2009 Yamaha MT-01 - COOL WALL VOTE: COOL

[rayian]

I'd rather have a Ducati Diavel. Still, I'll give it a cool vote.

[Grey Thumper]

Looks quirky and full of character, lots of interesting detailing, enough to squeeze into the cool category, for me. I think a Buell Lightning is a more interesting and innovative take on a similar theme though.

[totalmotorcycle]

Voted: COOL

It's very unique and the sound is addictive. I even created a YouTube video for it because of it. Yamaha calls it "kodo" for the sound of drums. I would even buy the stage 1 kit for it which includes the Akropovik (sp?) exhausts.

I really like it myself, it is a great looking naked standard bike with a brutal torquey engine and balls to the wall attitude... maybe I should have voted awesome? But cool is definately is!

The only 3 things that worry me about it are:

1. The small gas tank (15L)
2. The RPM limit (around 5600?)
3. The price new (which I think is the #1 reason the bike didn't sell well).

Overall, it is a very nice bike and one that will get you noticed.

[Grey Thumper]

It'd be great to hear from people who actually own one. I like the sound and power characteristics of cruiser engines, but prefer the riding position and handling of standards, so I'm quite curious what this bike feels like.

[totalmotorcycle]

It'd be great to hear from people who actually own one. I like the sound and power characteristics of cruiser engines, but prefer the riding position and handling of standards, so I'm quite curious what this bike feels like.

madjak30 owns one, I'm sure he will chime in on this topic soon...

Mike

[madjak30]

Vote: AWESOME!!

Torque is the word here...110lbs/ft worth of the stuff...if ridden conservatively you can get decent consumption, but if you play with the torque a lot...well, not so good...comfort is similar to the Honda 919

The small tank was what held me back for a while, but I get 200kms before the fuel light comes on...so not terrible...but you will be hard pressed to find a bike with more "personality", pops and growls on downshifts (watch the engine braking, is more abrupt than you might expect)...but it was the sound that totally sold me.

I think it's a great bike, but not if you want to go two up...not so comfy for the passenger...

Later.

[Markg1]

If it's from yamaha, it's gotta be cool! I would have voted awesome but we can't get it here in the US! Is that engine in any other bike that yamaha has out?

[madjak30]

Well...sort of...it's the engine from the Warrior cruiser that has been tuned up to add 20Hp & 20TQ...has a chain drive instead of the belt...standard riding position...

Here is a video that I made in response to some requests to hear the bike...I took some clips from other videos to make this one...hope you enjoy it!!



Later.

[totalmotorcycle]

Great video! Thanks for adding that and for adding the comments about the engine and gas tank as well. 200km a tank isn't bad then. From the video all I could think was... "Wow, I want it!" the sound is amazing and the bike it looks amazing too.

Nice to see Calgary again via the video.

Anything you would add/improve to the bike? (maybe a bigger tank?)... do you find when you accelerate (or pass) do you "run out of RPMs" and it bounces off the red line?

Mike

[madjak30]

There is a guy in Germany that makes a 20L tank for it...not sure if I will pony up the cash for it though...$$$...as for the RPM and the rev limitter...at first I did (used to an 11,000rpm redline), but once used to the shift points it isn't a problem...third rev'd to 5500rpm has you going 150kph, so it's only a concern in first and second!! and the bike pulls hard enough in fifth that you really don't have to down shift, unless you are really being agressive...

Luggage availability...the width of the exhaust makes it hard to attach saddle bags (which I prefer over a tail bag)...I will be experimenting with brackets this winter...1/4" rod & a welder...a guys gotta have a winter project!!

Later.