YAMAHA MT-09 SP (2018 - 2021) Review

Short squat bike with light nimble handling, gets a bit flighty under hard acceleration but suspension set up should help. Front brake could be better but other reviews suggest different pads will improve. Frequent fuel stops mean it doesn’t get too uncomfortable.

Intoxicating engine noise, responsive punchy engine with more than enough power for spirited road riding. I don’t really care for big power numbers just how it feels on the road. Up/down Quickshifter adds to the fun and more useful than I thought it would be on overtakes. Can’t see how big powered supernakeds would be any better for most road riders.

Appears well put together but cable routing shows a bit of an untidy finish. Engine cut out once on overrun but has been faultless since it’s been in for ECU recall. Steering lock is small but manageable. Can’t get more than 10 litres of fuel in the tank and fuel gauge isn’t the best guide. Hard to clean without a power washer and soft brush in the nooks so takes a while. Feel like I’m been over picky but just highlighting the small niggles.

First service over priced but stuck for dealer choice in the South West. Good mpg. Considered a KTM 890, Street Triple RS, GSXS1000 and a Z900 but for overall road performance, reliability, cost and practicality this came out as the best package.

Fitted the Yamaha screen which helps with wind deflection a bit and Yamaha heated grips which are great quality and integrate into the display. Cruise control is a nice addition on the SP. Forget pillions, tiny rear seat looks pointless. Rider modes are useful, mode 3 makes town riding very smooth through the traffic. The relatively small additional cost of the SP was worth it for the uprated front suspension, Ohlins shock & cruise control.

Ride quality is excellent. I added a bit of pre load front and back to accommodate 14 stone weight and took a few clicks off the rebound/compression damping all round and its a lovely smooth ride that is still supportive when riding fast. Brakes are very good, not the sharpest on the market but more than strong enough for such a light bike. Of particular note is the rear brake, it has one of the strongest rear brakes I've ever used on a Jap bike. The worst thing about the bike is the seat is too uncomfortable. It becomes quite distracting after a couple of hours. Given the style of bike and its purpose though I can't mark it down for this. Yamaha sell a comfort seat for £215.

The engine is the bikes pièce de résistance. It's grunty, fun, characterful and perfect on UK roads. Its most at home on twisty A and B roads. It's got so much shove from low down and pulls like a train right up until 10,000rpm. You find yourself short shifting and riding the torque all the time. If you're wanting something to rev and rev perhaps consider the Street Triple RS instead. For me, I think the MT makes more sense on the road. Mode 1 makes the fuelling quite prickly but it just adds to the character, you need mode 2 if you are riding it round a city for long spells. The clutch is a bit snatchy when the bike is cold, it was worse with the original engine oil from the factory. This improved with fresh fully synth. Engine sound is superb, gives the rides a great noise but its not obnoxious for everyone else.

Yamaha could have tidied up a few cable runs and metal work without detracting from the image too much. Rear brake lever looks cheap for instance and the cables running down the RH side of the bike underneath the seat could have been better thought out. But on the whole its very well built. Typical Yamaha reliability expected.

Superb value. Summer 2021 expect to pay £9895 out the the door at any UK Yam dealer. Don't pay a penny more! Also, don't listen to anyone who tells you you'll invalidate your warranty if you service it yourself. This simply isn't true, use Yamaha parts, keep your receipts and your warranty is fine. Servicing is a doddle, no plastics to remove. 17mm sump plug, oil filter cap wrench (65mm/14 flats) and job done.

The perfect amount of technology for a bike like this. The TCS is excellent, its never invasive but comforting to know it's there. You don't want too much adjustment on a bike with 120bhp but you do want the option to turn it all off, superb. Cruise control is a God-send for longer journeys. Tank pad and side grips are about the only essential accessory, don't bother with the screen, it ruins the looks and detracts from the whole point of having a naked. Comfort seat is probably worth getting if you're going to use the bike for long trips. Get a screen protector for the TFT, it is quite a soft plastic so can be scratched if you're not careful, they sell these at screen angels. Ask your dealer to leave the film protector on that it comes with from the factory. The demo bike I rode was scratched to death. TFT dash is again superb for this type of bike. It gives you exactly what you need and nothing more. Its very clear well laid out. The thumb wheel is a bit crap but once you have your options set you only need to touch that to reset trip mileages. The Evotech radiator guard is cheaper and looks better than the Yamaha option. Needs a tail tidy, 3 options for this....Yamaha, R&G or Evotech.

Grit ya buttocks and take some pain suppressants.On a bumpy road you'll have hemorrhoids after a couple of tank loads

BLOODY BRILLIANT DONK.Downshifts,why,it's always just there.

Ignore my rating,had to put something,as I do it myself.Hey how hard is it to change oil/filter.Always sell my bikes before any major serving due.

The olins suspension on the SP version is an excellent addition. I also fitted quite a few extras and like the nose faring.