For liter-class sports bikes today, breaching the 200-horsepower barrier is no longer a novelty. It’s just the minimum requirement nowadays. But this comes for a lot of dough for what is essentially a weekend toy for most motorcyclists. So, what should you do if you don’t want to settle for a low-power motorcycle on a budget?
Luckily, thanks to advancements in tech, horsepower has also gotten a lot cheaper today, with many sub-$15,000 motorcycles offering more power than you’d ever need. And we’ve narrowed down to one Yamaha motorcycle that offers the best bang for your buck for this price range.
Japanese Manufacturers Nail The Power Per Dollar Ratio
If your budget is just $15,000, you have multiple options that offer well over 100 horsepower. That list includes all kinds of bikes, including sports tourers, but the best value you’ll find will be with liter-class nakeds. Those of Japanese origin, in particular, as European motorcycles tend to be more expensive in this segment. These naked motorcycles pack a lot of power while being relatively affordable and easy to ride. Each of them also offers a unique flavor that’s not found in the rest.
The least powerful of the four Japanese super nakeds is the Kawasaki Z1100, which produces 134 horsepower and costs $14,999. If you want serious power, you’ll have to step up to the GSX-S1000 and the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP. The GSX produces 150 horsepower and comes in at $11,989, whereas the Hornet produces 155 horsepower (in unrestricted form) and comes in at $10,999. For most horsepower in this price range, though, you’ll have to look to Yamaha, with its MT-10.
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The Yamaha MT-10 Makes Tremendous Power Accessible Under $15k
Starting MSRP: $14,999
The 2026 Yamaha MT-10 is the brand’s liter-class naked motorcycle that borrows a lot from the legendary YZF-R1 sports bike and tones it down for street use. Its crossplane engine delivers over 160 horsepower, which is more than all you’ll ever need on the road. Performance aside, it also offers a high-spec, fully-adjustable suspension and modern electronic rider aids as standard. This price-to-performance ratio makes the MT-10 one of the cheapest ways to go very fast on a motorcycle.
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YZF-R1-Derived CP4 Crossplane Delivers 164 Horsepower
The MT-10 is powered by a YZF-R1-derived 998cc liquid-cooled CP4 crossplane engine. Yamaha says this is the most potent and technologically advanced engine ever used on a Yamaha naked bike, and we have no reason to doubt that. It produces 164 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque, which is tuned for a torque-rich low- to mid-range and a searing top end. With so much horsepower on offer, the MT-10 is the kind of naked bike that you’re unlikely to ever get tired of. For reference, that’s just a few ponies short of the 2004 YZF-R1, which made 169.5 horsepower.
Focus On Everyday Usability
The mill is tuned to deliver a linear, torque-rich power delivery. Even the fuel injection and intake are designed for that street-friendly character. So, the bike should feel usable on the street despite its near superbike power figures. Thanks to the crossplane design, the bike should also deliver crisp throttle response. This engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox with an assist and slipper clutch, along with the Quick Shift System (QSS), which enables quick and easy shifting.
Crossplane Soundtrack Is Hard To Ignore
We can’t talk about a crossplane inline-four engine without mentioning its incredible exhaust note. This firing order gives the bike a distinct, gruff soundtrack that sets it apart from other inline-four screamers. Yamaha, also being a musical instrument manufacturer, has designed the air box as well as the intake ducts, aptly named Acoustic Amplifier Grilles, to enrich the sound and send it straight to you. Slap on a slip-on, and you have a bike that sounds like it’s ready to join the Dark Side.
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A Suite Of Electronics To Help Tame The Power
As mentioned, 164 horsepower is more than you’ll ever need, and in some cases, you might only need a bit of it. Yamaha knows this, as it packs the MT-10 with a bunch of much-needed electronics, starting with the Advanced Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T). This throttle system instantly calculates the ideal throttle valve opening and, using accelerator position sensors. It also allows you to tune the throttle response using the Power Delivery (PWR) mode switch, which has four modes.
The bike also gets a range of rider aids enabled by a six-axis IMU, originally developed for the YZF-R1. This IMU enables lean-sensitive traction control and an anti-lock braking system (ABS). There’s also the Slide Control System (SCS), Engine Brake Management (EBM), Brake Control (BC), and front wheel Lift Control System (LIF). Rounding out its electronic package is a 4.2-inch TFT display, cruise control, and a full LED light setup.
A Design Worthy Of The MT Tag
Being the liter-class MT model, the MT-10 brings an aggressive design language, which may not be everyone’s favorite, but it certainly gets the job done. It strips all the unnecessary parts down, bringing your focus to its mechanical beauty. At the front, it gets a futuristic twin-eye LED and DRL setup with a compact nose assembly. The rare is similarly matched with a minimal and sleek tail. Adding more aggressive and functional touch to the design are the intake ducts flanking either side of the fuel tank.
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Deltabox Frame And KYB Suspension Help Direct That Power
The MT-10 is underpinned by Yamaha’s aluminum Deltabox frame that shortens the wheelbase to just 55.3 inches. This frame sits on fully-adjustable KYB suspension, including a 43 mm USD fork up front and a monoshock with a rear bottom link at the back. With 4.7 inches of wheel travel on both ends, the suspension and chassis work together to promise sharp handling suitable for both street and track use.
Athletic Yet Upright Ergonomics
Unlike the R1, the MT-10 does away with clip-ons and fairing; instead, it gets a regular handlebar that gives you a more neutral riding position. Combined with slightly rear-set pegs, a firm seat, and optimized fuel tank shape, Yamaha says the MT-10 has a generous rider triangle. It should not only make riding this bike easier in the city or at low speeds, but also offer just the right amount of athletic command over the bike to take on some fast corners. Although on the highway, you’ll quickly find out why a windscreen is needed for any bike that produces over 160 ponies.
Braking And Wheel Setup
If horsepower is important to you, so should be the braking performance. So, you get radial-mount four-pot calipers with sintered pads, clamping on 320mm rotors at the front. These are said to deliver exceptional stopping power. The lightweight aluminum wheels are also shod in Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires.
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The MT-10 Is The Ultimate Master Of Torque
At first glance, the MT designation might not mean a lot, but it does come with a lot of weight and heritage. The MT moniker stands for Master of Torque, and while Yamaha likes to slap MT even on 150cc street bikes these days, the MT-10 is one bike that truly deserves it. It offers an exhilarating riding experience, backed with 164 horsepower and a torque-rich mid-range, all for just $15,000. This performance-to-dollar ratio is simply hard to beat today.
Source: Yamaha