Beautiful Brute

Yamaha's MT-10 rocked up and defined the hyper naked class in 2016. Less than a year on from its release, the new higher spec SP version is set to ruffle even more feathers.

- Dangerous Bruce

If you’re familiar with the arm-wrenching, sportsbike embarrassing, race-track-loving mastery of the MT-10, you’re probably wondering how the R1-derived hyper naked could be bettered? Well, Yamaha have had their pimp stick out and given the MT a Sports Production-style makeover. Which means what, exactly?

Much akin to the higher spec R1M, the flagship MT’s been covered in glue and sprinkled with lots of new shiny bits. Costing £13,399, its spec includes the R1M’s fancy silver/blue paint scheme, a TFT dash – nabbed straight from said R1 – and some über sexy Ohlins semi-active electronic suspension. Plus, there’s a new assist and slipper clutch to write home about, and a factory fitted quickshifter makes the package even sweeter.

As for power, the 158bhp output of the crossplane-inline-four motor is unchanged, despite now being Euro 4 compliant, though sleeker mapping’s been administered to make the power’s delivery even more spine-tinglingly good. Impressed? On paper I was, but it was only while being let rip around some of Cape Town’s finest roads that the model’s true genius hit me smack in the face.

LOOKING GOOD

The MT-10 was born to be different, and the avant-garde, Transformer-like design of the bike pulled no punches in standing out from its relatively conventional looking rivals when released 12 or so months ago. At the time Yamaha was convinced its image would grow on people and, considering the huge demand for it has meant it’s pretty much outsold its supply from the get-go, it would appear they were right.

To be honest, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the original MT’s looks, but that was mostly down to its retina burning grey/fluro paint scheme. Each to their own and all that, but it really didn’t float my boat. I can’t say the same about the SP’s new colours, though.