Yamaha MT-09 SP review (2021 - )

Engine, frame and styling are all-new but this is still conspicuously an MT-09 – for better and worse. This third-generation version’s thorough redesign is to be applauded on the basis it’s now lighter, faster, better equipped and more refined to the extent it’s hard to imagine a better £10K street roadster. The ‘SP’ version tested adds two-tone paint, black detailing, dual-texture seat, quickshifter and, best of all, uprated suspension including an Ohlins rear shock for a sublime ride. The new styling, however, remains polarising and is so minimalist it looks like some body panels have fallen off.

The new MT-09 retains a traditional, upright roadster stance but Yamaha has somehow achieved excellence by making its riding position completely natural and unintimidating, which is great for novices. But it retains the substance and the right level of sportiness to satisfy more experienced sports riders, too. Being a triple helps the MT-09 be neither too light and flighty nor excessively hefty and bulky. The saddle is pleasingly slim at the front while the tank fans out between your thighs to give you something to grip on to. While the bar position and width is ‘just right’, too. Usefully, the bars and pegs are also both adjustable. There’s little by way of weather protection and we wouldn’t much fancy being a pillion, but if you want that, go for the equally new sports-tourer version, the Tracer 9.

We’ve docked a mark straight away for the simple fact that the MT-09 SP is a sporty, naked roadster – it simply hasn’t the weather protection of long-distance comfort and luggage capacity for touring or motorway miles, although a variety of accessory ‘packs’ (including small screen, top box and more) should help significantly. Overall, though, if practicality’s a priority, as mentioned above, get Yamaha’s sports-tourer version, the Tracer 9. In virtually every other respect, however, the MT-09 SP is a surprisingly good all-rounder. It’s affordable, nimble and easy around town while also blinding on B-roads and more than substantial and speedy enough for bigger A-roads, too. Especially in this SP trim.

For a street bike, the MT-09SP is pretty much perfect. The original 2013 MT-09 proved a big hit for its combination of characterful three-cylinder flexibility, decent roadster handling and value. The third-generation version now ups the ante with a 4 horsepower boost to 119 horsepower, an improved response and soundtrack, excellent electronics with four well-judged riding modes and 4kg off the overall weight. In terms purely of performance, the SP then adds to that with its new quickshifter/autoblipper, which works seamlessly. Seriously, if you want any more purely for road fun you must like living beyond the pale, or have a fat stash of Get Out of Jail Free cards. As for braking, the MT-09’s twin radial set-up was always among the best of ‘budget’ roadsters, and has been improved further for 2021 with a new radial master cylinder, the SP’s upgraded further. No complaints whatsoever.

Although the old MT-09 was a decent handler there was lingering criticism of ‘vagueness’ from the front end. No more. Recalibrated suspension is paired with a lighter, more rigid frame that includes a lower headstock while lighter ‘Spin Forged’ wheels combine to give thoroughly intuitive, engaging steering that belies the Yamaha’s price. The SP version is better yet, primarily due to the addition of a higher quality Ohlins rear shock, which gives the sort of cultured, refined ride usually associated with bikes twice the price. It is also multi-adjustable, and has the benefit of an easily accessible preload knob. The SP’s uprated KYB front forks are also fully adjustable and feature a black, ‘Diamond Like Coating’ (DLC) on the legs.

The MT-09 and its junior sibling, the MT-07 MT-07, were always conceived as affordable ‘first big bikes’, which is partly why they’ve proved so successful and, although quality and specs have improved, the same remains true today. The new, third-generation MT-09 currently starts at under £10,000 new, although its better performance than some rivals suggests a greater hunger for consumables such as tyres, brake pads and chain the fact it’s lighter should help offset that. This SP version, although pricier and sportier still, represents great value overall, undercutting some rivals such as Triumph’s Street Triple RS.

The MT-09 has been around since 2013, has largely proved reliable and trouble-free. This is the third-generation version and although substantially new with capacity up by 40cc, new pistons, rods, crank and a new frame and revised suspension we see little reason to have anything to worry about. On top of that quality has noticeably improved, too, particularly on this SP version, with conspicuously improved finishes and detailing. We’re docking a mark out of caution, due to its newness and some reports of suspect finishes on older models, but have no tangible concerns.

The MT-09 is fairly average when it comes to warranty and servicing. It’s offered new with a standard two-year/unlimited mileage, manufacturer-backed warranty for all parts and labour, which is now pretty typical from the major manufacturers while servicing follows a 600-mile first check followed by 6,000-miles regular services, every other one a major.

Although originally fairly basic, budget offerings both Yamaha’s MT-09 and MT-07 have been steadily uprated, although not so far as to lose their budget appeal. Accordingly, the new MT-09 now lacks for little, bodywork aside! There’s a new, albeit small, colour TFT dash, that uprated engine, chassis and electronics and even improved mirrors. This SP version gets special paint and finishes for bars, master cylinder, swing arm and more, plus that dual-texture seat, further uprated suspension, a quickshifter and even cruise control! Yes, it’s still a slightly ‘minimal’ machine but that’s due to its naked/roadster style rather than its spec. What’s more, an impressive range of official accessories is now available, too, neatly organized into three packs. Sport (flyscreen, lever guards, tank pads, plate holder), Urban (short screen, rear carrier and 39-litre top box, plus tank pad) and Weekend (comprising short screen, comfort seat, soft panniers and USB socket).

The MT-09 has always been a keenly-priced, sporty, ‘first big bike’ roadster characterised by a brilliant three-cylinder engine. This latest version is better in every way – performance, handling, ride, specification – and significantly more refined, too. If you’re after a lively roadster with a sub-£10K price, it’s almost certainly the best. The SP version, however, takes it into brilliant but real world ‘super naked’ territory, and is worth the extra for its sublimely refined ride, slick quickshifter and added class. In fact, it’s so good you have to wonder why anybody needs a true £14K+, 1000cc+ ‘super naked’ at all…