RIDE REVIEW I 2021 YAMAHA MT-09 SP
P80
rubber is going to stick, you'll be fine.
The chassis is basically the same as what's
on the Tracer 9 GT that we tested here,
including the new swingarm that pivots on the
inside of the frame rather than the outside, as
it has since 2013. The result is better side-
of-the-tire feel, allowing you to wind in the
enhanced torque of the new 890cc motor
with more confidence and make that rear
Bridgestone bite into the tarmac.
The SP feels skinny when you sit on it,
although the clutch tends to stick out so far
that my leg would hit it when standing at the
traffic lights. The ride position is thankfully
adjustable, with the handlebars and footpegs
adjustable in two different positions. The
handlebar clamps can be rotated 10mm for-
ward, and the footpeg mounts can be raised
14mm higher as well as 4mm rearward. The
wide bars give plenty of leverage and you're
never put in an uncomfortable stance on
the SP and the plank seat remains decently
comfortable after an hour on board.
The 2021 SP gets the full whack of elec-
tronics in the six-axis IMU, three-level lean-
angle-sensitive traction, lift and slide control,
and Yamaha's Brake Control system that
modulates pressure on the front and rear
brakes under emergency braking situations.
The feel at the lever is a little odd, especially
given the ABS can pump in quickly when
the brakes are applied with a decent amount
of force. The addition of Brake Control is
another middleman between your braking
fingers and the force that reaches the cali-
per, but there's a new master-cylinder fitted
so braking power is never in question.
The MT-09 SP is a very worthy addition
to the Yamaha lineup but I still feel there's
something missing from the slow-speed
stability offered by the chassis. This is
something probably incurable because it's a
basic characteristic of the motorcycle. If the
SP came with Ohlins on the front, that could
well change things but then you're starting to
encroach on the MT-10's territory.
The MT-09 has never been snappier, but little
touches like cruise control and the Ohlins shock
give the bike a touch of civility. Still, the MT-09 SP
is still a brat at heart, and that's a large part of its
allure.
CN
SPECIFICATIONS
2021 YAMAHA MT-09 SP ($10,999)
ENGINE
Inline, three-cylinder, 3-stroke
COOLING SYSTEM
Liquid
FUELING
EFI
DISPLACEMENT
890cc
COMPRESSION RATIO
11.5:1
BORE X STROKE
78 x 62.1mm
TRANSMISSION
6-speed
CLUTCH
Wet multi-disc
CHASSIS
Diamond aluminum
FRONT SUSPENSION
41mm inverted KYB fork, fully
adjustability
REAR SUSPENSION
Ohlins shock, fully adjustability
FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL
5.1 in.
REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL
4.8 in.
FRONT BRAKE
Dual radial-mount, four-piston
calipers, 298mm discs, ABS
REAR BRAKE
Single-piston caliper, single
245mm disc, ABS
FRONT TIRE
120/70 ZR17 in.
REAR TIRE
180/55 ZR17 in.
SEAT HEIGHT
32.5 in.
WHEELBASE
56.3 in.
RAKE
25°
TRAIL
4.3 in.
FUEL CAPACITY
3.7 gal.
WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED)
419 lbs.
