeal to touring riders. Exhaust also needs to be swapped, but that’s almost a given these days. Still no word on weight though, which will be key.
These days cruise control takes up only the space for the switch button and the lines of code in the ECU because the throttle bodies are already ride by wire.
Further proof that for the most part, the Japanese manufactures have lost their way,and badly. Trying to lead from behind in every fad category, and ruling none. Just look at this putrid looking thing. Great performance, but very low general utility and usability. All of these years people have been begging for a great truly high-performance all around more standard type bike, but instead they give garbage like this transformers reject thing.
Yamaha: currently the yin to Honda’s yang.
Guys ! Let’s make the ugliest “transformer for Shia Laboeuf” bike
Yea ! let’s do that !
Love it!! They better bring it here!!!
Square radiator looks a bit out of place within the dominant robotic / transformer styling theme. Freaky beak; the mother of all beaks? Designed by a committee and each member got a piece?
Maybe we are nearing the end of internal combustion engines? Might as well toss in an electric motor?
That bike is all business. Looks like the spawn of an F16 fighter and an MT-01 with a half decent looking seat and riding position.
Killer engine…check
All day comfort…check
Cruise control…check
Modern version of an old school muscle bike…check
Wicked styling…check
Throw the adventure touring concept in the garbage…check
God bless Yamaha.
👍
+1
Yes please!
It reminds me a lot of a Buell – geometry/color/headlight-wise, at least. It should be quite an awesome bike, even if they are reducing its power so, nope, it won’t be available over here…
Buell??? Cut your tongue off and throw it in the trash!
Hahahahaha!
Seriously, though, it does remind me of that Hero Hastur motorcycle that EBR had at least some hand in.
Dang Jeremy..don’t mention EBR.. You want to spiral this thread out of control. Next thing you’ll probably say is it’s faster than a Hyosung 650.
Speaking of Hyosung, those are some nice bikes with great warranties and four cams! I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for their Milan announcements!!! Maybe they will have five cams this year!
I love the features. Love the performance. But why on earth do manufacturers feel compelled to make the headlight assembly look so damned goofy? It really looks stupid. Especially this one … like a hunk of unfinished plastic hung haphazardly off the front end. Ugghhh.
I like the idea…but it’s over-styled. It didn’t have to look like a Transformer toy, did it?
It better not have anything les than 140hp
My first impression: This bike looks really pissed off!
But in a good way. I think.
THIS is what I’ve been waiting for. The cross plane engine in a naked bike. Yes, bring it here to the states.
When my son and I test rode the original cross plane R-1s. We both thought they needed to put that motor in a Gen 1 FZ-1 style standard. We’d have been buyers on the spot. What a sound.
Woof.
Hoo Doggie!!!!
The ultimate CityBike, if you’re in a city with really long blocks instead of SF
I’ve been asking for this bike for a long time but…….damn……not exactly what I had in mind Yamaha.
Think you may need to hire an Italian or two to help with the esthetics.
My thoughts exactly.
The Italians look equally lost in their designs these days to me.
Lost, yes. Equally? Not so sure about that. Nobody overstyles like the Japanese.
I take that back. Just saw some of the new Bimotas.
You did see the MV with the ” vacume sweeper” ( as Norm put it) hand hold under the seat and the ray gun pipes.. Right?
And the new Ducatis aren’t doing anything for me either.
Although I agree the Japanese can get awfully origami looking with their sport bike designs, but their tourers, sport tourers and cruisers follow tradition and look pretty good from a design stand point.
What a beast this must be
No kidding! Hopefully, the Euro rental outlets have them by summer…….