With only a few days to go before our South African ‘Covid-19’ lockdown, I had the chance to ride the ‘new’ Yamaha MT-09 to see if it lifted my spirits. I say ‘new’ lightly because it really isn’t. Well to me it is, because I haven’t had the pleasure of this latest 2020 MT-09 even though it was released in 2018. For one reason or another it never came into my hands, but it has now and it most certainly ‘lifted me up’ in more ways than one.
I believe the first MT-09 arrived here in 2014 and had a slight facelift around 2016/17, which basically looked the same. 2018 arrived and this far better version appeared and instantly became a success around the world, especially in the USA (surprisingly).Obviously, it still has the heart and soul of the superb 847cc, in-line, three-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 12-valve peach of an engine, one of the best in motorcycling I’d say. Yamaha claim 115hp@10,000rpm and 88Nm @8,500 rpm, but these figures don’t point to how lively this relatively small (in this day and age) engine is. And it’s all about the way it delivers its torque, courtesy of the MotoGP derived cross-plane crankshaft layout. Basically, it means it has an odd firing order, producing instant and linear torque throughout the rev-range. In a strangely delicious manner Yamaha have managed to amalgamate power and torque together where there’s no discernable step in power delivery, just lots of it when you need it. In fact, the CP3 engine does punch far harder than its capacity suggests, which is probably what Yamaha intended to achieve.
So, the engine is without fault but what about the rest of the bike you ask? Well it’s certainly entertaining on all counts. With a 17-litre tank adding to the commendable wet weight of only 193kg, the MT-09 is one hell of a stunt bike, if that’s your bag? If not, the MT is quite a gentle fellow to ride around town. The sort of bike anyone can enjoy, partly due to its light controls and easy to use electronics. Traction control is easily turned off for wheelie moments (many) and three power modes are there if you want to fiddle with those; I just left it in full power ‘A’ mode because of one major thing: the noise…
Yes, that triple has a gorgeous tone for sure but bolt on this Yoshimura full-system and you’ll have grin-inducing GP vibrations, not too loud, but enough to make you forget about that pesky virus. Now combine this with Yamaha’s R1 based quick-shifter and the ‘crack’ between changes is one of the best sounds to be spread around the countryside since the Beatles had their first drug/alcohol fuelled camping party. 
Talking of beetles, or insects to be more precise, the 2018/19/20 (all the same) has an insect-like face with those twin-eye LED headlights, which dominate the styling. This MT-09 also has a small screen fitted from the Yamaha book of tasty bits, which did produce a slight improvement in wind deflection, but not really necessary for a naked bike. To be honest, if you desire more wind and element protection, go for the Tracer or Tracer GT, both with the same power unit but I am, and always will be, a fan of the naked bike – keeping it real, man!
One thing that wasn’t so ‘real’ on the previous MT-09s was the suspension, in particular the first variant. Way too soft and it made the first MT a bit ‘loose’ at high speeds, you’ll know if you had one! So this version has a new swing-arm and revised frame to change that, and of course suspension. Still a bit soft at low speeds and gets aggressive and it stiffens up, a sign of well-developed damping settings from the factory. And a god job too because when those R1 derived callipers bite on the chunky 298mm discs the MT needs high quality suspension to cope with the retardation woes.
Whilst you’re upon the brakes those wide ‘bars give the rider a chance to lift the rear in an immature ‘stoppie’, and I’ve been called childish on more than one occasion, so what. And as the rear wheel returns to earth you’ll take pleasure in the softness of the seat. Some bikes in this class are just ‘planks’ whereas the MT most definitely isn’t!
Stiff saddles aside, you can gather I enjoyed the latest MT-09, a lot, but I’ve always been the biggest fan of Japanese motorcycles because of the way they’re built and ride. This is no exception and at R153,000 it’s certainly tremendous value. It’s so easy, and rewarding, to live with on a daily basis I doubt you’d need more. It certainly took my mind off this current plague and once it’s gone go have a ride on this third generation of the mighty MT-09. It just might make you happy again as it did me!
Go to www.yamaha.co.za for full specs and to view all 2020 models and more.
Images: 2ft-Stu.
