2022 Yamaha MT-10 Behind The Scenes Riding Review

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Roadracing World sent Sam Fleming to test ride the new 2022 MT-10. Sam was uniquely qualified for this as he daily drives a 2007 FZ1 and has built up three full race 2020 R1s, winning two (ed- three now, 2022 Champs!!!) national endurance championships along the way.
The review article is in the September issue of Roadracing World but Sam recorded some thoughts and technical points on the bike for this video.
Also some pretty riding footage!
@roadracingworld2012 @Vanson Leathers @Yamaha Motor USA @YCRS BIKERS @roadracingworld

[@dougalmanzar]

Great review. So much more comprehensive than 90% of the moto ‘journalist’ who go to press launches 👍

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

Hey! Thanks! We might have had an insight advantage from racing the 2020 R1 for the last three years...

[@buzzonbikes]

Great review of actual impressions instead of copying other journalist findings, like too many already do. And touching on the stuff that actually matters.

[@V41103]

Great review, do more!

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

We'll try!

[@Fehr270]

As a first Gen FZ1 owner and Yamaha fan my heart wants this but the little practical voice on my shoulder tells me the Tracer would be better for the marriage. I only ever ride 2 up usually with a bit of luggage now. Or on the track with a race bike 😊.

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

Sam has a Gen 2 FZ1. Same deal, all the riding is two up and with luggage for rain suits and tire repair kits so the FZ1 is staying in the garage. The MT-10 has some nice parts on it but the form factor doesn't quite fill the FZ1 niche.

[@FadilKarim]

Thanks for the walkthrough! Just FYI - they were able to crack the MT10 ECU. Hit up 2WDW if you're in the US.

[@JD_ON2]

That's my go to for when I get the mt10 .. its on its way!

[@xdrive8860]

Just got a 22. Can you give me info on ecu flash please. Thanks

[@Aspyeater3869]

@@xdrive8860 2 Wheel DynoWorks. You can mail in your ECU, they send it back the same day they flash it.

[@Motosportnut]

I'm not intent on proving you wrong, that's not who I am but there were two things you mentioned that I thought you got incorrect. One was you said the R1 had magnesium wheels. I thought for sure the base model R1 would have aluminum wheels and the R1M might have magnesium wheels. I went and looked it up and sure enough, you were right. I was so surprised. Second one I believe you got incorrect though is the premise behind the cross plane crankshaft firing order and its effect and purpose. I believe the power pulses are closer together keeping the power in a more successive input minimizing tire, suspension and chassis deflection and upset, than when further apart causing more deflection upsetting the tire carcass, chassis and suspension. A more linear power input. One of the main benefits also is saving tire rubber. Thanks man, what you think ?

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

Hey! Our understanding of the 'big bang' firing order is that it gives the tire time to recover before the next 'big bang' makes it down the chain. It was done first in GP 500 2-stroke engines and then adopted for the I4 Yamaha to kinda approximate the firing order that is easier to achieve with the V-4s that most of the other GP bikes use. That said, no matter how it works, it is done to increase mechanical traction.

[@leanit5756]

After break in, I found the fork rebound was quite slow and therefore rough riding. I took 4 clicks out on the rebound and the ride on rough road improved considerably while still staying controlled. The fork's compression was good as delivered, as was the sag at about 40mm.

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

At press launches we don't really get a lot of time to mess with suspension settings. Thanks for the set up tip. Where do you ride and what are the roads like?

[@leanit5756]

@@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883 PacNW. The roads are bumpy as hell... root bumps, dips and heaves from all the rain. Far bit of cracking and filled and unfilled potholes. They also have a lot of sand and gravel on them that is used in the winter, but they rarely ever sweep it off. Shady areas also have moss. TC, and especially ABS and Slide Control are quite welcome.

[@Toxic9813]

Very informative in-depth review. It seems like a lot of these negative details you bring up are pretty nitpicky- and that’s not a criticism… what I mean to ask is, with the EU5 restrictions and the throttle mapping change when the bike is leaned over…. I’m not a racer and I’ve only been biking for about 6 months now. You think average Joe commuter like me will really take issue with these power restrictions?

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

>You think average Joe commuter like me will really take issue with these power restrictions? Nope. The power restrictions make the bike easier to ride.

[@dg8062]

I've had 2 mt09's, currently a 3rd gen '21. I found a screaming deal on a '18 mt10 and bought it. 1st gen mt10's were EASY to flash and get considerably more power out of, must have changed things considerably with new ecu.

[@fynn8252]

Sounds like you like the 09! Just curious, what made you get another when there are so many other options? I've been contemplating a newer MT-09 SP but the Triumph ST and KTM 890 look great as well!

[@dg8062]

1st mt09 I bought was a '18 that the guy I bought it from took directly from the showroom to a performance shop and spent as much as the bike cost new building it. K-TECH suspension front and rear, Yoshimura exhaust, evotech, rizoma, the list goes on. The guy was rich and I basically got it for under what it cost new without the modifications. I kind of regret getting rid of that particular bike, it was beautiful. Then I bought the 21 because I was intrigued with the new electronics, six access I am you. In the meantime, I found a screaming deal on a 18 mt10. I had it flashed and put an exhaust on it, what a rocket. In the process of selling my 21 mt-09, wished I'd done it a year ago as the market has softened some. Chose mt09 due ti value. Mt's just so soulful, awesome bikes and I've always thought Japanese bikes were the best value.

[@888jackflash]

Good; deeper insight than the other "test rides". 1) That horrible NOSE must GO. Not only does it look like a ridiculous, out-dated child's toy, but no on-coming traffic will ever see that tiny, cyclops headlight.. most especially DEER. 2) The paint is .. well, Toilet Puke 3) There is ZERO internal storage on this bike, not even for a basic toolkit (which Yamaha does not provide). As a many-year Sport-Tourer, there is NO WAY I would head anywhere without a proper toolkit AND credible Flat-Fix Kit. TOTAL: This is one bike that is CRYING for a "GT" model.

[@OskarKudla]

Great review. Was wondering if I want this bike, and you answered alot questions that I didn't even think about asking. I may save my money and just keep my modified 1st gen and pick up another bike :). Can't have too many bikes.

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

What mods have you done to your Gen 1 MT-10?

[@OskarKudla]

Reflash, lower handle bars, M4 exhaust with cat delete (for more noise mostly), I really don't need rider aids like you noted. I dont see step change with this current one except electronics, which I don't really use. I do like better gas mileage and upgraded brakes though. Keeping my current bike will allow me to get another SV of MT07.

[@dmac7660]

Good review from a knowledgeable rider. I have a 1st gen MT10 and the steering damper is definitely electronically controlled - I can see the wires.

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

Thanks for the info!

[@dg8062]

Wow, didn't realize it was electronically controlled on my '18, good to know.

[@geraldchurchill8050]

Think I found my new bike, was thinking of the cb100r black. But this looks like a Dimond

[@leanit5756]

To me, the power output feels like my former R1 and R1M, just with the top end lopped off. It really doesn't feel particularly fat in the midrange compared to the R1s. I mean, it is a liter bike, and has plenty of juice, but it just doesn't feel like it was really fattened up in mid range when it was "tuned for torque". It starts waking up at 7,000 RPM. I would like to try a MT10 with the current R1 engine as it is delivered in the R1. It would be interesting to plot a 2022 R1 and MT 10 dyno results on the same chart for comparison.

[@nisseht]

I also went from a decated R1 2016 to this one and it's not like the R1 was missing mid range power. I think the detune is mainly about cost savings and insurance prices. Insurance prices R1 vs MT10 differs a lot here in Sweden

[@FadilKarim]

For a few % of mid range torque, you do lose a whole lot of HP. I think it's mostly done for cost savings tbh. But I'm fine with saving a few bucks since it's enough power for street use for me personally.

[@leanit5756]

@@FadilKarim I agree.... I think they mostly wanted to save the costs of the titanium parts, so they simply had to lower the RPM ceiling... like they did with the now-out-of-production R1S that flopped.

[@dg8062]

@@nisseht I have had 2 mt09's now and thought jumping up to mt10 would be WAY more expensive to insure. Full coverage for a little over $300 a year thru Progressive, I was PLEASENTLY surprised.

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

Shameless Begging! This channel has almost met the KZbin requirement for 'hours of viewership" but we need a bunch more subscribers to unlock more features from KZbin. So, the shameless beg is: hit the subscribe button! You can unsubscribe in three months if you don't like any of the other videos. ;)

[@weemankyle]

Why would you say this would be a chore to derestrict can you elaborate on that a little?

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

Short version - the 2020 R1 has an encrypted ECU which is difficult to reflash. To get full power out of a 2020+ R1 (allowing the throttle butterflies to open fully) requires installing a YEC ECU AND wiring harness. Lately there are some flashes available for the 2020+ R1 but we have yet to find one that allows the engine to make as much power as the YEC ECU.

[@weemankyle]

@@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883 fair enough. I have a 22 cyan storm on the way myself and word on the street is tuning will be available soon. Just a few days ago woolich released the software for the SP models to tune. I guess there are more ecu models for the non SP but people in the group im in are sending theirs in to be cracked so hopefully not much longer. With the exhaust I have coming as well, 2wheel dyno works says 150 wheel and 80tq easy. Thats plenty enough for me

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

Our 'flashed' ECU 2020 R1 is down 18mph on our YEC ECU R1. For a street bike that would be irrelevant but it was worth noting. We found that the key to tuning the R1 was not just top hp but how much power the ECU allowed the bike to make in different gears and different lean angles, all before TC intervention. It is a whole thing which requires more space than a youtube comment. We agree that 150hp is ample for the street; about what a derestricted FZ1 made 15 years ago. You will love the bike!

[@weemankyle]

@@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883 thanks for the response. Im sure itl only be a matter of time before it gets streamlined. Maybe by next season but either way I'll just be happy when the dealer calls me to tell me its here

[@weemankyle]

@@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883 also thanks for going over all the new rider modes and settings. Nobody's esle seemed to be doing that on the earlier reviews.

[@klaazzaz]

Nice walkthrough, try to limit your ‘uhm’s’ next time 😉

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

no script + one take = 'uhms' We'll tell Sam to try to mix in some 'ahs' and 'sos' next time. ;)

[@klaazzaz]

@@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883 😉👍

[@somedude1590]

Id own that bike if it didnt get such trash mpg. I own a gen 1 fz1 now that foesnt do much better but .... I dunno i just figure in 2022 you could be doing better than 30mpg

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

The 2022 is supposed to get 36mpg versus 30mpg for the 2021 Empty-10.

[@JDuBz815]

They aren't rims, they are wheels. The rim is a part of the wheel 🤦....

[@dg8062]

What a fucking douchebag comment, go troll elsewhere you negative fuck!

[@spidizaurus7410]

get your info right. it has the same frame as the r1.

[@armyofdarknessmotorcyclesb2883]

Hi, at the launch the Yamaha representatives told us the MT-10 frame was a derivative, but not identical, to the R1 frame. For reference, the 2023 R1 frame is Yamaha part number 2CR-21110-00-00 The 2023 MT-10 frame is Yamaha part number B67-21110-20-00 We haven't stripped both bikes down to measure everything but according to the Yamaha parts fiche and the media representatives at the press launch, its a different frame.