I do have tried MT 10 today too:
Obviously it will not win beauty contest. Having said that my wife likes it
Position is way, I mean way way way forward. You can get used to it. I am 6 foot and there is plenty of room. The pegs are very comfty with more than enough leg room. In fact more leg room than the Fazer.
The gears are better than all BMWs. Does not have quickshifter. Actually MT10 do gears better without quickshifter than the BMWs with quickshifter. Enough said. The best engine so far.
On paper S1000R and MT10 are almost identical as power 160hp and weight fuelled 210kg. For some reason MT10 feels much lighter bike. Probably because of the forward position. It feels and rides as one very powerful supermoto. The engine also feels with more power. It may have more low torque I have no idea but the engine of the MT10 is the best.
As in BMWs I have to say I have not used the 6th too much. Yamaha is doing 95mph in second gear and three digits in 3rd. And when in B mode this bike is insane. I don't do wheelies if I can. In B mode you are practically riding most of the time on one wheel.
The most useful for public streets is standard mode STD.
Like S1000R the Yamaha moves with the speed of your thoughts without been intimidating and you are always in control.
The throttle is perfect and the power is delivered in a smooth and predictable way. I mean in STD mode.
MT10 feels sharper than S1000R. And you can ride it faster easier. Again surpisingly for me on the motorway without fairing it does better speeds than the Fazer with less wind. Or at least that is how I feel it. I mean there is wind, but because the bike has better engine and more power, somehow motorway speeds are easier.
You can change direction any time in the bend left or right and it just goes there. Again my abilities are way off what that bike can do.
Brakes are much more than you will ever need. Always smooth and progressive if you need it.
Suspension is the best. It is firm. Bear in mind this is a sport bike disquised as a supermoto.
Firm suspension is what you need with that power delivery.
Now the bad: the seat. I mean the Yamaha MT10 seat is seriously bad (hard). Like a brick of wood.
Note about the seat. It actually fits the overall bike. It is hard but that is good, because with this bike and this strong brakes and this firm suspension, and this powerful engine, and the speeds you can do with, actually you need this hard seat to be always in control and not slide around because of various g forces.
The truth is MT10 is a hardcore sport bike that needs to be ridden hard and needs this seat.
I have been two hours on it and now my bumm is sore and hurts. But I am still smiling
:
Final rating:
1. Handling & steering - MT10, S1000R, XR, Fazer, RS
2. Engine and power delivery - MT10, S1000R, XR, Fazer, RS - note obviously the RS has more power than the Fazer I just do not like the engine for my riding.
3. Seat and position - Fazer, seat XR, 1000R, position 1000R beats XR for me, RS, last one is MT10 now.
4. Look - draw for all from the front look, side look - 1000R, XR, RS, Fazer, MT10 - again no surprise here MT 10 is eriously ugly bike from any point. And daiglo wheels? I rest my case.
5. Sound - S1000R, MT10, Fazer, RS, XR - note I am not a fan of low rumbling Harley style sound. For you it may be the RS. S1000R has really nice sound in high revs. MT10 in STD mode sound is good, switch to B mode and its get ugly you get the impression nuts and bolts will be flying any moment.
6. Fun factor - MT10 is the winner hands down. Than follow closely S1000R, XR, RS, RR and finally the good old Fazer.
The final conclusion - I am still keeping the Fazer. Still fast enough when needed and does 50 mpg and comfty.
If you want a bike for long touring you need the XR.
If you need fun and track days get MT10.
I am temped by S1000RR as short commuter/fun bike too.
MT10 in some tourer faired version with better seat is probably the bike I will like the most. The only problem is Yamaha is not doing it yet...
