Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1361254
P102 RIDE REVIEW I 2021 YAMAHA MT-09 This engine. The way it comes on with a big snort of induction noise and torque, all across the powerband. The throaty snap of it reverberating against the tar- mac and canyon walls. It's addictive. And more important, the chassis lives up to the promise of the MT-09's powerplant, so it's also manageable. Easing off the brake and whacking open the throttle with a corner exit in your crosshairs is no longer a roll of the dice to see whether you induce a little wobble. Transitions happen as quick as your body can manage, the upright handle- bar providing great elbows-up leverage. Another key player in the MT-09's newfound pace is likely to be unsung: 2021 sees a shift to excellent Bridgestone Battleax S22 tires. Combined with lighter wheels and subtly improved brakes, the result is a machine that's more composed than its styling would let on. It's a good feeling, not being tripped up by tight and technical roads, or by ruts and leaves pushed into the pavement by spring rain. The MT-09 doesn't ask for any special accommodation, it just lets you get after it at your pace. Given the bike's proven comfort and prowess as a commuter, it's an even more tempting argument in favor of this all-rounder. At $9399, it's $400 more than the outgoing model cost at the dealer last year, and $1500 more pricey than the original FZ-09 that won over the cheapskates of the riding world back in 2014. Let's put it this way: How much would you spend to get your suspension dialed? Or to shave eight pounds off a bike's curb weight? Or to upgrade your front brakes to a radial-pull master cylinder? Or trim a pound and a half from your wheels? Or add a quickshifter? Those four hundred bucks quickly seem like a bargain. And being a bargain is kind of the MT-09's thing. CN 2021 YAMAHA MT-09 ($9399) ENGINE 4-stroke, inline 3 cylinder VALVETRAIN DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder DISPLACEMENT 890cc BORE X STROKE 78 x 62.1mm COMPRESSION RATIO 11.5:1 FUEL SYSTEM Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection COOLING SYSTEM Liquid EXHAUST 3-1 CLUTCH Wet, multi-plate TRANSMISSION 6-speed FRAME Die-cast aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION 41mm fork, USD, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION Single shock, spring preload, rebound damping adj. FRONT WHEEL 17 x 3.5 in. REAR WHEEL 17 x 5.5 in. FRONT TIRE 120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE 180/55 ZR17 FRONT BRAKE Twin 298mm floating discs, 4-piston radial-mount calipers, Cornering ABS REAR BRAKE Single 245mm disc, 2-piston sliding caliper, Cornering ABS RAKE 25° TRAIL 4.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT 32.5 in. WHEELBASE 56.3 in. WEIGHT (DRY, CLAIMED) 417 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY 3.7 gal. COLORS Storm Fluro, Matte Raven Black, Team Yamaha Blue SPECIFICATIONS