All Reviews – Positive Vibrations! – Used YAMAHA

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Positive Vibrations !

All Reviews - Positive Vibrations! - Used YAMAHA

To hell with Japanese drums, Kodo rhythms, dream creatures and other marketing subtleties cleverly distilled since this summer: the MT-01 is a motorbike, a whole motorbike, just a motorbike. But what a motorcycle! Test.

It is finally here, this famous MT-01 hypermarketed by Yamaha with its Japanese drums, its Kodo rhythms and its dream creatures (read and). And it is even a hit squarely in the first sales figures (read), because it is true that it imposes some with its trumpet pots and its monumental engine. Will the charm stand the test of the road? Test !

The machine does not betray the original concept and the design of every detail is studied to participate in the style of the machine. The dashboard, made up of a single chrome-circled tachometer, is beautifully backlit. A discreet digital display is integrated to provide all the other information.

Yamaha has not skimped on the quality of the materials, as evidenced by the titanium exhausts or the perimeter frame in cast aluminum showing no visible welds..

It is indeed an aesthetic motorcycle, faithful to the roadster spirit without falling into the facilities of retro fashion..

Indeed, the latest technologies are used to ensure the dynamic qualities of the machine: inverted fork, radial calipers or even exclusive "multijet" injectors with 12 nozzles to ensure good combustion in the huge bowls of the twin..

This subtle blend of aesthetics and technology is unlike anything existing and will inevitably arouse the curiosity of any normally constituted motorcyclist, even if the most demanding may note some faults of taste like this rear light with diodes which seems to come from Norauto. , or these aluminum imitation plastic fork protectors. But nothing essential, just enough to give a little work to props and other tuners !

In the street, it appears curiously much lower and more compact than on the podiums of living room. Which is rather reassuring when it comes to getting started, because with this huge protruding exhaust line on the right side, you wonder how you will fit your leg without burning yourself !

In reality, you just need to sit on the large saddle to be reassured: the riding position is natural. Perhaps a bit too tilted forward for stationary maneuvers, but nothing dramatic to move the 260 kg of the machine in running order. Especially since the inverted fork imposes a wide turning radius despite notches in the tank. Fortunately the saddle is low.

Starting: the whole machine wakes up and vibrates from the speedometer unit to the rear light. The vibrations are amplified and reach the whole body as soon as the throttle is turned, to finally fade beyond 3000 rpm. Impressive … In the end, it was maybe not just blank this story of kodo drums! Not only is the engine alive and well, but it wants to let the whole world know about it at all times! Not exactly surprising for a 1670cc V-Twin, but one could fear the worst when it comes to low-end behavior..

The charm acts from the first meters: intoxicated by the powerful pulsations which punctuate the machine as surely as the bass of Aston Barrett within the Wailers, the pilot is immediately spellbound. So much so that the chief editor misses the usual branch at the exit of Yam’s and spends the morning frolicking on the wooded departmental roads of western Paris. !

With its very long stroke, fine management of the injection and the exhaust valve, the motorcycle snorts smoothly from the lowest revs. Likewise, the hydraulically controlled clutch is incredibly smooth considering the torque to be mastered. This large motor transmits a lot of sound and vibration sensations but remains easy and perfectly usable. Almost too much for some purists who appreciate the somewhat wild character of the big Twins, but we salute the technical prowess of Yamaha who knew how to put technology at the service of sensations, it is not so common today.

We will particularly appreciate this effort in town, where the bike is extremely comfortable and easily extracts itself from the most sticky Parisian traffic jams in a raucous sound of the most sympathetic. The eyes of motorists are also systematically attracted by the monster. This is not that common because, in general, for the uninitiated, a motorcycle is a motorcycle.

From the first kilometers on the handlebars of this MT-01, we are full of sensations. It vibrates, it pulls, it rumbles with each rotation of the throttle, to such an extent that we forget the others to ride at our own pace. But it’s also a real motorcycle and the riding position is perfect for the road: wide and comfortable saddle, torso slightly forward to counter the air pressure up to around 140 km / h. Beyond – and we get there very quickly – the arms and vertebrae suffer as on all roadsters. We especially appreciate the immediate thrust of this engine which behaves a bit like a big mono with much more breath. A real sensation factory, you don’t have to go very far to have fun. From this point of view, the MT-01 will fully satisfy occasional bikers..

On the other hand, lovers of endless climbs and big potatoes at high speeds – in short, lovers of big 4 legs! – will be disappointed: there is no extension, the thrust stops before 5000 rpm (breaker at 5500) and we wait in vain for a second wind.

On the way up the N118, a chance encounter with a Honda Hornet passing by … The way is clear: we both open wide! In the sequence of turns, the two bikes are held together and I am surprised by the liveliness of the MT-01. But when the trajectory widens, the Hornet benefits from its few more horses – and its 50 kg less! – to make the hole. The MT-01 is clearly not the ideal frame for messing around with your mates, because it could be annoying to be rotten by motorcycles half the price. Once admitted that this is not his vocation, we discover something else, rather an esthete’s pleasure, alone facing the road, in harmony with his machine. And from this point of view, it is aimed more at experienced bikers, those who have already experienced the simple pleasures of pure speed or beastly acceleration and who are now looking for more essential pleasures..

Because the MT-01 does not only have an expressive engine. It also offers a rigorous and devilishly effective cycle part! First, a fabulous front axle: the inverted fork provides precise guidance and damping in all circumstances. Radial caliper braking is a treat of power and progressiveness. Some will laugh at this debauchery of technology on a motorcycle that is far from being a pure sport, but whatever: the result is there. The front axle inspires confidence – very appreciable on a motorcycle of this size – and very quickly we do not hesitate to swing it frankly in the bends. This shows that we can take the angle seriously without rubbing. Once again, without being sporty, the MT-01 is far from cushy cruising.

The results are not so positive at the rear axle. The rather dry suspension is effective on small irregularities but if the road deteriorates or if the bike is more loaded, in duet for example, one has the impression that all the travel of the shock absorber is not exploited. This results in snowshoeing which impairs course holding and can lead to loss of grip when cornering. Nothing alarming, but it’s tiring and hardly reassuring as a duo. The shock absorber is placed horizontally under the engine, as on the Voxan or the Buell: is it a simple shock absorber quality problem – surprising on a motorcycle of this standing – or a suspension kinematics problem? In any case, different settings of the shock absorber, unfortunately not very accessible, will not change anything during our test..

In the end, we link the terminals to our handlebars with great pleasure, taking in the game of decelerations for the simple pleasure of listening to the hoarse backfiring of the engine and resume its dose of vibrations when accelerating..

Practical aspects are clearly not the vocation of the MT-01: it will be necessary to choose between luggage or a passenger! The space allocated to the latter seems very small but is ultimately satisfactory for short trips despite the footrests, certainly beautiful, but placed high enough..

The older ones risk having their knees under the chin like grasshopper, but the protections of pots are very effective and do not present any danger of burns.

Finally, do not expect to store anything under the saddle: this rikiki space, overheated by the pots, is already occupied by the battery and electrical accessories. So much so that Yamaha had to install electric ventilation and wrap the battery in thermal protection. Hopefully this will not affect the overall reliability of the bike..

The tank contains only 15 l, but fortunately the large V twin is quite frugal and is satisfied with 6.5 l / 100km, which allows a range of about 200 km. Perfectly acceptable for a motorcycle of this kind.

Offered at 13,250 €, the MT-01 really offers an original concept, faithful to the promises of the concept bike. It is certainly not cheap, but the quality of the realization seems to justify this price. Entirely dedicated to aesthetic and dynamic sensations, it does not care about efficiency or functionality.

The fan box: "Wow, the full foot !"

After thirty short kilometers of journey, I admit having succumbed to the charms of the VBT (very big twin). As soon as I turned the ignition on, something animal rode up through my backbone. The good vibes of the 1700 cc immediately put you in the mood … After a few hundred meters of adaptation, I knew that we were going to get along together: I literally took the bull by the horns and felt the pleasure of rolling on the 15 mkg of torque. No need to drive fast, no need to rush the cycle part, just let yourself be captivated by the subtle alchemy of fat Yam. The cycle part perfectly absorbs the inclinations of my right wrist and shows a homogeneity that I did not expect. The gearbox is perfect, the brakes above all suspicion and the damping worthy of a sports car. And this engine which combines an astounding smoothness of operation with a truck couple … Here is the concept that I have been waiting for some time: a real solo motorcycle to find the pleasure of riding, simply … I am alone on the road. road, who wants to double double, who wants to stop stops, I don’t care, I am alone with my machine and I have the banana of the first days. I buy !

Pascal – Tchoub – DI MARCO
(païlote of the)

Full of character and yet easy-going, it should appeal to the occasional biker and lover of beautiful objects as well as the experienced purist in search of basic pleasures. But let’s be clear: even if her engine pushes very hard and she holds the pavement well, don’t count on her to atomize your friends !

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