Used Bike Guide
We take a look at Yamaha’s bonkers MT-09!
When we look back at the history of motorcycling, 2013 will be remembered as the point that Yamaha revealed their ‘Dark Side’ to the world in the shape of the MT-09. A machine that alongside the parallel-twin MT-07 has rejuvenated not only Yamaha’s sales figures but also its reputation in riders’ eyes, this simply brilliant triple has had the same kind of impact in the 2010s that the RD350LC had in the 1980s. Mad, bad and absolutely hysterical to ride, the MT-09 is one of those bikes that just makes you grin from ear to ear after every single blast. What makes it so special? The CP3 engine, which in all honesty helps owners brush over a few of the Yamaha’s fairly glaring faults...
An all-new motor from the ground up, the CP3 (crossplane triple) shows not only that Yamaha are a company willing to take risks but also that they are keeping a keen eye on the competition. After Triumph’s Street Triple demolished all before it in the naked middleweight class, Yamaha could have simply given their inline four a bit more capacity (such as Kawasaki have done with their Zed range) but instead, and despite being in the midst of a global financial crisis, they went back to the drawing board and the result was the CP3. And what a result it is!
An engine can so often make or break a motorcycle and in the case of the MT-09 this is very much the case. When you fire it up the CP3 instantly feels and sounds a little bit naughty and a quick flick of the throttle is rewarded with a sharp rise in revs as the motor responds instantly to any inputs. Even at tickover you get the feeling that the triple is just bursting to entertain you and when you get rolling it never fails to impress. After a bit of an awkward start, it has to be said...
There is no denying that the MT’s initial throttle input is a touch abrupt. When you are going from a closed to a partially open throttle the power (or more
precisely the torque) chimes in quite violently and that makes the MT a bit of a pain at slow speed that even the various power modes can’t mask over. It’s not unrideable, however it is frustrating and an ECU remap, even with the OE exhaust system fitted, makes it far more progressive and easier-going. However, once you get rolling this snatch is easily forgotten as once into its stride, the CP3 is outstanding.
Brimming with spirit and also bloody fast, the free-revving and gutsy nature of the MT is a world away from the 675cc Triumph triple and where you often feel the need to rev the Street Triple, on an MT you are never left lacking in grunt. It’s just a joy to use on the road and as well as sounding amazing when being hammered, is also remarkably practical with 50mpg easily