Review: LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP

Today we go very quickly around the content of the LEGO Technic set 42159 Yamaha MT-10SP, a box of 1478 pieces which will be available at the retail price of €229.99 from August 1, 2023.

Even if the LEGO Technic range gives pride of place to four-wheeled vehicles, LEGO strives to regularly offer some motorcycles such as the set 42130 BMW M1000RR in 2022, the set 42107 Ducati Panigale V4 R in 2020 or even the set 42063 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure in 2017 for the newest officially licensed models.

It is therefore a Yamaha model which this year is entitled to its plastic version with a few refinements which should please fans of this range: central suspension on the rear wheel with its yellow decorative spring, front telescopic fork with gold-coloured sheaths or even 4-cylinder engine and three-speed gearbox with new barrels and selection forks. LEGO has not skimped on the finish for this reproduction of the MT-10 SP at 1:5 scale, everything is there, even the support which allows the model to be displayed on a shelf without leaving the motorcycle on its stand .

The assembly is broken down into distinct steps that allow you to build sub-assemblies and possibly move on to something else before coming back to it later. This is handy for those who would like to spread the process over several days and really enjoy all that the set has to offer with obviously the main point of interest being the engine/transmission block.

We build the display very early in the process so that we can then install the motorcycle during assembly and "work" more comfortably on the product which displays substantial measurements on arrival: 44cm long by 25cm high and 15cm wide.

Have fun with the compact transmission as long as it is not installed on the vehicle, it will then logically disappear under the body parts, just like the 4-cylinder engine, and it will then be difficult to visually take advantage of the properties mechanics of this assembly thereafter and there will remain only a few rotating axes visible from the outside. The transmission is made up of a handful of new parts, barrels, gears and forks, which will undoubtedly pave the way for other equally successful creations in the future. Regulars of the range should appreciate the work done here.

Three speeds are available, they are activated via the selector placed on the left just above the crutch which sends the control to the barrels and the new selection forks: first down, second and third up. I didn't notice any particular operating problem in the transmission, no strange creaks or blockages, it seems to me that the thing was well designed, but I will let the specialists give us their opinion on this point.

The selector barrels, which will undoubtedly definitively replace in the future those of orange color delivered for the first time in the set 42083 Bugatti Chiron, are incidentally stamped with a letter-based marking which facilitates their alignment during the construction of this subset, it is a good point for all those like me who only assemble a set of this range of times time and who are not necessarily accustomed to the subtleties of these elements. The instruction booklet is very didactic, sometimes to the extreme, but it is appreciable. It's hard to make a mistake about the alignment of gearbox parts, the booklet provides several visuals that make sure everything is in order before moving on and a side indicator installed on the chassis allows you to check the correct transmission operation based on its position before proceeding.

Here we find the fork shock absorbers, the rear central shock absorber with its false spring, the rims and the tires already used on the bike on the same scale of the set 42130 BMW M1000RR, the color of the shock absorbers and rims being adapted to this new model. As this is a product from the LEGO Technic universe, it's a bit of a mess with the colored pins that remain visible on the model, in particular under the two transparent panels at the front of the handlebars which are crossed by a red pin.

Fans will say that it is the "signature" of the range and that it is normal and acceptable as it is, others will consider that this visual pollution is frankly detrimental to the overall rendering of this model for adults, to each his report with this mix of colors. The bike is however not completely lined with stickers, it's good news for all those who had suffered a lot with that of the set 42130 BMW M1000RR.

What is certain is that visually, we are well within the concept "HyperNaked" developed by Yamaha with sports models that do without a complete fairing and which leave a large part of the mechanics visible. The LEGO version necessarily adapts this concept and a large surface of the model is therefore not faired and leaves parts and various and varied apparent pines.

It's sometimes a bit messy but the designer gets away with it honourably, in my opinion. We find, for example, in a more or less symbolic way, the Öhlins Gen-2 cylinder just above the central rear suspension, the engine shoe in two textures to symbolize the decomposition of the element intended to better channel the flow of air, the titanium exhaust line or the 4.2" TFT dashboard embodied by a sticker with a very faithful design. I am a little less convinced by the seat of the vehicle which, in my opinion, lacks a little volume and by the fairing of the tank with its central protrusion a little off topic.

The set will take advantage of the augmented reality (AR) capabilities offered by the official dedicated app, a feature that should appeal to anyone who would like to see the bike's internals in action after assembly or enjoy detailed views of the engine and transmission. It is therefore not a simple overlay of interactivity without much interest, these functionalities will allow you to really enjoy the product and to learn a little more about the operation of the different mechanical parts.

We could discuss the public price of this product, set at 229.99 € by LEGO but we all know that it will quickly be possible to find this box for much less elsewhere than at LEGO, it will be enough to be patient and opportunistic. I admit finally that I am impressed by this pretty model which will have allowed me to discover a little more the LEGO Technic ecosystem, the experience is worth the detour and the result obtained seems to me very successful.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at July 21, 2023 next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment under the article to participate. Your participation is taken into account regardless of your opinion. 

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.