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YAMAHA MT-09 SR (2014-on) Review

Published: 10 November 2014

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Great engine, shame about the suspension

YAMAHA MT-09 SR (2014-on)

Great engine, shame about the suspension

Overall Rating 4 out of 5

There's not a lot wrong with the MT-09 in standard trim so this bike was always onto a bit of a winner.

Ride Quality & Brakes 3 out of 5

A bit of a letdown. An aftermarket shock transforms this bike's handling and is well worth considering.

Engine 4 out of 5

The SR uses the same three-cylinder engine used in the MT-09. It's a fantastic 115bhp motor that spins beautifully. There's lots of low-down grunt and a decent surge of top-end performance. The jerky power delivery has been mostly fixed now by a new fuel map that you ask to be used as standard when you order the bike.

Build Quality & Reliability 5 out of 5

Suspension lets down what is otherwise a very capable all-rounder. The style of the SR will grab you or leave you cold.

Insurance, running costs & value 3 out of 5

Hard to justify the extra £750 for a few plastics and a different riding position. Also, you have to order the bike, order the SR package and then pick it up from a dealer. You can't just get an MT-09 and then get nthe kit bolted on. It just doesn't work that way apparently!

Insurance group: 14 of 17 – compare motorcycle insurance quotes now.

Equipment 4 out of 5

The Street Rally(SR)  is a supermoto version of the big-selling MT-09. It comes with revised tank shrouds, side number plates, fork covers, a higher and flatter seat, headlight covers and handguards.

ANd those changes will cost you an extra £750 over the base MT-09.

And the suspnesion, like on the standard MT-09, is not great. The rear shock lacks refinement and struggles to cope with the lively power of the triple.

By Phil West

MCN Contributor and bike tester.

Owners' Reviews

4 owners have reviewed their YAMAHA MT-09 SR (2014-on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your YAMAHA MT-09 SR (2014-on)
Summary of Owners' Reviews
Overall Rating 3.8 out of 5
Ride Quality & Brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4.3 out of 5
Build Quality & Reliability 3.3 out of 5
Value & Running Costs 4.3 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5

Low cost leaves $$ to make it a fun project bike.

08 April 2016 by Rob

Year : 2015

Worst features for me were the seat and suspension. Fixed both of those relatively cheaply. Best features are pretty much everything else. AMAZING engine!! Beautifully smooth power delivery, I'm not sure where MCN gets off labelling their review... Read more "2013 onward..." I didn't ride one of these until 2015 and when I did I was left wondering what everyone was on about with the throttle problems because they'd been fixed. I love how much money I had left to customise it. And I can't overstate that, I had budgeted for a Striple or Z1000 (both of which I would've put a pipe and power commander on) so I had a ton of cash left over and I've had so much fun making it unique.

Ride Quality & Brakes
5 out of 5
Great all rounder. I preferred the stock suspension for commuting because it was nice and plush but it was worth the upgrade because it rips through the twisty stuff now. I need a break about every 250km when I have to fill up. The longest I've gone on one tank so far is 260km and in theory I still had a bit but I wouldn't deliberately take it over 250km *****with the stock seat, it starts to hurt after an hour, an hour and a half and you want to get off, 2 hours is torture***** But my aftermarket seat only cost me $370AUD delivered to my door from France. I put a Puig screen on it which was a great move for touring, I've never ridden a bike with a screen before but I see the value on longer journeys now.
Engine
5 out of 5
There is nothing to fault, it smoothly delivers an amazing amount of power and torque from very low rpm!!
Build Quality & Reliability
5 out of 5
-
Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5
Servicing is VERY cheap, however here in Aus, insurance is a bit out of control. That said, I'm sure that'd be the case for any bike in this category.
Equipment
5 out of 5
I've been lucky with accessories, top sellerie seat is a winner... first thing to get! For suspension I put a Nitron road race shock and in the front racetech gold valves and springs, had them professionally set up which in total set me back $1850AUD. CRG RC2 shorty levers (I wasn't a fan of the clutch and it's not adjustable), these are amazing but there are plenty of other options. Akrapovic carbon and power commander.... THAT SOUND!!!!! I think the titanium looks better but the sound! Puig screen, win. R&G rear hugger. Yamaha licence plate holder and LED turn signals. Phewwww, probably forgot oh yeah.... Tyres. Tyres tyres tyres... So mine came stock with Bridgestone S20 tyres. In the dry, I was using the entire tyre (after suspension upgrade) and had loads of grip, awesome if you can choose to sit the wet days out. But I found they give no warning in the wet, just slip. I don't have a car so I have to ride in the wet and they were a bit sketchy. So now I have Michelin PR4 tyres. Noticeably less grip in the middle of the tyre in the dry, but I think the edge seems good. Early days so far but I have used them in the wet a couple of times and I'm impressed. Not sure if I'd actually recommend them or not yet though.
2 out of 5

Snatchy, snatchy, snatchy MT-09

24 February 2016 by EPalm

Year : 2014
Annual servicing cost : £200

Snatchy, snatchy, snatchy, snatchy throttle!!! Best avoid, unless you like replacing your neck vertebrae from time to time! Read more

Ride Quality & Brakes
3 out of 5
Ride quality adversely affected by that all-dominating snatchy throttle.
Engine
3 out of 5
Engine is 5/5 on the gas, but around town is blighted by, you guessed it, that snatchy, snatchy throttle. Spoils an otherwise brilliant engine.
Build Quality & Reliability
2 out of 5
Rusts to bits with winter weather. So-called nano-coated exhaust gets stained just like any other, regardless of what Yamaha say.
Value & Running Costs
3 out of 5
Average cost range
Equipment
4 out of 5
Average. Nothing of note to praise.
Buying experience

Bought new from a dealer. Has good support, service, etc

4 out of 5

MT09 SA

22 February 2016 by Angus

Version : Naked
Year : 2014

Fuel consumption not great Read more

Ride Quality & Brakes
4 out of 5
Good commuter, comfortable, handles fairly well, good power delivery
Engine
4 out of 5
Smooth power curve, addictive sound
Build Quality & Reliability
3 out of 5
Bar ends rusting inside
Value & Running Costs
4 out of 5
Service not due yet
Equipment
4 out of 5
Akrapovic Titanium exhaust system
Buying experience

Dealer, demo, 3700km's, price paid R102,000.00

4 out of 5

21 May 2015 by Gary McLear

Year : 2014
Annual servicing cost : £150

Read more

Ride Quality & Brakes
4 out of 5
The high riding position gives you lots of feel for the rear of the bike but the standard set up leaves a lot to be desired when in comes to front end feel.
Engine
5 out of 5
The engine has to be the best part of the bike for me. its brilliant round town due to all the low down torque. but there is also more than enough high end power to put a smile on anyone's face
Build Quality & Reliability
3 out of 5
I have had problems with the kick stand sensor just killing the engine while riding.
Value & Running Costs
5 out of 5
the bike cost me £150 to run last year excluding Tax and Insurance
Equipment
3 out of 5
for the price you pay for the bike there are quite a lot of nice features with this bike. you get a display that can display: Air Temperature Engine temperature Trip 1 Trip 2 MPG and mileage The bike also has 3 ride modes B Standard and A. The only one that seems different is the B mode which is the lowest (only ever use it in the rain) Standard and A seem to be very similar
Read all 4 owners' reviews in full

Facts & Figures

Model info
Year introduced 2014
Year discontinued -
New price £7,699
Used price £4,700 to £9,000
Warranty term 2 year unlimited mileage
Running costs
Insurance group 14 of 17
Annual road tax £88
Annual service cost £180
Performance
Max power 115 bhp
Max torque 88 ft-lb
Top speed 145 mph
1/4-mile acceleration -
Average fuel consumption 48 mpg
Tank range 200 miles
Specification
Engine size 847cc
Engine type 12v inline triple
Frame type Cast aluminium perimeter frame and double-sided swingarm
Fuel capacity 14 litres
Seat height 815mm
Bike weight 188kg
Front suspension 41mm USD forks, adjustable for preload and rebound damping
Rear suspension Single rear shock with preload and rebound damping
Front brake two 298mm discs with four-piston monobloc calipers
Rear brake 245mm single disc with single piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 180/55 x 17

History & Versions

Model history

The MT-09 was launched at the end of 2013 and has been well received. It's a decent seller for Yamaha.

Other versions

MT-09 is the donor bike. There's also a Street Tracker version.

A faired version is set for 2015.

Photo Gallery

  • YAMAHA MT-09 SR (2014-on)
  • YAMAHA MT-09 SR (2014-on)

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