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Yamaha MT-09: Ten Things You Need to Know

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Yamaha as a brand commands a lot of respect in the biker community. And it is mostly down to its sturdy and amazing line of bikes on offer. The brand has not shied away from introducing new models in the country and ensures that they are regularly updated. Getting Yamaha insurance for your bike along with its loaded features is a must.

Yamaha recently launched the MT-09, which again shows its dedication to the market and thumping dominance in the hyper Naked superbike segment. Not that Yamaha was lacking by any means, but the updated MT-09 is a much more improved bike than before. The usage of new components and features ensures that the bike is lighter, more advanced, and even more powerful than its predecessor.

If you are planning to buy or test ride the MT-09, here are the top 10 things that you ought to know about the Naked Superbike.

1. Design

The MT-09 ticks all the checkboxes when it comes to the design department. The new bike is even more naked than before and is more in line with the concept that Yamaha had displayed. The Naked design language of the bike keeps only the essentials and bare minimum, read good, stuff, and strips everything else.

The engineers at Yamaha have put in a lot of effort to ensure that the ergonomics are well sorted. Thus, allowing people of different shapes and sizes to ride the bike. The handlebar along with the footpeg mounting points is adjustable, making it that much more convenient for different riders. Thus, every rider can find a sweet spot to ride the MT-09. Yamaha has worked on exclusive Spin forged wheels and that has helped them reduce the weight at the rear by 11%, which simply adds to the agility of the bike.

2. Engine

The heart of the new MT-09 is a new 890cc inline 3 cylinder engine. The new engine is larger but lighter and has 4 valves per cylinder and is a DOHC liquid-cooled CP3 engine. The engine is all new and includes new components such as pistons, camshafts, connecting rods, and crankcases.

For the new engine, Yamaha has placed the fuel injectors on the throttle valve side, rather than the conventional place directly on the cylinder head. This allows for better fuel atomization, reduced fuel adhesion to the intake walls, and improves fuel efficiency by 11%.

3. Chassis

The bike now comes with a new-age Deltabox aluminium frame, a lighter swingarm, and a new subframe. MT-09 now sports larger twin beams that run from the steering head to the swingarm pivot, which provide strength for the CP3 engine. The frame now offers better lateral and torsional rigidity. The later rigidity is 50% more than its predecessors. Yamaha has lowered the head pipe position by another 30mm to improve the front-end grip of the bike. This minor tweak has improved the agility of the bike furthermore and is even more stable under pressure.

4. Brakes

It would need some effort to stop the 890cc Naked superbike. And the likes of which are provided by the YZF-R1 style front brakes. The performance of the brakes is improved by the inclusion of a Nissin radial master cylinder. The piston of the brakes moves in parallel with the brake level for better braking performance and the front discs are 298mm.

5. Lights

MT-09 now houses a full LED headlamp cluster that includes a single bifunctional projector headlamp that is centrally placed. There are LED strips surrounding the central headlamp. Together they offer excellent throws for low and high beams, with soft edges. The twin LED lamps on the side of the headlamp provide a new fascia to the Naked superbike. Combined, they give a Y shape design to the bike which also is the future design language for the MT series. The taillights are also in a Y shape and offer brilliant illumination and continue with the design language.

6. Electronics

The updated MT-09 has loads of electronics for better driving dynamics and a host of other features. It starts with APSG or Accelerator Position Sensor Grip Chip Control Throttle (YCC-T) which was first seen on the R1M and YZF-R1. This replaces the earlier pulley setup for a better feel and feedback from the throttle.

The bike also comes with a 6-unit IMU or Inertial Measurement Unit. This is the first time that Yamaha has introduced this feature on the Naked superbike class. The IMU sends data in real-time to the ECU which helps with the Traction Control System (TCS), Brake Control (BC), Lift Control System for the front wheel (LIF), and the Slide Control System (SCS).

7. Suspension

No surprise that the bike has adjustable suspension on the front and the rear. An adjustable KYC shock takes care of the rear suspension. Whereas the front duties are taken care of by KYB 41mm USD forks, that have fully adjustable preload, rebound damping, and compression.

8. Intake

The bike has a new air intake system, that offers much better feedback on acceleration. The three duct layout system ensures that the bike receives better air intake and each of them is of different length and cross-sections.

9. Quick Shift

MT-09’s Quick Shift System (QSS) makes it a breeze to upshift and downshift. You can perform clutchless upshifts at full throttle and even smoother downshifts with the QSS. The system ensures that every bit of power is maximized.

10. Instrument Panel

The bike houses a new 3.5-inch full TFT screen as the instrument cluster. The tachometer changes colour as you rev the 890cc engine. And you can change the display on the bike, albeit a switch on the handlebar.

The MT-09 is undoubtedly one of the most compelling bikes in its range. However, it does not get an easy walkover over the range that has strong competition. The Kawasaki Z900 offers higher power output than the MT-09 but isn’t very dynamic. The Suzuki GSX-750 is another good competitor, that offers an amazing inline 4-cylinder engine with traction control. The Triumph Street Triple S comes quite close to the fun quotient that MT-09 offers.

You must get Yamaha insurance for your MT-09 for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is mandatory to buy insurance. Without valid insurance, you cannot legally ride your bike. Secondly, Yamaha insurance will keep your MT-09 safe in all unforeseen events. It is allowing you to focus on riding, rather than worrying about the bike. And Yamaha insurance is curated for MT-09, offering your best-in-class coverage without unsettling your budget.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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