2018 Yamaha MT-09

2018 Yamaha MT-09

Transform into a state of supremacy aboard te performance packed MT-09.

• Engine

The MT-09 is powered by an 847cc liquid-cooled, inline 3-cylinder, DOHC engine with downdraft intake and ride-by-wire throttle control. With a 78.0mm x 59.1mm bore x stroke and 11.5:1 compression ratio, it produces an exciting, torquey and quick-revving engine character, perfectly splitting the best characteristics of both 2- and 4-cylinder motors in a compact, lightweight package.

The MT-09’s “Crossplane Crankshaft Concept” engine provides linear torque development in response to the rider’s throttle input, for responsive engine thrust with a strong feeling of power in the low- to mid-rpm range. To boost refinement and provide a smoother ride, the CP3 engine uses a compact counterbalancer to cancel out vibration.

The CP3 engine mounts its three cylinder bores 5mm forward, towards the exhaust side. This offset reduces piston to cylinder wall friction, for more power and improved fuel economy.

• Electronics

The ride-by-wire Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T®) system senses the slightest throttle input by the rider and instantaneously calculates the ideal throttle valve opening, and then actuates the throttle valves to actively control intake volume. This technology contributes to the rider’s feeling of torque and controllability from the 3-cylinder engine.

A Traction Control System (TCS) assists the rider in managing traction on various road conditions by quickly modulating throttle opening, ignition timing and fuel volume. The MT-09’s TCS includes two modes to suit various road conditions, and can also be disabled by the rider if they so choose.

The MT-09 features Yamaha’s D-Mode system to allow the rider to choose the optimum engine character for their riding situation and preferences. The rider can choose from three throttle valve control maps (Standard Mode, “A” Mode, and “B” Mode) for different throttle response characteristics at the push of a button.

• Chassis/Suspension

The MT-09 is built around a strong controlled-fill cast aluminum frame. The wheelbase, seat height, fuel tank width, rake and other dimensions are all set to work with the qualities of the compact 3-cylinder engine to achieve a sporty, light and neutral handling character, an upright riding position and a narrow feeling chassis at the seat/tank junction.

The 41mm inverted fork is fully adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload. Not only does this allow riders greater flexibility in tuning their MT-09, the fork separates compression and rebound damping into separate fork legs, making it easier to fine-tune for the perfect setup across all 5.4 inches of fork travel.

The rear suspension features a linkage-type Monocross shock, adjustable for rebound damping and spring preload. The shock features an almost horizontal alignment—this unusual position creates excellent mass centralization and a slimmer body design.