Yamaha MT09 2021 - Review

On its launch in 2013 the Yamaha MT09 was praised for its superb engine and criticised for its jerky fuelling, cheap suspension and odd riding position. Over the years, Yamaha have worked to address those issues and the culmination is the 2021 model. The all-new Euro 5 engine gains 42cc, a heavier crankshaft and taller gearing in 1st and 2nd gears. Yamaha claim 117bhp at 10,000rpm. The 2021 frame, swing arm and wheels are all new and claim higher rigidity, less mass and an all up weight of 189kg wet. The forks are adjustable for preload, compression and rebound. The rear shock adjustable for preload and rebound only.

The MT09 comes with a host of modern rider aids including a quick-shifter/auto-blipper, cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control, slide control and ‘Anti-Lift’ to keep the front wheel down under hard acceleration. All of which can be individually adjusted to set your preferred level of intervention. Of course, there are menus within menus to fine tune it all but basic set-up consists of two: Driving Mode (throttle response) and Traction Control Mode.

Driving Mode has 4 levels: 1, 2 & 3 all allow maximum engine power, with throttle response from wild to mild, and level 4 is a reduced power/soft response rain mode. TCM is similar with 3 levels and “Off”. Level 2 is the default mode on both and that's where I left the settings on my test ride.

Pulling away the MT09 was instantly familiar and easy to get on with. It feels very light with a nice smooth engine, good low-down torque and no sign of any fuelling issues. Apparently, Yamaha have lowered the headstock and given it the suspension from the previous model XSR900 and it does now feel very much like the XSR. At 6'1” the riding position is spot on for me. Gone is the weird motocross feel of the previous model, gone also is the teeny-tiny switchgear so now I can actually use the indicators without hitting the horn. And the TFT display is clear and uncluttered.

However as per previous models, the gearbox is still clunky and around town the taller ratios make themselves felt: This bike really doesn't want to pull 2nd gear below 25mph. There were also a couple of times that the quick-shifter caught me out, although I quickly learned to just let it do it's thing, and the auto-blipper is a thing of beauty. And if you really don't like the quick-shifter, you can always turn it off in the menus. Like the previous model XSR, the suspension is an improvement over earlier MT09s but it still kicked my arse out of the saddle on bigger bumps and the restricted steering lock is noticeable in town.

Suspension aside, the MT09 is quite happy to pootle but it's meant to be a performance bike so what'll it do? Well, for all the hyperbole about the triple character for me it mostly feels and performs like an inline four, which I like. But while it's undoubtedly quick, it never felt as fast as the claimed power and weight suggest, which I think is down to the ultra linear power delivery. Not that that's a criticism - I read that the MT09 can do 0-100mph in under 6 seconds and I don't doubt it, it's just that there's no real drama involved.

At speed the firm suspension starts to make sense and the hinged-in-the-middle feel of the earlier versions has been eradicated. I never noticed the brakes, the bike stopped where and when I wanted and I can't ask more than that.

If all this reads like I'm damning with faint praise then it pretty much sums up my feelings on the MT09: I've ridden all previous incarnations and the 2021 is undoubtedly the best yet. But the gearbox is still clunky, the suspension still crude and, like many current Yamahas, the MT09 exudes a feeling of cheapness. Which sadly adds up to another nearly bike for me.