Yamaha MT-09
triple as 'the best bike to emerge from Japan in years' and it seems the entry level two-cylinder
MT-07 reviewed here yesterday
has much of the same magic. Here Jon Urry talks with MT-09 project head Akira Kimori to learn more about Yamaha's rediscovery of the elusive fun factor and, just as crucially, how they made it affordable.
When did the MT-09 project start?
“We started the MT-09 project four years ago. This time frame is fairly normal for a Japanese manufacturer when it comes to building a new bike.”
What inspired the project?
“We wanted to create something that represented Yamaha’s philosophy of ‘man and machine unity’. We wanted to build a bike with a linear and quick throttle response that excited riders and responded in harmony with their throttle inputs. We have also seen riders down-sizing from superbikes and wanted to give them a fun machine of around 900cc that was capable of living up to what was expected of it.”
So who is it aimed at?
“The target customer is a wide range of riders, those who are experienced and also those who want to step down from a sportsbike.”
MT-07 shares same spirit but is more affordable
Did you consider any other engine configurations?
“Yes, a cross-plane in-line four, parallel twin, V-twin, we considered many engines but opted for a triple as we feel it delivers superb reliability as well as agility and performance. We felt the triple was the best engine in the end and at 847cc it provided the perfect torque curve that we felt European customers wanted. If we had gone smaller in capacity the torque wouldn’t have been achieved while bigger would have made the motor weigh more or use more fuel.”
Is it really a cross-plane engine?
“It is cross-plane philosophy as it has an uneven firing order like a cross-plane in-line four motor. The triple configuration improves the torque response by combining inertial and combustion torque within the motor in the same way as the cross-plane in-line four in the R1 and YZR-M1 MotoGP bike. We talk about cross-plane philosophy which is a very clean combined torque output and can be applied to an in-line four, twin or triple engine.”
Did the MotoGP department help with the development of the CP3 triple?
“Our development team had full access to the technology used by the MotoGP team and discussed the bike’s development with their engine designers.”
The MT-09 has an incredibly low price, is it a loss-leading product?
“It is not a loss-leading product but it also doesn’t make us the most profit. We have managed to keep the cost down through clever engineering. We have concentrated on keeping the bike’s weight down and this has allowed us to reduce the number of parts in areas such as the frame and swingarm. The MT-09 has far fewer components when compared to the likes of the FZ8 Fazer but we have also purchased parts through Asian suppliers to reduce costs.”
'Anti-wheelie may not be as popular' - no kidding!
Will there be an SP or R model? If you fitted a fork with compression adjustment, an uprated shock and traction control it would be a lot of fun.
“Obviously technically and engineering wise we have full capabilities to produce such a bike, however at this moment we are evaluating what kind of way to proceed to expand our MT-09 range for the target customer. It could be using technological advancements such as advanced suspension and traction control or through slightly different design and set-up to make it do a different thing. We are currently evaluating possibilities and there will certainly be MT-09 variations in the future…”
Why is there no traction control on the MT-09?
“Cost is one reason, but for the MT-09 we focused on emotion and racing feedback so we felt TC would not be necessary. In the future this may change, we have the technology and if the customers demand it we can always add it in the future. Anti-wheelie may not be as popular…”
For more detail on the MT-09's design and engineering see this story on the Yamaha website.
'Rise up your darkness' (nor us) Manga-style promo vid here.