Yamaha MT-09 Review
Bike Tested: Yamaha MT-09; Road Test No. 884; Test Location: Pune, Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 12,39,450/-
The Yamaha MT-09 has oodles of torque, it just wants to ride on the rear wheel
Yamaha first got the cross-plane engine in the R1 in 2009. But in 2014, Yamaha got another engine in the same cross-plane configuration but this time it was an inline-3 engine. They plonked this motor in the Yamaha MT-09 and launched it worldwide. The Yamaha MT-09 also called the FZ-09, got a lot of attention in North America for its funky attitude and lively engine. At the 2016 Auto Expo, it made its way onto Indian shores. Now we’ve finally had the ride of this mini naked rocket and to be honest, we are quite impressed. This is how the stint with the Yamaha MT-09 went.
Motor Quest: Cross-plane engines are one of the most unique configured engines. However, these configurations were present only in cars and mostly in V8s. They made their way into motorcycles in 2009. From 2009 onwards, all the Yamaha R1 engines came in cross-plane inline-4 configurations and the tech has been developed in MotoGP.
Least amount of bodywork, yet the Yamaha MT-09 looks bold
Styling – The Yamaha MT-09 portrays a simple overall design. A naked bike with brightly visible front USD forks and not much of a body-line except for the tank. The tank is the only bit that differentiates the colours and accordingly, the alloys and forks get a contrasting high-visibility paint job. Below the tank is the clearly visible CF-diecast aluminium frame which holds the massive engine while 3 shiny pipes make their way to a short under-belly exhaust. Everything looks neat and well put together except for the tail-light. It along with the rear fender look like they we added later to the motorcycle. The overall proportion of the MT-09 matches very well for a street-fighter machine.
The instrument cluster is tiny but it’s completely loaded with information
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The instrument cluster on the Yamaha MT-09 is by far the smallest fully digital console seen on such a motorcycle. The cluster is super compact yet it provides a lot of information. Basic information is standard like the odometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, gear position indicator and a clock. While it also provides information about the traction level and riding modes along with fuel consumption toggled with the trip meters. The switchgear feels premium and it’s easy to use. Changing the riding modes and the traction control is within the reach of a thumb which is really good. The position of the key feels a little too forward and looks like it’s out there because the bike needs one.
The simplest and cleanest ergonomics in the naked superbike catrgory
Ergonomics – The Yamaha MT-09 not only has an essence of a naked street-fighter but also of a supermoto. A straight bench for the rider and the pillion while having a proper handlebar giving an overall upright seating posture. Center-set footpegs are a lot more usable and a comfortable seat height of 815 mm makes it easy for shorter riders too. The rear seat has enough space for the pillion but the footpegs are too high compared to the rider. The pillion is not always comfortable as they have to cling to the rider because there’s nothing to hold on to. At first, the bench might feel slippery but the thin design near the tank helps to grab onto the bike from the thighs.
The MT-09 would just lift without breaking a sweat, it got me scared
Performance – The mind-boggling 847cc Yamaha inline-3 cross-plane engine does the job here. Producing 115 BHP at 10,000 RPM and a clean 87.5 Nm at 8500 RPM, this motor has a very linear throttle response. Yamaha also claims it’s the lightest and the most compact powertrain in its class. At the heart lies the forged aluminium pistons running at a very high compression ration with a balancer shaft reducing all the possible vibrations. Along with a liquid-cooled oil cooler, the powertrain never radiates much heat. It does some only in stop-go traffic but it is bearable.
Angular 120 degree crank setup makes it the most compact engine in the segment
Cross-plane engines eliminate so much noise for cleaner torque, they start sounding like V-twins
There are advantages and disadvantages of having a cross-plane engine. The advantage is that it provides the cleanest amount of torque and keeps the mill lively. However, the disadvantage is that it cancels the uneven firing which is called noise but it’s eargasm for us enthusiasts. Along with the mechanical bits, the electronic traction control and the riding modes do a very good job as per the rider’s requirements. There are 3 riding modes which I understood as – A to be aggressive and sharp; STD to be best for sports riding and B to be biased for milder riding with some on-off-road conditions.
Fiddle with the traction control and lift the wheel with a blip of throttle
This triple is capable to hit the first ton in under 4 seconds and takes on the second ton under 12 seconds. Tops out close to 225 km/hr which is very fast for a motorcycle of this calibre. The 6-speed constant mesh with slipper assist handles the torque from the linear cross-plane engine so well, it never misses a gear and the shifts are crisp. The drivetrain is just as amazing as I imagined it to be, it even manages the NVH levels so very well that it feels that the engine is running on butter. The build quality is just rock solid.
Straight-line stability is amazing even up to double ton digits
Riding Dynamics – The riding modes are a gem but the best hardware on assist is the 3-levels of switchable traction control. At maximum intrusion – level 2, both the wheels stay on the road with wheelie and traction control staying on. This mode is the best for riding in the twisties or complete tarmac or even touring. At minimum intrusion – level 1, wheelie control goes shut and this is the most fun to ride mode as you can go one wheel while having good control on it. However, the upright riding posture does not help much for dedicated riding but it’s perfect for leisure riding and timely fun. It also becomes an advantage if anyone wants to go off-road but the traction control has to be shut – level off.
The MT-09 is a do all you can, fun filled motorcycle
The motorcycle is so nimble & flickable, you feel you are riding a sub-500cc
Equipped with Bridgestone Battlax tyres with a 120-section front and a 180-section rear, the tyres grip really well and provide amazing straight-line stability. The confidence to corner is not the best but it’s easy to find a racing line and follow it. At the front, there’s pair of 298 mm discs with monocoque 4-piston callipers and a 245 mm single disc is placed at the rear with a single pot calliper. With 70-30 braking, the feedback is amazing and the bike stops! Both the 41 mm USD front forks and rear monoshock have adjustable preload and rebound giving a plush ride and comfortable ride all the time. Pillion comfort is not compromised but during long distance riding, the pillion stays cramped as the pillion footpegs are too high and there’s nothing to grab onto.
Yamahas always get the sleekest tail design ever
Verdict – The Yamaha MT-09 is a perfect upgrade for anyone moving up from a light-weight or a middle-weight motorcycle to a fun-to-ride powerful street bike. This Japanese street-fighter makes complete sense to those looking for day touring, regular commuting and even fun riding. It’s been almost a year and a half this motorbike was launched in India and this is the first MT-09 iteration. By the time this review goes live, Yamaha has already got the 2018 version out. The newer version has the same heart as this one, only that it looks much more aggressive.
The LED tail-light and the rear fender look like an extra addition
What’s Cool
* Comfortable and a really plush ride quality
* Naked and simple design yet grabs lot of attention
* Most compact engine in its class due to cross-plane motor
* Perfect dynamics for both street and supermoto riding
What’s Not So Cool
* Due to the naked design there is extreme amount of windblast
* Placement of the keyhole which is too forward, feels ergonomically flawed
* Pillion sits comfortably but the higher rear footpegs make the posture cramped
Riding the MT-09 is like riding a more powerful Duke 390
Yamaha MT-09 Specifications
* Engine: 847cc, Liquid-Cooled, Cross-Plane, Inline-3
* Power: 115 BHP @ 10,500 RPM
* Torque: 87.5 Nm @ 8,500 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed Constant Mesh with Slipper Assist
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: CF-Diecast Aluminium Frame
* Suspension: 41 mm USD Forks (Front), Progressive Link Hydraulic (Rear), Adjustable Preload and Rebound
* Tyres: 120/70/17 (Front), 180/55/17 (Rear)
* Brakes: 298 mm Dual Discs (Front), 245 mm Disc (Rear), ABS
Yamaha MT-09 Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2075 mm x 815 mm x 1135 mm
* Wheelbase: 1440 mm
* Ground Clearance: 135 mm
* Seat Height: 815 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 14-litres
* Kerb weight: 188 kgs
[wp-review id=”204903″]