The 2024 Yamaha MT-09

Since its debut in 2014, the MT-09 has carved the definition of Hyper Naked in stone, leading the class with its impact on the market and culture. Over the last decade, Yamaha has refined the MT model lineup, plunging deep into the dark side of Japan and owning the Master of Torque title. Ten years later, how dark does the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 get? I headed to the Redwoods of Big Basin State Park in  Santa Cruz, California, to find out. 

Yamaha press introductions are always grand, with plenty of riding and camaraderie among moto journalists. At this event, we were accompanied by Josh Hayes and Alpinestar’s Heath Cofran. Hayes is a brand ambassador for Yamaha, so having him there was beneficial on many levels, but particularly to learn from his many years in the saddle. Cofran presented the latest rider tech and apparel from Alpinestars and fitted me with my new gear, including my new SR10 helmet. Locked and loaded, I was ready for the ride.  

But before I threw a leg over the bike, there was a quick Y-Connect app tutorial, connecting the MT-09 to my smartphone. Y-Connect is Apple CarPlay for motorcycles on steroids with connectivity features that include Garmin Street Cross turn-by-turn navigation, communication alerts from your smartphone, music controls, and even the weather. No subscription is necessary. You can also make in-app adjustments for your ride modes away from the bike. When you turn on the bike, and your phone connects via Bluetooth, the app settings will be reflected in the bike’s mode profile. I’ll give notes on the MT-09’s other bells and whistles shortly. 

Yamaha’s design department has put the hours in regarding the visual aesthetics of the 2024 model. The MT-09 features chiseled, aggressive lines worthy of its performance capabilities. From year one until now, the MT-09 has peeled away the less needed while beefing up what was missing. A standout feature is the new headlight that houses the latest LED lamps and resembles a menacing glare. The new 3.7-gallon tank is broader and lower by 60mm and 30mm, respectively. The wider tank creates an impressive contact area for your knees for a real connection to the bike. New ergonomics employ a lower-placed adjustable handlebar nudged by 1.5mm, higher adjustable foot pegs, a seat height of 32.5 inches, and an increased steering angle. These elements gave me a solid connection to the bike and room to make necessary movements and adjustments. I’m not a small rider, so…

Another noteworthy design element is the new two-piece seat. Gone is the banana seat of yesteryear as the MT-09 adapts a more sporty rear section. Beyond the cohesive overall design of the bikes, the two-piece seat provides quick access to tools, storage, or whatever else you manage to fit in the rear seat compartment.  It was the ideal spot to store one of my microphones to record the MT-09’s audible symphony. Does the MT-09 like to strike up the band? Hell, yes, it does. Courtesy of new dual-tuned intake ducts added to the airbox cover with acoustic amplifier grilles located atop the tank, the tried and true 890cc inline triple CP3 engine notes roar. At idle, it’s one thing. However, throughout the revs, the sound produced by the MT-09 is stimulating and inspirational. 

And that is where the machine leads us. To ride inspired. At all stages of the press ride, the MT-09 delivered what was required and asked. Before hitting the twisties and turns, we spent some time in downtown Cupertino, where the MT-09 makes a strong and proper case as a daily commuter. The new riding position lends itself to comfort, and there is plenty of fun to be had, even at lower speeds and well-mannered environments. Moving onto the highway for a stint is always a blast, and again, the MT-09’s impressive torque performed exceedingly well. Coupled with the revised ergonomics and sculpted tank, the solid connection to the bike retained itself at higher paces. The MT-09’s stability at highway speeds is motivating. Its third-generation quick shifter allows smooth up-and-down shifting during acceleration and deceleration. The 7-gear transmission’s new configuration includes six drive dogs over the 2023’s five dogs thanks to smaller drive dog windows. The bike cuts through the gears like hot steel through butter. 

Into the Redwoods of the Big Basin State Park we headed, where the aroma of the 2020 wildfire that destroyed over 95% of the park still lingers. This riding environment is where I found the MT-09’s prowess is undeniable. In this atmosphere, it shined thanks to its nimbleness, stability, and consistent and predictable delivery of real-world usable power. Through tight and technical switchbacks and sweeping carvers, the MT-09 felt like it was the one having all of the fun. The Brembo Radial Master cylinder delivered a superb braking feel when hugging the 298mm front rotors set as I dove into the turns before returning to the throttle. The give and take of it all, without getting hucked around in the saddle, in part thanks to the reworked 41mm KYB forks and revised linkage of the rear suspension… all welcomed and appreciated. While mitigating the sometimes less-than-perfect asphalt under the canopy of the Redwoods, there were several concerns, but the MT-09 was not one of them. The bike is just fun. Period. 

There is a new 5-inch TFT dash from which you can select four different interface options. All of the functions and engagements are displayed. Selections of ride modes (Sport, Street, Rain plus 2 Customs), Cruise Control, and other settings are managed by a new switch cluster and a 5-way joystick at the handlebar. A notable detail is the newly designed self-canceling turn signal buttons, which are easier to locate by feeling instead of glancing down, so you can keep your eyes on the road where they belong. 

Fun fact: The Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23 M-Spec tires are designated OEM tires, made available only for the 2024 Yamaha MT-09. They will not be available as aftermarket tires; instead, they are true Yamaha OEM parts with OEM part numbers and must be ordered as such. 

So does the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 fall in with the Darkside of Yamaha’s Master of Torque ideology? The answer is yes. When considering a motorcycle that you can use for multiple purposes (commuter, passenger, highways, back roads, canyons, track), there are several things to consider. As a rider, you know what boxes should be checked before you shell out your hard-earned cash. You want that one bike that can do it all, and you do not want to overpay (relative, I know) for it.  That’s why I’m giving the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 its propers. What the bike provides and how it performs, at its $10,599 MSRP, elevates it from just being a hooligan machine to a master… of torque, that is. 

Images: Joseph Agustin

About The Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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