P106
RIDE REVIEW I 2024 YAMAHA MT-09
many manufacturers put low-rent tires on
their bikes because they know you'll replace
them anyway. The 2024 MT-09 comes with
Bridgestone's excellent Hypersport S23 as
standard, a set of hoops we tested in South
Africa last year and came away raving about.
It would be silly of me not to mention the
frankly stupid array of electronics on the MT-09,
which deserves an entirely separate feature.
In addition to the five modes—Rain, Street,
Sport, and two Custom options—there's a new
five-inch dash with various display choices,
including a funky rev counter modeled after a
Yamaha piano. The MT's dash features turn-
by-turn navigation available through the Gar
-
min StreetCross app, but to receive message
notifications and calls and listen to music,
you need to pair your headset to the bike via
the separate Yamaha Y-Connect app. You can
also use the app to adjust the bike's settings
and send them to the ECU without having to
touch the switchblock.
The usual six-axis IMU, traction control,
wheelie control, and slide control are all
present, but new for this year is the Back Slip
Regulator. This feature reduces the amount of
reverse torque that hits the rear wheel in low
grip situations, acting like an accessory to the
slipper clutch. I didn't get a chance to fully
test this system, as my days of deliberately
pushing ABS performance in tricky conditions
are thankfully behind me, but it's reassuring
to know it's there.
In terms of performance, the MT-09 is now
very much knocking on the door of 1000cc four-
cylinder supernakeds. You must ask yourself if
you need more than what the '09 can offer.
No doubt, the ego says you need a
200-horsepower V4 monster naked bike, but
in reality, almost everyone will be better off
with 120 horsepower and a nimble, playful
chassis like that adorned to the MT-09. While
not a massive change in terms of hardware,
the '24 edition is a vast improvement over the
'23 in the areas it matters—comfort and han
-
dling—while leaving the parts that don't need
messing with well and truly alone.
CN
2024 YAMAHA MT-09 ($10,599)
ENGINE Inline three-cylinder, 240° firing order
VALVETRAIN 12-valve, DOHC
DISPLACEMENT 890cc
BORE X STROKE 78 x 62.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 11.5:1
COOLING SYSTEM Liquid
MAX POWER 117hp at 10,000 rpm
MAX TORQUE 68 lb-ft at 7000 rpm
FUEL SYSTEM Electronic fuel injection system YCC-T with
ride-by-wire system
EXHAUST 3-2-1
TRANSMISSION Six-speed
CHASSIS Cast aluminum twin-spar
FRONT SUSPENSION 41 mm fork, fully adjustable;
5.1 inches of travel
REAR SUSPENSION Monoshock, preload and rebound damping
adjustable; 4.6 inches of travel
FRONT BRAKE Dual four-piston monobloc calipers,
298mm discs, ABS
REAR BRAKE Single-piston caliper, 245mm disc, ABS
FRONT TIRE 120/70 ZR17 in. Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23
REAR TIRE 180/55 ZR17 in. Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23
RAKE 24.7°
TRAIL 4.3 in.
WHEELBASE 56.3 in.
SEAT HEIGHT 32.5 in.
FUEL CAPACITY 3.7 gal.
WEIGHT (WET, CLAIMED) 425 lbs.
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
