Motorcycle Review

2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP: The True Master of Torque

Florian Neuhauser

7 min read

It has been 10 years since Yamaha introduced the MT model line, and I first tested one in 2016 before the U.S. designation changed from FZ to the current one. I took the new 2024 MT-09 SP to the same roads on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, and it provided a great comparison. I already fell in love with the FZ-10 all those years ago. How much better can a motorcycle get? Is the MT-09 SP truly the purest of them all?

Before we can dive into the SP riding experience, though, we first need to look at all the updates Yamaha has done to the MT-09.

Inspired by a unique Japanese urban motorcycling subculture, the MT features aggressive styling stripped of unnecessary bodywork.

The Base

The 890cc triple still powers the motorcycle. The sound is so distinctive, it’s easy to identify the MT as it howls up the mountain. In the rider’s seat, the sound is directed upward through the Acoustic Amplifier Grilles that sit on top of the fuel tank, which has been redesigned. Another new feature on the bike is the two-duct intake design, and it also helps funnel up the striking sound that never gets old.

The steel tank sits 30mm lower and features sharper lines. The handlebar position is lower as well, and the new footrests sit a little farther back. Both are adjustable. All of that, combined with a slimmer seat, makes it easier to reach the ground. My 34-inch inseam means seat height is rarely a problem, but on sportier bikes, it sometimes creates an uncomfortable knee bend. Not on the MT-09. The reworked ergonomics made this bike even better. My legs fit perfectly under the tank’s lines, handlebar reach was neutral with a slight forward lean, and I could easily move around the seat and reposition my feet on the pegs. It all translated to all-day comfort and feeling like I was in full control at all times.

The redesigned bifunctional LED headlight is super compact. Because of this, the nacelle looks a bit plastic-y.

The SP

Built on the updated base platform, the SP’s $1,700 higher price tag gets you R1M-inspired colors, Brembo Stylema calipers, more electronics that also let you customize them, a fully adjustable premium suspension, and more. The math checks out.

I’m a big fan of key fobs. I usually hide them on the bike somewhere or leave them in the tankbag to keep the bike always ready to go. The SP comes with one key fob that features what Yamaha calls the Smart Key System. In addition to the ignition, the fob can also lock and unlock the steering and the fuel cap. In case you forget or lose the fob, there’s a backup code printed in the owner’s manual.