Benalla
Benalla
Yamaha’s exclusive spin forging technology involves the cast wheels being heated up and spun at high speed while pressure is applied to the rims to reduce their thickness to just 2mm, while retaining their immense strength. Any weight saving gives an immediate performance advantage, and this is particularly true when it comes to unsprung weight, where even the smallest reduction makes a big contribution towards improved handling, steering and suspension performance. The Spin Forged front and rear wheels are lightweight, and this gives a decrease in the gyroscopic moment of inertia of the wheels – with a significant 11% decrease at the rear wheel making a big contribution to the model’s agile handling character.
To express the outstanding handling performance of the MT-09, Yamaha has introduced a coverless design where all unnecessary bodywork is removed to give a dynamic and agile look from every angle. The compact front fender and minimalist headlamp nacelle are the only other pieces of bodywork on this muscular naked chassis, highlighting the beautifully styled chassis and giving the bike a strong, purposeful and mechanically pure look, all of which is accentuated by the Crystal Graphite frame colour.
The 3.5-inch TFT full colour display shows clear and precise data. Its lightweight construction and mid-sized layout has been chosen to blend seamlessly with the LED headlight assembly and maintain the compact and agile feeling from the rider’s viewpoint. The bar-type tachometer changes colour as rpm rise and falls, and the display includes a clock, gearshift indicator, water and air temperature and more. The display is linked with the 6-axis IMU, and riders can switch between displays and also select their preferred mode for the electronic aids via a handlebar-mounted switch.
The newly developed 890cc liquid-cooled 3-cylinder engine is lighter, quicker and more powerful, with more torque at lower rpm. The intake and twin-tail exhaust produce a beautiful sound that enhances the feeling of acceleration. The fuel injectors give increased efficiency, while optimised gear ratios and a refined A&S clutch match the higher output of the CP3 engine.
For ultimate acceleration the MT-09 gets a Quick Shift System (QSS) that ensures seamless and clutchless full-throttle upshifts and smooth downshifts. Together with the A&S clutch, this electronic aid transforms the riding experience and enables the rider to optimise the increased torque levels for more thrilling acceleration as well as higher levels of chassis stability and control when downshifting.
Yamaha’s CF technology has enabled the thinnest wall section on any Yamaha die-cast frame ever. Featuring larger twin beams that run directly from the steering head assembly through to the swingarm pivot to give optimal strength, the aluminium frame, subframe and swingarm makes a significant contribution towards the increased agility of the MT-09.
The 889cc engine is equipped with a high-efficiency air intake system and exhaust to enhance the sense of acceleration and torque. The stainless steel header pipes each have a different curvature to create an excellent pulse effect, and with tail pipes exiting on both the left and right sides, the rider feels the intoxicating roar in full stereo mode.
The full LED headlight assembly features a single central bifunctional projector headlight with multiple LEDs that provide a broad, even and powerful beam with soft edges for both low and high beam settings. Twin LED position lights present a bold new face for the MT-09, and they project a signature Y-shape icon to give the bike a predatory stare that represents the future direction of MT design.
The MT-09 is the first Yamaha Hyper Naked model to be equipped with a high-tech 6-axis IMU, one of the most sophisticated pieces of electronics in the industry. Developed from the system used on the YZF-R1 since 2015, the 6-axis IMU on the MT-09 is 50% smaller and 40% lighter thanks to a thorough review of the sensor layout. Constantly measuring acceleration, pitch, roll and yaw, the 6-axis IMU is able to send data in real-time to the ECU which controls the electronic rider aids. The class-leading array of rider aids includes lean sensitive Traction Control System (TCS), Slide Control System (SCS) as well as a front wheel lift control system (LIF) and Brake Control system (BC).
The TCS has three switchable modes, and each mode integrates three of the rider support systems, meaning that the intervention levels are all changed at once in Modes 1 and 2. Mode 1 delivers moderate intervention, while Mode 2 gives strong intervention and Mode M enables the rider to select manual settings. By preventing wheel lock-ups and slides, as well as wheel spin and wheelies, these electronic aids reduce the workload of the rider, allowing full concentration on the road ahead.
