The MT-10 arrived in 1974 as the replacement for the MT-9. It kept the 650 cc flat twin and the reverse gear but became the first Soviet motorcycle to use twelve-volt electrics, and it introduced a solid seat and a new instrument panel.
Dnepr MT-10 at a glance
| Maker | KMZ, Kyiv |
|---|---|
| Production | from 1974 |
| Mass with sidecar | 335 kg |
| Engine | 650 cc OHV flat twin |
| Power | 32 hp |
| Torque | 4.7 kgf·m |
| Electrics | 12 V |
| Gearbox | MT804, with reverse |
| Fuel tank | 19 litres |
| Fuel | A-72, A-76 |
| Top speed | 100 km/h |
| Seat | solid, instead of separate seats |
The MT-10 is described in the English and Russian histories of the Dnepr marque; this page uses those sections. Free photographs of this exact model were not available, so the page uses the earlier picture of the motorcycle.
History of the Dnepr MT-10
Twelve volts
The MT-10 of 1974 is remembered as the first Soviet motorcycle with a twelve-volt electrical system. The change from six volts mattered for a machine that was often used with a sidecar and for long distances: it made lighting and starting more dependable and prepared the ground for the electrical equipment of later models. The engine remained the familiar 650 cc overhead-valve flat twin, rated at 32 hp, and the gearbox was the MT804 with reverse.
Comfort and controls
Visually the MT-10 moved away from the separate rider and passenger seats of the MT-9: it received a solid bench-type seat. The mountings of the front turn indicators were changed, and a new headlamp and instrument panel were designed. The tank held 19 litres, the motorcycle weighed 335 kg with its sidecar, and the maximum speed was 100 km/h. It ran on A-72 or A-76 petrol, the standard grades of the period.
The MT-10-36
In 1977 KMZ added a more powerful version, the MT-10-36. Its engine produced 36 hp and 4.8 kgf·m, enough for 105 km/h. The carburettor was a new K-301D with a larger diffuser, the camshaft was modernised, and a parking brake was added on the handlebar. The MT-10-36 kept the solid seat and instrument panel of the MT-10 and remained part of the range until the arrival of the MT-11 in 1984.
Design and features
- Twelve-volt electrics: the first Soviet motorcycle to adopt them, with better lighting and starting.
- Solid seat: a single bench seat replaced the separate seats of the MT-9.
- New front end: revised indicator mountings, a new headlamp and a new instrument panel.
- MT-10-36 engine: 36 hp, a K-301D carburettor and a handlebar parking brake from 1977.
Dnepr MT-10 versions
- MT-10 (1974): the original 32 hp model with twelve-volt electrics.
- MT-10-36 (1977): the 36 hp version with a larger carburettor and a parking brake.
The MT-10 followed the MT-9 and was replaced by the MT-11. More models are in the Dnepr collection.
Video: Dnepr MT 10-36
Video by Bohdan Stanchenko on YouTube.
Sources
- Dnepr (motorcycle), English Wikipedia: twelve-volt electrics
- Днепр (мотоцикл), Russian Wikipedia: specifications, MT-10-36 changes
