Yamaha MT-09

Yamaha MT-09
Manufacturer Yamaha Motor Company
Also called FZ-09 (US),MT-09 (Europe)
Production 2013–
Class Sport bike[1][2]
standard[3]
Engine 847 cc (51.7 cu in) inline three
Bore / stroke 78 mm × 59.1 mm (3.07 in × 2.33 in)
Compression ratio 11.5:1
Power 86 kW (115 hp) @ 10,000 rpm[4]
Torque 88 N·m (65 ft·lb) @ 8,500 rpm[4]
Transmission 6-speed, chain drive
Weight 188 kg (414 lb) (claimed)[2] (wet)
Fuel capacity 14 l (3.1 imp gal; 3.7 US gal)

The Yamaha MT-09 (FZ-09 in North America) is a Yamaha sport or standard motorcycle with an 847 cc (51.7 cu in) inline three engine. It has an all-new desaxé engine, a lightweight cast alloy frame, and an upside-down fork.[2]

Design and development

The MT-09 competes against the Triumph Street Triple, the Kawasaki Z800, the MV Agusta Brutale and Yamaha's own FZ8.[5] It is intended to restore Yamaha's fortunes, as the factory has in recent years lost its reputation for innovation.[6] The MT-09's product manager, Shun Miyazawa, said Yamaha had considered in-line twins, triples and fours, and V-twins; but that the in-line triple gave the "best solution" of power, torque and low weight. Comparing the MT-09 to the Triumph Street Triple, he said the Triumph was a streetfighter, but the Yamaha was a "roadster motard".[7]

Both the frame and the double-sided swinging arm are made of lightweight alloy which are cast in two pieces. The frame castings are bolted together at the headstock and at the rear, but the swinging arm parts are welded together.[7] The MT-09 is the first Yamaha triple since the XS750 and XS850, both shaft-drive motorcycles produced from 1976 to 1981.

Tracer 900

The Tracer 900 (FJ-09 in the US) is a sports-tourer model introduced in 2015. From 2016, the name has changed to just Tracer 900 from MT-09 Tracer held for just one year in 2015 in all markets except in North America.[8] It has a partial fairing, a larger fuel tank, ABS, and "D-Mode" [9] drive by wire throttle mapping. The display is the same unit as the Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré's. It also has LED headlights and tail-light.

Future models

Shun Miyazawa said buyers are moving away from supersport bikes, adding, "(Yamaha) aim to create an older and younger brother and cousins (to the MT-09) - maybe the same capacity, but a slightly different concept".[7] This was translated into the creation of the MT-07/FZ-07 in US & Canada), the XSR700, the XSR900 and the MT-10/FZ-10 in US & Canada).

Reception

In Motor Cycle News Michael Neeves said, "The MT-09 starts an exciting new era for Yamaha" and "The MT-09 is a roadster for all occasions. It’s fun". However, the ride-by-wire throttle was criticised as "snatchy".[10] Cycle World's Kevin Cameron describes the styling as "V-Max meets Transformers Robot", "like a Supermono" and "an up-to-the-minute streetfighter, no bland revival of a 1970s' UJM. Call it a new synthesis."[11] Cycle World named the FZ-09 'Best Standard' of 2015.[3]

In an MCN 5-bike group test in 2015, the testers felt that the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer was a better bike and better value than its four competitors, namely: a Triumph Tiger 800XRx, a Triumph Tiger Sport, a Honda Crossrunner, and a Ducati Hyperstrada.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Dawes, Justin (11 June 2013), "2014 Yamaha FZ-09 First Look", MotorcycleUSA
  2. 1 2 3 Yamaha (2013), The Next Generation Sport Bike
  3. 1 2 "Best Standard: Yamaha FZ-09; Three cylinders, no waiting", Cycle World, 27 July 2015
  4. 1 2 Dirck Edge (11 June 2013), Yamaha Unveils 2014 FZ-09 850 Triple, Motorcycle Daily
  5. ↑ MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 12 &13
  6. ↑ MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 1 - "Yamaha Strikes Back!"
  7. 1 2 3 MotorCycle News 4 September 2013, page 11
  8. ↑ "Turnup your Emotions". Yamaha Europe. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  9. ↑ http://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/products/motorcycle/road/torque-sport/15-mt-09-tracer
  10. ↑ Motorcycle News 4 September 2013, page 8 & 13
  11. ↑ Cameron, Kevin (22 August 2013), "2014 Yamaha FZ-09 – Technical Review Yamaha shoots a $7990 bullet into the heart of boring bargain bikes with its new 847cc Triple", Cycle World
  12. ↑ Motorcycle News 26 August 2015

See also

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