Used test: 2016 YAMAHA MT-10
The success of the uniquely styled MT-10 super naked arguably began from the moment it was first witnessed by anyone outside the factory. Unveiled to the press on the eve of the Milan bike show late in 2015, as soon as it was ridden on stage by factory GP rider Jorge Lorenzo, the MT immediately drew genuine gasps and applause from the assembled media. Yamaha quite cleverly simultaneously streamed the event live worldwide, almost ensuring its popularity at all subsequent bike shows would, just as it turned out, be huge.
At the NEC, Yamaha gave the MT (a bike based on the USA market’s budget R1-S sportsbike) its own special viewing area and it was mobbed for the entire show. Further evidence of how well it was likely to sell came at its press launch in Spain not long after. All the journalists were instantly excited by the way the 160bhp MT-10 rode, babbling enthusiastically about how brilliant they thought it was within miles. Not all bikes are received quite that well or quite that quickly at press launches. Even very good ones. The journos loved its absolute performance but also rated
