2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP review | more refined, cheekier and corners like it should’ve all along

One of Yamaha's greatest naked bike success stories over recent years is the exciting and affordable standard MT-09. It’s positively flown out of dealerships since 2013, but it never handled as well as it could have - even the fancy ’18 SP version.

But the Japanese company have cured its ills for 2021 with a new engine, electronics and crucially, a more road-friendly chassis. The 2021 Yamaha MT-09 SP takes those improvements a step further with higher-spec suspension, as well as fancy paint, a more luxurious seat and for the first time, cruise control.

Not only is the MT-09 SP now more refined than before and even cheekier it carves through corners like it should’ve all along, thanks to a lower front end that places more weight over the front wheel. In SP trim, not only do you get a more sophisticated ride, it’s also a lot of exciting naked bike for relatively little money. It still feels like a tall, shimmying supermoto at speed, but it’s always controlled and has impeccable low speed manners when you just want to take it easy. It’s a class act.

The 2023 Yamaha MT-09 SP sees a price hike to £11,310, but it isn't alone. All rivals have also become more expensive.

This bike replaced the 2018-2020 Yamaha MT-09SP.

An issue with the original MT-09 was its reluctance to hold a line, especially in low grip conditions. It was too high at the front and its forks too gummy, so unless you forced it hard into a corner to put weight over the front wheel, it didn’t want to dig in.

Now the MT-09 and SP have the same lighter, stiffer new frame with a lower headstock that cures its handling woes at a stroke. It goes exactly where you point it and the SP’s fully adjustable KYB forks and Öhlins rear shock add an extra layer of plushness and control.

A crisp-handling, grippy 190kg naked powered a shouty 117bhp three-cylinder engine is about as fun as it gets on the road, especially now the new MT-09 SP handles so well. It’s just as capable and exciting as a big bhp super naked, but for a fraction of the price. You could argue it’s even better - it’s always more involving revving a smaller engine than running around at tickover on a bigger one.

Compared with Triumph’s Street Triple RS and KTM 890 Duke R it’s flightier and more supermoto-like, making it more playful, but it can also be calm and relaxed for normal riding.

Like the standard MT-09, the SP uses the same inline three-cylinder engine, heavily modified for lightness and more sparkle. Capacity grows from 847cc to 889cc, power climbs from 113bhp@10,000rpm to 117bhp@10,000rpm and torque is up from 64lb-ft@8500rpm to 67lb-ft@7000rpm.

The outgoing motor was never lacking but now it’s even more alive with a wider spread of power and more grunt to whip the front wheel up in third gear off the clutch. Fuelling is on the prickly side of smooth, but never a distraction and the Yamaha sounds so angry at full throttle you’d swear it slipped through Euro5 while no one was looking.

MT-09s aren’t just affordable and enjoyable to own, they’ve proved to be durable and trouble-free over the years, too. The engine, chassis and electronics have evolved for the 2021 version, but the changes are modest and shouldn’t affect reliability.

Our Yamaha MT-09 SP owners' reviews show nothing of any concern when it comes to reliability. In fact, it scores the maximum five stars. The previous MT-09 SP didn't enjoy such glowing reviews, with a few comments about parts quality, but there's nothing we'd class as a major prevailing issue. Besides, many of these parts, such as brake levers, are swappable for aftermarket versions that will offer a more pleasing experience.

From the way it’s finished to its giant-killing performance the MT-09 SP naked is great value and it slips in a few hundred quid cheaper than its main rivals: the KTM 890 Duke R and Triumph Street Triple RS but is around £500 more than the Aprilia Tuono 660.

The 2022 Yamaha MT-09 SP price rose to £10,650, and in 2023 rose again to £11,310.

A new ride-by-wire system and six-axis IMU facilitates a full set of rider aids, shared by the standard MT-09 and SP. The Yamaha has traction, slide and wheelie control (which you can turn off for max naughtiness), cornering ABS and a very sweet quickshifter and autoblipper.

Both MTs also have a new 3.5in colour multi-function TFT dash, which may sound small but is perfectly readable and suits the Yamaha’s minimalist style. Unlike the base model, the new SP also comes with cruise control, which on an exposed naked, really helps reduce right wrist ache at constant windy motorway speeds.

New bodywork and LEDs are the same as the standard model’s, as are its adjustable footpegs and handlebars. Like the ‘18 MT-09 SP this new version is finished black, blue and silver, like an R1M superbike and has a double-stitched seat and clear lacquered ali swingarm.

Brake fluid reservoirs are dark-smoked and the brake levers, bars, rear sprocket and slippery DLC fork stanchions are all black. It may not cost a whole heap more than the base model, but it’s so nicely finished you feel like you’re getting something special for the money and a Yamaha worthy of its SP badge.

You'll also be able to add extra practicality and personalisation through the vast suite of optional extras Yamaha are offering.

Available add-ons include an Akrapovic exhaust, luggage and a selection of packs: Sport, Weekend and Urban (pictured above).