It’s not everyday I get the chance to challenge myself with a not-so-easy yet ultimately rewarding project. But that’s pretty much what lies ahead when one has the enviable prospect of putting together—and completing—a LEGO project. Especially if it’s a LEGO Technic project.
Some people might wonder what makes a LEGO Technic product different from a typical Lego toy. First, while the brand and the products are often associated with toys—and yes, the box often says “Ages 6 and up”—the engagement required between human and product goes way beyond the usual “play” imagination. These colorful brick toys never fail to spark higher levels of creativity and imagination.
Even more if it’s a LEGO Technic, which is designed more for adults. For the uninitiated, the purpose of LEGO Technic is to level up the casual LEGO user to build more advanced and complicated models using a different building style than the more common LEGO brick sets. LEGO Technic sets use special custom pieces—sometimes using motors and pneumatic components—to create more functionality than one can get with the regular LEGO bricks. LEGO Technic components meet rigorous industry standards to ensure they are consistent, compatible and connect reliably every time. LEGO Technic components are dropped, heated, crushed, twisted, and analyzed to make sure they meet strict global safety standards. Few “toys” go through such stringent and comprehensize manufacturing processes.
Which brings me to my current project—the stunning 1,478-piece LEGO Technic Yamaha MT-10 SP (LEGO item no. 42159 with an SRP of P15,999). I may be a hardcore car guy, but I just couldn’t say no to a build like the Yamaha MT-10 SP. For starters, LEGO Technic’s Yamaha MT-10 SP model pays tribute to the most powerful Yamaha motorcycle in the ‘hyper naked’ category. The stripped-back styling highlights the mighty 1,000cc liquid-cooled twin-cam 16-valve 4-cylinder Yamaha engine., which cranks out 160 horses at over 10,000 rpm.
It can rocket from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in a breathtaking 3 seconds and accelerate further from 100 km/h to 200 km/h in just 5.5 seconds, before reaching its stunning 260-kilometer-per-hour top speed. To say that this LEGO Technic project is a worthy homage to a legendary motorcycle is an understatement.
Thankfully, one can conveniently explore the LEGO AR app to see the model come to life and access the LEGO Builder app which features a digital version of the building instructions included with this set. Each detail has been considered to make this model as faithful as possible to the real-life Yamaha. It is truly a unique and novel way to heighten one’s enjoyment with this LEGO product.
Upon opening the box, you’ll find features inspired by real life. This model incorporates many features from the actual motorcycle, including highly realistic LEGO Technic renditions of the 4-cylinder engine and the 3-speed transmission.
The detailing is simply stunning. The steering works with the functional handlebars. Realistic gearbox elements include a shift drum, shift fork, gear shift ring and ratchet drum. The gearbox even connects to the rear wheel with a real chain drive. The suspension is equally detailed. You can even see and feel the springs and shock absorbers compressing when you move the front and rear wheels. Clicking and snapping the pieces together produces a very satisfying tactile feel and sound that will be the source of endless enjoyment with this product.
Completed, this beautiful LEGO Technic building set measures over 9.5 in. (25 cm) high, 17.5 in. (44 cm) long and 5.5 in. (15 cm) wide. It’s an impressively large set, which will take pride of place on your favorite table or shelf. Displaying it will be an enormous pleasure, as the motorcycle has its own display stand, in addition to its functional side stand.
I don’t own a motorcycle and I don’t even ride, but I can easily see the passion behind the creation of the LEGO Technic Yamaha MT-10 SP. Putting one together or even just admiring a fully assembled Yamaha MT-10 (or any LEGO Technic product, for that matter) only serves to expand and increase that passion.
Now on to that next LEGO Technic journey. It’s truly a universe one can happily lose oneself in. Whether you keep it or give it as a gift, a LEGO Technic product is truly a gift that keeps on giving.
