LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP review

Following in the tyre tracks of 42130 BMW M 1000 RR comes 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP, adapting a familiar formula to rev up another huge success for LEGO Technic.

Massive LEGO Technic motorcycles are still relatively uncommon, though there’s already one on shelves ahead of 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP’s release in 42130 BMW M 1000 RR. The two sets are undoubtedly similar, but that doesn’t make the 2023 creation any less unique or awe-inspiring.

As the first LEGO Yamaha set, 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP is a shining example of how accurate LEGO Technic sets can be, impressing with its few but mighty features and proudly standing out from the crowd on display.

— LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP set details —

Theme: LEGO Technic Set name: 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP Release: August 1, 2023

Price: £199.99 / $239.99 / €229.99 Pieces: 1,478

LEGO: Order now

— Where to buy LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP —

42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP will launch on August 1 for £199.99 / $239.99 / €229.99, slight cheaper then 42130 BMW M 1000 RR, which retails for £214.99 / $249.99 / €249.99. It’s also certain to be available from LEGO.com and LEGO Stores and could turn up at least one retailer in a few months.

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— LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP build —

42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP is based on the Yamaha motorcycle of the same name and the build consists of three sections: the display stand, the gearbox and the motorcycle itself. The gearbox is arguably large enough to be shown off on its own and neatly slots into the bike before being hidden from view, and it’s a lot easier to appreciate the complexity of this central feature separately before it is hidden away for good. The mechanism is complicated in parts, but overall it’s a delightful experience to put together and never too frustrating to build.

How exactly it works is likely to be perplexing to all but the most experienced LEGO Technic fans, but it genuinely does work a treat. Unfortunately, the mechanical marvel is slotted into the main motorcycle shell and sealed inside, so only the builder will be able to enjoy and appreciate everything that goes into it – a common theme for many major Technic sets these days.

While this limited access is accurate to the real Yamaha MT-10 SP and motorcycles in general, it’s still a shame that we can’t appreciate this part of the build once it’s finished. 42154 2022 Ford GT uses transparent bricks for this purpose, eschewing accuracy, but this will come down to personal opinion and preference.

Moving beyond the advanced and functional gearbox, the rest of the LEGO Technic vehicle is just as impressive – from the limited but optimised use of stickers to the shaping, which uses a fairly minimal selection of panel pieces and an eclectic mix of System and Technic bricks.

Aside from the gearbox, the other features in 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP include working suspension and spinning wheels. The wheels will be highlighted in just a moment with the gearbox but the suspension is worth touching on separately. Suspension in LEGO Technic vehicles is common and almost essential in the theme. However, the size of this build makes the integration of working suspension all the more impressive.

The giant gold and silver shock absorbers as part of the front fork naturally attract your gaze and we can’t recall these pieces being used previously. While we’re not certain that they’re new, they are huge and amazingly functional. Suspension as a concept is nothing new for LEGO Technic, but suspension at this scale is astounding.

However, the star of the show out of the mechanisms is the gearbox. You can select the gear via the appropriate pedal (on the left side of 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP) and it’s easy to change between the gears. You can look for the small red pin on the right and the position it is currently in to tell which gear the motorcycle is in. There’s even resistance on the back wheel to differentiate between the gears.

When you don’t want to use the display stand, a small kickstand holds the vehicle up. It’s not completely stable but will hold up the heavy weight of the model. Still, for extended periods you’re likely going to have it on the provided display stand.

This stand serves its simple purpose to a tee, adorned with a Yamaha sticker with the motto of the manufacturer. Compared to 42130 BMW M 1000 RR and its in-depth infographic on the display stand, this sticker is a downgrade, but still suits the overall appearance of the set.

— LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP price —

At £199.99 / $239.99 / €229.99, 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP’s price is pretty decent. It’s a bit cheaper than 42130 BMW M 1000 RR at £214.99 / $249.99 / €249.99, which is a relief given the two sets come in at similar sizes. The Yamaha includes around 500 fewer pieces than the BMW, and is subsequently the cheaper of the two large Technic motorcycles – when it could have easily been just as expensive.

— LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP pictures —

— LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP pros and cons —

The build in 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP shows exactly what LEGO Technic is capable of, taking the theme’s motorcycle models to new heights. System elements, an advanced gearbox and suspension at a huge scale all come together to create this monumental model.

The construction process is one of the better parts of the experience in 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP, but it’s not quite the best. That comes when you’ve finished the assembly and can proudly display this recreation on a shelf, and inevitably show it off to friends and family.

42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP is going to especially appeal to motorcycle enthusiasts, who will be able to properly appreciate the finer details and intricacies of all the mechanics packed into this LEGO Technic set. At £199.99 / $239.99 / €229.99, there’s little to no reason to avoid this model come August.

42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP pros	42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP cons
Gorgeous recreation, showcasing the potential of LEGO Technic	Mechanisms are almost entirely hidden, but that might be a positive for some
Working suspension is surprising and appreciated at this scale	The sticker on the stand is a downgrade from 42130 BMW M 1000 RR
Looks great on display and balances well on the small stand

This set was provided by the LEGO Group.

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— Alternatives to LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP —

The closest alternative to 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP is by far 42130 BMW M 1000 RR, complete with a display stand, but with a different design. Otherwise, 10298 Vespa 125 is a similar scale – but built entirely from System bricks rather than Technic.

Otherwise, those with smaller budgets might be best looking at either 42155 The Batman – Batcycle or 42107 Ducati Panigale V4 R, which are around half the volume of this model.

— LEGO Technic 42159 Yamaha MT-10 SP FAQs —