1700 cc in a sports chassis: never seen before
Typical for Yamaha, the MT-01 represents a new and unique concept in the world of motorcycling. Combining a big 1700cc, strongly pulsating two-cylinder engine with a compact sporty chassis, this bike offers the strongest riding sensations at any moment of your ride. Whether you ride it fast or relaxed, whether you go on short trips close to your home or to open roads further away: the MT-01 is designed to offer 'immediate sensation' at any time of riding.

A new approach to motorcycling
Most of today's supersport bikes are designed for empty roads and tracks. However, before enjoying riding on these roads you first have to get there. And for many people that is time not worth spending. They want to enjoy a bike 'right out of the garage' and the MT-01 offers that: already the starting up of the engine is impressive! The Japanese word of 'Kodo', which was a theme in the development, means 'soul beat' or 'soul shake' and indeed this bike makes your heart beat and your soul shake. Even at slower speeds or in traffic, you can enjoy the enormous reserves of torque and feel the 'living' engine underneath you.

The real KODO feeling

Two huge cylinders beating like the sound of a huge Japanese drum... The first production-spec MT-01 was revealed to a limited audience of Yamaha dealers and distributors on the beautiful Greek island of Rhodes on July 13th. Our product planners were there and do now share their inside story with you.

Over 600 people were gathered around the small lake at Kalithea Beach. The evening air was still warm when the show started. A group of Japanese drummers gave an impressive performance. You could feel the deep sound of their drums vibrating through your belly. The energy with which they played was amazing, the energy it gave to the listener too...

Then, unexpectedly, a dark motorcycle came running down the hill. It was the new MT-01. A young man in a black leather jacket was riding it. When he drove onto the stage and lifted his helmet, the crowd went crazy and gave him an ovation: it was Valentino Rossi. He was interviewed on stage about his latest race performances. Upon the question, what he thought about the MT-01, he showed his frank and honest character: "I have only ridden it for fifty meters, so I can not tell you. But it feels like a lot of torque!"

Later on, people could see the bike up close. Many spent a lot of time to see the extensive detailing of this machine with so many beautiful components to look at.

Brutal torque to catapult you out of corners

The next day, in a business-style meeting, the concept behind the machine was explained and this is typically a job for the Product Planning department. They tried to describe the unique riding sensation they wanted to create.Brutal torque combined with a supersports chassis, which has many components and constructions similar to that of the R1, gives you a new riding sensation never experienced before on a motorcycle!

Also interesting was the Product Planner's explanation of how the engine feels at various rpm ranges... for instance: Already at idling the bike has so much torque that you can release the clutch without opening the throttle. And at a speed of 100 km/h, the engine runs just around 2000 rpm where you can feel every 'beat' of the engine intensely. And from 2000 to 5000 rpm, the torque levels remain so high that the engine can catapult you out of corners... 'JUST OPEN THE THROTTLE'.

Stay tuned
The official launch date of the MT-01 to the press is September 14th and at that time more details and specifications will be revealed. In the meantime, if you leave your e-mail at the special MT-01 website you will be updated with interesting news as soon as it comes out:  www.MT-01.com