Yamaha MT-10 (2022): The Definitive Hyper Naked Experience

When Yamaha unleashed the MT-10 in 2016, it redefined what a hyper-naked motorcycle could be. The 2022 iteration isn’t just an evolution—it’s a statement. With its R1-derived heart, cybernetic aggression, and a chassis that dances between precision and chaos, the MT-10 remains a benchmark for riders who crave raw emotion wrapped in cutting-edge tech. Let’s dissect why this machine continues to dominate streets and stir souls.

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Design: Cybernetic Brutality Meets Functional Art

The MT-10’s design language screams “anti-stealth.” Yamaha’s designers channeled a Mad Max aesthetic through a Tron filter, resulting in a machine that looks like it’s actively trying to escape its own bodywork. The 2022 refresh amplifies this with:

• Twin-Eye LED Headlights: These vertically stacked projectors aren’t just lighting—they’re ocular weapons. The low beam casts a 50-meter (164 ft) pool of light, while the high beam punches through darkness like a photon lance.
• Acoustic Amplifier Grilles: Flanking the 17L fuel tank, these titanium-coated vents aren’t just for show. They channel the CP4’s induction roar directly to the rider’s sternum at 4,000-8,000 RPM.
• Titanium Exhaust System: Weighing 2.1 kg (4.6 lbs) less than its predecessor, this isn’t just weight savings—it’s acoustic engineering. The staggered-length headers create a firing order rumble that vibrates fillings at stoplights.

The riding stance? Aggressively neutral. At 835 mm (32.9") seat height, my 175 cm (5'9") frame found a natural bend in the knees, while the 800 mm (31.5") wide bars offered leverage without exaggerating reach. The redesigned tank indents lock knees during hard braking, crucial when the radial Brembos bite.

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Engine Performance: Crossplane Chaos Unleashed

The 998cc CP4 engine isn’t just R1-adjacent—it’s R1 reimagined for street warfare. Key differentiators:

| Specification | Metric | Imperial | |----------------------|---------------------------|----------------------| | Power | 165.9 HP @ 11,500 RPM | 165.9 HP @ 11,500 RPM| | Torque | 112 Nm @ 9,000 RPM | 82.6 lb-ft @ 9,000 RPM | | Redline | 12,200 RPM | 12,200 RPM | | Fuel Consumption | 6.83 L/100km | 34.44 MPG |

But numbers lie. This engine’s magic lives in its 270°-180°-90°-180° firing order. From idle to 4k RPM, it chugs like a V-twin with Parkinson’s. Past 6k? A switch flips—the CP4 transforms into a neutron star, pulling with linear ferocity to its 12,200 RPM crescendo.

The steel conrods (vs. R1’s titanium) shift the torque curve lower. Where the R1 lives above 8k, the MT-10 delivers 90% of its torque from 4k—perfect for street-surge overtakes. During a canyon blast, short-shifting at 9k kept the front wheel skimming asphalt without sacrificing exit velocity.

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Electronics Suite: Bionic Reflexes

Yamaha’s 6-axis IMU isn’t just tech—it’s a digital co-pilot. The 2022 model adds:

• Lean-Sensitive TC: Intervenes earlier as lean angle increases. On a damp hairpin, the system allowed a 15° slide before subtly trimming power—enough for hooliganism without high-siding.
• Slide Control (SCS): Unlike traditional TC that kills power, SCS manages rear slip angles. During a deliberate drift, it felt like an invisible hand guiding the slide’s arc.
• Yamaha Ride Control (YRC): Four preset modes (A-D) adjust everything from engine braking to QSS sensitivity. Mode B proved ideal for mixed riding, while Mode D (rain) turned the MT-10 into a 212 kg (467 lb) puppy—docile until provoked.

The quickshifter deserves its own ode. Upshifts at WOT are seamless, but the downshift auto-blip is witchcraft. Braking hard into Turn 3 at 140 km/h (87 mph), a clutchless downshift to 2nd engaged with a rev-matched snarl that’d make a GP mechanic weep.

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Chassis Dynamics: Controlled Anarchy

The Deltabox frame isn’t just stiff—it’s telepathic. At 1405 mm (55.3") wheelbase, the MT-10 pivots like a supermoto yet rails corners like a track weapon. Key factors:

• Front Suspension: 43mm KYB forks with 120mm (4.7") travel. Dialed to 7 clicks of rebound, they absorbed mid-corner bumps without unsettling the Bridgestone S22s.
• Rear Shock: Fully adjustable KYB unit. Setting sag to 30mm (1.2") transformed exit traction, hooking up even when hammering out of decrepit urban intersections.
• Weight Distribution: 52/48 front/rear. Under hard braking, the rear stays planted—no nervous wagging like some Euro nakeds.

At 212 kg (467 lbs) wet, the MT-10 feels 20 kg lighter in motion. Flicking through S-bends required mere bar pressure, not body English. The Bridgestones provided 42° of lean before touching hero blobs—ample for street riding.

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Competition: Hyper-Naked Thunderdome

How does Yamaha’s berserker stack up?

1. BMW S1000R (2022)
2. Pros: 205 HP, ShiftCam tech, semi-active suspension
3. Cons: Sterile exhaust note, clinical feel

4. Verdict: The MT-10’s feral cousin—more power, less soul

5. Ducati Streetfighter V4

6. Pros: 208 HP Desmo V4, sublime electronics
7. Cons: €8k pricier, 18L/100km (13 MPG) when ridden hard

8. Verdict: A track weapon in naked clothing—less daily-able

9. KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO

10. Pros: 180 HP LC8 torque monster, 189 kg (417 lbs)
11. Cons: Basic IMU, vibey above 6k RPM
12. Verdict: The MT-10’s mad uncle—all brute force, less finesse

The Yamaha strikes a unique balance: R1-derived tech with street-savvy tuning. It’s the Goldilocks option—not the most powerful, but the most alive.

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Maintenance: Keeping the Beast Tamed

Owning an MT-10 requires vigilance. Key points:

• Oil Changes: Every 6,000 km (3,728 mi). Use 10W-40 JASO MA2 oil—MOTOPARTS.store’s MP-Racing Synth4 reduces clutch drag.
• Valve Checks: Every 42,000 km (26,098 mi). Shim-under-bucket design needs specialty tools—consider our Valve Shim Kit Pro.
• Chain Maintenance: DID 525VX3 chain lasts 24,000 km (14,913 mi) with MOTOPARTS.store’s Ultra-Tack Lube applied every 500 km (311 mi).
• Brake Fluid: Flush DOT4 annually. Our MP-Brembo Racing Fluid raises wet boiling points to 280°C (536°F).
• Coolant: Replace every 2 years with MP-HighFlow Coolant—lowers engine temps by 8°C (14°F) during summer blasts.

Pro Tip: The CP4’s crossplane vibrations loosen fasteners. Check engine mounts and exhaust hangers every 3,000 km (1,864 mi) with our Torque Wrench Kit Pro.

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Conclusion: The Apex Predator of Street Nakeds

The 2022 MT-10 isn’t just transportation—it’s adrenaline therapy. From its synapse-shredding exhaust note to IMU-guided cornering antics, this machine rewards skilled riders while forgiving novices. It’s a rare beast that’s equally at home threading through gridlock or devouring alpine passes.

For MT-10 owners looking to personalize their ride, MOTOPARTS.store offers everything from Vortex Sprocket Kits (reduce unsprung weight by 900g/2lbs) to GB Racing Engine Armor (essential for those inevitable parking lot drops). Because even monsters deserve protection.

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Specifications sheet

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