Yamaha’s 2022 superbike, the MT-10 SP, was revealed this month; according to the company’s marketing patter, the capable new motorcycle has emerged from the ‘dark side’.

Part of the company’s new ‘Hyper Naked’ line, which explores what company marketing calls The Dark Side of Japan, the MT-10 SP occupies the top tier in a trilogy that includes entry-level MT-03 and mid-range MT-10. The MT-10 SP — the suffix indicates ‘sport’, of course — is a ‘torquey’ performance bike with a long list of well thought-out speed-oriented features.

The Dark Side series narrative is designed to tickle the rebellious nature in even the most stolid 9-to-5er, and stimulate a shucking of striped tie and super 120s in favor of a heavyweight barracuda and a T-shirt bearing an insolent sentiment…or a sentimental insolence, as the case may be. As purest expression of the narrative, the MT-10 SP features a combination of insectoid body language and some rather pretty accent coloring.

The bike is loaded with a new version of the CP4 engine, a liquid-cooled 16-valve I4 that displaces 998 ccs and delivers additional torque. The 6-speed gearbox comes with Advanced Quick Shift and wet multiplate assist, and a slipped clutch. The bike also comes with the Öhlins Semi-Active Suspension System.

The 2022 Yamaha MT-10 SP is priced from $16,899, exclusive of freight and destination charges.