Yamaha MT-09

Yamaha MT-09

Manufacturer	Yamaha Motor Company
Also called	MT-09 (Europe), FZ-09 (US), MT-09 Tracer, FJ-09 (US)
Production	2013–
Class	Sport bike standard
Engine	847 cc (51.7 cu in) Inline triple
Bore / stroke	78 mm × 59.1 mm (3.07 in × 2.33 in)
Compression ratio	11.5:1
Power	86 kW (115 hp) @ 10,000 rpm
Torque	88 N⋅m (65 ft⋅lb) @ 8,500 rpm
Transmission	6-speed, chain drive
Weight	188 kg (414 lb) (claimed) (wet)
Fuel capacity	14 L (3.1 imp gal; 3.7 US gal)

The Yamaha MT-09 (FZ-09 in North America) is a Yamaha sport or standard motorcycle with an 847 cc (51.7 cu in) inline triple engine. It has an all-new desaxé engine, a lightweight cast alloy frame, and an upside-down fork.

Design and development

The MT-09 competes against the Triumph Street Triple, the Kawasaki Z800, the MV Agusta Brutale and Yamaha's own FZ8. It is intended to restore Yamaha's fortunes, as the factory has in recent years lost its reputation for innovation. The MT-09's product manager, Shun Miyazawa, said Yamaha had considered in-line twins, triples and fours, and V-twins; but that the in-line triple gave the "best solution" of power, torque and low weight. Comparing the MT-09 to the Triumph Street Triple, he said the Triumph was a streetfighter, but the Yamaha was a "roadster motard".

Both the frame and the double-sided swinging arm 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 swinging arm parts are welded together. The MT-09 is the first Yamaha triple since the XS750 and XS850, both shaft-drive motorcycles produced from 1976 to 1981.

MT-09 Tracer

The MT-09 Tracer (FJ-09 in the US) is a sports-tourer model introduced in 2015. It has a partial fairing, a larger fuel tank, ABS, and "D-Mode" drive by wire throttle mapping. The display is the same unit as the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré's. It also has LED headlights and tail-light.

Future models

Shun Miyazawa said buyers are moving away from 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 is expected to mean updated TDM and TRX models using the MT-09's 850 triple engine, rather than a 270° parallel-twin engine.

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". 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 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer was a better bike and better value than its four competitors, namely: a Triumph Tiger 800XRx, a Triumph Tiger Sport, a Honda Crossrunner, and a Ducati Hyperstrada.

See also

• List of motorcycles by type of engine

External links

• Official website
• Yamaha MT-09: Review at pistonheads.com (September, 2013)