Review: 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP
Posted by Huw,
Motorcycles have been a staple of the Technic assortment since the theme's inception in the late 1970s, but it was not until two years ago that one was made that rivalled the size, complexity and functionality of models of four-wheeled vehicles.
42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP, which introduces a new licensor to Technic, is the second large-scale bike to do just that, and it has some impressive new tech packed inside its gearbox.
Summary
42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP, 1,478 pieces.
£199.99 / $239.99 / €229.99 | 13.5p / 16.2c / 15.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A complex and sophisticated model that offers a rewarding building experience and looks great on display
- Aesthetics not reliant on stickers
- New parts for the compact gearbox
- Reasonably accurate
- Same scale as the BMW M1000
- Gear changing mechanism slightly flaky
- Effect of gearbox not apparent without close inspection
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The prototype
The MT-10 SP is the top-of-the-range of the Japanese manufacturer's 'Hyper Naked' series of motorcycles, which apparently just means that it's a sports or performance motorcycle that has had the bodywork removed.
I was surprised just how inexpensive it is: about £16,000 / $15,000, particularly as you can easily spend over £10k on a top-end Italian road bike (bicycle)
The completed model
Just like the real thing, the model looks awesome, and Technic is the perfect medium to recreate its raw industrial-like appearance. The blue wheels and gold front shock absorbers and chain provide a much-needed splash of colour to what would otherwise be a dull monochrome model.
The real machine has a wheelbase of 1.4m and on the model it's 29cm which this makes the scale just under 1:5.
One criticism levied at the similarly-scaled 42130 BMW M 1000 RR is that it's totally reliant on stickers for aesthetics, but that is not the case here. There are stickers, but they are few and far between, primarily just adding the manufacturer's name in a couple of places, and the model name on the fuel tank.
Many of the parts first used on the BMW make an appearance here again, including the wheels, front shocks and the hefty shock absorber on the rear swing arm, albeit in new colours.
The small stand provides a stable platform for displaying the model, but I think it looks much better without it. I was not aware of the company's 'Revs your heart' slogan before seeing it here, and indeed having researched it for this review I was also not aware that the Yamaha that makes motorcycles and powerboat engines is a different company to that which makes musical instruments. They separated in the 1950s, apparently, but still share a very similar tuning fork logo.
The kick-stand looks a bit flimsy and inadequate, but it does just about support the weight of the bike.
There's no doubt that it looks fantastic but what about functionality? There's obviously a limit to what you can add to a model of a motorbike, but there's a 4-cylinder engine and 3-speed gearbox operated by the left foot pedal hidden away inside...
The gearbox
The compact gearbox has been made possible by four new parts and a new size of clutch gear.
The key to operation is the yellow gear (ratchet drum I believe it's called) in the centre at the top. It is rotated 45 degrees at a time by a push of the dark grey axle behind it, and back the other way by another one below, which are connected together by a rocker mechanism that, when the model is complete, is operated by the foot pedal.
As the yellow piece rotates, so do the light azure shift drums which in turn cause the orange shift forks below them to move from side-to-side as the red ball pin connected to them rolls in the groove around the circumference of the drums.
The shift forks then move the dark grey gear shift rings along the axle below, engaging with the clutch gears on either side. In this photo the gearbox is in neutral, with none of the gears engaged.
It's a three speed gearbox, with first gear to one side of neutral, and second and third gears on the other side, exactly like a real motorcycle's "first down, rest up" gear pattern.
These are the new parts. The large red clutch gear is new, the green one appeared for the first time last year. The light azure shift drums have letters engraved on the edge to assist with alignment in the model.
I predict that they will revolutionise gearbox design and will most likely replace those that have been used before now.
The wheels were used first in 42130 BMW M 1000 RR and have been recoloured here in blue. If you don't have that model it may be hard to envisage just how big they are, so I've included a goat for scale.
The front shocks were also first used on the BMW, but they are new here in gold.
Construction
What I particularly liked about the construction process was how modular it was. The frame is built first, much like the real bike I imagine, and as you can see there are some clever geometric techniques employed to create the angles.
The gearbox and 4-cylinder engine above it is built as a separate subassembly, which is just as well given its complexity, then attached to the frame with a couple of pins.
With that done, the stand is built to ease subsequent assembly and attachment of the remainder of the pieces.
Verdict
I think it looks fantastic: the industrial, raw, naked aesthetic of the real thing has been captured perfectly, and Technic is the perfect medium to do so. It's not 100% accurate, particularly around the fuel tank and what little fairings there are, but it's close enough.
The modular nature of the construction process simplified it as much as possible, but it still offers a challenging and interesting building experience.
The gearbox, operated exactly as it would be on a real bike using the left-hand foot pedal, works fairly well, although perhaps not as smoothly as I expected: I found that it often takes a few pushes of the pedal to get the gear to change. It worked faultlessly when I was testing it for the photos above, so maybe there's a bit of slack in the system somewhere that's impeding operation slightly. Of course, it might just be how I've built it.
The consequence of changing gear is not apparent without squinting through the holes in the bodywork to the cylinder heads while rolling it along the table, but that's not a problem isolated to this model.
It's the same scale as the BMW released two years ago and looks great next to it. I much prefer this one, mostly because its overall appearance is not dependent on stickers and if I were to buy a motorcycle again it would probably be something like this. (I used to ride a Yamaha XT350 back in the 1990s)
It'll be available at LEGO.com from 1st August priced at $239.99 / £199.99 / €229.99. There doesn't seem to be any point commenting on the value for money of Technic sets because they always end up being discounted by at least 30% not long after release at Amazon, and are probably priced to account for that.
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50 comments on this article
As someone who has only ridden a motorbike once, around a car park, and wouldn't dream of risking my life riding one on the road, I still love Lego motorbikes. This one looks supurb and I'll definitely get it in around 6 months, when the price settles to around £135.
In the meantime the likelyhood of an ongoing series of similarly scaled bikes will prompt me to finally get the 42130 BMW M 1000 RR which originally looked a bit out of place to display.
"If you don't have that model it may be hard to envisage just how big they are, so I've included a goat for scale."
... What if we don't have a goat?
@MisterBrickster said:
"... What if we don't have a goat?"
Should have been a pig really... Can't move for pink pigs lately!
Thank you for all the new gearing detail! I'm sitting here dreaming about the nonsense machines 12-year old me would have made 30 years ago with these new bits :-)
I think it IS fair to talk about value when it comes to these models because so much of the money & part budget is 'wasted' by it being Technic.
Don't get me wrong: I love, love, LOVE Technic, but despise these motorbikes & cars which don't NEED to be made in the Technic system; as many people have pointed out, these models would look better and be better value if made in the System system.
But why "despise"? Because these aren't Technic models. Yes, they say TECHNIC on the box, and have bits inside that move, but they don't 'actually' do anything. Cranes & diggers & forklifts 'do' stuff and their Technic functions are actually FUN.
Changing gear isn't a function.
These motorbikes & cars are display pieces and should be made to look as good as possible (if that's what you're in to).
Yes, you can argue that most Technic models just sit on display and their functions are also never used, but when my nephews visit to 'play' with my LEGO, you bet they enjoy grabbing & conveying minifigs (or just their body parts...) with a BWE or Arocs!
These buried gearboxes are fun precisely once, when you put them together, then never again... What a waste of Technic.
"(I used to ride a Yamaha XT350 back in the 1990s)"
right, okay, who do I have to bribe to see pictures of young Biker Huw then, go on :P
Lovely model and a great review. The gearbox opens up lots of opportunities for gearbox design.
Like most other people I'll get this when its reduced, the price of 200quid is ridiculous. Probably why Lego have started pricing sets as they do, to cover the heavy discounts that follow by Amazon etc
@Ayliffe said:
""(I used to ride a Yamaha XT350 back in the 1990s)"
right, okay, who do I have to bribe to see pictures of young Biker Huw then, go on :P"
The question is... Shades of Lemmy or Hairy Biker... or maybe more Robin Tripp! (https://youtu.be/tQRgBYsmAMQ)
I hope Lego goes back to doing dirt bikes sometime. Get some variety in there.
"Technic sets because they always end up being discounted by at least 30% not long after release at Amazon, and are probably priced to account for that."
Exactly my thoughts.
Other than that, nice model and great gearbox.
My only complaints with this model based on this review seem to be a mis-matched plate on the stand (it would be nice if it matched the BMW) and I feel like the fuel tank assembly and its assorted panels don't particularly match the real thing.
I don’t agree with not commenting on the price “just because it’s going to be discounted at other retailers” because it gives the impression that it is OK for LEGO to have high margins while other retailers have to sell the product at a loss just to move them off the shelf. If the product becomes so expensive that it does not sell even at a loss for the retailer, why restock it? If this trend continues it does not bode well for us, the customers either.
@HDanke said:
"I don’t agree with not commenting on the price “just because it’s going to be discounted at other retailers” because it gives the impression that it is OK for LEGO to have high margins while other retailers have to sell the product at a loss just to move them off the shelf. If the product becomes so expensive that it does not sell even at a loss for the retailer, why restock it? If this trend continues it does not bode well for us, the customers either."
Very good point indeed
@HDanke said:
"I don’t agree with not commenting on the price “just because it’s going to be discounted at other retailers” because it gives the impression that it is OK for LEGO to have high margins while other retailers have to sell the product at a loss just to move them off the shelf. If the product becomes so expensive that it does not sell even at a loss for the retailer, why restock it? If this trend continues it does not bode well for us, the customers either."
When it comes to Technic all I can do is sound like a broken record and repeat every time that the set is too expensive. They always are, and probably always will be, but given we in Europe at least don't have to pay full price if we wait a few months does it really matter to us as consumers?
e.g. see how the overpriced 42156 has plummeted a few months after its release to something more palatable: https://amzn.to/3JUZkbX (UK) https://amzn.to/46H11DH (DE)
Unfortunately, however much we whine about prices, LEGO isn't going to take our opinions into consideration when setting them. Only when they don't sell might the company take action.
I hope to see more of the gear box in the future as potential to include in the mid-size cars.
Feels a bit strange with no meaningful windscreen. I like the blue wheel rims, but the chain and front suspension look rusty to me rather than gold (2nd photo) as if left out in the rain.
As usual, it's worth mentioning that Technic sets in the US are not discounted at all, at any point in their life cycle. At least on Amazon. Nor are most large sets. Many sets under $80 across various themes eventually get 20% discounts on Amazon. But sets above $80 rarely get discounted.
Great review! I’d much prefer the MT-10 over the BMW; both as a model and in real life!
@Huw said:
" @HDanke said:
"I don’t agree with not commenting on the price “just because it’s going to be discounted at other retailers” because it gives the impression that it is OK for LEGO to have high margins while other retailers have to sell the product at a loss just to move them off the shelf. If the product becomes so expensive that it does not sell even at a loss for the retailer, why restock it? If this trend continues it does not bode well for us, the customers either."
When it comes to Technic all I can do is sound like a broken record and repeat every time that the set is too expensive. They always are, and probably always will be, but given we in Europe at least don't have to pay full price if we wait a few months does it really matter to us as consumers?
e.g. see how the overpriced 42156 has plummeted a few months after its release to something more palatable: https://amzn.to/3JUZkbX (UK) https://amzn.to/46H11DH (DE)
Unfortunately, however much we whine about prices, LEGO isn't going to take our opinions into consideration when setting them. Only when they don't sell might the company take action."
It certainly does matter when the price floor keeps getting pushed up, that somewhat “palatable” 105£ price is already at the limit for what the big retailers can push.
What i have observed in the last year following discounts in the romanian market for LEGO is that the big retailers discount 10-20% off sooner, while the smaller ones cannot compete, see less good discounts and a shrunk offering.
I used to go to many retailers in the past, including the affiliate LEGO store, but nowadays only 2-3 are actually worth paying attention to. I can’t fault LEGO for this, but it does seem like the well might be drying up.
Amazon has terrible shipping prices for east EU btw, as much as i want it is simply not an option.
Are those tyres on the right way? they both look like they are going in different directions.
@MisterBrickster said:
""If you don't have that model it may be hard to envisage just how big they are, so I've included a goat for scale."
... What if we don't have a goat?"
Long live the now legendary Lego goat. It is now used to torment those of us who didn't realise its value when it was available. Lets hope it doesn't just become a mythical legend.
@johleth said:
"Are those tyres on the right way? they both look like they are going in different directions."
I think the front one is turned the wrong way around, yes.
Cool set, I think better than the BMW, but with some flaws.
Interesting to see those new gearbox pieces, but unfortunately still just three gears, same as the BMW. But most disappointing to me is that while it is a *NAKED* bike, you still hardly see anything that's going on on the inside.
As for the looks, I still feel the shape of the frame is one of the most distinctive features of the real thing, which is completely absent here. Which makes me think: Couldn't they have done a more open construction, with some removable "frame" panels made from System pieces? It would have looked better and given a better view of the inside.
As for the price....even when it is priced to be discounted (so nice margin for Lego and let Amazon take the blow and screw all of the smaller retailers...), it's not like when Technic sets were still priced a lot more reasonable they weren't discounted at all. Maybe not commonly 30%, but I'd take a 15% discount on a reasonably priced set over a 30% discount on a heavily overpriced set any day of the week....
" @Huw said:
When it comes to Technic all I can do is sound like a broken record and repeat every time that the set is too expensive. They always are, and probably always will be, but given we in Europe at least don't have to pay full price if we wait a few months does it really matter to us as consumers?
e.g. see how the overpriced 42156 has plummeted a few months after its release to something more palatable: https://amzn.to/3JUZkbX (UK) https://amzn.to/46H11DH (DE)
Unfortunately, however much we whine about prices, LEGO isn't going to take our opinions into consideration when setting them. Only when they don't sell might the company take action."
Not mentioning an obvious problem in a product remains a bad practice in reviewing. Even if it feels redundant to say that sets are getting expensive, that must be said. Do you even think about the one guy that could stumble on this article without being familiar with your other reviews, just because he saw this new set online and wants to have an honest point of view on it?
Furthermore, a typical licensed Technic set is about 10ct/pc. Here, wa are talking about more than 15ct/pc. +50% is by no means a small raise, is it? Think of it: if the set gets a -33% discount, it will just drop by the current Lego standard, which was already significantly raised last summer. Sorry, but a rip-off has to be flagged as such.
Finally, the point about the other sellers discounting the set is not receivable, because it shifts responsibilities from Lego's marketing services to online resellers. How can this even be used as an argument? A product's evaluation must be made on its public price, or else you are not only judging the product, but also its global supply chain, which makes no sense.
Thanks for the very interesting review, anyway. However, I could not overlook the part about the price.
@Zerobricks said:
" @johleth said:
"Are those tyres on the right way? they both look like they are going in different directions."
I think the front one is turned the wrong way around, yes."
If that's the case it is wrong in the official images and instructions.
I understand the enthusiasm for the new gear shifter parts, but aren't they overly convoluted? For example, the orange shifter forks have to run on two axles, that is already pretty complex. I wonder if they could have worked a bit more on simplifying the parts and the setup.
Having 45 degree operation rather than 90 degree is better, though.
The previous system with the orange shifter wheel was at least very simple.
I can see the yellow star shaped cog being used for many decorative purposes though.
@MisterBrickster said:
""If you don't have that model it may be hard to envisage just how big they are, so I've included a goat for scale."
... What if we don't have a goat?"
Yeah, I was one of the lucky few to get 7189, but the vast majority of Bricksetters weren't as lucky. The set is only owned by 6068 out of 302,725 people, after all. Check your privilege, @Huw! Seriously, a 2x4 brick would make a much better comparison photo, as even people who encounter Brickset for the first time by finding this review (via a Google search or something) would probably know how big those are.
@Huw said:
" @HDanke said:
"I don’t agree with not commenting on the price “just because it’s going to be discounted at other retailers” because it gives the impression that it is OK for LEGO to have high margins while other retailers have to sell the product at a loss just to move them off the shelf. If the product becomes so expensive that it does not sell even at a loss for the retailer, why restock it? If this trend continues it does not bode well for us, the customers either."
When it comes to Technic all I can do is sound like a broken record and repeat every time that the set is too expensive. They always are, and probably always will be, but given we in Europe at least don't have to pay full price if we wait a few months does it really matter to us as consumers?
e.g. see how the overpriced 42156 has plummeted a few months after its release to something more palatable: https://amzn.to/3JUZkbX (UK) https://amzn.to/46H11DH (DE)
Unfortunately, however much we whine about prices, LEGO isn't going to take our opinions into consideration when setting them. Only when they don't sell might the company take action."
To be fair, Lego might care if you whine, but isn't likely to care if I do.
Although perhaps they are listening. They did send me a nice sympathetic email when my son used up all the toilet paper and didn't replace it.
Seriously, I understand it must be boring and repetitive to write the same thing for every review. However, the price issue isn't likely to go away. If you think they're all basically overpriced, just you wait. They're going to knock your socks off again with something even crazier.
This issue obviously pervades all themes. Technic is probably the worst.
@Huw said:
" @Zerobricks said:
" @johleth said:
"Are those tyres on the right way? they both look like they are going in different directions."
I think the front one is turned the wrong way around, yes."
If that's the case it is wrong in the official images and instructions.
"
The tread pattern and/or direction can be different for front and rear because the rear is optimised for accelerating and the front is optimised for braking.
@johleth said:
"Are those tyres on the right way? they both look like they are going in different directions."
They are. And I'm surprised since LEGO usually get's them wrong, even with pictures of the real thing on the manual and box (with the tire correctly faced)
The front threads always direct water inwards, in case you are making a turn
@Huw said:
" @Zerobricks said:
" @johleth said:
"Are those tyres on the right way? they both look like they are going in different directions."
I think the front one is turned the wrong way around, yes."
If that's the case it is wrong in the official images and instructions.
"
The tread pattern appears to match the photos of the prototype.
@johleth said:
"Are those tyres on the right way? they both look like they are going in different directions."
They are surprisingly. First large Lego bike where they put the front tyre on the right way.
This is very much what I wanted the BMW to be. I've not built that one yet, but always intended to strip the fairings off it. I guess I'll be getting this at some point, too.
@Huw said:
"Unfortunately, however much we whine about prices, LEGO isn't going to take our opinions into consideration when setting them. Only when they don't sell might the company take action."
Which is exactly why I have put my money where my mouth is and have stopped buying any LEGO set that I find has a totally overpriced RRP. Even at a massive discount I am not going to support that. Or rather ESPECIALLY at a massive discount I am not going to support that, since I know that retailers, especially the small local ones, suffer because of that.
If you want to support your local economy, buy sets that have a fair RRP and therefore don't need big discounts in order to be an attractive value proposition. You will be happier, your local retailer will as well. And TLG doesn't care anyway, since they always make their profit and don't give a toss about small retailers anyway.
I know wannabe Wolfie Smiths like to push a 'Lego is Evil' agenda at every opportunity but small local retailers suffer because of the internet, not because of some arbitrary RRP set by Lego. Retailers get better wholesale prices depending on volume, so a small local retailer will always be paying more for goods than a large one and therefore can't afford to offer such big discounts. Pre-internet that didn't matter so much because people were willing to pay extra for local convenience, now everything's just a click away.
"I was surprised just how inexpensive it is: about £16,000 / $15,000, particularly as you can easily spend over £10k on a top-end Italian road bike."
So are you saying that £16k is value for money when you can buy Italian exotica for £6k less?
o_O
By Ayliffe in United Kingdom, 11 Jul 2023 14:29
"(I used to ride a Yamaha XT350 back in the 1990s)"
right, okay, who do I have to bribe to see pictures of young Biker Huw then, go on :P
@Alice! Alice report to the thread immediately, please.
@BooTheMightyHamster said:
""I was surprised just how inexpensive it is: about £16,000 / $15,000, particularly as you can easily spend over £10k on a top-end Italian road bike."
So are you saying that £16k is value for money when you can buy Italian exotica for £6k less?
o_O"
That's true, I didn't understand that train of thought by @Huw either.
"Left-hand foot pedal"
That's a left-foot pedal, right?
I know this bike is new and high performance, but you don't see that performance. And without the performance it's a fairly bland bike. I'd rather have something more iconic and colourful, like a Repsol Honda MotoGP bike. Or, if they can do spoked wheels, a Vincent black shadow, Moto Guzzi California, Honda Goldwing...
@AustinPowers said:
" @BooTheMightyHamster said:
""I was surprised just how inexpensive it is: about £16,000 / $15,000, particularly as you can easily spend over £10k on a top-end Italian road bike."
So are you saying that £16k is value for money when you can buy Italian exotica for £6k less?"
"
As I say I was surprised that you can get a whole top-of-the-range motorcycle for just £16k when you need to pay at least £5k for a decent push bike, and more than £10k for a top-of-the-range Pinarello, Cervelo or another exotic Italian brand.
I guess the confusion comes from people taking 'Italian road bike' to mean a Ducati or Aprillia motorbike, not a push bike.
@Duq said:
"I guess the confusion comes from people taking 'Italian road bike' to mean a Ducati or Aprillia motorbike, not a push bike."
Ah yes, sorry, road bike means bicycle to me but maybe not everyone!
@Huw said:
" @Duq said:
"I guess the confusion comes from people taking 'Italian road bike' to mean a Ducati or Aprillia motorbike, not a push bike."
Ah yes, sorry, road bike means bicycle to me but maybe not everyone!"
It certainly does to Google too! Pages and pages of bicycles and not one motorbike!
Talking of which, I'd love to see a Lego Raleigh Chopper!
@AustinPowers said:
"You will be happier"
I will be happier when I spend more money for the same thing!?
No I won't.
@BooTheMightyHamster said:
"By Ayliffe in United Kingdom, 11 Jul 2023 14:29
"(I used to ride a Yamaha XT350 back in the 1990s)"
right, okay, who do I have to bribe to see pictures of young Biker Huw then, go on :P
@Alice! Alice report to the thread immediately, please."
I wish I had some, or even just of my bike but of course it was the era before digital cameras so I probably didn't want to waste film on such pictures :)
Huh, and just found 42130 BMW discounted in 85€. This new can also wait couple of years ??
@illennium said:
"As usual, it's worth mentioning that Technic sets in the US are not discounted at all, at any point in their life cycle. At least on Amazon. Nor are most large sets. Many sets under $80 across various themes eventually get 20% discounts on Amazon. But sets above $80 rarely get discounted."
This is not at all accurate.
I buy most of my technic on amazon, always at a discount.
(And many large sets too…)
@BelgianBricker said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"You will be happier"
I will be happier when I spend more money for the same thing!?
No I won't."
I didn't say anything like that now did I?
I said you will be happier if you buy a set that has a fair RRP to begin with. Say something like 10497, which is awesome value for money even at RRP.
Contrast to sets like the new Technic Liebherr crane, which is bad value for money even at 30% off.
What is this bike's 0-62 @Huw ? How does it compare to your BMW? :-)
@AustinPowers said:
" @BelgianBricker said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"You will be happier"
I will be happier when I spend more money for the same thing!?
No I won't."
I didn't say anything like that now did I?
I said you will be happier if you buy a set that has a fair RRP to begin with. Say something like 10497, which is awesome value for money even at RRP.
Contrast to sets like the new Technic Liebherr crane, which is bad value for money even at 30% off. "
I looks to me like you did say that, and now clarified that you ment to say something else.
I hope noone buys stuff that are a bad value for money even if they are discounted, just as I hope everyone buys stuff, that initially have a good value for money, at discount, small retailer or not....
Those in-progress photo's give me a better sense of scale than the marketing image does. It really is a BIG bike.
That said, I wish it had opening or at least removable panels. Why does lego insist on covering up the functions in their sets so much? A hatch is not that technically advanced, right? XD
The M 1000 RR was 199,99€ when it was new at the beginning of 2022 - thats 10,41Ct/part and 13,8Ct/g (at 1449g according to Andre at zusammengebaut.com).
Now the Yamaha is 229,99€ - which translates to 15,56Ct/part and 20,34Ct/g (at 1131g according to Andre at zusammengebaut.com).
Thats an increase on the RRPs of 49%/part and 47%/g in 18 months.
Just facts, just saying - please draw your own conclusions.