Intermot 2016: Yamaha Unveils 2017 MT-10 SP

The biggest addition is the electronic suspension by Ohlins

It was at EICMA 2015 that the world was introduced to the Yamaha MT-10. Arguably an incarnation of the devil’s octane addiction, the superbike brought to the table some truly brutish aesthetics that presented the R1’s pedigree in a more menacing package. Jump to Intermot 2016, and the Japanese have presented the naked bike’s special edition that throws a little more spice into the fray.

The MT-10 SP takes a page out of the YZF-R1M’s notebook and features a fully-adjustable Ohlins electronic racing suspension. The e-suspension is monitored by a suspension control unit that constantly analyzes the rider’s inputs and suspension movement through a series of sensors and alters the compression and rebound settings on the go. The bike also gets TFT instrumentation (instead of an LCD) with full colour rendering and a blue/silver/carbon colour palette that’s specific to the MT-10 SP.

No mechanical changes have been made to the engine. It’s still powered by a 998cc, in-line four-cylinder engine that makes 161PS at 11,500rpm and 111Nm of torque at 9,000rpm, backed up by the R1’s crossplane crankshaft. However, like the 2017 MT-10, the SP also gets a quick shifter and revised engine mapping for improved power delivery as standard.

You also get the same aluminium deltabox frame, while stopping power comes from twin, 320mm disc brakes up front and a single 220mm disc at the rear. On the tech front, it features electronic aids like ABS, selectable ride modes, traction control and cruise control.

The MT-10 SP will be introduced in select markets next year. As much as we’d like to see this come to India, we have our doubts.