Yamaha MT09-SP Demo Ride

[tricol]

I actually prefer the new XSR over the MT, especially in the black with red pin stripe. But the seat is really uncomfortable. Very firm and not as wide as the MT.

[weeksy]

I actually prefer the new XSR over the MT, especially in the black with red pin stripe. But the seat is really uncomfortable. Very firm and not as wide as the MT.

And very very easy to change/replace. I'd expect if Yamaha don't already do one, they soon will... Or a 3rd party company can re-gel-foam it for £150.

Confuses me when people don't buy bikes for simple fix-reasons....

[ChrisW]

I actually prefer the new XSR over the MT, especially in the black with red pin stripe. But the seat is really uncomfortable. Very firm and not as wide as the MT.

I agree - they look great, especially with the little headlight cowl..

[v8-powered]

At first glance I thought that was an NTV650! I actually quite like that......

[Supermofo]

Definitely function over form for me. I prefer my GSXS but I'd have the new one if I could just cos it has improvements, quick shifter and cruise. I'd put up with the ugly lights and odd camo plastics for that.

[Dodgy69]

Before and after...puig screen works well imo, hand guards ???. I also quite like the xsr in the flesh, seat ain't as bad as first thought's. Go with your instinct Colin.

You can have fun on anything with 2 wheel.

[Taipan]

Stunning looking bikes!

[Dodgy69]

[matt]

Before and after...puig screen works well imo, hand guards ???. I also quite like the xsr in the flesh, seat ain't as bad as first thought's. Go with your instinct Colin.

You can have fun on anything with 2 wheel.

I think that looks really good

[weeksy]

I actually prefer the new XSR over the MT, especially in the black with red pin stripe. But the seat is really uncomfortable. Very firm and not as wide as the MT.

I agree - they look great, especially with the little headlight cowl..

Sold... get it done @tricol

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Stunning looking bikes!

Stunningly ugly

[tricol]

Sold... get it done @tricol

Sticking with the SP.

Just had a better offer from Wigan Yamaha (thanks @Dodgy69) so they are taking it at £5200 which is more than fair. So, looks like everything is ready to go for next week. I'm off to Scotland now for a long weekend. I've also ordered the standard flyscreen for it.

[Taipan]

Stunning looking bikes!

Stunningly ugly

You ride a shell suit, what would you know!

[Yorick]

Stunning looking bikes!

Stunningly ugly

You ride a shell suit, what would you know!

I thought he meant you

[Skub]

Stunning looking bikes!

How can you look at that mucky white backed reg plate?

Get a proper RTTL black backed one,like all the cool kids.

[Taipan]

Stunning looking bikes!

How can you look at that mucky white backed reg plate?

Get a proper RTTL black backed one,like all the cool kids.

i did and a 8x6 too.

[MrLongbeard]

i did and a 8x6 too.

Pffft, 7 x 5.5 is where it's at

[mangocrazy]

On the way back from Stafford to Sheffield I dropped in at CMC in Clay Cross and had a good look at (and a sit on) an MT-09 SP (discounted to £10,499 btw) and it feels comfy and 'right'. It also feels quite surprisingly light, which is nice. The suspension (as much as you can tell by bouncing around on it) feels plush and well-damped without being soggy. I still think that the headlight assembly has been twatted to within an inch of its life by the ugly stick, but I'm learning to ignore it. I didn't realise that the front of the fuel tank was so humungously wide because the sides act as air intake scoops, so now I understand the function I can rationalise the form.

The only thing that concerns me somewhat (as it does with all modern bikes) is the overall width (Yamaha quote 795mm). This is borderline for manoeuvring down the alley in the row of terraces we live in, as the gap I have to work with is about 875mm at its narrowest point.

CMC have an MT-09 demonstrator (not the SP, unfortunately) so when the weather warms up significantly I think I might book a demo.

[mangocrazy]

I'm surprised that Yamaha weren't a bit quicker out of the blocks to licence the Manic Street Preacher's 'Motorcycle MT-ness'.

But then I read the lyrics...

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Are the air scoops real or pretend like a V-Max?