Just bought a brand new 2018 mt10. Have some questions

Oh man, that doesn't sound right to me. I'm picking up mine on Tuesday. It should also have about 1 mile, since dealer told me they have never started it, or put fuel on it (like I wanted). But they'll have to put a few more miles after they fire it up, as part of their PDI. I also told them to trickle charge the battery to 100% before installing it, and supposedly they obliged. They're going to put it and fire it up until I get there (I hope). At any rate, where I can test ride the bike is only a small stretch of street. Doubt I'd be able to shift to 6th, but will try, even if it's at a very low rpm, just to make sure it doesn't have what you're describing. Will also tell the tech, since they can ride farther away. Maybe it's 'normal', but that has never been the case in the dozens of new bikes I've bought over the decades (56 here). The only Yamaha I had before this one was an FJR, but back in 2003, if memory serves me right. It was about midpack in shifting, with the Suzukis being the best by far, and Hondas the worst (lots of false neutrals too). Will try to read answers here before picking it up. If it's normal, I want to know too, so I don't refuse to buy a good bike. Just hope it's not too loud to hear over wind and road noise, which it shouldn't. Forgot to say mine is a 2017, so yours should be better than mine. Curious about the explanation. Take care.

Have never heard any 'whining' sound in almost two years of riding. Sounds like it could be a chain that is a bit tight or misadjusted. That's easy to check out.

Have had many Yamahas (Seca II, YZF 600R, FJR 1300, FZ6, FZ1 and the FZ-10) and I will say the FZ-10's transmission is about the smoothest of the lot. Part of it is due to the slipper clutch but the transmission shifts very smoothly, no false neutrals and easy to find neutral. No complaints.

Ride it and put a few miles on it, you may just not be used to the bike coming from an HD.

After my 600 mile oil change the shifting became so butter smooth it practically falls in/out of gear, LOL.

Just hit 4000 miles, recent oil change. Up until this oil change, missed more 1st/2nd shifts than any bike I’ve owned. Now, smoothest shifting ever. Go figure - just needed some miles, and easily the most fun machine I’ve had.

Since I'm asking about noises I do have one other question.
What is the tapping rattle type noise in the motor when its cold. I was told by someone who had a 2017 R1 and said its a normal noise coming from the timing chain. Is that right?

Thanks again everyone
Bigkurka

Got the bike today . And it had ZERO miles, so nobody rode it. No suspicion of a tech messing a shift or something. Zero issues with the 'whining'... but have a question about an issue I didn't like. Bike shudders badly when starting with mild throttle and mild rpm. I initially feared the clutch was chattering, but remembered bike had 0 miles, so it couldn't be shot from the factory. Released the clutch, and as expected, bike shudders with clutch out too. And it's in 1st and 2nd, and I'm sure on any other gear with low rpm. My first and most important question is this: IS THIS NORMAL? If yes, is there any solution other than starting with heavy throttle/rpm (which result in no chatter)? My guess is the main culprit is a light flywheel, coupled with tall gearing and short stroke, but would like to hear other opinions. Thnaks gang.

Thanks brother. Glad to know it’s the nature of the beast. Will work at minimizing it, and adjust free play if necessary. Take care

I think what you are feeling is the effect of the cross plane crankshaft, there is a bit of a shudder when throttle is applied, but the nature of the cross plane is it acts somewhat like a v-twin at lower rpm's and a in-line four at higher rpms.  I don't think your clutch is chattering, it's the engine doing it's thing. It definitely feels different than an regular in-line four. But that's the charm of this engine.