Yamaha Updates The MT-09 and MT-09 SP for 2024 Model Year

In a bit of an unexpected move, Yamaha pulled the covers off an updated MT-09 and MT-09 SP. Both models received a healthy dose of updates that many are welcoming as it returns the 890cc triple to a more sporty offering from Team Blue.

The notorious MT-09 started out as a rambunctious motorcycle that was hard to keep on two wheels. Its initial aggressive styling slowly faded with each update, causing the third generation to be viewed more as a sports touring machine rather than a rowdy and sporty hyper naked. Yamaha seems to have course corrected and returned the MT-09 to it’s roots for 2024 though, bringing updated styling and a more forward-leaning riders triangle for more front-end feel and ground clearance, as well as some evolved technology to try to keep the CP3 engine in check.

So what exactly is new? The most obvious is the styling. Yamaha packed in fresh updates to the headlight, radiator cowls, seat, tank, tail fairing, and tail light. Each updated lends itself to an updated riding triangle that enhances the riders connection with the bike. The handlebars are now lower and feature two adjustable positions. Combine that feature with the slightly higher foot pegs, new tank design, and slimmer seat, and you end up with a much sportier feeling that can easily conquer the canyons or track while inspiring rider confidence. The new sporty aesthetic also may be a hint at what’s to come, but more on that in a bit.

Yamaha updated the MT-09 with a new five-inch full-color TFT display that looks absolutely gorgeous in the photos and I’m sure will do the same in person, too. The new switchgear controls should improve the ease of changing options presented on the display so that you can flip through the new riding modes with a gloved hand without issue. If you want to connect your smartphone to your bike, that’s now an option with the Yamaha Connect app.

Euro 5 emission regulations continue to make our favorite engines more and more quiet, and Yamaha has come up with a genius way of providing some sound feedback to the rider with their new Acoustic Amplifier system that sits on top of the tank and is designed to enchace the intake sound and amplify the induction noise directly toward the rider. We have yet to ride the bike and hear it for ourselves, but reports will begin trickling in as this bike makes it to market, and this feature is something we will be very interested in as this could be a clever way of improving rider enjoyment that we think other manufacturers will catch on to in the coming years.

One of the big things that Yamaha did was update the the MT-09 with a new Brembo radial master cylinder for improved braking performance, not that they were necessarily a weak point before, but we always love having improved braking performance. The electronics take a spec bump as well with a new third-generation quick shifter, and if it’s anything like the previous version, we have very high hopes for how it performs. Yamaha also integrated a new BSR, or Back Slip Regulator, to reduce rear wheel lock up while engine braking that should be ideal for slippery situations. We don’t know yet if the BSR can be turned off, but we are hopeful it can as the MT-09 is all about being rowdy, and backing it in to corners is a stable of the kind of riding the MT-09 is known for.

The base MT-09 also received higher spring rates to reduce to the bouncy feel that we all have complained about, again leading to a more sporty feeling that should be able to tackle canyon roads with little to no complaints, but when you upgrade to the SP model, things really take it up a notch with fully adjustable KYB front forks and Ohlins rear suspension, enabling you to truly dial in the bike to your weight and riding perference.

The SP also gets a keyless entry, which some see as a good thing, while others have complaints about. As Honda introduced a keyless entry on their CBR1000RR-R, many racers complained about having to keep a large key fob in their suit and the potential harm that may be caused by crashing with one in their suit at high speeds. We see that as a fair point for the SP, too, especially with Yamaha marketing the new Track Riding Modes that come on the SP.

Upgrading to the SP won’t just get you better suspension and a key fob, you’ll also get a pretty huge upgrade to what is already shaping up to be a great braking system. You’ll get new Brembo Stylema Calipers to pair with the new Brembo radial master cylinder, for what we can only assume is going to be absolutely outstanding braking power.

So when can you get your hands on one of these? We are expecting them to be hitting dealers in late Spring of 2024. The base model will start out at $10,599 USD, while the upgraded MT-09 SP will cost you $12,299 USD. Is the SP worth the extra coin? That’s going to be up you ultimately and how much you value the few upgrades and SP paint scheme. For us, it’s hard to decide…perhaps we should ride them and then we can make a decision.

Now, as for how the sporty changes may impact things moving forward in Yamaha’s lineup. We believe that this update wasn’t just a return to the roots of the MT-09 - no, it was also preparing us for the future. Rumors of a Yamaha YZF-R9 are hitting a fever pitch right now, and with EICMA next week and the new MT-09 design changes lending themselves more easily to a fully faired supersport version of the platform, we think it’s a pretty obvious claim to make that the R9 reveal is imminent and certain. The timing of that announcement however is not. EIMCA is a great place to do so, but if Yamaha follows the playbook put in place by the YZF-R7 unveiling, we may have to wait until spring of 2024 to finally see what would be a 2025 R9 make it’s public debut. Until then, we are going to continue to drool over the new MT-09 updates.