Yamaha MT-09

Yamaha MT-09

2017 Yamaha MT-09
Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Company
Also called	Yamaha FZ-09 (North America; 2014–2017)
Parent company	Yamaha Corporation
Production	2014–present
Assembly	Japan
Predecessor	Yamaha FZ8
Class	Naked bike Standard
Engine	890.2–847.2 cc (54.32–51.70 cu in) liquid-cooled 4-stroke 12-valve DOHC inline-three
Bore / stroke	78 mm × 62.1 mm (3.1 in × 2.4 in) (2021–present) 78 mm × 59.1 mm (3.1 in × 2.3 in) (2014–2020)
Compression ratio	11.5:1
Power	87.5 kW (117.3 hp; 119.0 PS) @ 10,000 rpm 77.7 kW (104.2 hp; 105.6 PS) @ 9,940 rpm (rear wheel)
Torque	93 N⋅m (69 lbf⋅ft) @ 7,000 rpm 82 N⋅m (60 lbf⋅ft) @ 8,360 rpm (rear wheel)
Transmission	6-speed constant mesh
Suspension	Front: Inverted 41 mm (1.6 in) telescopic fork with adjustable preload and rebound, 137 mm (5.4 in) travel Rear: Swingarm with monoshock, adjustable preload and rebound, 130 mm (5.1 in) travel
Rake, trail	25°, 104 mm (4.1 in)
Wheelbase	1,440 mm (56.7 in)
Seat height	820 mm (32.3 in)
Weight	188 kg (414 lb) (claimed) (wet)
Fuel capacity	14 L (3.1 imp gal; 3.7 US gal)
Related	Yamaha Tracer 900 Yamaha XSR900

The Yamaha MT-09 is a street motorcycle of the MT series with an 847–890 cc (51.7–54.3 cu in) liquid-cooled four-stroke 12-valve DOHC inline-three engine with crossplane crankshaft and a lightweight cast alloy frame. For 2018, the bike is now designated MT-09 in all markets.

The MT-09 competes against the Triumph Street Triple, Kawasaki Z900, and MV Agusta Brutale 800. It is intended to restore Yamaha’s fortunes, as the factory has in recent years lost its reputation for innovation. The MT-09’s product manager, Shun Miyazawa, said Yamaha had considered parallel-twins, inline-threes, inline-fours, and V-twins, but that the inline-three gave the “best solution” of power, torque, and low weight. Comparing the MT-09 to the Street Triple, he said the Triumph was a streetfighter, but the Yamaha was a “roadster motard”.

Both the frame and the double-sided swingarm are made of lightweight alloy, which are cast in two pieces. The frame castings are bolted together at the headstock and at the rear, but the swingarm parts are welded together. The MT-09 is the latest Yamaha motorcycle in a long line starting with the XS750 and XS850 and including the TDM850 to be powered by inline-three engines.

In 2017, the MT-09 was updated with fully adjustable suspension, traction control, antilock brakes, slipper clutch, LED headlights, and updated styling.

In October 2020, the MT-09 received the second update with a larger 890 cc (54 cu in) engine.

The Tracer 900 (FJ-09 in North America) is a sport touring model introduced in 2015 based on the MT-09. From 2016, in Europe and the United Kingdom, the name changed to Tracer 900 from MT-09 Tracer. It differs from the MT-09 in a number of ways, including that it has a partial fairing, a larger fuel tank, ABS brakes, handguards, centerstand, a 12-volt power socket, traction control, revised fuel map, drive-by-wire throttle mapping with three selectable riding modes. The display is very similar to the XT1200Z Super Ténéré’s. It also has LED headlights and taillight.

Shun Miyazawa said buyers are moving away from the supersport bikes, adding, “(Yamaha) aim to create an older and younger brother and cousins (to the MT-09) – maybe the same capacity, but a slightly different concept”. This was translated into the creation of the MT-07 (FZ-07 in North America), the XSR700, the XSR900 and the MT-10 (FZ-10 in North America). The MT-10 is using the same engine from R1, albeit detuned from the factory.

In Motor Cycle News, Michael Neeves said, “The MT-09 starts an exciting new era for Yamaha” and “The MT-09 is a roadster for all occasions. It’s fun”. However, the ride-by-wire throttle was criticised as “snatchy”. Cycle World‘s Kevin Cameron describes the styling as “V-Max meets Transformers Robot”, “like a Supermono” and “an up-to-the-minute streetfighter, no bland revival of a 1970s’ UJM. Call it a new synthesis.” Cycle World named the FZ-09 ‘Best Standard’ of 2015.

In an MCN 5-bike group test in 2015, the testers felt that the MT-09 Tracer was a better bike and better value than its four competitors, namely: a Triumph Tiger 800XRx and a Tiger Sport, a Honda Crossrunner, and a Ducati Hyperstrada.

The US online magazine Cycle World stated “Handling, too, feels more refined and solid than ever.” about the 2021 model year and added “The 2021 MT-09 is much more than an update, even if it’s just slightly less than an absolutely complete redesign”.

• List of motorcycles by type of engine

• Official website