Yamaha MT-01 – it will be nice to flash city traffic on this Yamaha

Yamaha MT-01 has existed in the model range of the manufacturer since 2005. Then the Yamahovites also conducted an experiment, only more ambitious than mine with starting off in fifth gear. The 1670cc air-cooled V-twin from the Yamaha Warrior cruiser was installed in a duplex but sporty lightweight aluminum frame, completing the picture with the geometry of the suspension and steering column with road characteristics. Yamaha calls them sporty. But this is a misconception: there are no sport bikes with a 1525 mm wheelbase and a 25 ° steering column angle. There are straights, but not with such engines.

A huge air-cooled ribbed twin is the centerpiece of this two-wheeled design. The layout of the MT-01 is a 100% roadster, although it is equipped with a completely passenger-friendly seat and footpegs. Slightly shifted forward landing, street steering wheel, simple and understandable controls – on this Yamaha it will be pleasant to flash city traffic.

Even with standard equipment, the MT-01 looks impressive. Unless the simple rear turn signals look out of place next to the LED stop. The central element of the tidy is a tachometer, marked up to 7000 rpm. It is complemented by an LCD display that shows speed, time, tripmeters. There is no fuel level sensor – there is only a control lamp.

On the aftermarket parts market, there are a lot of things available, such as a saddle trimmed with red thread, bright linings for the tank and mufflers. If I were the owner of MT-01, I would definitely take on the refinement of its style. After all, this is a fashion motorcycle.

MT-01 clearly shows that he is a street. And it confirms this with excellent handling.
The more than impressive curb weight of 265 kg is not felt even in static conditions, since all the “centners” of the motor are shifted down. The 15-liter tank is small in a roadster, the aluminum frame weighs almost nothing, except that the muffler cans, driven under the tail, somewhat blur the picture. Keeping a motorcycle stationary is no more difficult than a 600cc road bike.

It’s still more enjoyable on the move. This is how the Ducati Monster should steer if the Italians increase the volume of their aerial twin to 1,700 cc. The motorcycle obediently lays down in a turn, the points of contact between the rider and the bike – the footpegs, handlebars, saddle – allow you to hang and even rest your outer knee against the groove of the tank. Suspensions at a calm pace of the ride clearly maintain the trajectory, without slipping into “swimming”.

1. A huge pole of a motorcycle resembles a part of a transformer 2. Tachometer, electronic speedometer and a couple more bonuses. There is nothing else on the tidy. 3. Radial brakes and 4-piston calipers – all like the 2005 R1. Since 2010, they’ve been updated to R1 ’09 4. Simple turn signals are asking to be replaced with something more sophisticated. But the exhaust pipes look just fine 5. The horizontally located monoshock is carefully hidden under the swingarm

The torque is 150 Nm, a significant part of which is already available at 2000 rpm. But the distribution of these Newton-meters is smooth, and the long base, like a tourist’s, does not allow you to go into an uncontrolled willy. It was not Yamaha’s plan to intimidate the rider.
In addition to the lightweight frame and street geometry, the bike boasts road-ready suspensions: an inverted fork and a fully adjustable horizontal monoshock from the 2005 YZF-R1 superbike. An MT-01 SP version equipped with Ohlins suspensions is available in some markets. The front brakes with Sumitomo 4-piston calipers are also carried over from Erki. Even when they are not rubbed, they are quite informative. The final touch to the motorcycle’s road portrait is the Metzeler ME Z4 tires.

For all its merits, the MT-01 is a niche model. And like all bikes it can’t be perfect. There are some shortcomings and disadvantages. And it’s not just the price of the bike. Experimenting with the cruiser engine in the body of the street, the developers found it possible to give up on a number of details.

But no one expected such a volume of vibration absence from the air-vent twin. But if at first they tickle the nerves, moreover, specific ones, located in certain parts of the body, then over time they begin to annoy. Mirrors with such a vibrating massager on wheels show a permanently blurred image, although they cover a large space behind the motorcycle. The absence of a fuel sensor with a 15-liter tank reduces the MT-01’s habitat to the streets of the city and suburbs. The dimensions of the control levers on the steering wheel are designed only for the palm of the big guys, but the clutch is hydraulic. The tailpipe hoses are brought out to the right side and are not covered by anything. I’m sure Yamaha dealers in the States stick warnings next to them that sleeves can burn feet. Otherwise, riders with their pants burned through will flood the sellers with lawsuits.
But how cool the MT-01 drives! And how rolling his twin sounds!

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