Yamaha MT-09 SP test: the one we Sought !
The Yamaha MT-09, one of the stars of the French motorcycle market, never ceases to enchant motorcyclists eager for emotions. As playful as she is luscious, one could blame her for a suspension that did not quite live up to her ambitions. In this SP version, the sparkling 2018 roadster receives a new fork and an Ohlins shock absorber. So happy ? First try.
MT-09 SP test page 2 – Dynamics: finally on track
It is in Portugal, in the Algarve, that Yamaha has chosen to present its new MT-09 SP on roads announced as very catchy and, we will see, totally deserted and perfectly paved! "Driving on fast roads in the vicinity of Faro", promised the manufacturer … He did not lie.
We who dreamed of "fields of bumps" to test the suspensions, we will have the obligation to put them under extreme stress to judge their behavior. Site did not need to be prayed for … On the way !
Azure skies and 18 ° C on the thermometer in winter: if Portugal is not the biker ‘s Nirvana, it is approaching it! Under the Algarve sun, the MT-09 SP is beautiful, aggressive at will and only available in one decoration.
At 820 mm, the saddle height is still suitable for the 1.75 m rider who easily encircles a sufficiently narrow tank. The position, always forward on a wide and straight handlebars, gives the feeling of biting the road !
Playful and safe at the same time
With 193 kg all full, the Yamaha roadster always amazes by its speed. In town, the Japanese always weaves its way efficiently, although its turning radius is not the best … but greater than that of a Ducati Italian or a Triumph English genre !
The three-cylinder, which willingly descends very low in the towers, does not balk at the recovery, always muscular without being destabilizing. Extracted from the expressways where we can only blame the roadster for its lack of protection (screen and bubble options), we quickly tackle the bends that will lead us to Almodôvar. The village, not the director…
Once again, the liveliness of this part of the cycle delights and seduces. Especially since it no longer makes it pay by a slightly frightening instability when setting on the angle or rapid changes. The MT-09 does not exert any resistance and its Bridgestone S20 hypersport tires are real bitumen glue: it’s a big toy that you never tire of playing with. !
A bewitching engine
Barely stifled on a sound level since its upgrade to Euro4 standards, the three-cylinder confirms its spontaneity with each rotation of the right handle. Without downtime, it responds to all speeds with, from the beginning, this hint of brutality probably due to the injection, mainly in Sport mode.
As B mode turns out to be a little too soft, this is the standard that is ultimately best suited. At 4000 rev / min, the engine strengthens its thrust in an evocative growl, and at 6000 it explodes by revealing a cross-plane character with a hoarse melody until touching the maximum speed at 10 000 rev / min.
Suddenly, its 115 horses seem to be much more numerous! The reports go up on the fly, without even cutting the throttle as long as it is done above 3500 rpm. Below, the box grips noticeably and the pleasure of "shifter" does not equal that which one takes with other motorcycles equipped with the same system. Especially since it does not allow you to go down the gears without going without the lever.
But Site readers – who, as everyone knows, are more fortunate than others – already knew all this, thanks to the and to us! So what about the new suspensions ?
Suspended by the Gods
Let us be clear: immediately forget the adaptable spring and shock absorber kits – considered essential by some owners of MT-09 "quite simply". The suspensions of this "SP" are perfectly accomplished and the chassis, finally revealed, does not suffer from the slightest defect. !
The verdict is immediate. The evolution is obvious from the first sequences, especially when we tried, like the Journal moto du Net, a 2017 vintage the day before this test! On the new MT-09 SP 2018, the technical staff simply modified the compression by two "clicks" in order to improve comfort (sic!), The firm base choice favoring above all sporty driving.
While the previous fork sank rather sharply under the effect of the powerful radial braking, the progressiveness of the new SP marks an essential point: holding the brakes on the angle no longer destabilizes the crew! Z900 and Street Triple R / RS will find someone to talk to…
We would have liked more wrinkled roads to fully appreciate the evolution, but there is no doubt at the end of our journey: this fork greatly improves the precision in curves, the serenity of piloting and the maintenance of the attitude. in the braking phase, while continuing to highlight the agility of an exceptional front axle which will seek the cord with the finger and the eye.
At no time did we regret the absence of a steering damper, present on the MT-10. The agreement with the Ohlins shock absorber which enhances the SP version was essential, because the new handset is also imperial on the attack, sinking firmly but perfectly accommodating the virulence of a motorbike clad with assistance (ABS, traction control, anti-slip and engine maps).
Feeling and efficiency at the rendezvous
The quality is good and the SP no longer plays rocking horse like the MT-09. The advantage is even more noticeable on the compressions often poorly contained by standard shock absorbers. This time, we can let go without a second thought !
At a very sustained rate, during acceleration and when the throttle is cut off, the rear does not generate the slightest parasitic reaction. We imagine that on more degraded courses, it will be necessary to soften a bit. However, it will be child’s play, as accessibility has been well thought out.
Those who want to have fun perfecting the suspensions will benefit from all the possible settings, a luxury that was still reserved for hypersports a short time ago. Something to awaken, even, circuit desires on the handlebars of this MT-09 SP !
Tiny shadows in this idyllic picture: the small discomfort caused to the pilot by the bulky clutch housing (fortunately covered with a plastic protection to avoid burns) and by the flat and firm saddle which sore the seat in the long run.
As for the passenger, the cylinder of the new shock absorber may be in contact with his left ankle. Needless to say, it will be better to kick your beloved than to offer her a pair of pumps to get on the motorcycle, especially as the sunny days approach in France. !
Verdict: relaxed !
Yamaha offers one of the most successful products on the market for harvesters looking for versatility. Powerful and light, the MT-09 SP finally reveals its hidden side! In the majority of cases, it will hold its own to sportswomen, while bending much better to reasoned use..
In an intermediate displacement, the choice of three legs is a hit since it continues to combine the advantages of a torquey twin with the unrestrained flights of a 4-cylinder.
With now irreproachable damping, the cycle part of the Yamaha joins that of the best current motorcycles. Between a Triumph 765 R offered at 10,200 € and an MT-09 SP at 10,499 euros, the choice of triples is difficult…
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