All Tests – MT-09 Test: Yamaha’s future road’star ‘! – Technical point Yamaha MT-09

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MT-09 test: Yamaha’s future road star !

All Tests - MT-09 Test: Yamaha's future road'star '! - Technical point Yamaha MT-09

Symbol of a new era to come, Yamaha unveiled a new three-cylinder almost a year ago. The first motorcycle to be equipped with it, the MT-09 roadster arrives in dealerships at the end of September … but it is already being tested on Site ! Verdict.

Technical update Yamaha MT-09

Engine

According to Yamaha, "this flagship element shapes the entire character of the machine". The specifications were clear: compact and light, this brand new engine had to produce both gross and linear torque, while limiting its fuel consumption as much as possible. The intake and exhaust sound naturally had to. to be at – three – tuning forks !

With its bore and stroke dimensions of 78 mm x 59.1 m, the Yamaha 3-cylinder (4-stroke, 16-valve and double overhead camshaft) cube 847 cc. Its compression ratio is 11.5: 1 and the diameter of its intake and exhaust valves are 31mm and 25mm respectively..

In its description, Yamaha specifies that by positioning these valves at an angle of 26.5 ° "only", its engineers generated combustion chambers"ultracompact thus ensuring faster combustion processes and higher torque.

The injection rail is equipped with twelve-hole injectors directly mounted on the cylinder head. Two advantages to this according to Yam ‘: "extremely precise fuel injection, directly on the valve guide, which guarantees low fuel consumption"and the use of" smaller injection bodies which contribute to the efficiency of the high speed intake. ".

The intake vents have also been carefully shaped: the first is 102.88 mm long, the second 82.8 mm and the third 122.8 mm! "These different lengths create slightly different conditions in each cylinder head to create complementary torque and power curves."pipeaute argues Yamaha.

The pistons – 78 mm in diameter therefore – in forged aluminum are fitted with connecting rods with fractured heads, while the cylinders are made of composite ceramic, improving the efficiency of heat dissipation. "The MT-09 has another notable feature", underline the Blues:"This is the first multi-cylinder Yamaha motorcycle to use a cylinder design offset from the crankshaft".

Faithful to the "Crossplane philosophy" instituted by the 4-cylinder of the R1, the new Iwata mill has a crankshaft set at 120 °, "which provides an ignition sequence at regular intervals, 0 °, 240 ° and 480 °, guaranteeing the linearity of the torque available, as well as a feeling of optimal speed", welcomes the manufacturer.

"Compared to in-line four cylinders with 180 ° crankshaft", illustrates Yam ‘,"the three-cylinder of the MT-09 gives a greater feeling of torque, because its variations in combustion torque and composite torque are almost identical".

Another advantage of the "three-legged" over the four: it is thinner and lighter! According to the Japanese, the engine of the MT-09 weighs about 10 kg less than that of the Yamaha FZ8. Thus, those responsible for the chassis part were able to offer a chassis that was also more compact, therefore manageable….

A little tip to limit the width of the engine as well: "a process of mounting the pinion on the crankshaft by pressure which allows to reduce the spacing between the cylinders". Just think about it! To limit the vibrations this time, the engineers fitted it with a balancing pendulum.

"Another lightening factor", boast Yam ‘: the use of an innovative new timing chain tensioner, lighter and more compact than conventional designs, and using fewer parts. The same goes for the breather chamber engine, integrated in the cylinder head protection On the MT-09, the internal overpressure of the engine is evacuated by the ventilation of the air filter.

In the end, this beautiful baby of 60 kg develops 115 horsepower at 10,000 rpm (in the free world …) and 85 Nm 1,500 rpm earlier.

The gearbox is also brand new: "to handle low and mid-range torque variations, the MT-09 relies on a relatively high primary reduction ratio of 1.708 (FZ8: 1.512)", details the Japanese brand. The secondary reduction ratio and the ratios of the six speeds are adjusted accordingly.

The MT-09 is fitted with a 3-in-1 one-piece exhaust system with stainless steel manifolds coated with "to prevent discoloration, rust and stains", assure the Japanese. The small silencer – with three internal expansion chambers all the same! – contributes to the centralization of the mass.

The oil pan which adjoins these pots has been specially designed so that its last ones graze as closely as possible the engine … and offer "a tilt angle of 51 °, which allows for perfect balance in turns".

Tapered towards the base, this casing also allows "limit surface fluctuations and the formation of foam in the oil during rapid machine movements, to ensure the efficiency of the lubrication circuit".

The other circuit, that of liquid cooling, has been optimized: "By adjusting the positions of the radiator, water pump, and thermostat, our engineers were able to significantly reduce the amount of hoses required, reducing weight and improving appearance", underlines Yamaha.

Finally, "for cold starts, the thermostat limits water circulation to the water jacket, which shortens the heating time, as well as benefiting from increased energy efficiency and faster activation of the catalyst to guarantee a reduction in polluting emissions".

Electronic

"Yamaha engineers wanted to design a motorcycle offering an almost instantaneous response in order to guarantee a perfect symbiosis between the rider and his machine.", introduced Yamaha. For this, they resorted to the electronic control of the opening of the throttle" house "…

Nicknamed "YCC-T", this system is fitted to family sports cars (YZF-R1 and R6). As a reminder, this system detects movements of the throttle grip, and its electronic control unit is responsible for actuating the throttle valves..

A great first for a Yamaha roadster, "D-Mode" allows the MT-09 pilot to juggle three engine maps via a button placed on the right stalk. STD mode (standard), A mode, and B mode all offer 115 horsepower at 10,000 rpm, but Yamaha has distinguished them as follows:

  • STD mode has been designed for a wide range of road and riding conditions, providing a wide torque range and optimum performance at all revs.

  • With mode A, the MT-09’s engine provides maximum thrust. This setting allows for increased response time to low and mid-range throttle for sporty driving.

  • Finally, mode B guarantees a more progressive response suitable for city driving, difficult weather conditions or poor roads..

Combined with the YCC-T, the injection – "electronic" of course – Yamaha provides the MT-09 with minimal consumption. And that’s good because the capacity of the fine tank is limited to 14 liters. What to browse "depending on the conditions of use, up to 240 kilometers", announce the Blues.

The engine mapping mode selected, the instantaneous and average consumption appear on the small fully digital instrument panel (LCD). It also displays engine rpm, speed, gear engaged, fuel level, total mileage, partial trips 1 and 2, as well as engine and exterior temperatures..

Last subtlety: the new commodos place the indicators under the horn on the left, while the electric starter button is integrated into the circuit breaker, giving way to the traditional engine mode button.

Cycle part

The MT-09 features an all-new cast aluminum chassis made up of two parts – left and right – which are screwed together at the steering column and swingarm axle. Yes, like the frame of the MT-01 !

Like the engine, the frame that accommodates it is much lighter than that of the FZ8: on this point too, the MT-09 returns 10 kg to its sister. With a dry weight of 171 kg, and all full made of 188 kg on the Yamaha scale, "this is one of the lightest sporty roadsters in the over 700 cc category", calculates the constructor.

She is even "lighter than the YZF-R6, a Supersport machine recognized as one of the most agile in the segment", outbid the managers of the Japanese brand.

The head of the "Product Planning" department at Yamaha Motor Europe recognizes this: "the values ​​of wheelbase, saddle height, caster angle and the overall riding position are not revolutionary".

On the other hand, he insists on the fact that his colleagues have worked hard on the centralization of the masses, in order to make their machine as compact as it is agile. Besides the silencer housed under the engine – we saw it in the "Engine" section – Yamaha has chosen to position the rear shock absorber in a horizontal position. !

According to Yam ‘, this location has two other advantages. "It gives a more slender look to the chassis", notes on the one hand the brand in tuning forks."In addition, being located under the saddle, the shock absorber and the rods are protected from projections from the road, which limits their wear.".

The mono-shock absorber, adjustable in rebound and preload, connects the frame to a swingarm also made up of two CF cast aluminum parts, but this time welded with extruded aluminum cross members: "this design provides the desired stiffness and limits unsprung weight to ensure responsiveness and suspension comfort".

The most attentive will have noted that the axis of the oscillating arm is located outside the frame "in a configuration similar to that used on the MT-01, which gives a more refined and agile look to the whole bike", explains Yamaha.

The MT-09 receives an inverted front fork with 41mm tubes. This new rebound-only adjustable fork offers 137mm of travel, "7 mm more than the FZ8, for great driving comfort and responsive steering on all types of surfaces, from cobblestones to winding roads".

Braking level, the MT-09 is adorned at the front of two floating discs of 298 mm bitten by radial calipers with 4 pistons, and at the rear of a 245 mm disc and single piston caliper. The ABS option, available from November, costs € 500 but weighs only 3 kg.

Ten-spoke rims – no, not 10 bricks but 10 small rods! – are made of cast aluminum and fit tires of conventional dimensions on a roadster: 120/70 ZR 17 in front and 180/55 ZR 17 behind.

Finally, Yamaha ensures that the ergonomics of its brand new motorcycle offers all riders, big or small, calm or nervous, young and old (the core target is between 25 and 39 years old) the right position of conduct.

The 400 mm long saddle, 815 mm high but very thin on the front, has an almost flat profile which allows riders to vary their attitude according to the situation, while "the non-slip pattern on the front provides a remarkable grip", add the Japanese.

The comfort on board is increased by the shape of the fuel tank "manufactured thanks to a new process which allows to obtain very tight curves, which was not possible until now with steel", explains Yamaha.

Compared to the XJ6 or FZ8, the MT-09 has a wider and higher aluminum handlebars in order to "create an elevated and natural riding position", expose the Japanese engineers. Hexagonal mirrors are mounted on both sides.

Finally, the footrests, gear selector and brake pedal are all in forged aluminum, thus emphasizing "the high-end features of the motorcycle"Says Yam ‘. Ditto for the LED tail light, inspired by the MT-01, please. !

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