VOLUME ISSUE JANUARY , P85
What I loved about the
base model was how much
tech was crammed into a
package that, at the time,
cost under (by a dollar, I
know, I know) $14K. Given
the fact that the base model
now comes with all the
electronics that the R1 had,
including slide control—
which everyone needs on a
high-powered naked bike for
no other reason than what
my son says when he wants
something: just "because"—
along with that brilliant engine
and pin-point chassis, it
presented a very good argu-
ment for my Bike of The Year
status.
Switching over to the SP,
the difference in ride qual-
ity between the Ohlins and
the KYBs on the base model
wasn't as drastic as I had
imagined. One of my big
compliments I paid the base
model was how well Yamaha
got the KYB fork and shock
sorted for most types of riding
we encountered on the test. It
handled the North Carolinian
(Above L-R) Semi-active
suspenders add a touch of
class to the MT. The MT now
has the same level of rider aids
as any other hyper-naked bike
on the market today.
The engine and
gearbox are exactly
the same as the ones
on the base MT, not
that there's anything
wrong with that.
Although the same elec-
tronics in the six-axis IMU-
controlled lean sensitive
traction control, slide control,
wheelie control, engine brake
control, and brake control
with lean sensitive ABS
abound, the suspension has
been swapped out for Oh-
lins' "next generation" semi-
active electronic suspension
with revised damping for
both the 43mm fork and the
shock.
You're also presented with
steel braided brake lines,
which Yamaha hopes will
somewhat cure the vague
feel at the lever that the base
model exudes, and you get
the SP-specific Liquid Metal/
Raven color scheme. Aside
from that, the SP is exactly
the same bike as its less
expensive brother.
Three grand more is a de-
cent chunk of change when
purchasing a motorcycle, so
is the SP worth the cash?
Yes, but it's not that straight-
forward.
