Yamaha MT09 test ride
Discussion
Finally got my hands on the local dealer's demo bike for a brief tryout-about an hour & half so this is not the most descriptive report 
First impression was it's a lively little thing, even with the rather excessive free play on the throttle ?? Why?
Seating position ok but the pegs are much lower than on my CB1000R & bars higher & wider too.
That probably helped the steering & general handling which I think could be called 'intuitive'.
Certainly drops into turns readily.
As far as overall suspension goes I can confirm that it surprised me- in a good way.
That's for 2 reasons. The previous model was criticized for the forks ( a bit spongey?) But also as the bike has a rep for being a bit of a naked hooligan I expected it to be stiff & harsh. Not so.
Took it on variety of good dual carriageway, A roads & rough B road surfaces & I got to say it coped pretty damn well. Soaked up the bumps & was still firm on the smooth stuff.
I think it's also one of those bikes that feels better when ridden a bit harder.
Which brings me to the quickshifter, various engine modes etc. The guy in the shop showed how to change stuff whilst on the move. Quite a small knob..... the control not the bloke
He did suggest leaving traction control at 1 & leave in either Std or B engine modes. B is more or less town or maybe wet setting. He said may be not bother with A as its hooligan or Track day mode.
I couldn't be ar**d to fiddle & in any case it is lively enough in Std which I left it in, ignoring B in town.
The quickshifter is practically a gimmick as at anything less than full chat up changes the fuel cut off seemed to occur a split second after changes. It then felt a bit like a badly clutched change. A 2 way quick shift with blipper would make it more fun.
The assist& slip clutch is very light but never troubled the slipper on my ride.
I think the 'dash/display' looks chronic & is trickey to read some smaller info if you need reading goggles like self. Shame because I like gear position indicator, fuel display & time but rev figures are almost useless.
It also needs a decent fly screen. Any "decent" speed wants to rip your head off.
Adjustable levers too, as my small handies were at full stretch on the clutch.
So overall, ....interesting I'd say. I was a bit disappointed because I wanted it to feel like a better value Street Triple R ( which for the gizmos on the MT, it is) but having ridden the 16MY STR the Yam is not as complete a package. Damn shame as its a large saving.
I had to tell the salesman that it was good but not £2500-ish good enough more than the CB thou R by the time I added a screen, levers, end can & a tail tidy to ditch the hideous BMW/Harley Diavel- like number plate holder.
Getting back onto the CB made me realize I can live with it a good bit longer. It's almost armchair comfy,despite having higher pegs almost as quick, certainly more 'rideable' with a better dash, levers/controls and has that solidity that the MT sadly lacks.
I guess it's horses for courses but if I wanted to chuck money at 2 bikes I'd probably have one for odd rides though I think I'm more likely to lose my licence on the MT !
First impression was it's a lively little thing, even with the rather excessive free play on the throttle ?? Why?
Seating position ok but the pegs are much lower than on my CB1000R & bars higher & wider too.
That probably helped the steering & general handling which I think could be called 'intuitive'.
Certainly drops into turns readily.
As far as overall suspension goes I can confirm that it surprised me- in a good way.
That's for 2 reasons. The previous model was criticized for the forks ( a bit spongey?) But also as the bike has a rep for being a bit of a naked hooligan I expected it to be stiff & harsh. Not so.
Took it on variety of good dual carriageway, A roads & rough B road surfaces & I got to say it coped pretty damn well. Soaked up the bumps & was still firm on the smooth stuff.
I think it's also one of those bikes that feels better when ridden a bit harder.
Which brings me to the quickshifter, various engine modes etc. The guy in the shop showed how to change stuff whilst on the move. Quite a small knob..... the control not the bloke
He did suggest leaving traction control at 1 & leave in either Std or B engine modes. B is more or less town or maybe wet setting. He said may be not bother with A as its hooligan or Track day mode.
I couldn't be ar**d to fiddle & in any case it is lively enough in Std which I left it in, ignoring B in town.
The quickshifter is practically a gimmick as at anything less than full chat up changes the fuel cut off seemed to occur a split second after changes. It then felt a bit like a badly clutched change. A 2 way quick shift with blipper would make it more fun.
The assist& slip clutch is very light but never troubled the slipper on my ride.
I think the 'dash/display' looks chronic & is trickey to read some smaller info if you need reading goggles like self. Shame because I like gear position indicator, fuel display & time but rev figures are almost useless.
It also needs a decent fly screen. Any "decent" speed wants to rip your head off.
Adjustable levers too, as my small handies were at full stretch on the clutch.
So overall, ....interesting I'd say. I was a bit disappointed because I wanted it to feel like a better value Street Triple R ( which for the gizmos on the MT, it is) but having ridden the 16MY STR the Yam is not as complete a package. Damn shame as its a large saving.
I had to tell the salesman that it was good but not £2500-ish good enough more than the CB thou R by the time I added a screen, levers, end can & a tail tidy to ditch the hideous BMW/Harley Diavel- like number plate holder.
Getting back onto the CB made me realize I can live with it a good bit longer. It's almost armchair comfy,despite having higher pegs almost as quick, certainly more 'rideable' with a better dash, levers/controls and has that solidity that the MT sadly lacks.
I guess it's horses for courses but if I wanted to chuck money at 2 bikes I'd probably have one for odd rides though I think I'm more likely to lose my licence on the MT !
Edited by sprinter1050 on Wednesday 31st May 16:35
I was really keen to try one John but although definitely nippy it's just not special enough to want to change.
who do I know has one 
Standard MT10 would be enough for most mere bike riiding mortals.
Thanks for the 'updated' MT-09 review - I rode the orig 2014 and was less than impressed suspension wise. So from your review I take that the suspension is better, the quick shifter is for those playing GP racers. Still doesn't seem like a patch on the Triumph competition.
People won't like it or disagree but I got off the frankly awesomely ballistic engine wise demo MT-10 which felt decidedly remote and detached to me for an overall riding experience and back on my 2011 Speed Triple - whilst it doesn't have the overall performance the riding experience is still in another league.
Thanks for the 'updated' MT-09 review - I rode the orig 2014 and was less than impressed suspension wise. So from your review I take that the suspension is better, the quick shifter is for those playing GP racers. Still doesn't seem like a patch on the Triumph competition.
People won't like it or disagree but I got off the frankly awesomely ballistic engine wise demo MT-10 which felt decidedly remote and detached to me for an overall riding experience and back on my 2011 Speed Triple - whilst it doesn't have the overall performance the riding experience is still in another league.
Slightly off topic
I've been riding my pals CB1000R around for the last couple of days and really enjoyed it. My point of reference is my 990 Superduke and the Honda felt a little softer but none the worse for it. TBH I was expecting it to be a little bland but it just does everything really well
I've been riding my pals CB1000R around for the last couple of days and really enjoyed it. My point of reference is my 990 Superduke and the Honda felt a little softer but none the worse for it. TBH I was expecting it to be a little bland but it just does everything really well
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