Breaking the suspense over the identity of its new 'dark' motorcycle, Yamaha has unveiled the new MT-10 at the ongoing EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan, Italy. Based on the YZF-R1 superbike, the MT-10 will join the ranks of litre-class streetfighters rivalling the likes of the BMW S1000R, KTM 1290 Super Duke, Ducati Monster 1200 R and the Aprilia Tuono V4.
The Yamaha MT range has always personified hooliganism, though the new MT-10 takes this character a step further. Yamaha started off by stripping off the YZF-R1's fairing and adding the characteristic look of MT streetfighters. The front gets a twin-headlamp setup which sits beneath an edgy bikini fairing, while the fuel tank is flanked by aerodynamic vents. The short wheelbase should greatly aid the motorcycle's handling, while the fat bars should make it very easy to flick around.
Built around a Deltabox frame, the Yamaha MT-10 employs a 998cc inline four CP4 engine. This crossplane crank engine has been derived from the mill powering the 2015 YZF-R1, and has been tuned to offer more of low and mid-range torque. Yamaha has withheld information about the engine's power output, though rumours suggest that it produces around 165bhp and 101Nm of torque.
The MT-10 benefits from some of YZF-R1's electronics package, including a three-level traction control system, three rider mode options and a slipper clutch. It also gets a cruise control system for the fourth, fifth and sixth gears.
With this new model joining the range, Yamaha's MT range now covers a wide spectrum of the market, starting from the entry-level MT-125 going all the way upto the litre-class MT-10. Despite being the most affordable models in their respective segments, the MT models have been one of the top performers, ranking them high on the value for money scale. As such, the MT-10 is a very important motorcycle, both for Yamaha and for the enthusiast audience. With deliveries set to commence in April 2016, prices are expected to start around GBP 10,000 (Rs 14.23 lakh) in the UK.
