Quick update on the MT 10- I've done over 1500 miles on this trip so far . This has ranged from a 720 mile day blatting the length of France and well into Spain on autoroutes and then serious twisties for 100s of miles in Asturias, the Picos, and now the Pyrenees.
I have 'Tracer-ized ' the bike by fitting most of the Yamaha extras which include the Comfort Seat, Akra, sport screen, heated grips, quick shifter, panniers, tank bag and hand guards .
The panniers and tank bag are Yamaha branded SW Motech products. They integrate very well. The panniers fit very snug and the tank bag uses a quick release ring.
The panniers aren't the biggest but they don't add the bulk and weight that you get with larger panniers so the bike doesn't feel loaded up. By adding a Kriega US20 which I Rok strap to the pillion seat , I've got enough stuff for this 2 week trip !!
So to the actual ride - the bike was a bit of an unknown quantity for me as I had only ridden it pottering round on Guernsey, but it felt right when I tested it and this has more than proved to be the case.
It's possibly one of the best riding positions of any bike I've had - the comfort seat is amazing . It's one of those seats that never actually feels comfortable yet never gets uncomfortable , even after 700 miles and 14 hours in one day !!
The seat/bar/peg position is perfect . The leg room is surprisingly good . I'm 6"1' and it's not cramped -I rode a mates Kwak SX 1000 and the pegs on that were much higher !
The forward lean to the bars is just right and combined with the sport screen you can sit at 90 all day long with the cruise control on should you need to make progress. No aches, no back ache, nothing . On other bikes such as GSs etc I would have eventually felt it in my lower back but the MT has nailed it and the lean combined with just enough wind off the screen supports you perfectly .
The engine is sublime . I tend to ride in A mode as B is just a tad too twitchy on all but the smoothest roads. The power delivery is addictive and the bark from the Akra is mental !!!
Handling is fantastic with the Michelin Pilot Road 4s.
Niggles -very few .
The suspension could be a tad more compliant at times.
Biggest niggle is tank range. Tank is 17 litres. At autoroute speeds it'll return 42 mpg and typically 125 miles to flashing empty but then still have 3 1/2 litres left so another 30 ish to empty . On normal roads , 46 mpg so about 135 miles then 30 left to dry.
If tank was say 22 litres then it would up the range to a good 165/175 plus reserve and that would be simple to do in one go due to the total comfort !
So , for me , a bike that has cost around £10k with all extras has exceeded all expectations totally and utterly . It is amazing . If you can only have 1 bike , don't think the MT 10 isn't suitable . It is !!
And every time you wind it open and feel that 155 bhp you will be laughing inside your helmet !!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tosserbollockery
I have 'Tracer-ized ' the bike by fitting most of the Yamaha extras which include the Comfort Seat, Akra, sport screen, heated grips, quick shifter, panniers, tank bag and hand guards .
The panniers and tank bag are Yamaha branded SW Motech products. They integrate very well. The panniers fit very snug and the tank bag uses a quick release ring.
The panniers aren't the biggest but they don't add the bulk and weight that you get with larger panniers so the bike doesn't feel loaded up. By adding a Kriega US20 which I Rok strap to the pillion seat , I've got enough stuff for this 2 week trip !!
So to the actual ride - the bike was a bit of an unknown quantity for me as I had only ridden it pottering round on Guernsey, but it felt right when I tested it and this has more than proved to be the case.
It's possibly one of the best riding positions of any bike I've had - the comfort seat is amazing . It's one of those seats that never actually feels comfortable yet never gets uncomfortable , even after 700 miles and 14 hours in one day !!
The seat/bar/peg position is perfect . The leg room is surprisingly good . I'm 6"1' and it's not cramped -I rode a mates Kwak SX 1000 and the pegs on that were much higher !
The forward lean to the bars is just right and combined with the sport screen you can sit at 90 all day long with the cruise control on should you need to make progress. No aches, no back ache, nothing . On other bikes such as GSs etc I would have eventually felt it in my lower back but the MT has nailed it and the lean combined with just enough wind off the screen supports you perfectly .
The engine is sublime . I tend to ride in A mode as B is just a tad too twitchy on all but the smoothest roads. The power delivery is addictive and the bark from the Akra is mental !!!
Handling is fantastic with the Michelin Pilot Road 4s.
Niggles -very few .
The suspension could be a tad more compliant at times.
Biggest niggle is tank range. Tank is 17 litres. At autoroute speeds it'll return 42 mpg and typically 125 miles to flashing empty but then still have 3 1/2 litres left so another 30 ish to empty . On normal roads , 46 mpg so about 135 miles then 30 left to dry.
If tank was say 22 litres then it would up the range to a good 165/175 plus reserve and that would be simple to do in one go due to the total comfort !
So , for me , a bike that has cost around £10k with all extras has exceeded all expectations totally and utterly . It is amazing . If you can only have 1 bike , don't think the MT 10 isn't suitable . It is !!
And every time you wind it open and feel that 155 bhp you will be laughing inside your helmet !!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tosserbollockery
