Yamaha has unveiled the 2021 MT-09, an all-new street naked motorcycle that's lighter, more powerful and packs more tech than its predecessor.
- 890cc, crossplane inline-triple engine makes 117hp and 93Nm .
- Second Yamaha to get a Nissin radial master cylinder
- Six-axis IMU derived from YZF-R1
2021 Yamaha MT-09 design and chassis
Yamaha has completely overhauled the design of the MT-09 whilst retaining its aggressive street fighter stance . The most obvious difference between the old and new Yamaha MT-09 is the headlamp. The new single projector LED headlamp, flanked by LED strips looks markedly different to the twin-projector setup on the old bike, that certainly had the angrier face. The fuel tank is new as well and looks aggressively styled. Also, notice the conventional number plate holder, as opposed to the swingarm mounted unit on the old MT-09.
Speaking of swingarm, the 2021 Yamaha MT-09 gets a brand new, 250g lighter aluminium swingarm. In fact, the main frame and subframe is newly developed as well. Yamaha has employed a new Deltabox frame for the MT-09 that's lighter than before and has 50 per cent greater lateral rigidity to improve the MT-09's stability while riding in a straight line. The new frame and the lighter engine have contributed to a 3 kg drop in weight and the new MT-09 tips the scales at 189kg.
The suspension components consist of a fully-adjustable 41mm Kayaba USD fork and a preload plus rebound adjustable Kayaba monoshock at the rear. The wheelbase is slightly shorter than the outgoing model's, at 1430mm, while the ground clearance has been raised to 140mm.
The 2021 Yamaha MT-09 gets new brakes (298mm discs at the front and 245mm disc at the rear) with a Nissin radial master cylinder. Barring the YZF-R1, the 2021 MT-09 is the second Yamaha motorcycle to feature such a braking setup.
2021 Yamaha MT-09 ergonomics
The motorcycle features typical street fighter motorcycle ergonomics, with a 825mm seat height and a canted forward riding position. But the highlight here is that the riding position can be tweaked. This can be done by undoing the handlebar clamps and rotating them 10mm forward. Likewise the footpeg mounts can be raised 14mm higher as well as 4mm rearward, depending on the rider's preference.
2021 Yamaha MT-09 engine
Yamaha has made major changes to the crossplane inline-triple engine. For starters, the cubic capacity has been bumped up from 847cc to 890cc, with the same bore (78mm) but a longer stroke at 62.1 mm. The engine also gets new forged pistons, camshaft fracture-split connecting rods, and crankshaft. As a result of all of these revisions, the new engine makes 117 hp at 10,000 rpm and 93 Nm.
The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox, with an up/down quickshifter as well as an assist and slip clutch as standard.
2021 Yamaha MT-09 electronics
The new MT-09 gets a new six-axis IMU setup that has been derived from the Yamaha YZF-R1. It governs the lean sensitive traction control, slide control, wheelie control and cornering ABS systems.
Yamaha is offering three riding modes- Mode 1 Mode 2 and Mode M, the latter being a custom mode that allows the rider to tweak the settings as per preference. All of this can be accessed via a new 3.5-inch TFT display.
Yamaha has also updated the MT-09's ride-by-wire system with a modified version of the Accelerator Position Sensor Grip (APSG) technology that's found on its YZF series superbikes. With the APSG, the degree of throttle opening is detected by a sensor and magnet and reflected with signals to the throttle valve motor.
2021 Yamaha MT-09 availability and competition
ThenYamaha MT-09 finally gets the teeth to fight its ever evolving competition. The more powerful engine, modern-day electronics and features will surely bump up the price by a fair margin.
The 2021 Yamaha MT-09 goes on sale in International markets soon. Whether Yamaha will get the 2021 MT-09 to India is unclear but if it does, expect the motorcycle to be launched next year and priced well above the Rs 12 lakh (ex-showroom) tag on BS4 model.
In terms of competition, the Yamaha will go up against the KTM 790 Duke and Triumph Street Triple R.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
