Stuffed with dread, I threw a leg over Yamaha’s fourth iteration of the MT-09 in San Jose, California. There are at all times some nerves that include taking a contemporary press bike out for a rip, however that’s not what was fuelling my ideas.
My thoughts was swimming in a mishmash of conflicting outcomes. I anxious that, because of the newest sports-inspired design modifications, the brand new MT-09 had left behind its hooligan methods whereas concurrently failing to make up sufficient floor on its direct rivals recognized for his or her sharpness. I wished that character to nonetheless be there as a result of I’d by no means obtained to try to see what the fuss was about myself.
However my actual worry, the one which’d been on my thoughts since I obtained the invite to this launch, was that Yamaha did precisely what it got down to—refine the machine to make it extra enjoyable, accessible, and succesful on quicker roads—however hold that delinquent nature. As a result of if that had been the case, I’d be pressured to think about changing my present middleweight bare, and I’m not cash-rich proper now.
After testing it, I’ve concluded that if there’s one specific kind of using you do, be it on observe or touring, you’ll find a motorbike that’ll swimsuit you higher. However each street we rode, I wished to trip once more. Each time I downshifted, I’d quick shift on the subsequent doable alternative simply so I may repeat the method over again. This is a contender for a one-bike storage for many who do a couple of kind of using. Wherever you go, you’ll have smiles on faucet, and this isn’t an overstatement.
I had a ache in my jaw for 2 days because of the MT’s rowdy grin-inducing nature, not from me breaking in a brand new Alpinestars Supertech R10 helmet.
Enter the Cockpit
The MT-09 is loaded with digital goodies and a brand new, bigger TFT sprint for 2024, which even contains satellite tv for pc navigation when linked to your telephone by way of Yamaha’s app. However the majority of the bike’s digital programs are managed by way of a joystick and some buttons on the left-hand switchgear.
There’s an intimidating variety of toggles, switches, and buttons virtually spilling over the bar—one thing that wouldn’t look misplaced on the Millennium Falcon—however a lot to my shock, it was all extremely intuitive and simple to make use of.
It took a couple of minutes of taking part in round with the system earlier than setting off, and I used to be good for the day. That began issues off on the appropriate notice, which was particularly vital as a result of it was nippy, and I knew we nonetheless needed to do a good bit of city using earlier than the twisties—one thing I hardly ever stay up for on a motorcycle that’s greater than 800cc.
And although it’s not cool or horny, I used to be instantly in disbelief at how simple the MT-09 was across the metropolis. The low-speed manners Yamaha has placed on this factor are unbelievable, and as soon as I obtained a whiff that it was so steady and giving in these conditions, I began to play with it. How clean may I be? How tightly may I make a flip into the pack? How sluggish may I am going in full lock whereas nonetheless retaining full confidence? These video games had been made much more fulfilling by the brand new elevated 31-degree steering lock.
This is the primary bike that ever made me really feel like U-turns had been enjoyable. And I feel that sums up the ethos of the MT-09. It will probably make even essentially the most mundane conditions giggle-worthy, and that’s earlier than we get began on the not-so-mundane.
Earlier than lengthy, 2-mph maneuvers turned 32-mph turns, and whereas the velocity and lean angle of the bike modified, its agility by no means did. Yamaha lowered the seat width by 6mm on both sides, which mixed with the bike’s low middle of gravity, gave me unbelievable confidence when transferring across the machine.
The best approach for me to clarify the way it feels at low speeds is to think about a top-heavy journey bike. In each approach that you just grimace on the considered maneuvering that ADV at low to medium speeds, the MT-09 feels the other. It begs to be flicked and held at no matter angle you need with the throttle. When it’s time to select it up, all it takes is a little bit of rider enter and a twist of the wrist.
However this sense of agility at comparatively low speeds can generally make for a nervous, sketchy bike on high-speed roads with sweeping bends.
Below the Pores and skin
Because the group started our ascent towards the redwoods, 32 mph turns shortly shot as much as allegedly quicker mph sweepers, and my questions had been answered. Yamaha’s engineers had performed a blinder, beginning with a brand new geometry that locations the rider additional ahead on the lowered handlebars whereas retaining their legs barely greater and additional again with a brand new peg placement. The designers additionally elevated the floor space on the perimeters of the gasoline tanks, creating a good bigger anchor level to your leg as you lean off the bike at velocity.
The modifications immediately place extra weight over the entrance wheel wrapped in Bridgestone’s Battlax Hypersport S23, which gives respectable suggestions. However there’s much more taking place beneath the pores and skin than a change of geometry.
The newest MT has a stiffer chassis, stiffer entrance suspension, and a brand new rear suspension setup that decreases the bike’s pitch on the preliminary compression stage of the spring. I can’t evaluate this setup to the earlier bike, as I haven’t ridden it, however I can say that it is unquestionably sharp and refined.
It wasn’t till I began hustling the MT and started path braking deeper into the corners that one thing clicked. Sure, Yamaha made the entrance suspension stiffer, however it compresses and unloads at what seems like a close to 1:1 ratio with the brake lever. And whereas the stiffer 41mm KYB entrance forks play a component, the texture supplied by the axial-mounted Brembo grasp cylinder is simply as vital. I can’t understate how particular it’s to get such a exact brake really feel on a motorcycle coming in at $10,599.
Torque to Me
Torque is however a quantity. However it is how the engine delivers and chassis transmits it to the rider that gives the look of torque, and on this regard, Yamaha has labored some type of Darkish Facet of Japan magic. It has constructed a motorbike with an insane torque output that doesn’t put it out insanely. And that’s a very good factor.
Violent, aggressive, bicep-tearing torque supply is cool to expertise till you begin worrying concerning the bike using you rather than you using it. After which, while you get drained, which you’ll, you lose the passion to play with it. The MT-09 has all of the torque you may ask for however delivers it in such a approach that it’s eternally playful and fully unintimidating for an skilled rider. It encourages you to be foolish and reassures you that it’s not making an attempt to catch you sleeping.
Yamaha hasn’t launched the official output specs for the US model of the MT-09, but when the European numbers are something to go by, it has almost 70 lb-ft of torque and is simply shy of 120 horsepower. However it’s polished—not boring—only a ridiculously refined riot. And that’s what made me wish to pull the string time and time once more. Even when the entrance wheel lifts, which it’ll, it does so with the softness of a labrador’s nibble.
Individuals love speaking about whether or not a motorbike feels prefer it has a “direct connection” between the throttle and rear wheel, and in first gear, the MT-09 feels prefer it surpasses this idea. The bike rotates across the twist of its throttle. Wind it on and the entrance wheel lifts, let it down a fraction, and the entrance wheel follows. And though you may stay fortunately within the midrange, there’s a rewarding rush that releases the final of your endorphins lurking on the prime of the rev vary and an addictive gurgle as you bang within the subsequent gear earlier than hitting redline.
In case it’s not clear, this bike has not shed its hooligan pores and skin. And that’s in no small approach because of the engineers who got here collectively and stated, “Proper, after we work out the way to lay down a mountain of usable torque by way of this tiny wheelbase, let’s see if we will make the rider giggle at actually all instances.”
The third-generation quickshifter is so enjoyable and crisp that you just wind up altering gears backwards and forwards simply to play with the engine notes. This method lets you shift up whereas decelerating however, extra importantly, shift down whereas accelerating. I hit an on-ramp in sixth gear, and by the point I used to be in control, I used to be in second, laughing like a toddler.
As for noise, the MT-09 lets out a supercharger-like whine by way of the redesigned consumption ducts on the gasoline tank at low RPMs. Whenever you open it up, you’re met with a howl from the twin underslung exhausts and burbles as you let off and downshift—you normally must pay additional for an exhaust that’s such a delight for the ears.
However, sadly, this bike isn’t with out fault.
Second Guessing
Yamaha shot itself within the foot by making the connection between the throttle and rear tire so good as a result of it highlighted the one time it’s not—second gear. Between round 4,000 and eight,000 RPM in second gear, there’s a small however perceptible disconnect between your proper hand and the engine. On this a part of the rev vary, on this gear, the response, torque, and acceleration are muted sufficient that I began bypassing second to get into the meat once more.
The issue, I feel, is second gear is probably going the place the MT-09 was noise examined to make sure it meets EPA laws. This means the answer needs to be easy: get a tune. Keep in mind that each the issue and answer are purely based mostly on hypothesis. However if so, it’s not an enormous situation, as most homeowners of this bike are prone to get a pipe and thus a tune—you don’t see many used fashions with inventory pipes. However, in fact, this can void your guarantee.
The one different niggle I had was my tush obtained a bit sore after the 120-mile journey. However, once more, it’s not an enormous drawback, as Yamaha provides a consolation seat.
Backside line: The bike has two points, one in all which mightn’t be an issue for individuals who do not spend all day within the saddle, and each are most likely simple fixes.
Pure, Adulterated Enjoyable
Sure, you learn that proper. The MT-09 is such completely adulterated enjoyable that it feels unadulterated. The engineers have rigged this bike with a collection of electronics that make you’re feeling such as you’re ruling the street, reliant on ability alone.
Wheelie while you wish to wheelie, stoppie while you need to stoppie—you’re the king. However behind all of it is an adjustable raise (learn “wheelie”) management system, guaranteeing you gained’t loop out, and adjustable traction management that allows you to stoppie, however gained’t allow you to lock up the entrance.
Between the linear Earth-turning torque, flickable physique from 2-72 mph, and engine notes that had me overworking the third-generation quickshifter to attempt to play music by flicking by way of CP3’s tracks, I turned hooked on this grin-inducing machine.
Give me one, Yamaha. Please?
