The origin of the MT09
A few years ago, my friend Alexandre bought a Yamaha FZ09. At the time, I owned a Yamaha FJR1300.Remember, in Canada, it was called FZ09 and in Europe, MT09. This was to continue the popularity of the FZ (Fazer) in America. Now, fortunately, the name is the same everywhere. So my friend impressed me with this aggressive, powerful, easy-to-handle bike with a youthful look. I had my big 1300 cm3 four-cylinder, but he, with his little 900 cm3 bike, gave me a hard time keeping up with him on winding roads. The FZ09’s spirited character and maneuverability really impressed me. And here I was thinking that a real motorcycle needs four pistons. Well, it doesn’t! Yamaha’s CP3 engine has character, as my friend Alexandre reminds me at every opportunity. Now, for this test ride, it’s my turn to indulge myself on Yamaha’s MT09 2024, which I affectionately call “The Magnificent”.
A real eye-catcher
With its youthful look and flamboyant colors, the MT09 won me over. Cyan-colored wheels, I would never have dared. And yet, on the MT09, it looks so good. I’m not the type of rider you’d expect to find on this type of bike, as I prefer more wind protection and more storage space for traveling. But I loved this bike for the 2,000 kilometers or so I rode it. The “Magnificent” MT09 is in the naked category. With its attractive price starting at $13,499 CAD, it has everything to attract young customers and seduce the more experienced! It’s a short-wheelbase bike, which makes it very maneuverable. It’s been designed to be compact, reducing weight and increasing maneuverability.But watch out, it’s a real eye-catcher! It’s no secret that this is Yamaha’s best-seller, not only for its quality and on-board electronics, but also for its attractive price.
An aggressive three-cylinder at the heart of this bike
Equipped with the CP3 engine, the three-cylinder derived from the CP4, which has been the talk of the town for Yamaha with famous rider Valentino Rossi. Don’t worry, I’m not going to give you a lecture on mechanics here. I’ll just tell you that the CP3 engine is a three-cylinder crossplane, with the crankshaft set at 90° for each piston, giving it a distinctive sound easily recognizable to my ears. It’s this type of engine that gives a lot of power at low revs, unlike traditional four-cylinders. It’s easy to identify with the sound of each cylinder exploding, since the ignition of each piston has a sequence of 90° rather than 180°.
The technical side
For the six-speed transmission, the Quick Shifter version 2.0 allows you to shift from one gear to another without having to pull the clutch lever. This latest version really impresses me. Gear changes are incredibly smooth, regardless of engine speed, or almost. I can’t think of a smoother, more permissive Quick Shift system than this.Rear-wheel drive is by chain. The new Brembo master cylinder does a perfect job of braking the front wheel. For suspension, the front forks are inverted, giving a better feel and a smoother ride. The suspension is adjustable for enhanced sporty handling. The rear shock absorber is adjustable by means of a caster.
“The Magnificent” is now equipped with a gyroscope measuring on six axes with a full range of tilt-sensitive steering aids, now including a rear slip regulator. Cruise control is standard on the MT09. Sport, road and rain modes are also available on this bike. The modified handlebar and footrest position provide a more immersive riding experience, with two seat height settings. Seriously, I thought I was too old for this youthful bike. In the end, it made me feel 10 years younger, because I had so much fun handling this little marvel, which plays in the big leagues.
My conclusion
It’s always the power-to-weight ratio that makes for impressive performance. I’m not saying that it’s a bomb, I’m just saying that this machine gives us our money’s worth. With its compact CP3 890 cm3 engine that fits perfectly into the aluminum chassis, it’s the perfect combination of fun and riding pleasure. I loved the handling of this bike.I really liked the aggressive look. I liked the design with the cyan-colored wheels. All the on-board electronics give me a reassuring feeling, since the bike’s light weight could easily cause us to lose grip, but that’s not the case. The engine is always ready and just needs to deploy its 119 hp. I really liked this bike, “La Magnifique”.
Highlights:
- CP3 engine
- Quick Shifter 2.0
- Electronic riding aids
Areas for improvement :
- Light front wheel
- Mirrors to see beyond elbows
- The 4Riders Magazine team would like to thank Yamaha Motors Canada for testing this magnificent MT09 2024.
Gear worn during this test ride:
- Oxford Montréal 4.0 coat
- CKX Atlas helmet
- Falco Liberty 3 boots
- Cardo PackTalk Edge communication system
