2022 Yamaha MT-10 Review Live From the Official U.S. Press Introduction

Motorcyclist

Yamaha has updated its liter-class MT-10, its top-of-the-range Masters of Torque-series naked bike, for 2022. It’s now even more a streetbike designed for sport-riding enthusiasts who want their superbike-level performance in a comfortable upright ergonomics package.  --  The new styling is of course what’s noticed first, and we like the updated shape of the body panels in general and the front end in particular, where the LED running lights give it a sort of Transformer-ish look. The MT-10 certainly follows the motif of Yamaha’s YZF lineup, a feel that extends from styling to its sporting character and now, even its sound.   New air exit vents atop the 4.5-gallon fuel tank direct the motor’s induction roar back towards the rider, giving the engine note a surround-sound feel and more sonic presence than a YZF-R1 superbike. The engine and exhaust notes are in another league and give the European naked bike competition a serious run for their money. Good job, Yamaha Motor.   And as for the motor, it’s Yamaha’s tried-and-true 998cc inline four from the 2015-generation YZF-R1. The engine benefits from the Tuning Fork brand’s crossplane engine technology, giving the bike feel between that of an old-school V-twin sportbike and a high-revving inline four, with a character and sound that’s exclusive to Yamaha...  Full story here: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/yamaha-mt-10-review-2022/  Photography: Joseph Agustin Video/edit: Adam Waheed  Motorcycle Gear Worn  Helmet: Arai Signet-X Jacket: Dainese Sevilla Air  Pant: Dainese Tex Gloves: Racer Guide Boots: TCX Rush 2 Air  Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine   See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/

Transcript

00:00 Hey guys, good morning and welcome to the official US press introduction for Yamaha

00:07 Motors 2022 MT-10 naked bike.

00:13 Yes, I love naked bikes and today we're going to be operating this vehicle on the back roads

00:22 of Asheville, North Carolina.

00:25 How cool is that?

00:26 Alright folks, there it is, Yami's 2022 MT-10 naked bike.

00:36 This is Yamaha Motor Corp's top of the line, leader class naked bike.

00:44 And for 2022, they've done a host of very nice modifications.

00:50 Look at that new bodywork.

00:53 Yes!

00:54 I love the reshaped front end on this motorcycle with that transformer-like LED positioning

01:04 lights, LED headlamps.

01:07 Make sure that you have a good stream of light ahead of you.

01:13 LED turn signals.

01:14 I really appreciate these acoustic channels that Yamaha Motor has built into the fuel

01:21 tank.

01:22 These acoustic channels allow the awesome energy and sound from that 998cc CP4 engine

01:34 to just emanate inside the cockpit.

01:38 There is a lot of really neat sounding motorcycles out there, but this CP4 engine from Yamaha

01:46 ranks right up there.

01:47 I love the way this motorcycle sounds when you're riding and when you hear this motorcycle

01:54 go by you, it just sounds so awesome.

01:57 I don't even know how Yamaha Motor passed sound and emissions testing here in the United

02:03 States just because this thing sounds so mean and awesome.

02:07 I love it.

02:10 Another nice change we see for the 2022 model year is this radial mount master cylinder.

02:17 Yes!

02:18 Thank you Yamaha for fitting this component on this motorcycle.

02:22 The axial system on the predecessor to this MT-10 wasn't very good.

02:28 We are big fans.

02:29 Brembo master cylinder up front.

02:31 Brembo rear brake master cylinder out there too.

02:34 Very, very nice.

02:37 Now this vehicle also employs the 2015 gen Yamaha YZFR1 color TFT dash display.

02:49 Look at that thing.

02:50 I think it's a nice upgrade, but realistically this dash display is just way too small and

02:57 the switch gear is way too old and clunky feeling.

03:00 Yamaha really needs to step it up.

03:02 We've talked about that many times.

03:04 Now this vehicle as usual is fitted with cruise control, but it also has a manually adjustable

03:11 speed limit function.

03:14 So you can set the maximum speed that this vehicle can go.

03:19 Apparently in Europe speed cameras are a big deal, so having the ability to set the maximum

03:27 speed on this vehicle is a really handy feature.

03:33 Other small changes is the rear sprocket has one less tooth.

03:39 So a little bit slower acceleration, but a little bit lower RPM in top gear on the freeway.

03:49 We also have Yamaha's newly installed throttle grip sensor mechanism that they unveiled on

03:58 the 2020 YZFR1M.

04:01 All right folks, we got to go.

04:03 We'll see you later.

04:04 All right folks, here we are at the official 2022 MT-10 US press introduction in North

04:18 Carolina.

04:21 For 2022 Yamaha has made a host of modifications to its top of the line naked bike, the MT-10.

04:31 The MT-10 used to be known as the FZ-10, and then before that this bike was actually known

04:42 as the FZ-1.

04:45 I think around 2017 Yamaha had changed the name of this model to have it fit in its global

04:54 strategy Masters of Torque MT.

04:57 So you have the MT-03, the MT-07, both parallel twin power.

05:06 Then you have the MT-09, which is powered by an inline three engine.

05:12 And then we have the top of the range MT-10 powered by a 998cc cross plane crankshaft

05:22 equipped inline four engine.

05:25 That is the same engine that Yamaha uses in its YZFR1 minus the titanium valve train and

05:37 connecting rods.

05:40 Now we test rode this motorcycle in its 2020 plastics a few years ago, and we really like

05:51 this bike.

05:53 This bike is just, it's a really well rounded leader class naked bike, but there were some

06:03 squawks with it and Yamaha has addressed many of those squawks.

06:12 Let's start with the engine.

06:17 Now this bike continues to be powered by Yamaha's 998cc liquid cooled inline four.

06:25 This engine is now Euro 5 compliant.

06:30 So to do that, Yamaha modified the intake and the exhaust system of this motorcycle.

06:38 And while they're at it, they made this induction system way more rowdy and way more playful

06:48 sounding.

06:49 There's these big humongous intake echo cutouts right here that basically just allow that

07:00 airbox to emit its wonderful intake tone.

07:05 I love the way the intake roar sounds on this motorcycle.

07:11 It just makes it so fun to hold it wide.

07:15 Ooh, I like that chassis.

07:19 So the actual engine sound is quite a bit louder and more pleasing sounding when you

07:33 are seated at the controls.

07:38 Now along with the updated intake and exhaust, Yamaha fitted its new throttle, its new throttle

07:49 tube system.

07:50 Now this system, I forget the acronym Yamaha calls it, but that throttle tube system was

07:56 originally fitted on the 2020 YZF-R1 and slowly been retrofitted to the other Yamaha motorcycles

08:08 in the lineup.

08:09 And for the 2022 model year, the MT-10 gets it.

08:13 Now this new throttle housing, what it does is it allows for more accurate control of

08:21 the engine.

08:22 The ride by wire throttle is just way more accurate and organic feeling, which I like.

08:31 You got to remember Yamaha was an early leader in ride by wire technology with its Y-CCT.

08:43 Over the years, although it's a good system, it didn't have the smoothest throttle response.

08:50 It was good, but it wasn't the smoothest and Yamaha has really elevated that with its new

08:58 throttle tube housing.

09:03 This motorcycle has four different power modes you can choose from.

09:09 Just like the YZF-R1, we are riding in power mode two, which is max performance with a

09:15 slightly less aggressive throttle response.

09:20 Power mode one is maximum power with the most aggressive throttle response.

09:27 And conversely, four is more tempered throttle response and three splits the middle between

09:35 the two.

09:40 We also have the ability to now adjust our trash control, slide control, and wheelie

09:51 control.

09:52 All of these systems are enabled by Yamaha's IMU-powered electronic system.

10:02 That is the same system that it fitted on the 2015 YZF-R1.

10:11 The previous MT-10 relied on Yamaha's old traction control system, wheel speed sensor

10:20 trans traction control system from the 2012 YZF-R1, if you folks remember that.

10:28 That system was really good, but it doesn't compare to the accuracy of this IMU-powered

10:35 system.

10:37 So if you're someone who really wants a more modern electronics package, this MT-10 delivers

10:46 that.

10:50 Adjustable wheelie control, Yamaha calls it lift control, is also included and this particular

10:57 vehicle has adjustable engine brake control.

11:00 So you can dial in engine braking for more or less engine braking effect.

11:07 I generally like engine brake a good amount when I'm riding down the street.

11:13 It just helps slow the bike down.

11:16 But conversely, when I'm at the racing circuit, I generally don't like to have a lot of engine

11:22 brake.

11:23 I like to call it a really free wheel as much as possible.

11:27 But the choice is yours with this new electronic package.

11:34 This bike also has cornering ABS.

11:38 Yamaha Motor doesn't call it cornering ABS, but it does have lean sensitive ABS when brake

11:46 control is in mode 2, which is the lesser aggressive setting.

11:53 When you put brake control setting in 1, which is the more aggressive setting, lean sensitive

11:59 brake ABS, the ABS is no longer lean sensitive.

12:04 So it's designed for more track riding.

12:10 As usual, Yamaha Motor's ABS program is definitely on the conservative side, especially compared

12:18 to a European made motorcycle.

12:21 Those motorcycles always have really aggressive ABS programming, which I like.

12:28 So if you are looking for a motorcycle that doesn't flirt with the ABS a lot when you're

12:33 using the brakes aggressively, this motorcycle will not be for you.

12:39 Speaking of brakes, I love this new Brembo sourced radio mount front brake caliper.

12:48 God, it's such a tremendous improvement from the previous Axial setup.

12:56 The rear master cylinder is also new and that is sourced from Brembo as well.

13:03 God, this thing's fun to ride.

13:12 467 pounds with a full 4.5 gallons of fuel.

13:19 That's about four pounds heavier than the old MT-10.

13:27 But realistically, we don't feel that four pounds at speed.

13:33 Now, the thing I like about this MT-10 is just its chassis.

13:40 This chassis is really well balanced and I like how nimble it is.

13:46 This bike's really easy to put where you want.

13:49 The ergonomics aren't overly aggressive.

13:52 If you're someone who wants sport bike, super bike-ish performance in a more accommodating

14:02 ergonomics package, these big naked bikes like the MT-10 work really well.

14:16 Three-way adjustable front suspension with V-preload adjusters atop each fork cap.

14:30 And we have an adjustable rear shock so you can hone the spring preload and damping settings

14:42 of the suspension.

14:44 God, this bike's fun to ride.

14:50 Keeping tabs on everything is a new, well not new to Yamaha, but a new for MT-10, color

14:57 TFT dash display.

14:59 This is the same TFT dash display that Yamaha has used on its YZF-R1 since the 2015 model

15:08 year.

15:09 Now, we do appreciate Yamaha upgrading the dash from the previous LCD display.

15:17 Realistically, this dash is just way too small.

15:22 While it was class-leading in 2015, fast forward seven years and it's just downright old and

15:29 small.

15:31 Now, all the electronics are manipulated via Yamaha's menu control wheel here, right here.

15:44 So the control wheel's really easy to use.

15:48 You can make adjustments while you're riding, which I like, via these mode and up and down

15:55 arrows here.

15:57 But the tactile response of this control wheel here at my right hand side thumb is just really

16:06 sloppy.

16:07 It doesn't offer very good tactile feel, so it's hard to make those micro adjustments,

16:13 especially when you're wearing gloves.

16:15 We've talked about it many times in other Yamaha review videos and articles that we've

16:21 published and they really need to upgrade the tactile response and function of the switch

16:28 gear.

16:29 It's just, it's downright poor.

16:31 Yamaha, can you please do that?

16:34 For the love of God, also put a bigger color TFT screen on these vehicles.

16:42 This thing's just too old.

16:47 What I do like though, is this handy 12 volt power port located right underneath the dash

16:56 display.

16:57 That makes it easy to fit a USB style charger, so you can charge your gadgets while you're

17:05 riding.

17:08 God, this bike's so fun to ride.

17:15 So easy to put where you want and just the growl of that engine.

17:19 This engine just, I love this engine because it just sounds awesome and it has good power

17:27 character and torque feel.

17:31 You gotta remember, Yamaha's been using this cross plane CP4 engine for so long that we're

17:35 so used to it, but the whole original purpose of the CP4 engine was to give the engine added

17:43 trackability.

17:44 It's almost like a cross between an old V-Twin style sport bike and an old screaming inline

17:52 four engine that manufacturers like Honda and Kawasaki and even Suzuki still use today.

18:01 So that hybrid feel, V-Twin-esque, inline four-esque feel is what makes this engine

18:10 so special.

18:11 And it's got a sound that's just so unique in its segment.

18:22 Now like before, this motorcycle has cruise control, but a new feature it has is a max

18:30 speed limiter setting.

18:33 That allows you to limit the top speed of this vehicle based on preference.

18:40 That and the neat, ooh I love those brakes, that master cylinder's got nice, nice feel

18:49 and response.

18:52 Mmm, yummy.

18:55 Oh yeah.

18:59 I like how the suspension on this bike has good pitch control, yet it still goes over

19:06 the bumps real nice and doesn't offer too, too racy of a ride.

19:13 It still offers some level of everyday street compliance.

19:17 Why I love Yamaha's YZF-R1 is it's downright uncomfortable to ride on the street just because

19:23 that suspension setup's so rigid.

19:26 This thing has a little bit more give in it, which is perfect for street riders.

19:34 Alright folks, look, now we're riding in the rain because why the heck not?

19:42 We love riding motorcycles so much that we ride in all weather conditions.

19:49 Yes!

19:50 Alright folks, we just got done with our ride on the 2022 MT-10 naked bike.

20:00 It was a little bit wet on the way home, but that's what riding bikes is all about, riding

20:05 in all conditions and having fun.

20:08 Overall, I do like what Yamaha's done with this 2022 MT-10.

20:15 I'm a big fan of the new styling.

20:18 I like the R1 based electronics.

20:26 That's a nice step up, especially if you like riding at the racing circuit.

20:31 If you ride on the street, maybe that upgrade isn't such a big deal, but at the track it

20:36 definitely is.

20:37 That up and down quick shifter, I love an auto blip quick shifter, so that is a big

20:43 improvement as well.

20:47 Would I pony up $13,999 for this bike?

21:00 Well, if I was looking for a high end, leader class naked bike, I definitely would have

21:06 this bike on my shopping list.

21:08 I really like the R1 sourced engine and that improved air box and air intake system with

21:19 those awesome grills that emit the awesome R1 cross plane engine sound are just totally

21:26 fantastic.

21:27 This bike has a lot of character and it almost rivals a European leader class naked bike

21:36 in terms of character.

21:38 That's what this bike offers.

21:42 Still $14,000 is a lot of money with it being $1,000 more than the previous MT-10.

21:51 If I had an MT-10 2021, 2020, 2019 MT-10, I probably wouldn't buy this bike because

22:01 the upgrades aren't big enough to really necessitate the purchase of this 2022 bike.

22:08 But if I was coming from an MT-09 or an MT-07, I would definitely consider this bike.

22:17 What I like about this bike is that it has true sport bike, super bike like performance

22:24 where the MT-09 is fun and all, but it just doesn't really have that knife edge performance,

22:33 especially in terms of the chassis.

22:34 The chassis is a little wobbly, suspension's a little bit just not ... It doesn't offer

22:41 the precise road holding of this bike because it doesn't have super bike-esque componentry.

22:50 That's where this MT-10 really fits in.

22:53 It fits in as a high-end, high-performance naked bike within Yamaha's lineup.

23:00 All right, folks.

23:02 That's a wrap from our MC Commute style review of the 2022 Yamaha MT-10 from the official

23:10 Yamaha press introduction.

23:12 Make sure to surf on over if you want more information on this vehicle and other vehicles

23:17 like it.

23:18 We'll talk to you guys later.

23:20 Thanks for riding with us today.

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