QUICKSPIN I 2022 Yamaha MT-10
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> SPARKY BITS
The big difference to the old MT-10 is not
so much in the engine but the computers
that control it. The motor hasn't come in for
any significant revisions aside from new fuel
injection settings and a new twist grip for the
Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle that houses
a spring, slider, and gear mechanism to help
mimic the feel of an old-school cable throttle.
The real change between models is in
the electronics. The 2022 MT-10 gets the
R1's six-axis IMU—two sensors that measure
three axes of angular velocity and three
axes of acceleration—giving the motorcycle
the chance to join the big players in the
superbike/naked bike world by running
lean-angle-sensitive traction control, slide
control (Yamaha were the first to bring this
feature to market on the 2015 R1), wheelie
control, lean-angle-sensitive ABS, and two-
stage brake control, a feature that in BC2
uses IMU data to increase ABS sensitivity
as the bike's lean angle increases.
You've got four different power modes
at your disposal, level one being the most
direct and level four for low grip/rain riding.
These go with the four preset ECU modes
(A-D), all with their own Traction, Slide,
Wheelie, Engine Brake and Brake Control
values that are preset from the factory—and
that you can vary individually if you so de-
sire, so you can make Mode B have no TC,
no Wheelie, full Engine Brake, etc.
Yamaha's also fitted a cool Yamaha Vari-
able Speed Limiter (YVSL) system so you
can set a speed at the dash and know you
won't go over it, kinda like a pitlane speed
limiter perfect for high-radar areas.
On top of that, you've got cruise control,
four riding modes that can be toggled via
a 4.2-inch dash that, I'll be honest, looks
a bit small compared to what much of the
competition holds, and a new, faster quick-
shifter for sublimely smooth gear changes.
Don't forget, this is all still for under
$14,000 (barely).
(Right) This is MT country—especially when there are no bike-hating Asheville
drivers on the road. (Below left) Red flair on the wheels looks great when in motion.
(Below right) Cruise control is a joy to have on a power-naked such as this.
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