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• Which offers more for the money?
• Yamaha MT-09 from zero to one hundred in 3.3 seconds
• Ease of use makes the difference
• Yamaha MT-07 the more homogeneous vehicle
• Pros and Cons
• Technical data and measured values
• Conclusion
• Price comparison of the Yamaha MT sisters

20th photos

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Nice power and torque curves for both engines.

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Looks like aluminum, it is also aluminum: The more expensive MT-09 is equipped a little more elaborately.

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Looks like aluminum, but it’s steel: the MT-07’s nicely made swingarm.

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Power on: powerful and lively three-cylinder with great torque curve.

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Power meter: very effective two-cylinder with an incredibly wide speed range.

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Yamaha MT-09: powerful in every speed range, smooth-running drive, low weight and good handling, acceleration and torque top, but hard throttle response, less precise steering and pillion seat uncomfortable.

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Yamaha MT-07: wide performance range, lively engine, low weight, great handling, but only partially suitable for pillion, tends to stoppies when braking hard and a little wobbly in corners.

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The MT-07 for 5,995 euros and the MT-09 for 8,295 euros are the current shooting stars of the motorcycle market.

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Yamaha MT-09.

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Yamaha MT-09.

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Yamaha MT-09.

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Yamaha MT-09.

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Yamaha MT-07.

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Yamaha MT-07.

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Yamaha MT-07.

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Yamaha MT-07.

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Yamaha MT-07.

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Yamaha MT-09.

Yamaha MT-07 and Yamaha MT-09 in comparison test

Which offers more for the money?

The two hot Yamahas agree in at least one discipline: They are masters of torque. But what are the advantages of buying the small Yamaha MT-07, what are the advantages of buying the large Yamaha MT-09?

The Yamaha MT-07 for 5,995 euros and the Yamaha MT-09 for 8,295 euros are the current shooting stars of the motorcycle market. No other manufacturer currently offers so much power, coolness and chic including ABS for the tight budget. Then the dealer laughs, to whom they run down the doors. And then the customer laughs. But with which MT does he get more for his money? To answer that, we rise.

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Yamaha MT-07 and Yamaha MT-09 in comparison test
Which offers more for the money?

MT-07 everything is screwed on as if it had been attached yourself, the driver of the Yamaha MT-09 sits close to the handlebars, which are also placed quite high. It feels more like enduro than naked bike. The three-cylinder MT-09 is petite, slim and well-trained. But if you climb from the small, two-cylinder MT-07 to its big sister, the 09 seems grown up and big, because the eleven kilograms lighter and only 181 kilograms MT-07 is really a toy. 

Yamaha MT-09 from zero to one hundred in 3.3 seconds

So let’s let them play. The Yamaha MT-09 only takes 3.3 seconds to accelerate from standstill to 100 km / h. The Yamaha MT-07 takes 0.5 seconds longer for this. The difference is more dramatic when sprinting up to 200 km / h: While the MT-09 completes it in just 11.5 seconds, the MT-07 needs 24.7 seconds for it. So the absolute loser, right? Perhaps for all those who constantly drive quarter mile races, because the three-cylinder engine is much more brutal than the twin at the top. For all the others who drive on the home route, long distance or on tour, but not at all.

This is due to the nature of the small 07 engine: the 690 cubic twin is not only easy to turn (maximum 10,500 rpm), but also produces almost constant torque over the entire speed range. And so casually as you would never expect from a small displacement. This is also shown by the test bench diagram: between 3000 and 9000 rpm there is more than 60 Nm of torque. This pressure not only invites you to lazy shifting driving, it also proves to be extremely suitable for everyday use. Because the twin of the Yamaha MT-07 never looks stressed, hangs super gently on the gas, runs relatively smoothly, and despite the relatively modest 76 hp at 8900 rpm, it never looks weak in any situation. In short: It is great fun to have this lively drive as a partner, especially since it is quite economical with 3.5 liters per 100 km.

Naked bike

Yamaha MT-07 in the driving report

So easy. So controllable.

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Naked bike

Yamaha MT-07 in the top test

Great

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Yamaha MT-07 and Kawasaki ER-6n in comparison test

Star ensemble of the middle class

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Ease of use makes the difference

The three-cylinder of the Yamaha MT-09 is of a completely different caliber. It is also economical (4.4 liters / 100 km) and has an extremely impressive torque that is suitable for everyday use: between 2500 and 10,000 rpm is always over 70 Nm. It reaches its maximum output of measured 108 hp at 9700 rpm. However, only in two of three selectable driving modes, in which the 847 cubic cylinder three-cylinder accelerates very harshly and therefore produces less smooth load changes. This very direct throttle response is annoying in city traffic. Thank goodness you can also switch to the third, the B mode. Then the engine turns around 1500 rpm less and only produces 112 hp, but it is a little more user-friendly on the gas, which is more relaxing.

User-friendly: That describes the difference between the two sisters. While the Yamaha MT-07 is the smart athlete who competes in his decathlon with a smile on his face, the Yamaha MT-09 is a chain that smokes and is more likely to be found bleeding in the cauldron of the ultimate fighters. This picture also continues with the steering behavior. Because the MT-09 doesn’t take corners as easily and neutrally as its little sister. You always have to correct, counter-steer a little. A bad habit that is due to the geometry and becomes even more pronounced when the tires are worn out.

Naked bike

Yamaha MT-09 in the top test

Queuing for the fleet manager

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Ducati Monster 821 and Yamaha MT-09 in comparison test

Racy Italian versus reserved Japanese

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Yamaha MT-07 the more homogeneous vehicle

The poorly responding chassis components also contribute to this. With the Yamaha MT-07 everything is softer, more comfortable. It steers more harmoniously, more balanced, more precisely and springs more gently. In short: if you are looking for a more homogeneous vehicle, the MT-07 is simply better off.

That is why three-cylinder fans will probably not switch to the twin, because despite the crude appearance, the treble of the Yamaha MT-09 is an extremely potent and eventful drive. The Triple combines power, torque and maneuverability in an almost ideal way, an exorbitant country road tiller. The spectacle is acoustically accompanied by the typical, rough grinding of the three-cylinder. Anyone who experiences this cannot be put off by slight chassis weaknesses, especially since they could be got under control with manageable costs.

Pros and Cons

Yamaha MT-07.

Yamaha MT-07

plus 
• wide performance range
• lively engine
• light weight
• great handling

minus 
• only partially suitable for a pillion
• Tends to stoppies when braking hard
• a bit wobbly in curves
• Very soft suspension

Yamaha MT-09.

Yamaha MT-09

plus 
• powerful in every speed range
• smooth-running drive
• low weight and good handling
• Top acceleration and torque

minus 
• hard throttle response
• less precise steering
• Suspension quickly overwhelmed 
• Uncomfortable pillion seat

Technical data and measured values

Looks like aluminum, is aluminum too: The more expensive Yamaha MT-09 is equipped with a little more elaborate equipment.

Performance measurement.

MOTORCYCLE readings

	Yamaha MT-07	Yamaha MT-09
Top speed¹	207 km / h	210 km / h
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	3.8 sec	3.3 sec
0-140 km / h	6.9 sec	5.4 sec
0-200 km / h	24.7 sec	11.5 sec
Pulling speed 60–100 km / h	4.0 sec	3.3 sec
100-140 km / h	4.7 sec	4.0 sec
140-180 km / h	6.4 sec	4.4 sec

* MOTORCYCLE measurements; ¹ manufacturer information; Diagram: power on the crankshaft; Measurements on the Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation ± 5%

Nice power and torque curves for both engines. The Yamaha MT-09 uses its capacity advantage and delivers more power anytime, anywhere, the limiter only puts an end to propulsion at just under 10,000 rpm. The Yamaha MT-07 also offers a very wide usable band with a lot of thrust below and in the middle as well as a wide plateau in the upper area. Both great engines with very different characters and sounds.

Conclusion

Power meter: very effective two-cylinder with an incredibly wide speed range.

So which one, Yamaha MT-07 or Yamaha MT-09? The bottom line is that the 07 makes the race, so we commit ourselves. It is the more homogeneous, more balanced motorcycle, easier to drive, more sociable in everyday life. And it has fewer weaknesses than the € 2300 more expensive 09er, which is certainly even more fun in terms of strength development. If you succumb to the fascinating power output of the three-cylinder, you will easily overlook the hoppy suspension and the indifferent steering behavior of the MT-09.

Price comparison of the Yamaha MT sisters

Used Yamaha MT-07 and Yamaha MT-09 in Germany

The Yamaha MT-07 and the Yamaha MT-09 also face each other on the used motorcycle exchange. Many bikes in good condition and at reasonable prices are definitely worth a look: Used Yamaha MT-07 and Yamaha MT-09 in Germany

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