I was given this set for my 10th birthday over 40 years ago. It is still my favourite. My younger brother ended up "inheriting" my set in later years, so I found a replacement on eBay a number of years ago. I have collected hundreds of sets over the years, but this one has the prime spot in my collection and makes me smile every time I see it. There may be cooler sets available today, but back in 1978 it was as awesome as it gets!

In my wildest dreams I've never dreamt of lego releasing a motorcycle that big. And yet it has happened. Upon releasing the 1:5 scale BMW set LEGO has crossed another size barrier as far as motorcycle sets are concerned. With 1920 pieces, it surpasses the second-biggest 42107 Ducati Panigale V4R three times. Since it's the first time Lego released such big model, a few new parts needed to be introduced, such as tires, rims, front dampers and some others i haven't identified (the instruction states there are eight new bricks). The model also is the first motorcycle dedicated to AFOLs with an +18 label. And for a reason, the assembly is challenging and unless being a really experienced builder, a child would have difficulties building this monster of a set. Unfortunately, the set to me is not 100% perfect, below is the answer why.

The box contains another, smaller box and a lot of plastic bags containing the bricks. There are also the wheels, lying loose inside the box, the thick manual and two sheets of stickers. The bags are numbered from 1-5, and so are the corresponding chapters in the manual. The book itself has 382 pages, contains a short introduction, presentation of both the original motorcycle and its LEGO replica and the 721 steps of assembly guide.

As mentioned before, the assembly is divided in 5 stages, below are their leading themes and approximate times of completion:

Stage 1: the engine and 4-step gearbox, 2 hours, ca. 80 pages

Stage 2: the exhibition stand and partially frame, 1 hour 10 minutes, ca. 70 pages

Stage 3: the chassis, suspension and wheels, 2 hours, ca. 90 pages

Stage 4: some fairings, the motorcycle head with cockpit, 1 hour 10 minutes, ca. 60 pages

Stage 5: the remaining fairings, exhaust pipe and another stand, 1 hour 40 minutes, ca. 70 pages

As a medium experienced builder I managed to fully assemble the motorcycle in 8 hours. A lot of the time would be saved if not for the enormous amount of stickers (about 70). Putting them on the fairings was really time-consuming as I wanted everything to look perfect. The stickers made the last 2 stages quite boring for me, while the most enjoyable stages would probably be 1 and 2. All in all I consider the assembly very enjoyable, although some skill and strong fingers are required as some parts are really hard to join, especially the cross axles.

The model is incredibly detailed, it practically has almost everything a motorcycle has. Besides the obvious elements such as the working front and rear suspension and working 4-step gearbox (1-N-2-3) with in-line 4 cylinder engine you can find the brake fluid reservoir, the brake levers, the brake wires, calipers, the quickshifter, footrests, the rear brake lever and many, many more. The only thing that's missing is, to my despair, the kickstand. I don't understand how it could have been skipped. They've done the same thing as with the Ducati - instead of the kickstand, they threw the rear paddock stand. However, while there was some reason to do it in Ducati - I mean the model needs to stand, right? - here we got TWO stands - the aforementioned rear paddock and the yellow display stand with sticker containing motorcycle info on it. Why do such thing? Why do I need two stands? That is something I cannot find a logical explanation for. This is stupid.

The construction of the motorcycle is rather durable, a ton of beams and connectors make the model compact and resistant to damage, with one exception - some System bricks were used in this model, mainly for some fuel tank elements, headlights and the front radiator. The connection between them and the rest of the bike is via connector pegs with knobs (item no. 4274). It is a very weak connection making some parts easy to fall off and this has happened to me during the assembly several times. If I was asked about what should be changed in the build, I'd say those System parts. Other than that, I have no objections.

The set is beautiful, it resembles the original machine and is fun to play, though its size and weight may be problematic if anyone would like to ride it around the room - the weight of the motorcycle itself is 1355 grams, with both stands it weighs 1827 grams - almost two kilograms! It is however meant for standing proudly on the desk or a cupboard rather than playing.

Despite some flaws I mentioned, I consider the set a must-buy for every motorcycle fan. I also strongly recommend it for anyone looking for a good building experience. It's truly the crown jewel of my collection.

PROS

-details

-looks a lot like the original

-great building experience

-new parts

-gorgeous

CONS

-no kickstand

-falling off System elements

-lots of stickers make some build stages a little boring

This review is going to be short, as someone from Bricklink already posted a large one which is pretty accurate for me. Here, I'll try to point out the main reasons why i think this model is better than the 42130 BMW M1000 RR.

First, the kickstand. What I hated the most in the BMW is the lack of it. LEGO provided us with a rear swingarm stand and an exhibition stand, which are nice but you have to rely on them. On the Yamaha, the added the kickstand. It is crude, but does its job. They also provide you with an exhibition stand, and it also is better than in the BMW, taking the bike off it is much easier.

Second, the gearbox. The implementation of new parts pretty much revolutionised the gear shifting mechanism, and I'm sure this will be used in many Technic sets. Other thing is, the shifting itself isn't as fluent as it should be. And too bad there isn't much to observe as the gearbox is covered by the fairings. But oh well, you don't see the gears shifting in the real thing, do you?

Third, the playability. I've graded the BMW's playability to 4. Now I think it deserves to 3 at most. The falling System parts were the nightmare and forced you to proceed with extreme caution when taking the BMW off his stand. The Yamaha is much more sturdy and durable. You can feel its structure is more compact and damage resistant.

What I don't like in the Yamaha is that not every part is like in the model bike. Take the mirrors for example. Totally different. And it's price. With almost 500 less bricks than in the BMW, it's almost as much expensive and that wasn't nice.

All in all, this is a great set, with a revolutionary gearbox. Despite its price, still worth the money. Glad I bought it. Looking forward to more similar bikes.

42128 Heavy-Duty Tow Truck fills a peculiar niche in the Technic product stack. On one hand, it emphasizes play functions and its sticker sheet features designs that are... "kid-oriented," to put it kindly. On the other hand, 42128 is a challenging build with complex assemblies and a high-ish part count. This set is rated for ages 11+, and 11-year-old me would have been able to build this set. However, it would have been by far the most difficult set I had built to that point.

42128's split target audience lands it in the sweet spot for Technic set design. By walking the tightrope between youth-oriented set and AFOL-oriented set, 42128 brings out the very best attributes of Technic. It is simultaneously a competent plaything, and a technical tour de force.

Building Experience: HOLY COW! A PAPER LEGO BAG! I am pleased to see a sign that LEGO is actually trying to switch to paper bags. This set contains one paper bag, which contains all the pneumatic hoses.

The build works from the back of the chassis, moves forward to the cab and engine, then goes back to finish the crane and aesthetic parts.

The rear of the truck houses the complex array of gears, shafts, and linear actuators that make up the bulk of the play features. Pneumatics come later in the build, but also integrate tightly into this rear section. Here is what you'll have at the end of bag 1:

I have only one complaint regarding the building experience. Like all large sets these days, this set has numbered bags. However, the numbers only go up to 4. Of the 11 numbered bags in this set, 4 of them are marked "3." Sure, two of these bags are physically smaller than the others, but they have a lot of parts. I didn't count, but I'd reckon that about 35% of the set is included in the bags marked "3." Get ready to sift though a lot of parts, looking for something very specific.

Despite the infernal bag 3 issue, this might be the most fun I've ever had putting together a Technic set. The designer has resorted to some mad-scientist techniques to cram all the play functions into the rear of the vehicle. It's really a shame that the designer's work gets shrouded by a bunch of panels at the end - it's really a sight to behold. The pneumatics are far less finicky than I expected them to be.

Side Note: AFOLS and experienced Technic builders already know this, but here's a PSA to the folks diving into advanced Technic sets for the first time: make sure all the linear actuators are at the same length before you attach them to other things! You'll end up with nasty problems if you don't get this part right.

This is wrong:

This is right:

Playability: There are many different ways you could count this, but by my count, this set offers 10 play "functions:"

• Functioning steering
• Retractable axle
• Outriggers
• Pneumatic raising/lowering crane
• Pneumatic extending/retracting crane boom
• Pneumatic raising/lowering tow hook
• Raising/lowering tow boom
• Two ratcheting crane hooks
• Rotating crane base (about 180 degrees of articulation)
• Working doors/hood

It also includes a functioning engine (with a comically long drive shaft) and two differentials attached to the rear wheels. Nothing wants to fall off while playing with the truck - it feels very solid.

This is an incredible array of features for a sub-$200 model. All the play functions work very well. The crane, with its rotating base, ratcheting hooks, and pneumatic extensions, is a lot of fun. The tow beam at the rear of the truck takes some serious pumping to get it to raise up, but all other functions work great.

Value for Money: Other Technic sets near the $160USD price point include:

• 42096 Porsche 911 RSR (1580 pieces, $180 USD) - I also own this set
• 42160 Audi RS-Q e-tron (914 pieces, $180 USD, powered up)
• 42140 App-controlled Transformation Vehicle (772 pieces, $150 USD, powered up)
• 42144 Material Handler (835 pieces, $150 USD, pneumatics) - note that 42144 is far more expensive in the US than it is in Europe.

The tow truck's staggering array of play features, and the complex mechanics that facilitate those features, set it apart from every other Technic set at this price point. 42157 costs $40 more, but is very similar in size, complexity, inclusion of pneumatics, and exclusion of electronics.

42148's $0.079 PPP is excellent for a Technic set that includes an assortment of pneumatics, linear actuators, and large panels. Such large, sophisticated sets rarely present such an excellent per-piece value proposition.

Concept: The Technic theme isn't known for adventurous design. The overwhelming majority of Technic sets are automobiles, construction machinery, and planes. In that regard, this set isn't anything special. One could argue it's a unique combination of common Technic motifs, including a crane on a non-construction vehicle, but this set clearly isn't exploring any new thematic territory. The tow truck's execution is so good that I can't criticize it for sticking to the (thematic) basics.

This set's spiritual predecessor, 42008 relied on a Power Functions motor to drive its play features. I also own 42008, and I can say that it is inferior. The sizable battery box takes up precious space that could otherwise be used for more sophisticated mechanical design. 42128 has maintained the same (inflation-adjusted) price point as 42008, while offering substantial upgrades to part count, physical size, appearance, and play value.

Appearance: The sticking point for many folks will be the stickers. I like them, in theory. They're fun to look at, exceptionally detailed, and well color-matched to the orange and white Technic parts. Yet, I didn't apply most of them. They're a little too silly and over-the-top for my tastes. Thankfully, the truck still looks quite good without the stickers - see Huw's review for photos. This set isn't meant to be a display piece, but it's nice to look at nonetheless.

There is a peculiar center-stud on the top of the grille. I suspect this was supposed to be for a hood ornament that got nixed before the set got produced. Regardless, a pick-a-bricked minifig trophy makes a cool hood ornament:

To me, the tow truck is aesthetically superb. It bears a striking resemblance to the revered Peterbilt 379 - note the curved-tip exhaust stacks, horizontally-straked grille, rectangular headlights, and the cylindrical chrome fuel tanks. These are some of the most coveted trucks on the road, and so they are often accessorized accordingly: note 42128's colorful paint job, and the gratuitous roof-mounted horns and lights. I'm American, so this truck's silhouette feels familiar. It reminds me of when I was a kid, and I saw colorful, highly-accessorized semi trucks on the highway.

All that said, everything that makes this truck look so familiar to me may also make it look very foreign to audiences outside North America. For folks in Europe and elsewhere, maybe the aforementioned 42008 would invoke this sense of nostalgia. Maybe I'm biased, or maybe this truck is truly, universally, aesthetically pleasing.

Summary: This set sticks to tried-and-true Technic motifs, executing on them exceptionally well. Its back-to-basics approach avoids both electronics and IP licensing, which keeps costs down. It is aesthetically inspired, and the goofy stickers provide just a sprinkle of whimsy. It provides tremendous value as a plaything, display piece, or parts pack. Five stars across the board.

This review is based on its default built. There is actually an alternative with instructions available in the lego app.

I bought it with a discounted price, $125 HK Dollars. Consider the building experience it was great, though a few building steps were not very clearly illustrated in the manual. After all, the manual lacks 3D perspective.

I let my 5-yr old daughter to do the easy part. As a technic item, there are many "pushing connectors into the right hole" procedures, and the real challenge is to assemble more 5 or more connectors into one long beams, while holding partially constructed beams in position at the same time.

This Monster Jam, once built, extends one's joy as a piece of durable toy. It could withstand falls and collisions. Upon playing, the weakest part is not the 'ear' but the small circular piece at the rear: https://brickset.com/parts/design-2723 .

Another point to note is that, it takes a longer distance than expected to fully wind up the rear wheels. Could consider grabbing the green one as well within the sub-series if you have more than one kid!

Lastly for the stickers. They are slightly 'whiter' than the body of this Monster, so I 'd give a 70/100.