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

FTR Suspension set up the bike for me - transformed it, upgraded brake pads to Brembo with new fluid - now stops far far better then standard pads. Bike is great for all types of riding, i'm 5'11" and 14 stone, can do 300 mile days no problem, need to refuel about 125 miles as only a 14 litre tank (the only bug bear) don't take a pillion and use SW Motech tank bag with SW Motech Blaze panniers bought for trips away.

should be 6 out of 5 - totally addictive, loads of torque, quickshifter excellent at 3k revs+ for both up and down shifting. Exhaust pops and bangs on downshifts and rolling off the throttle, noise of engine/exhaust again addictive There is simply nothing I can fault

I look after it, cleaned after every ride particularly in winter months with ACF50 applied regularly, as such no corrosion with exception of bottom of downpipes which get all the crud, but nothing serious - mudguard extenda .......

Annual figure includes 6k (£260) &12k(£440) services at Yamaha dealer, 18k service £299 so nothing outrageous. getting 57 mpg. Currently on Continental Road Attack 4 tyres, far better than me, performed well at Cadwell and longevity is really good 7250 on rear and currently 9k on front, Heat up well and no problems with them in wet, damp or cold.

Cruise Control really simple to operate as are all the controls. Heated grips fitted as an essential together with, Yamaha Fly Screen, Evotech Rad Guard, R&G crash bungs and front fork protectors. Bought Pyramid Plastics seat hump which finished off the styling. Continental Road Attack 4's do me fine.

The ride is stiff as you might expect but it handles brilliantly. It is so confidence inspiring. It turns in quickly and holds a line very well. I absolutely love the handling. I was very surprised to find how brilliant the slow speed handling is. It makes riding in traffic fun. Initially I thought the brakes were a bit lacking in feel and bite. I think they have improved as they have bedded in maybe I’m just more used to them. You can adjust the handle bar position. I moved mine further away. You can adjust the foot peg height by about 20mm. It is really quite comfortable except the seat is hard. I don’t tend to notice because I’m having so much fun.

It really is a fantastic engine. I favour twins and four stroke fours bore me but this triple is a really good engine. It has lots of torque on tap and more than enough peak power. It is so easy to ride. It is deceptively fast because the power is so readily available. It’s also easy to ride in traffic. Only downsides are the throttle can be a bit on and off. Quick shifter is fantastic. The gear box is notchey on the way down when using the clutch.

I’ve had mine for a month and just over 1000 miles. A bit soon to say but no problems so far.

I also have a BMW R1250GS for touring and in comparison the Yamaha is cheaper to service and the intervals longer. I paid £11,400 for it new. I was looking for a fun naked and road tested a lot of bikes including BMW, Ducati, Suzuki and an MT-07. I knew pretty much instantly it was the one for me and I bought it because it was the best not because of the cost.

The tft screen is rubbish. The switches are fiddly and look horrible. The horn position is ugly. It really should have some side covers especially where the rectifier is clearly on show. The original tail section is ugliest thing I’ve ever seen but fine after fitting an Evotech tail tidy. Some of the wiring looks like cheap with lots of electrician’s tape. The gear shift and rear brake are pressed steel and the side stand is cheap steel tube. However, I don’t care because the rest of bike is awesome. There is lot of electronic control gubbins that does give me some reassurance that it won’t spit me off if I get overexcited with the throttle.

Original brake pads were naff actually, bought some EBC’s from the Yamaha dealer which improved things dramatically so definitely bin the originals, rest of the brake set up is fine. Suspension actually is pretty good for most road riding, struggled a bit on track but it is not really for that, great on road

Gets very lively above 7,000 rpm, also quite punchy so it is rare I get full throttle in the first 3 gears pulling away from the lights. Have seen 132 mph on the dash on track, the back box limits speed on the road, sounds marvellous and more than enough power and torque. On the dyno it produces 65 ft lbs and 111 bhp at the rear wheel. So more than my old ZX636 and almost as much as a TL1000S, both fast bikes in their day

Appears to be well made and well put together, my first Yamaha and it is impressive

Too new so no idea on costs for servicing, have managed 56 mpg right from the off which is better than most bikes I’ve owned, seems to be a cheap and cheerful bike

Up and down shifter goes from first to second but sometimes doesn’t want to move up to third so you roll off, roll back on then it does. Rest of gear changes up and down are fine. Cruise is amazing and works very well, heated grips fitted as a dealer option are great and integrated into the dash which is a nice touch. Stock S22 tyres are surprisingly okay, even on track!