My God, being a bike journalist is superb. It’s so onerous to complain about it. However there’s something that writers must be warned of earlier than going into this career—It offers you concepts.
I just lately rode Yamaha’s newest MT-09 SP and theorized that, with the suitable additions, it might be a severe contender for my good one-bike secure. After which it began. I started dreaming about what life with the MT-09 SP could be like and what upgrades it actually wanted.
Paradoxically, I wasn’t dreaming as a result of I used to be up all evening components. It was getting out of hand. So, as a substitute of residing via one other bout of insomnia, I made a decision to place my fingers to the keyboard and launch the beast.
For those who haven’t learn my MT-09 SP assessment, listed below are my conditions for one bike to rule all of them:
“I would like one thing that’s up there with one of the best on canyon roads, succesful on observe, snug sufficient for 300-mile plus day journeys, can carry some baggage, and most of all is an absolute riot. Oh, and I’ve to have the ability to afford it.”
The MT-09 SP already has the capabilities to tear on canyon roads, and I’d have to check it on a observe, however I don’t doubt it’d be loads competent there, too. It’s the opposite areas that I’d like to enhance upon with some aftermarket components.
Right here’s how I’d begin my one-bike storage construct and the way a lot it’d value.
Consolation Seat
A considerably onerous seat on the usual MT-09 was one in every of few damaging issues I needed to say in regards to the bike. On the SP mannequin, this was even much less noticeable because the suspension was so a lot better that the entire journey was comfier. And I used to be in all probability spending much less time on the seat and extra time hanging off it, due to the twisties on the Tail of the Dragon.
However, fortuitously, or sadly, I must journey extra roads than simply the Tail.
Contemplating the form of distance I’d wish to journey—I’m presently eyeballing a 1,500-mile journey—highways and a snug seat are only a necessity. So the primary addition could be Yamaha’s MT-09 Rider Consolation Seat, which is available in at $184.99.
High Case and Mount Equipment
The entire level of occurring lengthy journeys is to discover. That concept doesn’t actually work should you can’t keep for greater than an evening because of baggage constraints. I don’t want lots, simply sufficient to work remotely, work out, take a couple of modifications of garments, and a pair of swimming trunks. A good prime field and my backpack are greater than sufficient.
I’d go for the massive canine in Yamaha’s lineup, the 45-liter High Case, which prices $299.99. However you’ll be able to’t simply purchase a prime field and strap it down—a couple of extras are wanted.
First, you’ll have to suit the MT-09 Rear Service and Seize Bar, which prices $169.99, after which the MT-09 High Case Mount, for which you’ll shell out $99.99.
The whole quantity it’ll value to show your MT-09 SP into a comfortable tourer with semi-spacious baggage capabilities is $584.97.
If I may get my fingers on this bike and take a look at out all of the points that make an ideal one-bike storage machine, there could be extra I would add to the listing. However for now, these are all I’d need to make it the last word all-rounder, or at the least, my final all-rounder.
Hey, Yamaha, hit me up and let’s speak about a long-term mortgage…
