Yamaha MT-09, first look

[Ribenapigeon]

Had a client cancel this morning so went by Ecosse Motorcycles in Aberdeen and had a look at the MT-09. I didn't have time for a test ride but had a sit on it and it felt good. Really light and flickable, felt almost as light as my WR. The finish was great the matte grey paint scheme better in reality than it sounds and the metal work looked well finished. The matte frosted finish on the aluminium footpeg hangers especially nice. Really agressive looking as well without over indulging on pointy bits of plastic like the Z800 say. All in all I defy anyone to sit on one and not like it. When I have time i'll book a test ride but for now I can't help but be impressed. Well worth going and have a look if your passing a Yamaha dealer.

[sickpup]

[Ribenapigeon]

[Rogerborg]

[misscrabstick]

I own one, and have done for the last 3 weeks, and now I shall say some stuff about it,

Very torquey indeed at all RPM's, it feels extremely light and flickable, like a 125 but with 1000cc power, it's generally very easy to ride, the seat isn't that comfortable though (for me at least), the riding position is generally pretty good, the brakes are shit hot, if you get one get the Bridgestone and not the Dunlop tyres.

A little button on the right switch gear toggles a choice of 3 power maps for the engine, A= animal, STD= default, B=bimble mode, I am a proper poof when it comes to stunting, but if you like wheelies and stoppies and rolling burnouts you are going to love this bike.

Gear indicator on dash is useful, revcounter is hard to see (not a biggie), the original no plate holder bracket thing was a horrible abomination, I have fitted a R and G replacement which brings the plate back under the taillight instead of ten miles behind the bike.

I have also fitted a R and G radiator grille thing and a genuine Yam tank pad, I tried to get some levers but we have done that one in another thread!

If you not doing motorways, I would say it would be a bloody good commuter tool.

I am certainly loving mine, this bike has a huge grin factor.

[stonesie]

When I test rode one I liked the power and the riding position was ok.

What I didn't like was...
Brakes, very spongy lever on the one I rode, worse than my Daytona 650.
Front suspension, I can't put my finger on it but it didn't inspire confidence. Maybe other test rider's had been fiddling with the settings?
Throttle response, snatchy and too light, the 3rd gear power wheelie was a surprise, nice though.
Dash, just didn't like it, too small to read at a glance and I dislike bar graph rev counters.

https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1383513_10151994605563436_1908959426_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1379749_10151994605208436_526478918_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1381808_10151983655033436_2095994172_n.jpg


So I test rode this.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1157631_10151968551788436_1872679539_n.jpg

This
https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1240171_10151968696813436_1403465204_n.jpg

And that
https://scontent-b-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1238117_10151968387768436_1928084084_n.jpg


And bought this
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1001439_10152090127518436_1480104461_n.jpg

[noobRider]

Blahdeblah liked it on Youtube
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Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans

[Ribenapigeon]

It definately needs a radiator protector and tail tidy but stylewise its spot on. I'm lookn forward to trying one and will be interested to see how the throttle is. I'm thinking if its a problem then given its fly-by-wire then Yamaha may have it tweaked by the time I'm ready to buy one.

Would the fact its so light effect the feel of the front brake?

[arry]

[Matt B]

[misscrabstick]

[arry]

[misscrabstick]

[reed]

I really quite like it, however I have just noticed the tail light, it looks like they got half way through putting it together and thought 'meh, that'll do'

I'd like to try one, but can't help but think id still rather have a street triple R.
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Generic XOR 50, Gilera SMT 50, GSXR 400 GK73A, Ducati Monster 600, Honda Hornet 600.
Sold. Stolen. Written off. Sold. Current.

[chickenstrip]

I know of a guy who reckons the snatchiness on the throttle can be almost completely eradicated by taking up all the slack in the throttle cables. He also sent his forks away for a rework and fitted a Penske rear shock, which has apparently improved the handling no end (not that he'd know - he never actually rode it as standard before he threw all that money at it!). My guess is Yamaha deliberately kept the suspension fairly budget so they could get it in the showrooms at a good price. They can always update on later models.
I didn't really like the look at first, but it is growing on me, especially since having now seen them in the flesh. Sitting on one, I did like the riding position, although the seat felt quite solid. It really does feel light, feels like there's nothing to it.
For a weekend fun bike, I reckon it'd be well worth a punt. Nice to hear they appear to have got the new triple power plant right too.
We have one sat around at work at the moment, and I'm trying to persuade them to let me take it away for a weekend - no luck so far!

[Ribenapigeon]

I guess braking is a very individual thing, one riders spongy is another riders progressive.

I don't see any problem with the tail light its a nice neat LED light. The indicators are a bit dull though, they're just stock yamaha.

i've never ridden a Triumph triple but i've sat on one. All I can say is thayre different bikes. For all being naked triples I think much as the press and Yamaha would like to see them as natural competitors I think they will have different fans. Its all good, its all horses for courses.

[stonesie]

Errm chickenstrip, the MT-09 is ride-by-wire, no throttle cables to adjust and the 2013 Street Triple has a revised throttle cam to eliminate the snatchyness of the older model... I can confirm that it works

[Polarbear]

So which Triumph is it meant to stack up against, the speed or the street?
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Ariel Badger]

[misscrabstick]

[misscrabstick]

[chickenstrip]

Yep, push-pull cables to potentiometer/whatever the gizmo is called ( ), which I believe is the same as the R6 system? I'll find a link to this fella's mods later - it'll make interesting reading for those who have/want to get one perhaps.


Here ya go, from an American forum, so some of this kit may not be economically viable for UK owners. This guy obviously has some serious wonga sitting around, or did have!

https://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130119

[Ribenapigeon]

[misscrabstick]

I can't fault the front end for my useage and weight, the back however feels a bit too stiff and non compliant for me, I do intend to play about with the preload and dampings when I get 5 mins, some bloke on a forum fitted a shock off a kwak zx9 and improved it, I think I'd let everything loosen up a bit before considering such a move, it's not just engines that need to run in.

[chickenstrip]