2024 Yamaha MT-09 Review - Dark Knight Returns with a Vengeance

Because it's a motorcycle with a face just like Iron Man's helmet, the Yamaha MT-09 would have been something like a Transformers-meets-Iron Man if it were maroon in colour. But maroon is a favourite of the Triumph Street Triple RS, and you know whatâ€"the MT-09 has that bike in its crosshairs.

The MT-09's onslaught on Triumph's friendly, bug-eyed naked has been happening for a while, but this fourth attempt is more serious than you think. It's out to stab the Street Triple on the road, on the track, in the pocket and, arguably, even in design.

Design: A Face Only Tony Stark Could Love

Yamaha has taken the bold design ethos of the MT series and cranked it up a notch for 2024. Unlike most Yamahas, the MT-09 looks better in black than blueâ€"after all, Yamaha likes to call it the "dark side of Japan" and the new one takes that design philosophy to a whole new level. Since we're talking superheroesâ€"remember the very Batman-inspired MT-09 that was launched in India? It's like it exchanged that helmet for Tony Stark's.

The twin-eye LED headlights, flanked by vertical DRLs and minimalist bodywork, give it a robotic, almost menacing stare that makes the Street Triple look organic in comparison. The MT-09 feels less refined and more like a raw, fight club member. Where the Triumph exudes British sophistication, the Yamaha is all about newfound Japanese aggression.

The minimalistic tail section, sculpted tank, and exposed frame keep the MT-09 looking lean and mean. If you're a fan of subtlety, this bike isn't for you. Just as before, the MT-09 is not a bike that will get lost in the crowd. It's an extrovert on two wheels, with aggressive lines and that signature minimalist design.

Features: No Nonsense, All Business

Yamaha has wisely avoided overloading the MT-09 with unnecessary gadgets, keeping it focused on what really mattersâ€"riding. That said, it's not short on modern tech. The colour TFT display has a sharp, clear interface that provides all the crucial information at a glance. It's no larger than it needs to be, which suits the bike's minimalist philosophy.

There's a suite of rider aids, including a standard quick-shifter, traction control, and various riding modes that allow you to tailor the bike's behaviour to your whims. On paper, where the Street Triple RS might boast about its track-ready setup and refined electronics, the MT-09's package feels more like a toolkit for the urban jungle. But our ride on the flowing Sodegaura Forest Raceway near Tokyo showed that the MT-09 is just as explosive on the track, and hence its comparison happens with the Street Triple RS and not the R. Yamaha has smartly tuned the electronics to enhance, rather than interfere with, the riding experience. There is a 6-axis IMU that keeps things tidy on the track and on the road, and a fully adjustable KYB suspension completes the setup for most of its target audienceâ€"the kind that prefers back-alley brawls over clean, calculated duelsâ€"it's more than enough!

Ride and Handling: Ready for a Street Brawl

Yamaha has dialled in the suspension on the MT-09 to provide a balance between sporty handling and everyday comfort. The front features fully adjustable KYB forks, while the rear gets a KYB monoshock that's also adjustable. This setup allows the bike to adapt to various riding conditions, though it's clear that the MT-09 is happiest when it's being pushed hard. Out of the box, Yamaha prioritised performance over pure comfortâ€"but you can set it up to your liking without needing any upgrades, and that's a big plus.

The chassis is light and nimble, making it easy to throw the bike into corners. The MT-09's handling is sharp but forgiving, allowing for quick direction changes without feeling twitchy. Compared to the Street Triple RS, which feels like a reliable scalpel (pun intended) on twisty roads, the MT-09 is more like a well-honed axeâ€"precise, but with a bit more heft. It's stable at speed, and the wide handlebars give you plenty of leverage to wrestle it through tight corners. The bike feels planted, with excellent feedback from both ends and should be a blast to ride on twisty roads or through congested city streets.

I repeat it is a machine that demands to be ridden hard, not pampered, but those who want to push that envelope further will probably take more of a liking to the MT-09 SP, which gets you stiffer KYB forks at the front and an Öhlins shock absorber at the rear. Switching between the standard and SP revealed a marginally tighter setup out of the box, but what made the bigger difference were the brakesâ€"Brembo Stylema versus Advics.

The Sodegaura track has a bump right after the 100m braking marker on the start-finish straight, and I would need to drop anchor from around 180kmph on the MT-09. While I would have to start braking hard around the 150m mark on the standard bike, the SP allowed me to brake right at the 100m marker, not only because of the bite from the SP's Brembo callipers but also because the bump wasn't affecting the balance on the SP. I'm sure setting up the standard MT-09 suspension could help achieve closer results, but the brakes are a big plus!

If you aren't going to frequent the track, though, the standard MT-09 will do just fine for casual track days. The Advics brakes didn't have a noticeable fade, and things never got hairy.

CP3 Engine Performance: Litre-Class For The Masses

The MT-09 is powered by Yamaha's 890cc CP3 engine, and let's get this straightâ€"it's an absolute peach. This triple-cylinder unit has always been one of Yamaha's highlights, and for 2024, it's been refined to be even better. Producing a healthy 119PS, it's 9PS down on the Street Triple RS but has more torque to tout. But it's not just about the numbers; it's about how they're delivered, and the MT-09 has the meat of its power and torque being dialled in from as low as 3,500rpm.

So calling its power punchy would be an understatement, with a mid-range that could knock the wind out of you if you're not careful. Unlike the R1 or R6's engines, which feel like they've been trained in a dojo for years, the MT-09 feels like it's been raised on the streetsâ€"brutal, unforgiving, and utterly thrilling. Still very Dark Knight rather than Iron Man. The throttle response is razor-sharp, making it a joy to attack a series of bends.

Where the Triumph's engine is smooth and linear, the MT-09's CP3 unit has a character that's more raw and visceral. The exhaust note is a deep, throaty growl that turns into a howl as the revs climb, reminding you that this bike means business. The low-end torque is addictive, and you'll find yourself cracking the throttle open just to feel that surge of power!

MT-09 Y-AMT: The Sober Side of the Yammie

Like any superhero, this bike has a mellower side too. Should Yamaha India decide to show that side of the MT-09 to you, it's the Y-AMT variant, and just like we have seen in cars for many years, it comes with an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). It gets rid of the clutch lever and the gear selector, though the latter should have been included at least as an accessory. The gear selectors for a manual override are placed on the handlebar, which makes it far more convenient to use in the city, insists Yamaha.

But convenience in city commutes is the only reason to choose the Y-AMT model because the bike will never stall, you never have to change gears, and even under emergency braking the bike is able to downshift rapidly. Yamaha claims the shifts are almost as quick as the quick shifter on the standard model, and we would agree. A pass-light kind of switch on the right cube allows you to flick between MT and AMT modes, and the latter comes with a D mode for the city and a D+ mode for more spirited riding.

But it's clear that the Y-AMT is aimed at the more casual rider who prioritises convenience over performance. Our test on the track immediately showed that the AMT isn't for spirited, edge-of-the-seat riding, which this engine demands. Most riding schools will teach you to maintain a steady throttle through the corner and power out once you hit the apex, but the AMT software often upshifts mid-corner in this scenarioâ€"which not only upsets the bike but also makes the revs drop just as you want to power out. Similarly, when you are braking down a straight to enter a corner, the bike may refuse to downshift "enough", leading to much wider lines and sometimes even hairy moments. So if you are simply looking to ride the streets without wanting to shift gears, and hardcore sport riding isn't your thing, the Y-AMT could be a big boon for you.

Should the MT-09 Come Back to India?

Looking at the pricing of the YZF-R3 and the older MT-09, even the new one will very much be a niche offering if it were to return. In comparison to the Street Triple RS, which has already established a strong following in India, the MT-09 would have to carve out its own space. It would appeal to riders who prefer the rough-and-tumble nature of the Yamaha over the more polished Triumph. It is also a lot lighter than the Kawasaki Z900, has plenty of soul, and a charm that is hard to ignore. If Yamaha can price it competitively and market it effectively, the MT-09 could very well find its niche in India. It's a bike that deserves to be ridden, not just ogled at, and for that reason alone, it would be a welcome addition to the Indian motorcycling scene.

Verdict

In conclusion, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is not just a return to form for Yamahaâ€"it's a statement. A statement that says the dark knight of the streets is back, and it's ready to throw down with the best of them. Whether you're a seasoned rider looking for new thrills or someone who simply appreciates a well-crafted motorcycle, the MT-09 is worth your attention. It's not perfect, but then again, that's part of its charm.