VOLUME ISSUE SEPTEMBER , P109
A
few months ago, I spent some
time on the newly revamped
Yamaha MT-09, a bike that's been
around for a solid decade. Wow, say
-
ing that makes me feel old! I was so
taken by it that I requested a long-term
MT-09 loaner from Yamaha as the new
Scaysbrook household bike. In hind
-
sight, though, I might have acted a bit
hastily—I probably should have waited
for the SP version instead.
Now, it's not that the SP version is
drastically better than the standard
model, but it has those extra touches
that make it feel a bit more special. For
2024, the MT-09 SP retains the key fea
-
tures of the base model—such as the
117 horsepower, 890cc inline three-
cylinder engine and cast aluminum
frame. The real differences lie in the
details: upgraded suspension with gold
KYB forks and Ohlins shock, Brembo
Stylema brakes, and some refined
electronics that shine when pushing
the bike hard, especially on track.
Load up that front end and hustle on, boy!
The new KYB front-end on the SP is a
definite improvement over the base model.
