There are few more thrilling rides than those found in the naked middleweight category. Bikes like KTM’s 890 Duke, the Triumph Street Triple range and Ducati’s latest Monster offer grin inducing thrills with power and prices which aren’t too scary, and they are proving a big hit in the sales charts.
Arguably one of the standard bearers of the class is the Yamaha MT-09, which has remarkably been around for a decade. With its characterful three-cylinder engine, Yamaha’s first in around three decades, light switch throttle response and super agile handling the MT-09 stole the Street Triple’s crown as the king of the triples.
Over the years the MT-09 has been developed further, gaining edgier styling, more power and higher spec to keep it right up there with the best on offer in the class. Now, for 2024, the MT-09 and MT-09 SP get a further upgrade, with revised styling and higher specification suspension, brakes and electronics.
While the firebrand 890cc three-cylinder motor appears mechanically unchanged, delivering 117bhp at 10,000rpm, the electronics have been updated, with a six-axis IMU at the MT-09’s heart for the first time. Riding modes get an update, with the SP version also gaining an additional ‘Track’ mode, which features a lap timer and has an option for the rear ABS to be switched off, as well as allowing the engine braking settings to be fine tuned. The MT-09 SP also gets keyless ignition for the first time. Interestingly, Yamaha say they’ve ‘acoustically’ tuned the new MT-09 motor to really enhance what has always been a really soulful three-cylinder sound.
Both bikes get new suspension, with fully-adjustable 41mm KYB forks upfront. These are of a higher spec on the SP, where they feature a DLC coating and higher spring rates than those found of the previous model, suggesting a firmer and more focussed ride although. The SP also features a higher specification Öhlins monoshock at the rear, to give what Yamaha claim is improved ‘supersport’ levels of handling. Both models get Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23, reinforcing the sporting nature of the handling.
Also new is the dash, with the slightly minimalistic and dated LED item being replaced by an all singing and dancing 5” TFT unit with smartphone connectivity. The brakes also get a boost, with a Brembo master cylinder on the base model and Brembo’s monoblock Stylema calipers fitted up front on the SP. The highly rated Stylemas are a common feature on high end competitor models and are lighter, more rigid and more powerful than those on the outgoing model.
Styling is even more minimalistic than before, with a tiny little LED projector headlamp and new rear lights combining with a new fuel tank, which contributes to a new riding position. The 2024 MT-09s now have separate rider and pillion seat, with adjustable rider foot pegs offering two settings.
The standard model comes in three colours: Midnight Cyan, Icon Blue and Tech Black while, emphasising the SP’s sporty aspirations, it gets a paint job inspired by the R1M superbike. Called Icon Performance, it’s Yamaha’s signature blue racing livery is complemented with a stylish brushed aluminium swingarm, which is unique to the SP version.
