KEEPING IT SIMPLE (and rather rapid)
Was it really 2013 when Yamaha introduced us to their successful MT range and the new three-cylinder platform? It doesn’t feel like that long ago. The MT-09 was a fresh injection of excitement from Yamaha, which wasn’t overcomplicated, and offered affordable everyday performance in a versatile, attractive package.
From 2013 the bike evolved, 2017 mainly seeing an improvement to the fuelling and underdamped rear suspension. Now, fast forward to 2021, and Yamaha introduces a significant shake-up to the MT-09: a new and larger engine, now Euro-5 compliant, which gives a boost in performance. Electronics are new, the chassis is new and considerably lighter by 2.3kg, and the looks have, debatably, been improved – meaning significant changes to an already excellent and popular bike. Then, just when you think the MT-09 can’t be improved any more, Yamaha introduces their ‘top range’ MT-09 SP.
The MT-09 SP keeps all the benefits of the new MT-09, but with a few added extras to make the much-improved base bike even more palatable. The SP gains uprated fully-adjustable KYB forks
