Did Yamaha Go TOO FAR With The MT-09?

This year’s model features an updated 5-inch TFT dash with a multitude of settings and prebaked riding modes along with phone connectivity. Yamaha has reoriented the rider triangle into a sportier position, stiffened the suspension, refined the rigidity and balance of the chassis, and reworked the overall aesthetics of the machine. While the changes may not seem major, they do hint at a new philosophy infiltrating Yamaha’s “Dark Side of Japan” models.
Subscribe to Cycle World KZbin: kzbin.info?s...
Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6CLI74x...
Read more from Cycle World: www.cycleworld.com/
Buy Cycle World Merch: teespring.com/stores/cycleworld

[@motorcyclerider3956]

Off topic....i love those magnificent huge trees 😮

[@karlreinke]

All the reliability and refinement of a Honda. All the bonkers excitement of a Kawasaki.

[@SoCalLifer]

Great to see you with a new gig and on the road more often.

[@MTNPANTS]

I just did 160mi of rural NC roads on my 2021 MT-09. Sooooo much fun! Can’t wait for my next MT-09.

[@RobertKehl]

Sweet review!!! You’re riding my local roads. I think this is the perfect middle weight and a good looking bike although the front headlight has a storm trouper style sinister look to it that going to take some getting used to. I think all the negative reviewers don’t understand what this bike is all about. This is a middle weight naked hooligan have fun in the twisty’s style bike it’s competition is the ktm 890r and the 990. It’s not a sport-tour or a sport bike. It’s all about having fun and being comfortable at the same time.

[@sgabriel]

Great presentation, as always. Thanks!

[@MojoCycle]

Did Yamaha go too far with the MT-09 ? Maybe, but now I've got a bike that's more aggressive than my morning coffee with a dash of some other illicit stimulate. I have the 2023 mt09 sp .

[@Snotroggel453]

To be honest this new model looks way better than the 3rd generation 09..

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Rejoice. All things equal on tuned machines, your 2023 makes more power than the 2024 by as much as 5 horsepower. They decreased the airbox volume.

[@jimrobcoyle]

Hail the algorithm!

[@DB-sd3cw]

Looks like a Chinese scooter now. Yamaha totally ruined the MT-09. The 2nd gen was where the design peaked and now we have the same generic cb300r type styling.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@DB-sd3cw Ohhhhh nooooo! Yamaha TOTALLY RUINED IT!! Ohhhh noooooo! 😆

[@mikeskidmore6754]

I am a short Rider too,, That's one reason I chose an FZ-07 over the MT-09 .. The Tracer suits my needs better but it's so much more expensive with all the Computer controlled suspension and gadgets. I had not ridden a street bike for Decades and didn't want to get into too much trouble with the extra power of the MT-09 .. I have outgrown the Power of the FZ-07. My problem with upgrading is the fact I have put so much money into the FZ-07 .. Top case, side cases.. tank bag windscreen .. Ohlin Cartridges ect. The newer Version of the MT-09 is lighter with the Aluminum frame. A slightly lower seat height ect. I have added Olin Cartridges.. a K-tek Rear shock .. Crash bars .. and a Dynojet Controller. ect. It's an expensive Hobby and since Bidenflation prices have gone up a lot .

[@adjbob56]

More a Covid coincident inflation than the politics you are referring to. Very divisive. If you want to point fingers, look at how Covid was handled and that had nothing to do with Biden.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

2024 is heavier than 2023. It also makes about 5 less horsepower (tuners are now just finding this out) than the 2023.

[@Vintage1970z]

Awesome bikes, I finally got to ride an MT-09 recently. Impressed with the power but I was left wanting an inline four !

[@devongreshler9080]

Love the highway 9 scenery on my fav bike!

[@starkparker16]

Great job Jen

[@Kai-Lo]

I rode it yesterday. It’s amazing.

[@suba-dude5516]

How tall are you? Im 5'7" and Im concerned about reach. Any trouble? TIA.

[@user-sq5dc6og6u]

I would like to buy one but I live in Thailand and it's very hot. I'm afraid the engine which is really close to my knees will be a problem. What do you think guys?

[@yamaharider8014]

Nice bike, but my old knees don't like to be bent backwards for very long. Been looking at cruisers lately. Take care of ur health and ride safe. From Florida.

[@deweysturgill6220]

Bike isn't cramped at all. Seat is thin but it is comfortable to be so sporty. Heck of a lot fun too. That triple is nuts through mid range and very smooth.

[@richardsadventures4958]

Put a cloth knee brace on. Really helps

[@rebellucy6200]

How old are you? I am 54 with both shoulders replaced and I traded my cruiser in for a MT07. Much more fun.

[@sural89]

they goes in the right direction to me. bike look nice (until you put a windscreen on it) built quality is really good compare to my gen 3 and it feel a lot better in the turn. sadly it also feels a little less punchy than the previous one due to a smaller airbox

[@scorpion-ninja8228]

Dont "TALK" about the looks of these headlights, really need to hear about how they LIGHT UP the road at night! Ride different gen's of MT-09's back to back to see if there TRULY is an improvement of light on the road????? I'm curious about that . . .

[@VMAdventures88]

That’s it!!! Every bike I’m looking to buy, I always check for headlight tests and most of the time can’t find nothing! I ride a lot at night, so that’s important.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Badly as always, I suspect. Few motorcycles in the history of bikes have done a great job lighting the way at night. A few bikes with giant reflectors and H4 halogens where both front lights were on for lo/hi beams, they did a decent job. Old FJR1200/1300, the early 2000's ZX-6R (became ZZR600), the old ZX-12R, the first and 2nd gen FZ1. But in general, few have been good outside some expensive wild technology like a K1600GT or Goldwing. You right at night a good amount, consider mounting aux lights like Clearwater, Cyclops, or Denali.

[@VMAdventures88]

@@exothermal.sprocket Not so true... most new bikes with LED lights are ok... My duke 890R has amazing lights, the BMWs all do great, the Multistrada has amazing lights, the Aprilia RS660 and RSV4 also. Gixxers have had great lights for 15 years now.

[@VMAdventures88]

@@exothermal.sprocket And don't get me started on Harley's Daymaker... they are brutal

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@VMAdventures88 Have you seen the sort of spread those older bikes I mentioned produced? I've a 2nd gen MT-09 with LED's and the pattern is splotchy, has dark cut-offs, the light doesn't flood enough to be safe when leaned, and isn't saturated enough to lower stress and strain to the eyes at night. I also had a dual H4 (hi/lo) FZ1 headlights years ago, with rather large reflectors, and the spread/evenness at night was nearly as good as a car.

[@Choirboyjr11]

Jen done with Revzilla/Comoto?

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

She's had enough of Spurgeon 😆

[@Choirboyjr11]

In case anyone wondered, she did leave Revzilla a few months ago. I just missed the memo...

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Rev Armadillo may not be the dream job everyone wants to aspire to.

[@MrConraA]

I want one😁

[@grenphelps7455]

Go too far, you are joking I take it, I test rode this bike 2 months ago and loved it, this is the best mt09 yet...👍👍

[@GooberNuf]

The only thing I hate is the headlight shape.

[@photographerjonathan]

It would be close to perfect if it had a full fairing without changing the ergonomics.

[@ijcorner]

How short is short 🤔 how tall are you Jen?

[@Dave-sw2dm]

Nice marketing video for Yamaha.

[@JeffKopis]

They forgot to make it pretty. It looks like Yul Brynner in Westworld, without his face.

[@BaMbOoZeD]

I'm curious how tall the lady is.

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

YAMAHA!!

[@mickeyroberts77777]

Very nice video

[@w.w.7148]

Stay with a slower bike, it's not suited for you!

[@wwfww]

No such thing as too agressive! We are young

[@t0xyg3n]

I bought a 2023 😟

[@MiamiJato]

Want one for stunting, thats it........

[@marcozuffada]

no😊

[@abymathew295]

Agressive with Design....yes..a BIGGG yes...🤕🤕🤕

[@BlakeLarsen3]

So glad I purchased the '24 Street Triple 765 RS over the new MT-09. I was dead set on buying the SP version from Yamaha, but the more I see of the MT, the more they look like cheap toys or a child's bike when compared to the 765 or Monster from Ducati. I'm sure the CP3 engine is a riot, but the Triumph is more of a gentleman's bike and I couldn't be happier.

[@chrisdecker8630]

9

[@exotics4life618]

Very Torn between a used MT09 (couple years old) or a used BMW F900R with all the extra features??? BMW is heavier (40lbs) makes less HP & TQ but looks better, has better dash, Features, better Lighting an also makes its HP & TQ at a lower rpm EX: don’t need to Rev out the BMW as hard to take off, pass ppl. Yamaha sounds WAY better, an is much faster, IDK

[@PEZ1514]

The aesthetic of this bike is like yamaha just wants people to buy the XSR

[@tinytim9413]

I love the bike but that exhaust is pretty darn ugly. Shame

[@lelouchabrilvelda1794]

Thanks to European government for that😂 Just get the after market exhaust Fix your problem.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I've liked precisely zero factory exhaust systems. I couldn't care less. Aftermarket for me.

[@shakeebahmer]

The front blinkers stick out way too much.. such an eyesore

[@dougfreeman3229]

The fact that they make the bike more visible to other drivers is irrelevant, more important to look cool...

[@user-hf8ie8mf3n]

👍🤪🏳️‍🌈

[@tomtaylor6163]

I like naked bikes but these bikes are ugly. They look like somebody put the parts together haphazard. And the wacky late 1980s color graphics need to be put back in the trash bin along with Vanilla Ice and Nilly Vanilli

[@888jackflash]

Screw the Triple.... Please give us an MT-10 "GT".

[@JoeStanek-vu7rl]

Not going to happen, 4 cylinders are done.

[@Carvetii]

​@@JoeStanek-vu7rl no they are not

[@JoeStanek-vu7rl]

@@Carvetii put down the crack pipe Nancy. R1 dead for 2025. European emissions regulations will eliminate 4 cylinder completely by 2030.

[@mt09madness]

Saw this in the flesh, tis ugly...

[@Snotroggel453]

@@JoeStanek-vu7rlnothing beats the sound of a 4 cil. Crossplane or flatplane.

[@rofandofy]

Too far for you, Jen.

[@BioGOD009]

I HATE THIS COLOR!!! GIVE ME RED!!! WHITE!!!

[@Crimson_Strider]

Too aggressive for women

[@sonny9608]

Third year on the world’s ugliest blue. Japanese bikes have been so bad for so long it’s painful to watch

[@rns6889]

If you don't like the blue then get thr darker blue SP. I like this blue, but yeah the japanese manufacturers are behind the Europeans right now, even in racing .. It's a disgrace. Ducati taking credit for popularizing the v4 engine when Hondas done it since the 80s 😂, you gotta be kidding me I don't know what the Japanese are doing. I love European bikes as well, and I love ducati, but I also hate the ducati glazing, but I guess that's always going to be there forever.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Yamaha has a signature blue. If you don't like it, don't buy a Yamaha. They've also done other colors. Suzuki is using a lighter blue these days on a few models. Also yellow.

[@sonny9608]

@@exothermal.sprocket The light blue is not their signature blue. And to be honest I’m entirely sick of their signature blue also. Also, their current signature blue wasn’t always their color, that’s more recent. Look at the RZ 350 in that famous yellow and black Kenny Robert’s edition, Yamaha used to do a lot of red and white also. The deep blue, which I hate, that is on everything they sell is just the latest. But that light blue…doesn’t match any riding gear and is ugly, and quite feminine when compared to the same bike in red.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@sonny9608 You probably don't like Honda Red, Suzuki Yellow, or Kawasaki green either. 😁

[@sonny9608]

@@exothermal.sprocket I actually like them all. 🤣And KTM Orange.

[@elithegreat6463]

This bike has no character, it’s boring. You would never park this piece of white bread and look back at it. The Engine is a Gem, and when it’s in its XSR clothing, it’s a looker, but as an MT, it’ll disappear among other bikes, No one will care you own one, they would glance at it, and move on. 🫤👎

[@KjKase]

I think it looks great, I’ve gotten quite a few compliments about mine. I usually look back at it and think it looks sexy, looks better irl, as most bikes do. ‘No one will care you own one” sounds like a pretty loser take lol, idgaf is anyone cares what bike I own. The MT-09 is a fun machine.

[@elithegreat6463]

@@KjKase How lucky of me to find the only guy who thinks this played out, needs an upgrade look MT actually looks good 🙄, Dude, MTs are boring, they jumped the shark years ago. Either way, Ride Safe. And k know you’ll ask , I have a 2023 Rocket 3R, and a Ducati Monster SP, Stevie wonder will notice my bikes faster than an MT

[@dougfreeman3229]

I don't buy bikes for other people to look at (HD's are the "look at me" bikes), I buy them to ride. I happen to own one of the ugliest front motorcycles, 1290 Super Duke. Talk about a gem of an engine. What other's think is irrelevant.

[@elithegreat6463]

@@dougfreeman3229 Dukes have Personality, MTs, are dime a dozen rat bikes 👎

[@KjKase]

@@elithegreat6463 Whatever works for you, man. I'd rather not have some child-like mindset where I obsess over what other people think, or some boomer mindset of keeping up with the joneses (again caring WAY too much what other people think). Most people just think "nice bike" and they don't even know what it was and they will soon forget it, regardless of whether it's a special bike to you or not. It's completely pointless. But to each their own I guess /shrug.