To counteract this, Yamaha sought to create a more individualistic “Iwata, Japan” identity. Each of the Japanese “Big Four” have their own distinctive qualities as motorcycle manufacturers, but when products from each marque are lined up side by side in showrooms overseas, they inevitably start to seem similar.
Along with this, another communicative element built into the MT-01 was highlighting its conceptual origins in Japan. The concept for this new machine was “MT = Mega Torque,” with this hypernaked powered by a big air-cooled twin. It painted a picture of what a naked motorcycle could be when unencumbered by the ever-tempting focus on speed and specs, and instead emphasizing the Kodo (“Soul Beat”) of the engine, a torquey ride, and great handling, all packaged in a meticulously sculpted design. It was a time when the performance of supersport bikes like the YZF-R1 had captivated riders, but Yamaha had envisioned a naked bike that would offer a different kind of value. However, behind the series' seemingly erratic and open-ended development lies the Monozukuri that sets Yamaha apart from its competitors.Įverything started when the MT-01 was first unveiled as a concept model at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1999.
#Small redline bicycles used series#
This page summarizes the journey the MT Series has taken, from its MT-01 progenitor to the present day, based on the voices of the planners, engineers, and designers that created it.Īs its history spans over 15 years from the birth of the MT-01 in 2005 to the present day, and because not every new addition to the lineup was made according to clearly defined rules, the MT Series' story is not particularly simple or straightforward. The series is now undoubtedly a signature part of Yamaha's motorcycle offerings, and has been developed over the years with the goal of dismissing conventional notions of what a naked sportbike should be in order to bring an entirely new kind of value to riders. The MT Series today is a brand and lineup loved by riders around the world and runs the gamut for choice and variety, from the MT-10 flagship, MT-09, and MT-07 to the smaller MT-03, MT-25, MT-15, and MT-125.
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