mt-10 s Review: Is This the Ultimate Naked Bike for Speed Demons?

Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this Yamaha MT-10 SP, and let me tell you, it’s been a ride. I mean that literally and figuratively. First off, I went to the dealer and got the bike. It’s a naked bike, which, for those of you who don’t know, just means it doesn’t have a lot of that plastic fairing stuff around the engine and frame.

The first thing I did was take it out on the highway. Man, this thing can move! Yamaha says it hits 160 horsepower at 11,500 RPM, and I believe them. It’s got this engine that’s like a modified version of what they put in the R1 superbike, but tuned for more low-end and mid-range power. That means it’s got a ton of torque – 82 ft/lb at 9500 RPM, to be exact – so when you twist that throttle, it really goes.

Here’s what I really liked:

• Power Delivery: It’s not just about the numbers, though. The way this bike delivers power is just smooth. I could cruise at low speeds in traffic without it feeling jerky or like it wanted to stall. But then, open it up on the highway, and it’s like a rocket.
• Handling: It feels super nimble. I took it out to some twisty back roads, and it handled them like a dream. The suspension is really dialed in. They call it the SP version, so it’s got some fancy upgrades compared to the stock MT-10. It made those bumpy roads feel way smoother than I expected. Even tight corners were easy to do.
• Looks: I’m a fan of the naked bike look. It’s got this aggressive, kind of raw look to it, but it’s still pretty comfortable to ride. The seat is decent, and the riding position is more upright than a sportbike, so my back didn’t hate me after a long ride.

I spent a good few days just riding this thing everywhere – city, highway, back roads, you name it. It’s one of those bikes that’s just fun to ride, no matter where you are or how fast you’re going. I pushed it pretty hard, and it never felt like it was struggling or out of control. The fuel injection is spot on, never had an issue there.

If you’re looking for a bike that’s got a ton of power, handles great, and is comfortable enough for everyday riding, the MT-10 SP is definitely worth checking out. I tried hard, but honestly couldn’t find anything wrong with it. It’s a solid machine, and I had a blast riding it.