Yamaha MT-09
{{Short description|Standard motorcycle}}
{{Infobox motorcycle
| name = Yamaha MT-09
| image = File:MT 09 RN43 2017.jpg
| caption = 2017 Yamaha MT-09
| aka = Yamaha FZ-09 (North America; 2014–2017)
| manufacturer = Yamaha Motor Company
| parent_company = Yamaha Corporation
| assembly = Japan
| predecessor = Yamaha FZ8
| class = {{unbulleted list
| Standard
}}
| engine = {{convert|890.2|-|847.2|cc|abbr=on}} liquid-cooled 4-stroke 12-valve DOHC inline-three|
| bore_stroke = {{unbulleted list
| {{convert|78|×|62.1|mm|1|abbr=on}} (2021–present)
| {{convert|78|×|59.1|mm|1|abbr=on}} (2014–2020)
}}
| compression = 11.5:1
| power = {{unbulleted list
| {{convert|87.5|kW|hp PS|abbr=on|1}} @ 10,000 rpm
| {{convert|77.7|kW|hp PS|abbr=on|1}} @ 9,940 rpm (rear wheel)
}}
| torque = {{unbulleted list
| {{convert|93|Nm|abbr=on}} @ 7,000 rpm
| {{convert|82|Nm|abbr=on}} @ 8,360 rpm (rear wheel)
}}
| transmission = 6-speed constant mesh
| suspension = {{unbulleted list
| Front: Inverted {{convert|41|mm|1|abbr=on}} telescopic fork with adjustable preload and rebound, {{convert|137|mm|1|abbr=on}} travel
| Rear: Swingarm with monoshock, adjustable preload and rebound, {{convert|130|mm|1|abbr=on}} travel
}}
| rake_trail = 25°, {{convert|104|mm|1|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|1440|mm|1|abbr=on}}
| seat_height = {{convert|820|mm|1|abbr=on}}
| wet_weight = {{convert|188|kg|abbr=on}} (claimed)
| fuel_capacity = {{convert|14|L|1|abbr=on}}
| related = {{unbulleted list
}}
}}
The Yamaha MT-09 is a street motorcycle of the MT series with an {{convert|847|–|890|cc|abbr=on}} liquid-cooled four-stroke 12-valve DOHC inline-three engine with crossplane crankshaft and a lightweight cast alloy frame.{{Citation |url= http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/eu/products/motorcycles/mt/mt-09.aspx?view=features |author=Yamaha |year=2013 |title= The Next Generation Sport Bike }} For 2018, the bike is now designated MT-09 in all markets.{{Cite web|url=https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2018/12/28/2018-yamaha-mt-09-review-14-fast-facts/|title=2018 Yamaha MT-09 Review (14 Fast Facts)|first=Arthur|last=Coldwells|date=December 28, 2018|website=Ultimate Motorcycling}}
Design and development
The MT-09 competes against the Triumph Street Triple, Kawasaki Z900, and MV Agusta Brutale 800.MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 12 & 13 It is intended to restore Yamaha's fortunes, as the factory has in recent years lost its reputation for innovation.{{Opinion|date=November 2015}}MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 1 - "Yamaha Strikes Back!" The MT-09's product manager, Shun Miyazawa, said Yamaha had considered parallel-twins, inline-threes, inline-fours, and V-twins, but that the inline-three gave the "best solution" of power, torque, and low weight. Comparing the MT-09 to the Street Triple, he said the Triumph was a streetfighter, but the Yamaha was a "roadster motard".MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 11
Both the frame and the double-sided swingarm are made of lightweight alloy, which are cast in two pieces. The frame castings are bolted together at the headstock and at the rear, but the swingarm parts are welded together. The MT-09 is the latest Yamaha motorcycle in a long line starting with the XS750 and XS850 and including the TDM850 to be powered by inline-three engines.
In 2017, the MT-09 was updated with fully adjustable suspension, traction control, antilock brakes, slipper clutch, LED headlights, and updated styling.
In October 2020, the MT-09 received the second update with a larger {{convert|890|cc|abbr=on}} engine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/yamaha/2021-yamaha-mt-09-first-look.html|title = 2021 Yamaha MT-09 First Look|date = 27 October 2020}}
Tracer 900/FJ-09/MT-09 Tracer
{{main|Yamaha Tracer 900}}
The Tracer 900 (FJ-09 in North America) is a sport touring model introduced in 2015 based on the MT-09. From 2016, in Europe and the United Kingdom, the name changed to Tracer 900 from MT-09 Tracer.{{cite web |url=http://www.yamaha-motor.co.at/eu/products/motorcycles/sport-touring/index.aspx//|title=Turnup your Emotions| publisher=Yamaha Europe |access-date=October 3, 2016}} It differs from the MT-09 in a number of ways, including that it has a partial fairing, a larger fuel tank, ABS brakes, handguards, centerstand, a 12-volt power socket, traction control, revised fuel map, drive-by-wire throttle mapping with three selectable riding modes. The display is very similar to the XT1200Z Super Ténéré's. It also has LED headlights and taillight.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/products/motorcycle/road/torque-sport/15-mt-09-tracer|title=MT-09 Tracer|publisher=Yamaha Motor Australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711095211/https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/products/motorcycle/road/torque-sport/15-mt-09-tracer|archive-date=July 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}
Related models
Shun Miyazawa said buyers are moving away from the supersport bikes, adding, "(Yamaha) aim to create an older and younger brother and cousins (to the MT-09) - maybe the same capacity, but a slightly different concept". This was translated into the creation of the MT-07 (FZ-07 in North America), the XSR700, the XSR900 and the MT-10 (FZ-10 in North America). The MT-10 is using the same engine from R1, albeit detuned from the factory.
Reception
In Motor Cycle News, Michael Neeves said, "The MT-09 starts an exciting new era for Yamaha" and "The MT-09 is a roadster for all occasions. It’s fun". However, the ride-by-wire throttle was criticised as "snatchy".Motorcycle News 4 September 2013, page 8 & 13 Cycle World{{'}}s Kevin Cameron describes the styling as "V-Max meets Transformers Robot", "like a Supermono" and "an up-to-the-minute streetfighter, no bland revival of a 1970s' UJM. Call it a new synthesis." Cycle World named the FZ-09 'Best Standard' of 2015.
In an MCN 5-bike group test in 2015, the testers felt that the MT-09 Tracer was a better bike and better value than its four competitors, namely: a Triumph Tiger 800XRx and a Tiger Sport, a Honda Crossrunner, and a Ducati Hyperstrada.Motorcycle News 26 August 2015
The US online magazine Cycle World stated "Handling, too, feels more refined and solid than ever." about the 2021 model year and added "The 2021 MT-09 is much more than an update, even if it’s just slightly less than an absolutely complete redesign".
{{clear}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Citation |url= http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/08/22/2014-yamaha-fz-09-technical-review-kevin-cameron/ |title= 2014 Yamaha FZ-09 – Technical Review Yamaha shoots a $7990 bullet into the heart of boring bargain bikes with its new 847cc Triple |date= 22 August 2013 |first= Kevin |last= Cameron |magazine=Cycle World }}
{{Citation |title=Best Standard: Yamaha FZ-09; Three cylinders, no waiting |date= 27 July 2015 |url= http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/07/27/best-standard-motorcycle-yamaha-fz-09-cycle-world-ten-best-bikes-2015/ |magazine=Cycle World }}
{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2017-yamaha-fz-09-first-look-review-aimexpo-news//|title=AIMExpo News: 2017 Yamaha FZ-09 First Look Review| publisher=Motorcyclist|access-date=December 10, 2016|date=October 13, 2016 }}
{{cite web |url=http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/06/19/2014-yamaha-fz-09-long-term-test-wrap-up-naked-middleweight-motorcycle-review-specifications//|last=Hoyer |first=Mark |title=2014 Yamaha FZ-09 - LONG-TERM TEST WRAP-UP | publisher=Cycle World|access-date=December 10, 2016|date=June 19, 2015 }}
{{cite web |url=http://www.cycleworld.com/kawasaki-z800-vs-yamaha-fz-09-naked-sportbike-comparison-test-review#page-4//|last=Canet |first=Don |title=Kawasaki Z800 vs. Yamaha FZ-09 - COMPARISON TEST| publisher=Cycle World|access-date=December 10, 2016|date=June 16, 2016 }}
}}
External links
{{Commons category|Yamaha MT-09}}
- {{Official website|https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/hyper-naked/models/mt-09}}
{{Yamaha motorcycles}}
{{Yamaha motorcycles timeline}}