2024 Yamaha MT-09 Review [14 Fast Facts]

May 18, 2024

Ten years ago, Yamaha took us to the Dark Side of Japan, where its rabblerousing MT lineup of naked sportbikes call home. The first to greet us on the wrong side of the tracks was the MT-09. But, instead of picking our pockets, it stole our hearts with its snotty punk-rock attitude and penchant for wheelies, racking up 200,000 global sales since its debut. Now, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is returning with a host of refinements to everyone’s favorite neighborhood hooligan.

This year, the MT-09’s edge is honed. Depending on where you look, things are quite a bit sharper, especially concerning its all-new styling and sportier riding position. Headlines like that might signal that Yamaha’s middleweight naked machine is becoming more cutthroat, yet reality is quite the opposite. Engineers have also reworked chassis flex characteristics and suspension setup to foster greater control, coupled with more advanced rider aids. Significant changes are afoot as the bike’s core components return for another tour of duty with a $10,599 MSRP.

After we set down in Cupertino, California, we hightailed it through the redwoods, hit the streets of seaside Santa Cruz, and came back with the Fast Facts.

Thanks to a new intake system, the 890cc inline triple-cylinder engine hits high notes. There’s a lot to like about the CP3 mill, with its sneering, free-revving character that doesn’t skimp on belting midrange or high-revving thrills. It’s the good kind of bad influence on the MT-09’s historically rowdy personality. The well-balanced triple has never lacked an identity. Yet, it seems ever-so fitting that the Tuning Fork brand is amping up the auditory experience with “acoustic amplifier grilles” atop its fuel tank—same as the MT-10/MT-10 SP—allowing its yowling to be heard crystal clear midway through the powerband. You’ll find no shortage of excitement, backed by punchy torque that maintains a firm grasp on both playfulness and all-around utility.

There’s hardly a bone to pick with the powerplant, though there is one minor hiccup. The number of bikes exhibiting DOT-emissions flat spots is growing, and the 2024 Yamaha MT-09’s updated Euro 5+ compliant fuel map exhibits a tell-tale 2nd gear slump from 4k to 6.5k. Keep the revs up, or pick a gear up or down, and the Yamaha’s bite better matches its bark down low. Perceptible? Yes, though it’s hardly a deal-breaker. Sending away for a tune is a surefire way to nip that problem in the bud while extracting the most out of your screaming triple. Seeing as the MT-09 is a natural wild child, it only seems fitting to bend the rules.

Transmission updates come to Yamaha’s middleweight naked machine. Incremental improvements come to the gearbox with the gears moving from five to six drive dogs (3rd-6th), netting better mechanical engagement. Doubling down in this area is Yamaha’s latest quickshifter, sourced from the Tracer 9 GT+, which can be used in either direction, whether you’re on or off the throttle. So, you’ve got a sporty package and all the right tools to row through the gears a bit better than before.

To check the MT-09’s attitude, simply select a different ride mode. Users can explore three preset modes—Sport, Street, and Rain—plus two user-defined Custom ride modes. Common sense naming conventions simplify things so users better understand what each mode is doing to the IMU-supported rider aid settings, which include throttle maps, ABS, traction control, slide control, and wheelie control. New to the party is Back Slip Regulation (BSR), otherwise known as engine braking management.

Accompanying the new five-inch TFT display is a fresh user interface. Things are clean, clear, and easy to read, though one of the most notable changes is moving to commonsense naming conventions for Sport, Street, and Rain ride modes, clarifying where the IMU-assisted rider aid restrictions land. Sport mode offers the snappiest throttle response of the bunch and the most lenient nannying, letting riders enjoy aggressive riding or moderate front-wheel lofts. Street mode tamps things down to make for a mild-mannered MT, which is useful when commuting. Diving into the custom modes will allow you to disable everything except ABS, which is offered in High and Low settings.

Speaking of rider aids, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 has a new feature joining the party. During the last major update, Yamaha wisely trickled its YZF-R1-derived safety features down to its naked machine. Configuring one of the Custom modes gives access to power modes, ABS, traction control, slide control, and wheelie control. Now, we’ve got Back Slip Regulator (BSR), an electronic supplement to your mechanical slipper clutch that opens the throttle bodies to help reduce back-torque—hence the “back” portion of the name. Much like the rest of the electronic package, it works in the background without getting in the way, even when whipping through canyons at a decent pace. Oh, cruise control is standard, as well.

Redesigned switchgear elevates the experience. Following the commonsense approach with its UI is the touchpoints, bringing new controls to your hands. The joystick accommodates easy exploration, and the large, dedicated Mode button is impossible to miss. Yamaha has reinvented the turn signal switch, so its oblong shape takes some getting used to. The turn indicators now have an auto-cancel feature that shuts off after 15 seconds or after traveling more than 492 feet.

The MT-09’s updated TFT display offers more than pretty looks. It’s bright, too, with Bluetooth connectivity via Yamaha’s Y-Connect app. The perfunctory features such as navigation, messaging, calls, and entertainment fill the list as usual. Navigation is handled by the Garmin StreetCross app, which no longer requires a subscription and facilitates turn-by-turn navigation. Naturally, a USB charging port is under the seat to keep your mobile device charged. Connecting to the bike isn’t a painful exercise, and once it’s ready to go, it works—still a rarity in the two-wheeled world.

The sportier riding position considers comfort. Engineers dropped the handlebar over an inch and pulled it back a smidge while nudging the two-position adjustable rearsets up a bit, back about an inch, and inward a skosh. It’s an exercise in ergonomic balance, with additional weight over the front end improving feedback and reducing wind resistance without making it too wristy. The 3.7-gallon fuel tank is lower and broader, except where it counts at its newly cinched waist. Working in conjunction with that concept is the slimmer subframe and whittled-down two-piece saddle for easier reach to the ground. The seat height still measures 32.5 inches, though it’s much flatter, which prevents sliding forward, unlike what we experienced on the earlier models’ one-piece seat. In addition, it features toolless removal. Lastly, removing the passenger pegs doesn’t leave unsightly footpeg mounts, as they’re relocated underneath the subframe for a cleaner look.

The KYB suspension returns with a few tweaks. Falling in line with the ergo alterations, Yamaha upped the spring rates in the fully adjustable fork from 14 N-mm to 15 N-mm and reworked damping to compensate for greater ballast over the front. Meanwhile, the same spring-preload and rebound-damping adjustable shock returns with an updated linkage ratio that’s less aggressive because less load is placed over the shock. All this adds up to an MT-09 that seeks to control weight transfer fore and aft more precisely (especially when riding at faster clips), provide better hold-up on the brakes, and reduced head shake under hard acceleration. Still, the MT-09 SP’s steering stabilizer would be welcome. The suspenders prove themselves in most environments and provide a steady platform to push from, only showing signs of being out of their element when blasting across battered pavement.

This streetfighter is quick on its feet. Agility is one of the MT-09’s handling pillars, and we’re happy to report that it’s still standing firm. Yamaha’s controlled-filling aluminum die-cast Deltabox frame and swingarm return, yet the chassis is arguably steadier on the edge of the tire thanks to thicker engine-mount brackets, effectively reducing lateral flex. Compensating for that uptick in stiffness is a less rigid headstock bracket, which Yamaha says improves the front-end feel. We’ll chalk it up to a combination of the suspension, ergos, and chassis tweaks because the MT-09 will confidently whip curvy sections with conviction, transitioning quickly and remaining engaging until the last bit of road. Moreover, its inherent playfulness extends to low-speed manners, which are sweetened by a noticeably wider lock-to-lock steering range.

Brembo and Advics bring the stopping power. Looking a bit snazzier with its smoke reservoir is the upgraded Brembo master cylinder, which connects to the trusty four-piston Advics calipers, still grabbing 298mm rotors. Power isn’t a question, as the front stoppers will haul the MT-09 to a halt lickety-split. However, there isn’t as much feel or bite as the naughty naked might call out for. On the plus side, they’re unlikely to catch out any rider finding their footing.

Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 tires are standard. Bridgestone rolled out its latest sport rubber this year, updating compounds to improve grip and mileage. They’re the perfect partner in crime for the sporty yet not too-powerful MT-09, helping ensure confidence while ripping through some redwoods.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 refines its sport DNA but doesn’t forget its wild side. Refinement can be a dirty word and, when applied to one of the motorcycle industry’s beloved bad boys, it raises some eyebrows. Yamaha is keenly aware of what keeps people coming to the MT-09, as its lively triple-cylinder engine approaches most situations ready to swing with a curled lip despite being a smooth operator. Good engines go a long way, yet the firmed-up chassis is even more willing to hold it down in the corners. What’s a significant step forward is the sportier riding position, weighing comfort, and riding goals equally. Add in the updated electronics, and the accessibly priced MT-09 is looking strong in a competitive class.

Photography by Joseph Agustin

RIDING STYLE

Helmet: Alpinestars Supertech R10
Jacket: Alpinestars GP Plus R V3
Gloves: Alpinestars GP Pro R4
Pants: Alpinestars Cooper V3
Boots: Alpinestars Superfaster

2024 Yamaha MT-09 Specs

ENGINE

Type: Inline-3
Displacement: 890cc
Bore x stroke: 78.0 x 62.1mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist and slipper functions
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS

Frame: Controlled-fill die-cast aluminum Deltabox w/ subframe
Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable inverted KYB 41mm inverted fork; 5.1 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Cantilevered, linkage-assisted, fully adjustable KYB shock; 4.6 inches
Tires: Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23
Front tire: 120/70 x 17
Rear tire: 180/55 x 17
Front brakes: 298mm discs w/ 4-piston calipers w/ Brembo radial master cylinder
Rear brake: 245mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
ABS: Standard

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES