P92
RIDE REVIEW I 2021 YAMAHA MT-09
REVAMPING
YAMAHA'S
DARK SIDE
Y
amaha claims the MT-09 is 90 percent new
for 2021. We'll go a step further and say
that the third generation MT-09 is finally
100 percent dialed. Since its introduction in 2014,
Yamaha's triple has been a value benchmark, but
one with a fair share of rough edges.
Yamaha listened to riders who loved the power-
plant but thought the bike was just a little too raw
for prime time. To tame their triple, the company
has cast up a brand-new aluminum frame, re-
engineered the swingarm, and revised the already
terrific engine to produce more torque, all while
adding top-notch electronic rider aids.
So how does this new, polished MT-09 fare
against seven years of expectations and a slew of
new and fantastic machines from Italy and Eng-
land, as well as challengers from its own mother-
land? We shook down the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 in
the Santa Monica mountains to find out.
T H E B I K E T H AT S TA R T E D T H E
D A R K S I D E O F J A PA N S L O G A N G E T S A
G R O U N D - U P R E D E S I G N F O R 2 0 2 1
BY CHRIS CANTLE
