Yamaha MT-01 review 2 years of living with it

[@BanjoLuke1]

It seems to carry a strong vibe of Buell. More cubes, fewer quirks, but an undeniable vibe of Buell energy.

[@billallen4793]

I can see where you get tgar point of view!...from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 👋🤠

[@Z1slayer]

I went through 4 Buells S2,S3,X1,XB12X and then the MT-01 fell into my lap. Very happy with the Yamaha. Bullet proof motor and no annoying quirks that the Buells had.

[@ThePaulrmcadam]

This machine is indeed a beast. It does look like the Suzuki VX 800 but a tad more muscular. New subscriber, great post!

[@tomstc]

Thanks so much for the comment and the subscription

[@MarJusz]

There's another side to it as well - you may think you know the bike through and through and it's time to move one to another bike. And only then you see you've been poisoned. Constant comparison, and soon you know that no other bike will give you the same perfect combination (torque, size, comfortable position, sound, vibes, surprised looks on the street > fun....) that makes you grin in the helmet so. Very soon, you buy another one, richer in the knowledge that she stays this time. Happened to many guys I know, happened to me (they told me so...). This is a bike you cannot simply leave, the luv stays.

[@tomstc]

Yup the perfect sentiment!

[@v.g.9245]

exactly, I also fell for my MT01 😍

[@marks2551]

Great review, nice to hear a normal bloke talking without any bs, cool bike, i want one !

[@tomstc]

Thank you mate

[@1066wastrel]

Just saw one of these today for the first time, impressive looking bike, closest thing to a V-Max I`ve ever seen (my dream bike)!

[@tomstc]

They certainly have a presence to them

[@paulmonk427]

best bike i ever owned. Was not able to ride it after ms diagnosis- owned 2007 to 2013. liked your vid bought bac k smile tlo my face

[@terrazzo]

The steering on mine went real notchy last year. Stripping the front end down revealed a bottom stem bearing that looked like it had been retrieved from the Titanic. A taper roller set fitted made a great difference.

[@tomstc]

Yes that's a bit of an issue especially when people get a bit clumsy with the Jetwash

[@billallen4793]

​@@tomstcI've never seen one of these in person, but I've read that the design of the steering stem traps water if not blown out! My buddy has this bike engine in the cruiser frame, with a aftermarket "tuner" do you know another way to get more power or economy from the Yami engine?...from Wyoming USA 🇺🇸 👋🤠

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

One of my favorite sounding Yamahas. Up there with the RD350 and the original Crossplane R1. Living up to the Tuning Fork logo and how!

[@boomerhgt]

Thanks for your videos very helpful to new MT01 owners like myself...I'm loving my 2006 model with 15000 miles on it...this bike was purchased to replace my beloved Honda X4 another iconic muscle bike that I owned for 19 years...and foolishly sold I won't be selling the big Yamaha...anyway enjoying your videos subbed and liked

[@tomstc]

That's brilliant thanks so much for the comment 👍🏻 glad you enjoy my vids. Makes it all worth it

[@jamesc6363]

Great review mate. I wouldn't mind trading my r1100s for one of these bad boys.

[@soggybawsmoto]

Great to see another unusual Yamaha. Those wheels are awesome. Great looking channel Tom, now subbed, good luck pushing towards 2k

[@tomstc]

Yamaha really did push the boundaries didn't they? Thanks man appreciate the sub

[@phillh2417]

I bought a 2008 MT01 in February this year because in 2005 when I had an FZ6, my dealer loaned me one for an afternoon and i loved it but I couldnt afford the 10K asking price (and at the time the MT01 wasnt really a practical bike to commute into London 30 miles each way). Roll on 17 years and I can buy a used one for £5K so I did. Really love it, needs a tiny bit of TLC and has a Power Commander 4 fitted which I need to investigate to see which map its running but I lover the bike. Only problem is whenever you fuel up, someone comes over to chat about the bike, usually when I'm in a rush.

[@tomstc]

Wow that's a good deal, be interested to know how you get on with the PC? It's certainly a topic of conversation, I normally get asked if its a custom

[@TheRhythmicBiker]

I mean it certainly looks like a beast 💪 I have to admit I certainly wouldn’t want to tour on it, there are much better bikes for that sort of thing. Certainly is becoming rare, I’ve only ever seen 1 in the flesh annoyingly, but they are so cool to see 🤘 Great review mate, awesome video 🤘

[@tomstc]

Thanks mate 👍🏻

[@UMAIRISTA]

Love the bike mate you have been taking care of it 🔥

[@tomstc]

Thank you

[@johndiehardmclean23]

Possibly 1 of the maddest & baddest looking Yamaha's I've ever seen...I just love it Tom! 👍😎 They certainly are a great investment! 👍🤑😎

[@tomstc]

Thanks man, yeah I love it

[@winksmt01]

I bought my MT-01 new in 2007, a great bike. I will never sell it.

[@tomstc]

It gets under your skin doesn't it stunning bike

[@MrFvnielsen]

Great “Living with” review. Very useful, thx 👍

[@tomstc]

Thanks 😀

[@robertandersson2523]

Right hand chain!!! Never thought of that before.

[@MrAlloy70]

Had one a few years ago.I was driving at 40miles per hour and the rear swing arm snapped in half.Thankfully the bike came to a halt and I wasn't hurt.Needles to say i never drove yamaha again after that ordeal.yamaha offered me a replacement bike but i went with my money back.

[@tomstc]

I have heard that the linkage is a weak point I replaced mine. Sounds pretty scary, the actual swing arm?

[@AlexPtc89]

You can’t blame the entire company for one crap product from years ago. I have a 1996 xj600 and its perfectly fine

[@jaroncorleone]

Thanks for the video, good location, unique and different bike as you said

[@tomstc]

Thanks for the comment

[@scubasteve2761]

Awesome video mate, lovely bike, hoping to get one in the future 👌

[@tomstc]

Thanks mate

[@squiretomasie7003]

I have to have one! Its so badass and manly looking

[@tomstc]

They are certainly unique

[@FXSTB-i]

Nice review. I'm 6'3 and was wondering if it would suit me size wise. It will 👍

[@ClosestNearUtopia]

By the time reaching 2750 rpm, your probably already going way over the speed limit, dont get fooled by the statement.

[@stoosam3244]

thanks...enjoyable review. Sad to hear it doesn't tour.

[@tomstc]

Thanks for the comment, some people tour on them. You are just limited to what you can carry!

[@stoosam3244]

@@tomstc A sorta Zen Tourer ....I kinda like the idea of that.

[@Gallax1]

I've done a couple of track days on MT's and its bloody ace round the twisty sections, but you get your ass kicked on the straights, good enough to embarass some sports bikes round Cadwell from Mansfield through to the start finish straight (Intermediates). Love my MT and I'm on my second one now

[@tomstc]

I think I would just cry if I dropped it, bet it does feel good though

[@AnnieRed66]

I'm about 5'6" and find mine fairly tall, especially compared to my 1100 Monster...you make it look tiny!

[@tomstc]

Most bikes look tiny with me on them

[@AnnieRed66]

@@tomstc I have a friend who's 6'7"...he makes his GSXR look like a mini-moto 😂

[@tomstc]

@@AnnieRed66 where there's a will there's a way

[@AnnieRed66]

@@tomstc Absolutely!

[@elbowsout6301]

It's on my list of bikes to own at some point :) I have loved this bike since launch that big 1700cc V-Twin is awesome. Very hard to find them now though.

[@thomaszandbergen1729]

Hey ! Great bike !! I also have a MT-01 (2005) with akrapovic exhaust. But how on earth did you Remove de baffels (DB-Killer, don't know if spelled correct) from the exhaust ?? I have search almost everywhere but can't find any. Thanks for the help !

[@tomstc]

Hi, quite simple There are 3 Allen bolts around the circumference of the retaining bezel at the back. Remove those the bezel should slide out. Then the baffle should also slide out

[@stewartknight7464]

Good review, what oil do you use in this beast

[@tomstc]

Thanks, if you check out my video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJa0cpiYmbidjtk I tell you all about it. But I use this ebay.us/CNGXYb Motul 5000 10w40

[@tlex76]

Good talk, I agree with most points. I have one as well and it’s not the most practical bike to have. However every time I ride it, it feels somewhat special. The biggest issue I have is the knee angle. I’m also quite tall and after 1 hour or more my knees start to protest. Last year I made a 3 day trip and I was in so much pain I decided to take another bike on this years 3 day trip, which is a shame. Do you know of any peg lowering set?

[@tomstc]

Thanks for the comment, I struggle a bit but it's not too bad. My knees are getting worse though. I wouldn't bother with lowering the pegs myself as it already hits the pegs on some corners

[@DDYTEDDY]

My worry was the size of it as I really want one but being 6'5 most bikes are too painful to ride for too long so glad its a good size lol

[@tomstc]

@8U1KH34D sometimes it can feel a little cramped but the decent seat to peg distance means I'm happy in the saddle on longer rides

[@dutchyjhome]

I am going to trade in my 1985 Harley Davidson FXR and get me one of these ! Thank you very much, it's helpfull to know these things before one get's one right?

[@tomstc]

Thanks for watching and the comment! I think I cover all bases! It's been very good to me these last 2 and a bit years

[@khg8519]

I miss my superduke i'd buy one of these given the cash the duke would chew it up but not the point Great bikes

[@sebastianharreus8859]

I love mine dearly. She‘s got her restrictions … but used on the right set of roads and in the right kinda way she‘s a lovely twisty country road thumper alright like. One thing I am not too fond of is taking her out during hot summer days … especially not around town with that awful stop and go kinda carry on. The amount of heat coming from that big lump of an anachronistic air-cooled engine gives me some sort of a sauna like experience when stuck in traffic or waiting at a red lights. She‘s brilliant though for thumpin along good bendy national roads. A bit like a Harley on speed that‘s actually able to manage normal bank levels around corners without any fear of scratching any parts on the tarmac. For these quick urban commutes I stick with my old Honda Bros 650 to spare myself from these soaking sauna sensations though. 🤣

[@tomstc]

Hi Thanks for the comment, yes she does get a bit warm! The heavy clutch can be a bit of a slog in traffic too

[@sebastianharreus8859]

In comparison to the 650 Bros‘ clutch when her clutch cable is older than 2 months, the MT01s clutch is a charm. 🤣

[@tomstc]

@@sebastianharreus8859 🤣 I used to have a Bros 400 I loved that little bike

[@sebastianharreus8859]

They are nifty enough little yokes alright. If yer lookin for a cheap, superbly reliable commuter they‘d still be high up on d‘auld list like. Especially since I have the continental version … NTV Revere … with the camshaft drive. No annoyances with keepin yer auld chain lubricated and the likes.

[@xb12x85]

265 kg. I have an orange and silver 2011 in Portugal. I'm English. Haven't you had your starter motor pack up? What about fork seals? I don't tour on mine, either. It's just an Algarve blaster.

[@tomstc]

No luckily nothing like that yet!🤞🏻

[@1990-t1j]

@@tomstc To confirm. XB12X and 1990 are the same person. Sorry for the confusion.

[@1990-t1j]

yeah. Posting under 1990 from now on.

[@tomstc]

@@1990-t1j no worries

[@vaibhavtri001]

Great Review!

[@tomstc]

Thanks 😀

[@robertverwijs2879]

For your exausts u have full cover heat shields btw.

[@tomstc]

No I don't unfortunately

[@robertverwijs2879]

@@tomstc with my stage 1 its standaard. There are many for sale here in the nederlands for about 150 euros

[@greenneck2472]

hey Tom, could you link me to where you bought your frame sliders from? thanks!

[@tomstc]

No problem ebay.us/6xyZWn Tested them too and they work!!!

[@greenneck2472]

@@tomstc Thanks Tom! your videos/tutorials have saved me a bunch of time, money and headache! God speed!!

[@tomstc]

@greenneck2472 thanks that's why I do it.

[@nbowling10trio]

No wonder it wasnt brought to the States. You could slap Buell emblems on it and most people would believe it's factory😂 I'm sure it's an awesome bike nonetheless

[@markokristola449]

Great review, thanks. I was trying to reach out the carbon heat shield maker in Germany but with no success. Perhaps he has quitted the job, do you know? I have the very same pipe configuration with Akrapovics in my bike but the heat shields have been cutted out from the original plastic covers.

[@tomstc]

Thanks for the comment, he usually is very busy. As far as I am aware he is still trading

[@SmirnovEvgeny]

Hi Tom! Maybe you can help me. There is a problem with my mt 01. When i’m going gears down (3-2 for example) bike makes a bang and engine stops. I press start, it’s running again till another situation. Other thing - up to 1200 rpm or drops to 500 and stalls in fisrt 10-15 seconds on neutral. Than everything is ok. May be you know what is it? Or could be?

[@tomstc]

@SmirnovEvgeny hi this could be a number of things. Is the bang from the exhaust or the engine?

[@SmirnovEvgeny]

@@tomstc exhaust. Think about idle speed sensor but cant find it )

[@kawazakiazs2282]

it is an amazing motorbike and the sound is another story i do have same this bike MT01 2009 and I'm looking for the tail tidy the original one do u have any idea where or how can i find it thank you for sharing this

[@tomstc]

Thanks for watching and the comment, I am lucky enough to have the tail tidy on the bike when I brought it. Most people now make thier own I'm afraid they are rarer than rare

[@axelfriedrich1601]

The MT 01 looks like - Brough Superior - Vincent Black Shadow, its amazing bike, thank you. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tomstc]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@robertverwijs2879]

Tom. I have a question. How do u remove the db killers from that akra exhaust? Do i rly need to take a drill to the thing or is there an other way?

[@tomstc]

All you need to do is unscrew the 3 bolts around the outside of the flange at the end of the exhaust. Then slide out the DB killers easy peasy

[@robertverwijs2879]

@@tomstc rly i gues its rly stuck. I tried that and it would turn round but not 1mm out😆😆

[@robertverwijs2879]

@@tomstc but if your rly sure ill try it again. I would be so happy if i can get them out

[@tomstc]

@@robertverwijs2879 does the flange come off?

[@robertverwijs2879]

@@tomstc no

[@LeSondesCopeaux]

longue vie a la MT01🙏

[@cirkulace]

What about maintenance? Anything special you needed to solve about this bike? How much is it to service the bike at the dealership compared to lets say bikes like Hornet, Bandit, SV650 from that era?

[@tomstc]

@cirkulace I do all my own servicing, however general servicing (oil changes etc ) are all standard like other Japanese bikes.

[@captainfunevents]

How bout the engine noise on some of these?

[@tomstc]

Check out my fly by vid kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYmQmXxprd9rn8U

[@doctor.driv399]

How tall you are?

[@tomstc]

@@doctor.driv399 6'6

[@olafk2297]

The corrosion is a probleme on mine to

[@PeteNeal-w7h]

Are these injection?

[@tomstc]

Yes full digital injection

[@PeteNeal-w7h]

@@tomstc Wasn't sure, many thanks.

[@flyman987]

I have the same MT-01 with Akra. But to drive it without DB-eater is like suicide for your ears. 🙉😅 Also here in germany you would stoped immediately by police.

[@30035XD]

Such a great concept. A real pity it is so fugly!

[@tomstc]

I like the fugly look

[@30035XD]

@@tomstc There is no problem with that, it is in the eye of the beholder after all. I just think most Yamaha designs are atrocious anyway. At least it is not as bad as the B-King, that thing is the epitome of fugly monster.