2025 Yamaha YZF-R9 Breaks Cover
Utilizing the CP3 engine revealed at the Cologne motorcycle show in 2012 as a new three-cylinder engine, the YZF-R9 is more than a decade in the making. Sandwiched between its supersport brethren, the YZF-R1 ($18,999) and the YZF-R7 ($9,199), the fully-faired YZF-R9 fills the price and performance gap between these two models at $12,499.
According to Yamaha, the 890cc liquid-cooled triple powering the R9 makes use of a “unique ECU tune and optimized gear ratio to provide thrilling supersport power.” The claimed horsepower for the new R9 is 117 at 10,000 rpm, while the claimed torque is 68 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm.
Combined with the bike’s claimed curb weight of 430 pounds and a wheelbase spanning 55.9 inches, the R9 portends impressive on-track performance. For comparison’s sake, the $6,500 more expensive R1 offers 82 more horsepower, 18 more pounds of wet weight, and 0.6 fewer inches between contact patches. Meanwhile, the $3,300 cheaper R7 provides 45 fewer horsepower, 16 fewer pounds of wet weight, and a wheelbase an inch shorter.
The R9 boasts the same Brembo radial master cylinder and Brembo Stylema monobloc front brake calipers gripping dual 320mm discs as its R1 stablemate. ABS (and the ability to defeat ABS at the rear wheel) come standard.
The motorcycle’s chassis combines an aluminum gravity-cast Deltabox frame with a fully adjustable KYB fork and shock. Yamaha claims a 50/50 front-rear weight distribution.
Featuring an impressive suite of electronic rider aids, the R9 comes with a nine-mode, lean-sensitive traction control system, as well as slide control and lift control systems, each with three levels of adjustability. The six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) is based on the one used on the R1.
Other performance niceties include an assist and slipper clutch, a third-generation bidirectional quickshifter, four power modes, two choices of engine braking, launch control, and cruise control. All of these options, plus a choice of four street themes and one dedicated track theme, are available on the full-color five-inch TFT screen navigable via integrated handlebar-mounted switchgear. Riders can, of course, link their phones to the R9 with Yamaha’s Y-Connect app.
In style, this bike is distinctively Yamaha R, and undeniably current by virtue of the integrated front winglets. To my eyes, the rear passenger pillion seems unnecessarily tall and chunky, but the bike is otherwise sharp and complementary to the R family photo.
The seating position is track-oriented, with an aggressive forward lean to the bar and footpegs positioned for cornering clearance. Color choices include Team Yamaha Blue, Matte Raven Black, and Intensity White/Redline.
In addition to filling a gap in its model lineup, Yamaha has also brought to market a motorcycle that doesn’t directly match any existing models from competing marques. At one end of the spectrum, we have Suzuki’s GSX-8R at $9,669, while Ducati’s SuperSport 950 resides at the other end at $15,495. With the YZF-R9, Yamaha seems to have found a sweet spot of price and performance.