Yamaha MT-09 SP

[dern]

Going to be replacing the RE 650GT in the spring or sooner. I liked it but it's too slow and I can't be arsed to clean it. I want a sports naked again. Really like the 1000 v4 tuono, really didn't like the 1290 SD.

Does anyone have an mt-09 sp? Do you like it? Is it run to ride on b-roads?

Thanks

[Dodgy69]

@tricol

[tricol]

@dern

It's a fun bike on b-roads. Engine is the highlight really. Handling is fine, but most complain of a vague front end. I have lower risers to help a little. Mine is a 2022, the new one is better in that regard, but I assume you are looking used?

I have a gen 3, the generations before have an even more flighty front end by all accounts.

[dern]

@dern

It's a fun bike on b-roads. Engine is the highlight really. Handling is fine, but most complain of a vague front end. I have lower risers to help a little. Mine is a 2022, the new one is better in that regard, but I assume you are looking used?

I have a gen 3, the generations before have an even more flighty front end by all accounts.

I'm not sure about used, I was thinking that I quite fancy a new bike but then on pcp I'd be stuck with it for 3 years and that's a long time for me to have a bike.

Thanks for the info.

[tricol]

I'd say there are still a few new gen 3 SP's knocking about in dealers, so maybe a bargain to be had.

[KungFooBob]

What about a new 660 Tuono?

https://via-moto.co.uk/aprilia/1001934/ ... -tuono-660

Cheap as chips. They always seem to be on offer with one dealer or another.

[Supermofo]

I know it's standard to recommend your own bike. But I rode the MT09 Gen 2 and there was just something off about it handling wise. It just didn't flow at all. I wondered if it was just me as Mags rave about the MT09 but my brother tested a brand new Tracer GT in August of this year and he found it odd too, he found it weaved at speed and lacked front end feel. He was shocked as he'd pretty much decided he wanted one and come away really not liking it. He actually found he much preferred the BMW XR900 and the Ninja 1000SX he then went on and bought.

I tested an MT09, a Tracer 900 and a GSXS1000 within days of each other and the Suzuki handled much better than either Yamaha. The Yamaha handled like an odd SM type bike. Whereas the Suzuki handled like a sportsbike with high/flat bars. I have noticed recently on his own channel Neevsy (MCN Journo) say's that the MT09 handling isn't it's strong point, although the new one is supposed to be better than the old one and if it's new then it could be fine. But I'd say defo get a test ride as both me and my brother were pretty much set on buying an MT variant from reviews and didn't after a test ride.

And not just mentioning the Suzuki, Cheesy's Honda should be in the running as well. Plus mags often test the MT against the Trumpet Street Triple which has the same power if less torque.

On the engine, I liked the MT09 as it had loads of instant shove. But again, my Suzuki is just as strong in the midrange but then fucks off at the top.

There's a reason they sell a lot of MTs and it's cos they are good bikes but I wonder how much marketing gets in the way. On paper I've never seen a bike mag recommend the unfashionable Suzuki over the Yamaha but I preferred the GSXS head and shoulders over it.

[mangocrazy]

I've only been taking an interest recently in the Yamaha CP3 offerings, and from everything I've read it seems that the XSR is the one that handles the best. It has a longer swingarm than the MT variants, which puts more weight on the front and make it less front end nervous. From what I remember Yamaha made some fairly substantial front end geometry changes to the current MT09 compared to the previous version, which is a tacit acceptance of a problem in my eyes. I still like the idea of the CP3 platform, but I'd need a decent test ride to be sure of what I'd be getting.

[ChrisW]

I don't have one but I did have a fairly brief demo on one of the new ones recently.

Thought it was superb even on a short ride. Lots better than the earlier ones, much preferred the front end.

IMG_0094 Large.jpeg (601.28 KiB) Viewed 303 times

I'm thinking about getting one in the Spring.

[Sadlonelygit]

The earlier cp3 offerings handling could easily be sorted by adding adjustable compression damping to the other leg.
The current bikes have identical fork dimensions to the earlier models, though guessing better base settings!

[Dodgy69]

Think mines a gen 2, 2021. Base model. As you know @dern , mines been ragged around various uk tracks and never had any handling troubles. On the roads, under hard acceleration the bars can wobble a little but not enough to roll off, mainly on bumpy road's but I think that can happen on all bikes.

I've got lower, flatter bars on mines and the extra forward lean may help. They're great bikes and the SP is the one to have, unless there's a base going for silly money. I'd also try the Triumph 765rs, think @Trinity765 has one and @Tricky has in the past. They make more power aswel I think.

[tricol]

Yours is a gen 3 dodgy, like mine. The gen 1 and 2 had a much taller headstock, hence the odd front end. The gen 3 was much better, completely new frame, and the recent gen 4 is very similar in frame, maybe a few mm lower headstock. The bars are closer to the rider and the pegs higher and a bit further back.

[dern]

I'll have a think, thanks for the information. It seems like a good bike.

[Taipan]

I had a basic MT09, mk2 I think. I never had a problem with teh front end, but weirdly I sold my MT07 as I never trusted the front end? My first triple and I wondered why I'd never tried on before. I really liked the bike, easy to ride, plenty of grunt and a bit of a top end whizz to it. In my top 5 of bikes i've owned.

[weeksy]

i thought the front end/handling on the MT07 was awesome.. i never kept it THAT long but i used it at Donington etc without issues.

[Taipan]

i thought the front end/handling on the MT07 was awesome.. i never kept it THAT long but i used it at Donington etc without issues.

As most probably gather I dont exactly push a bike, but every turn in, no matter what the speed, I felt like it was sort of floating? It never slid but I always felt I was going to wash out on it. It was disconcerting enough to sign its own death warrant which was a shame as it was an epic commuter and I loved that engine.

[dern]

i thought the front end/handling on the MT07 was awesome.. i never kept it THAT long but i used it at Donington etc without issues.

As most probably gather I dont exactly push a bike, but every turn in, no matter what the speed, I felt like it was sort of floating? It never slid but I always felt I was going to wash out on it. It was disconcerting enough to sign its own death warrant which was a shame as it was an epic commuter and I loved that engine.

I had a zx6r that did that. It's hard to trust a bike after it starts to feel like that.