It was extremely close between the
Yamaha and KTM, but the Yamaha
proved to be the best all-around
package.
The MT-09 platform has been
around since 2014. Yamaha has
continually refined the inline
three-cylinder package over time,
transforming it from a snappy,
bratty little bike to one that has
established itself at the top of the
middleweight naked-bike tree.
This is the first group test any of
us can remember where the bike
with the least amount of horse
-
power came out on top. Yamaha
claims 117 horsepower at 10,000
rpm and 68 lb-ft of torque at 7000
rpm for the 890cc triple. Although
it suffers a little at 5500 rpm when
the emissions flat spot kicks in, it's
bearable given the bottom- and
top-end performance.
The $12,299 MT-09 SP gains
a few key features over the base
model, like the fully adjustable
41mm KYB fork and Ӧhlins shock,
Brembo Stylema brakes, a Track
ECU mode that allows you to
switch off the rear ABS (much like
the KTM's setting), a keyless igni
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M T 0 9 S P
VOLUME ISSUE JUNE , P115
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