EV forced motorcyclist. 2023 Yamaha MT10 (Not a car)

[evolution380]

Probably of little interest to 99% however I like keeping logs to look back on.

I’ve always been a self confessed petrol head, and my love was always the 4 wheel kind, it still is in all honesty and when the time is right I’ll have an appropriate combustion vehicle on the drive again.

Free charging at work and next to zero BIK makes a company EV impossible to say no to however, so Personal vehicles therefore sold to fund a house move.

It’s the first vehicle I’ve ever owned that gets me from A to B for free and I appreciate it for that but genuinely it’s the first time in my life I’ve never got enjoyment from a vehicle I drive regularly, it may even be my stubbornness that refuses to let me enjoy it. This generally left quite a significant void that needed filling. It’s a polestar 2 dual motor and whilst certainly in a straight line it’s nippy, there is just no character there for me, noise is so immersive to me and I need an engine soundtrack over music.

I’ve often found myself just going out for a drive in the countryside to enjoy my car and soak in the surroundings, I found I Never once did that in the EV.

This void set off a lightbulb, an ideal opportunity finally to get my motorbike license all sorted and have a bit of a fair weather weekend toy. I also have a few family and friends that ride so it was a great way to reconnect having reached a point in my life where I realised I’d prioritised work over relationships for far too long and outside of my marriage no longer had many friends.

Phoned up the local motorcycle training school, booked in for theory and found myself 2 weeks later sat on a Kawasaki Z900 riding around the Peak District with a full license and one of my friends I’d not seen for over 7 years. Brilliant bike and covered 15,000 miles in my first year of motorbike ownership. My mental health is the best it’s ever been, totally clears the mind and has helped me find a better work/life balance.

Then back in September 2023 I purchased a brand new Yamaha MT10. The cross plane soundtrack had me hooked. I did look at V4 alternatives but the ones I liked were not working insurance wise, so maybe a Tuono in a year or two.

I’m terrible for tinkering, messing (ruining maybe to some), so I set about throwing modifications at the bike to get it how I like it, due to manufacturers having to conform to some unappealing aesthetics and not having to worry about an MOT for 3 years.

A brief timeline from picking the bike up to how it stands currently.

New bike day. Yamaha also had a limited deal on where on this specific bike you got £1100 to spend on their accessories. This mainly went on replacing plastic reservoir covers for billet, new billet levers, fork/ axel protection etc.



The weather wasn’t great and I had some parts waiting in the garage to chuck on the bike so ten minute ride home and made a start. Desperate need of a tail tidy with the size of the rear fender.



Yamaha parts and full titanium exhaust were also ready to go on the bike. This is miles away from meeting any track DB limits, purchased another exhaust for track days however plan to keep this on for the road as cars are always aware of your presence.




Quite a considerable weight saving, somewhere around 15kg when comparing the two.



A few more of the bits fitted including tank grips.



The bike was run in, had break in service and then straight in for a dyno remap. Much much better bike for it with throttle mapping matching input rather than safety implemented by manufacturer and 158bhp at the rear wheel.



At this point I’m 2000 miles in, a few more changes with carbon additions. Integrated tail light to ditch mounted indicators and new wing mirrors etc. New rear tyre needed after 2000 miles so opted for the Michelin Power 6 and also had the suspension fully set-up at the same time ready for a road trip with 6 friends to Wales.





Absolutely not necessary but I decided to drop the oil and filter and replace. More out of curiosity than anything having had the dealer do the 600 mile break in service and want to ensure there was no metal fragments lurking.



Having lost 4 stone since purchasing the bike I decided to treat myself to some leathers. First time on ready to leave for Wales on a 5 day trip.



200 miles in on the new tyre, started to get some strange feedback. There’s no way? Pull over, yep the tyres got a puncture. Fortunately had a plug kit and inflator in my bag but it did hurt to get a puncture on a brand new rear tyre.



A couple of photographs from the digs at wales. In Newtown just off the A483 an absolutely amazing self catering base. 5 beds sleeps 7 lads and perfect to explore any part of wales from there. We will be back next year ??







Not many photographs of the trip as most of it is video footage.

Now done 3000 miles on the bike, absolutely love it. The suspension set-up has got it dialled in and i’m doing my first track day (on this bike) in a couple of weeks. Only upgrades I envisage moving forward are brakes, suspension and dialling it in for track use.


In a couple of month off to the Nurburgring with a group of friends in cars which I’m still mentally preparing myself as I’ve never shared a track with cars on a motorbike, only bike specific track days. I’ll be transporting bike there and hoping for dry weather. If wet I’ll hire a car out there.

Plan to keep a log of maintenance, changes from here and the odd track day debrief to keep a log.

Edited by evolution380 on Monday 1st July 20:14

[Brett748]

Proper biker! You covered more miles in a year than I have in 7 years biking.

Enjoy mate, I love the MT10!

[evolution380]

Brett748 said:

Proper biker! You covered more miles in a year than I have in 7 years biking.

Enjoy mate, I love the MT10!

Thank you, safe riding!

The 15,000 won’t be common annual mileage, definitely some novelty there. Based on what I’ve done so far though I’ll do 6,000 a year I’d imagine. Had to move away from the S22’s 2000 miles to a rear tyre just for road use is a little much with the mileage I’ll do.

[Cambs_Stuart]

I'm really interested to see how you get on. Now my children are getting older I'm sorely tempted to get another bike. The problem is all my bike model knowledge is 20 years out of date.

[Crudeoink]

Congrats on the MT10, they absolutely fantastic bikes. I bought a Gen 1 back in 2017 and kept it all the way until last year. Absolutely LOVED that bike, did about 17,000 miles on it with 0 mechanical issues, just needed consumables in that time, oh and lots of bling

[evolution380]

Cambs_Stuart said:

I'm really interested to see how you get on. Now my children are getting older I'm sorely tempted to get another bike. The problem is all my bike model knowledge is 20 years out of date.

Other than the obvious headline models like the R1 , H2, Fireblade etc. I was pretty much the same. A bit of a youtube rabbit hole looking at different types of bikes etc. got me into the Naked bikes. Naked's are definitely for me as they're comfier than their fully faired superbike big brother whilst usually utilising some of the same components, albeit usually detuned slightly but generally more usable on the road giving away the top speed for more low down grunt.

Crudeoink said:

Congrats on the MT10, they absolutely fantastic bikes. I bought a Gen 1 back in 2017 and kept it all the way until last year. Absolutely LOVED that bike, did about 17,000 miles on it with 0 mechanical issues, just needed consumables in that time, oh and lots of bling

They are definitely brilliant bikes, as soon as i sat on one I had to have it. Just seemed to fit me. Yes the bling does become somewhat of an issue, just so much available out their for them. What did you move on to, or have you taken a break?

[evolution380]

evolution380 said:

Cambs_Stuart said:

I'm really interested to see how you get on. Now my children are getting older I'm sorely tempted to get another bike. The problem is all my bike model knowledge is 20 years out of date.

Other than the obvious headline models like the R1 , H2, Fireblade etc. I was pretty much the same. A bit of a youtube rabbit hole looking at different types of bikes etc. got me into the Naked bikes. Naked's are definitely for me as they're comfier than their fully faired superbike big brother whilst usually utilising some of the same components, albeit usually detuned slightly but generally more usable on the road giving away the top speed for more low down grunt.

Crudeoink said:

Congrats on the MT10, they absolutely fantastic bikes. I bought a Gen 1 back in 2017 and kept it all the way until last year. Absolutely LOVED that bike, did about 17,000 miles on it with 0 mechanical issues, just needed consumables in that time, oh and lots of bling

They are definitely brilliant bikes, as soon as i sat on one I had to have it. Just seemed to fit me. Yes the bling does become somewhat of an issue, just so much available out there for them. What did you move on to, or have you taken a break?

[lockhart flawse]

I am back on a bike after nearly 15 years without because of kids. Personally I think things have changed a lot with most new bikes having ABS and Cruise Control. My last bike was a Guzzi California and my last contemporary/almost new bike was a Speed Triple in 2000.

Bought a totally analogue 2011 Bonneville and loving it. It has taken a few weeks to get my riding lines dialled in but great to be back on.

I also think bikes have become incredibly expensive - £23k for a Rocket 3.

Well done on the 4 stone loss OP - got to be worth another 15hp.

[bmwmike]

Interesting thread OP, thanks for sharing. Never owned a motorbike but have found myself without a car/toy and no need for a car really, but love my mountain bikes and wondering if a motorbike might be a handy toy to have to complement those. Would need to do my licence etc.

[evolution380]

lockhart flawse said:

I am back on a bike after nearly 15 years without because of kids. Personally I think things have changed a lot with most new bikes having ABS and Cruise Control. My last bike was a Guzzi California and my last contemporary/almost new bike was a Speed Triple in 2000.

Bought a totally analogue 2011 Bonneville and loving it. It has taken a few weeks to get my riding lines dialled in but great to be back on.

I also think bikes have become incredibly expensive - £23k for a Rocket 3.

Well done on the 4 stone loss OP - got to be worth another 15hp.

Yes I'm at the party somewhat late so unaware of a life without certain 'aids' but my z900 pretty much just had ABS and i certainly enjoyed it. Whilst you can turn off assists and change the amount of interference the MT10 is fitted with a 6 axis IMU so has slide control, wheelie control, lean sensitive ABS, engine braking management amongst other things. absolutely all sorts of stuff which definitely wouldn't sit right with some people who just want the bike and their input nothing in-between a nice raw experience.

Must admit though it did save me in wales twice (or at least help massively), national speed limit roads having a spirited ride to say the least on a bit of a goat track, long distant views and winding roads. Coming around a long sweeping bend and mid corner had to get on the brakes for a suicidal sheep that appeared to be on it's own and decide to charge into the road. Shortly followed by a build up of grit on my line on a subsequent turn. Both instances I did the right thing but i did notice the bike also interjecting especially with the grit, the rear end slid out substantially but the system did what it needed to prevent me high siding once it had found grip again. I think on the public roads I'm happy to have the tech especially with the state of some of our roads but I respect those that totally dislike the idea of it and just want the raw experience.

As you say the pricing of some bikes now are definitely running away with themselves and it seems to be propping up some aspects of the second hand market as a result too. Which never seemed to have fallen even slightly closer to pre pandemic levels.

Thank you regarding the weight loss, I definately notice the difference and I'm sure the bike does

bmwmike said:

Interesting thread OP, thanks for sharing. Never owned a motorbike but have found myself without a car/toy and no need for a car really, but love my mountain bikes and wondering if a motorbike might be a handy toy to have to complement those. Would need to do my licence etc.

I'd guess an easy way to test the water is do your CBT and see if it grabs you albeit a little more difficult to do so on a 125 imo. If it does, one step closer to going for full test, if not it's a cheap way to know without throwing money at it as helmets can be picked up for peanuts from Likes of hjc etc. these days.

Edited by evolution380 on Tuesday 2nd July 13:42

[Mr Tidy]

It's great to see you have really got into biking.

Although every time I read a thread like this it makes me wish I still had a bike.

[Nath911t]

Well done on your weight loss. You just can't beat the feeling, IMO, of just getting on a bike either solo or with friends and getting out and about going anywhere. The British countryside on a sunny day is a great place to see.

I'm somewhat a bit of a fan of the MT10. Currently on my 3rd one since they came out. Pretty sure they were £10k OTR then but creeping up to £13k now. I've had a fair few other bikes during that time but for some reason I keep coming back to them. Debating to decat and remap this one. Great all round bikes and given the nickname of eMpTy 10 for a reason.

My current one:

[Brewsters]

3D chav plate - check.
Loud race exhaust - check.

Well done on losing 4 stone - that's a great achievement and not easy.
Shame you've ruined that MT10 with just two 'mods'.

[evolution380]

Nath911t said:

Well done on your weight loss. You just can't beat the feeling, IMO, of just getting on a bike either solo or with friends and getting out and about going anywhere. The British countryside on a sunny day is a great place to see.

I'm somewhat a bit of a fan of the MT10. Currently on my 3rd one since they came out. Pretty sure they were £10k OTR then but creeping up to £13k now. I've had a fair few other bikes during that time but for some reason I keep coming back to them. Debating to decat and remap this one. Great all round bikes and given the nickname of eMpTy 10 for a reason.

My current one:

A lot of people seem to be drawn back to them, after trying something else, they obviously do something right.

I certainly recommend it regarding decat/map if you haven’t already with your prior ones, rideability is much better now especially on the Gen 2 I think the Euro 5 compliance ruins them especially at lower speeds/rev. The exhaust definitely made it worse but even the stock system it was running much leaner than I’d ever want to run.

Brewsters said:

3D chav plate - check.
Loud race exhaust - check.

Well done on losing 4 stone - that's a great achievement and not easy.
Shame you've ruined that MT10 with just two 'mods'.

Thanks regarding weight loss. It’s not been as bad as I’d of thought as it’s settled into a lifestyle change rather than being on a diet or anything which has definitely helped. I’ve always trained in the gym but had a massive appetite so always found dieting a bit of a chore.

Regarding plate/exhaust I guess we are all different, be a boring world if we weren’t I guess and all like/dislike the same things. I must admit I kind of get the plate I wanted to try something different at the time but have noted a bit of a demographic with them since, and quite often a pungent aroma or vape cloud trail from the vehicle.

The exhaust though I love it. Sure a little obnoxious to some but the tone on the bike sounds great, high quality product and supporting a local business (Racefit in Peak District). They have my bike up on their website modelling the exhaust (pic below). Most important cars definitely do hear me coming and the difference when filtering etc is night and day.