The Yamaha MT-01 is an unusual naked motorcycle that combines a large cruiser V-twin with sportbike running gear. Yamaha built it from 2005 to 2012, and it was shown as a concept at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show.
Yamaha MT-01 at a glance
| Maker | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Class | Naked motorcycle |
| Production | 2005–2012 |
| Concept shown | 1999 Tokyo Motor Show |
| Engine | 1,670 cc air-cooled overhead-valve V-twin |
| Engine basis | Yamaha Warrior XV1700 |
| Front forks and brakes | derived from the 2004–2005 Yamaha R1 |
| Design award | MDA Open Category, INTERMOT 2004 |
| Tuning kits | Akrapovič Stage 1, 2 and 3 |
| Special version | MT-01 SP, 2009 |
| SP equipment | Öhlins suspension, Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Yamaha MT-01
Yamaha first showed the MT-01 as a concept at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show. Public interest was strong enough for the company to develop a production model, which went on sale in 2005. The bike paired a cruiser-style 1,670 cc air-cooled overhead-valve V-twin derived from the Warrior XV1700 with a frame and suspension in the naked sportbike mould. Its forks and brakes came from the 2004–2005 Yamaha R1.
The MT-01 was sold in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, India, Japan and parts of North America, but Yamaha Motor Corporation USA declined to import it, citing the small market for this style of motorcycle. The Motorcycle Design Association gave it the Open Category award at the 2004 Motorcycle Design Awards at INTERMOT. During its production the MT-01 remained largely unchanged.
Yamaha offered three tuning kits developed with Akrapovič. Stage 1 added two Akrapovič mufflers, heat shields and a solo seat kit and was street-legal. Stage 2 brought a full Akrapovič exhaust, heat shields, the solo seat kit and a high-performance ECU, for track use only. Stage 3 added a velocity stack kit, valve springs, a stronger diaphragm clutch spring, a gasket kit, high-compression pistons, a high-performance camshaft and the ECU, also for track use. On a Stage 3 bike Mick Withers set an Australian ‘Sports Compact’ group 5 record for twin-cylinder motorcycles with an 11.77-second standing quarter mile at 113.57 mph on 18 May 2008. For 2009 Yamaha released the MT-01 SP with Öhlins suspension, Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres and red and white paint with a black and red seat.
Design and features
- Cruiser V-twin: a 1,670 cc air-cooled pushrod engine from the Warrior XV1700.
- Sport chassis: R1-derived forks and brakes gave the big engine a sporting home.
- Tuning kits: three Akrapovič stages, the last two strictly for track use.
- MT-01 SP: Öhlins suspension, Pirelli tyres and a distinctive red and white scheme.
Yamaha MT-01 versions
- MT-01 (2005–2012): the standard model.
- Stage 1: street-legal Akrapovič mufflers, heat shields and solo seat kit.
- Stage 2: full exhaust and high-performance ECU, track only.
- Stage 3: engine internals, camshaft and velocity stacks, track only.
- MT-01 SP (2009): Öhlins suspension and special paint.
The MT-01’s engine comes from Yamaha’s cruiser line, which includes the XV1900A; its chassis parts come from the YZF-R1. More models are in the Yamaha collection.
Sources
- Yamaha MT-01, English Wikipedia: production, engine, chassis, tuning kits, SP version
