A lot of words come to mind when someone mentions the Yamaha MT-09: powerful, sporty, agile, and aggressive are a few of them. Packed with the 847 cc CP3® engine, the MT-09 combines aggressive styling and impressive performance with a host of electronics – including traction control, ABS, and improved throttle curves – to make it a contender in the naked sportbike arena.

Yamaha MT-09 Design

Yamaha finally brought its U.S.-bound, mid-size hypernaked into line with the rest of the civilized riding world by renaming our FZ-09 as the MT-09. I'm sure we'll all miss the “Fuzz,” but the “Master of Torque” is essentially the exact same bike. All the upgrades introduced in 2017 made the transition along with the 115-horsepower engine that made the previous year's model such a hit. When I covered the updated version, there was some question as to whether the range would live up to its potential. Well, having had around a year in which to prove itself, I'd say the 09 has acquitted itself admirably.

The twin-headlight arrangement makes for an agreeable visage with an understated housing that seems a lot more organic, and a lot less Transformerish, than the original. As minimal as it seems to the eye, it does manage to plough a hole for the rider to tuck in for low-effort cruising.

Blackout treatment starts bright and early with achromatic touches at both ends of the forks and the tripleclamps that hold them. It continues up onto the mirrors before moving aft to encompass the frame beams and asymmetrical swingarm. Ergos are pleasant. The taller, flatter seat, and handlebar pullback leave plenty of room to straighten up or lean into it, and the shoulders at the top of the fuel tank provide a convenient place to hang a knee.

The seat itself rides at 32.3 inches off the ground, fine for an average-size rider, but the vertically challenged will be into tiptoe country here. Gotta say I'm lovin' the rear end. Though it could be cleaner. I suppose you have to put the turn signals somedamnwhere and the combination hugger/plateholder does a magnificent job of tidying the rear by offering a stock alternative to the typical hangy-downy mudguard. Too bad the blinkers aren't part of that assembly, but I guess you can't have everything all the time.

The 2017 model saw some cosmetic improvements that proved popular with the masses, and the factory wisely left well-enough alone with a direct carryover that fans of the line will instantly recognize. When I first looked at the “09” there were still a lot of unknowns involved, but in the interim, many of the blanks have been filled in, and the general consensus is that unlike its predecessor, the new-gen 09 does indeed live up to its potential.

Yamaha MT-09 Chassis

The bones of the MT-09 set the tone with a cast-aluminum frame that delivers cornering performance while keeping the weight relatively low. Flicks and reversals benefit from the 425-pound wet weight, but it's the 25-degree rake and 4.1-inch trail that really delivers the goods to make the MT-09 eager in the corners, yet stable enough to not be too squirrely on the straights.

Wheelbase length measures out at 56.7-inches long -- average for the genre -- and the 5.3-inch ground clearance leaves ample room to lean into the corners for all you knee (and elbow) draggers out there. You know who you are. Also typical are the 17-inch, cast-aluminum rims that mount a 120/70 hoop up front and a 180/55 out back.

Dual, 298 mm front discs and radial-mount, four-pot calipers slow the front wheel with a 245 mm disc and single-piston anchor at the other end. All-around ABS comes as part of the standard equipment package, and that's just the first layer of contact-patch protection Yamaha loads onto the bike; there will be more in the drivetrain.

Ride quality and cornering feel are nearly infinitely adjustable due to the updated-for-'17 suspension systems. Both ends sport adjustable spring preload and rebound-damping features. The front end adds to the delightfulness with adjustable compression as well so you can tune in for conditions and preference. I shouldn't have to point out that you don't usually find such flexibility at this price point, but I'll make mention anyway just 'cause it's a good selling point.

Yamaha MT-09 Drivetrain

Yamaha's “Crossplane Concept” powerplant serves as the beating heart of the MT-09. On paper, the 78 mm bore and 59.1 mm stroke gives this inline-triple engine a total displacement of 847 cc. Dual over-head cams time the valvetrain with four valves per cylinder to help ensure low-resistance aspiration and efficient waste-gas evacuation. An 11.5-to-1 compression ratio will put you at the premium pump, but it's a necessary evil as it contributes heavily to the respectable 115 horsepower and 64.5 pound-feet of torque tucked away in the plant.

That's quite a bit of power for such a light bike, and the factory provides you with a few features meant to supplement the efforts of the ABS: the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle, the D-Mode function, and adjustable traction control. The ride-by-wire throttle helps reconcile the difference between demand and capability for seamless transitions while the D-Mode provides three separate profiles for different throttle responses.

A switchable traction control provides the last layer of protection with two levels of intervention and an Off setting if you want to go full-real. A slip-and-assist clutch reduces the effort at the lever with backtorque protection and another layer of safety.

What's the bottom line here? Well, the takeaway is that there is plenty of power to play with, and a number of ways to control/nerf that power, so this is potentially at least a couple of bikes in one, since you can de-tune it for a beginner or novice sportbike rider, then crank up the heat as skill level and confidence increases.

Yamaha MT-09 Pricing

Another strong point in favor of the MT-09 is price. It ain't everyday that we get to see variable power delivery, traction control, ABS, and adjustable suspension all together at this price point. Score yourself a 2020 MT-09 in Matte Raven Black, Team Yamaha Blue, or Ice Fluo for $8,999.

Yamaha MT-09 Competitors

For the MT-09, my first thought is to look at the Z900 ABS by Kawasaki.

Kawasaki Z900

Lookswise, the two start out with similar headlight housings leading the way, but as your eye moves towards the rear (no giggety) the differences become plain. The Z900's flylines are much more sportbike-ish, mainly due to the rise at the pillion and the minimal size of the pad; not as passenger-friendly as the wide bench seat on the MT.

On a personal note, Kawi loses major points with the subframe-mount mudguard. What can I say, I love what a hugger can do for a rear end. Kawi makes up for it a bit with its 948 cc, four-cylinder engine that cranks out 123 horsepower and 73.1 pounds of grunt against 115/64.5 from the MT. The bad news is the Z900 weighs in at 463.1 pounds ready to go, so that's quite a bit more mass it has to propel, making the power advantage a wash. Sufficient, but with no real advantage to Kawi.

In fact, Kawi's total lack of electronics gives Yamaha a significant advantage in the engine department once we get past the absolute power numbers. Price isn't even an advantage. At $8,999, Kawi is unlikely to sway anyone on the fence, and the advantages offered by the Tuning Fork company are well worth it.

Read our full review of the Kawasaki Z900 ABS.

He Said

“I never have really understood why some names will work in some areas, but not in others, especially between English-speaking markets. Plus, what changed? Seriously though, the MT-09 has proven itself in the year since its update, and it should continue to do well no matter what you call it. A rose by any other name, blahdey-blah.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “OMG, I couldn't stop laughing. The FZ-09 was so much fun to ride after the refresh for 2017 it was just a giggle-fest with every twist of the throttle. I expected the MT-09 to be no different and it didn't disappoint. Turn off traction control and put it in “A” mode and you can't help but bring that front wheel off the ground. The bike gives you everything it's got and begs you to unleash it. I'm not sure if I could recommend this as a beginner's bike even with the power modes. I feel like even in the 'low-power' mode, folks not used to riding a sportbike could get themselves into trouble with a quickness.”

Yamaha MT-09 Specifications

Further Reading

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