‘I am beaming – finally Yamaha have nailed it’
will oblige and in comparison to the Triumph and KTM, the Yamaha is far more easy-going. That’s not to say the Triumph can’t be used as a commuter, its triple is equally refined and gutsy for top-gear rollon overtakes, but due to its more compact size, terrible mirrors and lack of turning circle, it’s just not quite as adept as the MT during a mundane hack. That said, it is better than the KTM, which really isn’t built for comfort or ease of use and although nippy through traffic, feels like it is desperate to escape. Which, to be honest, after 120 miles of busy A-roads, was a feeling we all shared. Switching from the A- to the B-road route instantly lifted our spirits. And it was time to see if Yamaha have got that chassis sorted. After just a few miles of the A6121 I am beaming – finally Yamaha have nailed it. No longer a bike you need to make excuses for, the new chassis is absolutely spot on and suits the MT’s character down to the ground. Gone is the pitching of old, replaced by a real sense of plushness that allows you to corner properly and feel the rear digging in as you accelerate out of bends.
It’s a joy to ride and the extra bit of meat in the new biggercapacity triple adds an extra dimension (as well as a fabulous growling induction noise). Add to this a beautifully slick gearbox and quickshifter, angle-sensitive electronics and enhanced brakes and I’m struggling to see what else Yamaha could do to make the package any better. Swapping from the Yamaha to the Triumph you instantly feel how much more sporty the RS is. Where you tend to sit ‘in’ the MT the RS positions you ‘on top’ of the bike and its compact size makes it feel more of a toy, especially if you are a taller rider. While not overstepping the mark, it’s noticeably more focused in its riding position and general attitude than the MT and you can feel its sportsbike heritage. On B-roads the Street Triple is fantastic. Although the uprated suspension the RS has over the R is set quite firmly, it never feels harsh or unforgiving and instead delivers a sporty ride that is everything you want in a sportsbike, just without the battered wrists. Given a twisty road (or even a tight track) the RS is more than a match for any sportsbike and its triple motor, although not quite as gutsy as the MT’s bigger capacity engine, is faster to rev and beautifully smooth with an equally slick gearbox. If you relish a bike that responds to a bit of extra rider input, the RS is for you as while it’s not quite as easy-going as the MT, once you start to work with it the Triumph comes alive. Is it better handling? Ultimately I’d say so as where I’d happily take the RS on track, I think the MT would struggle simply down to its more limited ground clearance and extra bulk. But if you are talking track Continued over
work, the KTM is the bike for you. Switching from either of the triples to the parallel twin KTM is a shock to the system. Narrow, tall and feeling almost like an enduro bike in its stance, the Duke R screams aggression. Billed by the Austrian firm as a ‘super scalpel’ it is a bike that is designed to live life on the edge. While this is all very well and good if you like that kind of lifestyle, if you don’t it’s a bit of a pain as the Duke is one of those machines that is absolutely amazing on the right road at the right time but not much fun when it is out of its element.
On the bumpy run towards Grantham the Duke was simply horrible. Harsh, jarring and flighty, it was the bike struggling to keep up with the others as you simply couldn’t get the power down. However, once we joined the smoother B6047 it came alive. Given a smooth road, dry tarmac and a great deal of rider commitment, the Duke R is transformed. “I love the fact it demands to be treated with aggression and the way the twin is equally happy being revved to hell or ridden on its midrange. It’s a great motor, way better than the 790 Duke,” enthused Tim. “How could you not enjoy riding this? It feels so alive.” Err, how about trying it on the bumpy B6121.
After completing the MCN250 on these sporty nakeds, what strikes me most is the different characters they all have. From the chilled MT to the full-on Duke, they all have their unique plus and minus points. If you want a great do-it-all then the new MT-09 SP is for you while the 890 Duke R is the most sport-focused with the Street Triple RS offering the best middle ground.