The rider aids are identical to the standard MT-10, this means conventional ABS and traction control, there isn’t slide control or cornering ABS as like Yamaha’s R1 as the SP doesn’t have an internal gyro to measure lean angles. Ohlins semi-active suspension replaces the conventional suspension and the SP gains a full colour TFT dash similar to the R1.

Yamahs’s standard MT-10 is £2600 cheaper, but doesn’t have clever semi-active Ohlins suspension, or the new TFT clocks, switchgear and colours. At £13,699 the MT-10 SP isn’t cheap. BMW’s S1000R Sport is Yamaha’s closest competion, with unique semi-active suspension and starts at a cheaper £12,725.

Yamaha has a great reputation for build quality and reliability and the MT-10 SP follows this envied tradition. It’s based on the current R1 and, early gearbox recall aside (which doesn’t affect this model), there have been no major problems reported.

Yamaha have left the R1 derived cross-plane engine alone, it’s identical to the standard MT-10. The same smooth 160bhp and 81.87ftlb of torque. It’s a gem; one of the finest engines on the market. It has the over rev and excitement of a conventional in-line four, but the grunt and torque of a V-four or even V-Twin. It will pull from as little as 2000rpm on a continuous wave of power, it’s sublime.

The big difference between the MT-10 and SP is obviously the suspension. It’s now controlled by Ohlins’ semi-active system. This enables you to change the suspension on the move (compression and rebound only) and the suspension responds to road imperfections on the move. There are two semi-active modes A1 and A2, plus three manual modes. In the manual modes the suspension isn’t ‘active’ but you can change the settings electronically. A1 is the sportier of the two semi-active options.

The award winning MT-10 is an excellent bike, and now Yamaha have moved the game forward with the MT-10 SP. The semi-active suspension gives you more scope, which makes the new MT easier to personalise to the roads you ride and how you like to ride them. The colour TFT clocks, new switchgear and R1M like colours give a feeling of sophistication and quality. However, Yamaha’s biggest competition is the standard MT-10, which is still brilliant in stock trim and £2600 cheaper.

4 owners have reviewed their YAMAHA MT-10 SP (2017 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

5 out of 5 MT10sp Experience 20 April 2020 by Keith Carmichael Year: 2017 Annual servicing cost: £400 Best is engine, practicality it's a almost do anything motorcycle from short blast to long haul touring. Dislike fuel gauge is like a revs counter! It's a wee bit thirsty, also gauge jumps in increments the first being half then third quarter.... N panic Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5 Having ohlins shocks makes for a plush ride Brakes are OK they stop you which is what they are meant to Engine 5 out of 5 Good acceleration bit thirsty love the sound Lots of grunt if you like the front wheel to lift Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5 So far she's been fine. Value vs rivals 4 out of 5 Love the bike, loads of character for an in line 4. Never fails to put smile on my face. Fuel economy ain't great she's thirsty. Equipment 4 out of 5 Standard has to be the ohlins suspension. Love carbon Fibre pipe worx exhaust and the sound. Tyre choice Metzler 01s last well and give good grip. Fitted comfort seat which helps a lot on long rides. Buying experience: Dealer brand new so priced at 2017 prices

3 out of 5 Fun & fast, but not a quality bike. 13 December 2019 by Joe Average Year: 2018 Annual servicing cost: £300 If u never test ride anything else the SP seems like the dogs danglies. Comfy, powerful & good handling. Overall however, once you've had one for a while they don't live up to the hype. Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5 Ride quality is very good, is it worth the extra over a standard MT10? Only you can decide that. Brakes... If you've never ridden anything else you may comment they are good. However they lack the feel & bite of Brembos. - The term wooden would be a fair description. Engine 5 out of 5 This is the MT10's party piece. No shortage of power. Power settings helpful, bike can be to aggressive for road use so I've found dialing it back a notch makes for a nicer ride. Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5 Yamaha's seem very much built down to a budget now. An MT10 won't fair well if ridden in inclement weather. Bare metal surfaces quickly tarnish, regular careful cleaning & corrosion prevention a must. Fork seals blew in 18 months. Some of the components just feel cheap. At over £15k with a couple of extras, the SP isn't cheap. Value vs rivals 4 out of 5 Yamaha dealers seem to charge a premium hourly rate. Factor in a chain & sprockets as the factory ones are poor. Equipment 3 out of 5 SP is lagging behind now. For the price you'd expect Brembos & an autoblipper. Blipper can be sorted easily but invalidates warranty. Heated grips OK, comfort seat nice if you ride more than a couple hours. Screen good if you do long journeys at speed. Buying experience: Yamaha are working hard to get away from the bike shed dealer image. If only the quality of the products matched the shiny showrooms. Shop around, there are deals to be had on the price front.

5 out of 5 MT10 SP Bonkers but great 13 November 2018 by Tony Pammen Year: 2017 Annual servicing cost: £220 After having 2 Yamaha FJR’s before the MT-10SP I did wonder if I was having a midlife crisis, but the more I ride it the more I have fell back in love with biking. It’s true that I always seem to be going into petrol stations, but I’ll forgive the bike, just for the sheer thrill of that engine and what an engine it is, I don’t do wheelies, perhaps 3 or 4 in 200,000 miles, I think I done more than that on the MT-10 in the first week though to be honest when I overtake cars the last thing I want is to wheelie, I want forward drive but occasionally the bike wheelies, I’ve tried different power modes with different traction control levels with mixed results, some, however might like that. Would I recommend this bike without doubt it's great. Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5 Some say the brakes are wooden but I find them ok, I don’t really have that much to compare them to, having FJRs as previous bikes. I got a comfort seat as an option which I would definitely recommend all day comfort. Yamaha heated grips are very good with the controls built next to the grip itself. The only other mod is a Givi screen, though I might get a Yamaha one for going up to Yorkshire to help with the wind blast, but for 90% of the time it’s perfectly fine. Engine 5 out of 5 This engine is an absolute peach, low down power it’s available in any gear and it’s instant power. It makes this a very naughty bike, like a little devil on your shoulder saying go on give it a bit more you know you like it. Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5 Value vs rivals 5 out of 5 As previously mentioned visits to petrol stations are very regular, I’m getting about 35-40 mpg, but it’s not a scooter so you pay your money etc. Equipment 5 out of 5 The overall looks, the colours on the tank and wheels and the Öhlins suspension Buying experience: I bought from P&H Motorcycles Gatwick, and I really enjoyed the experience, I got what I thought was a very reasonable price for my old bike, it was no hassle. And their service department looks the best I have seen.