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Yamaha MT-10 SP in the driving report

The Special One

The standard MT-10 is accompanied by the Yamaha MT-10 SP. We test what makes this variant so special in the driving report.

Coach Jose Mourinho is known as “The Special One” among the football-mad British. Colleague Jurgen Klopp operates as "The Normal One". Normal and special are now also available from Yamaha, the standard MT-10 gets the Yamaha MT-10 SP put aside. But as with football coaches, the question of normal or special does not count. "Good" or perhaps even "better" are the tried and tested differentiating criteria.

Yamaha MT-10 SP in the driving report

The Special One

Differences in the subject of chassis

This would include all updates for the entire MT-10 series, and it’s time for the special program, which is now available for 16,495 euros (basic MT-10: 13,695 euros). Under the South African sun around Cape Town, this should reveal its extra virtues. One of these is the TFT display, derived directly from the R1M super sports car. What is immediately noticeable is the good readability. No matter how the bright ball of fire is in the sky, whether it is radiant or covered by clouds, all information is easy to see. This is not entirely unimportant, after all, as the most important menu item in the display, the Yamaha MT-10 SP has four freely configurable driving modes – from A to D. Although it is only possible to switch between these while the vehicle is stationary, the stored settings PWR, TCS (traction control) and chassis but can be changed while driving. It is sufficient to briefly close the throttle grip and then adjust the values ​​using the rocker switch on the left end of the handlebar.

Because the keyword chassis has already been mentioned: This is where the biggest differences between the normal MT-10 and the Yamaha MT-10 SP can be seen. In the standard version, conventionally adjustable damping elements work at the front and rear, while in the SP, the cables on the fork plug and the shock absorber reveal that electronics rule here. In addition, Ohlins now supplies upside-down forks and dampers. The Swedish chassis offers the option – as in the R1M – to store five different configurations in the menu, which can be called up while driving. In modes M1 to M3, the electronics only serve to define the set-ups (setting range in 32 steps) for the rebound and compression stages of the fork and shock absorber.

The modes A1 and A2 are much more interesting. In these, the fork and damper work semi-actively. However, the Yamaha MT-10 SP does not have any travel sensors. The built-in control unit records values ​​from the CAN bus, such as throttle grip position, gear selection, brake actuation, up to 100 times per second, compares these with stored algorithms and adjusts the damping on the basis of the preset values Under A1 and A2.

Driving impressions Yamaha MT-10 SP

Enough theory, how does the Yamaha MT-10 SP ride? Damn tight. At least when the A1 mode is selected. The Ohlins technicians included this in the presentation for sporting demands. While the fork ironed out many of the South African street sneakiness, the damper does not take it too seriously, hitting the driver clearly in the back.

Doesn’t matter, quickly close the throttle hand and select mode A2 using the rocker switch. Aha, that works better. After further, slight corrections to the basic values ​​for compression and rebound on the hindquarters, the Yamaha MT-10 SP is not a litter, but edges in the asphalt lose their horror. The bottom line is that after almost 200 test kilometers, the following can be said: The MT-10 SP wipes around the radii much tighter than a normal MT-10 in the basic chassis setup and has a chassis with plenty of reserves. This also has advantages: with the same initial tires (Bridgestone S 20 "W"), the SP steers in more easily, storms around high-speed bends or through hairpins with considerable stability. And because the centrifugal forces in curves impress the SP chassis less than that of the normal MT-10, the freedom from lean angles also increases.

You only have to compromise on comfort. The MT-10 is clearly ahead without a name addition, remains the first choice, while the Yamaha MT-10 SP has to line up behind. Special is not always better. A finding that is currently also known to the football coaches Mourinho and Klopp on the island.

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