Month in bikes
Tweaked MT-09 and Tracer 9 for 2021
New Yamahas and BMW
SEVEN YEARS SINCE it was first unveiled, Yamaha has given the MT-09 and its various derivatives their biggest update so far. At the heart of the update is a brand-new CP3 engine, which has grown from 847 to 889cc. Power is up to 117bhp but a bigger change comes in the torque, which now arrives 1500rpm earlier. Paired to this engine is a complete electronics overhaul with hardware developed from the R1. The whole lot is packaged into a new chassis that’s 50% stiffer, while also a bit lighter.
As well as the standard MT-09 there’s a new SP model, which comes with cruise control as well as high-spec suspension (adjustable Kayaba forks and remote-preload Öhlins shock).
As you might expect, there’s also a new Tracer 900 and 900 GT (now called the Tracer 9 and 9 GT) as they share the same engine. There are bigger chassis changes in the Tracers, with the engine moving forwards, a longer swingarm and a reinforced subframe designed for the extra weight of the new three-piece luggage. Both models get a new split dash and cruise control as standard.
If you’ve got a bit more money to spend, the Tracer 9 GT has got even fancier with a new semi-active suspension system jointly developed between Yamaha and Kayaba.
There are no prices yet for any model but we’d expect them to be announced in early 2021, ahead of their arrival in dealers in March.