It cannot be denied that Yamaha’s MT-09 – with over 48,000 units sold worldwide – was something of a smashing success in Malaysia, with many riders liking that inline-triple’s power and very affordable purchase price. But, many have discovered, as we did when we took the MT-09 out for review, the overall package, while competent, was somewhat let down by the suspension.
We do not fault Yamaha for this, especially when you are building to a budget. Precision suspension components are not cheap, after all, and there is always a price to pay for performance.
To address this issue, Yamaha revealed two MT-09 models at the Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori (EICMA) show in Milan, the base model MT-09 and the MT-09 SP. Taking a leaf from the MT-10 songbook, the MT-09 now comes with a headlamp assembly with four LED projector lights that mimics the unit on the MT-10.
On the suspension front, both the MT-09 and MT-09 SP now come with adjustable Kayaba front forks, with the base model making do with rebound and compression adjustment in separate fork legs, while the SP version has adjustability in both. This allows for the SP model to have finer front suspension tuning adjustment.
The MT-09 SP also comes with an Ohlins rear shock absorber as standard, with remote adjustment. These upgrades are matched to a lightweight aluminium frame and swingarm, along with switchable traction control and quickshifter.
Inside the cockpit, the MT-09 SP comes with an LCD panel with a white readout on black background, and the levers, handlebar and fork crown are also blacked out. Carrying the 10-spoke wheels from the MT-10 SP, the MT-09 SP comes in an exclusive Silver Blu Carbon colour scheme.
It remains to be seen if Hong Leong Yamaha Malaysia will be bringing in the MT-09 SP, or for that matter, the revised base MT-09, to replace the current model. While we would expect to pay a premium over the MT-09 – currently retailing at RM44,653 – we hope that Yamaha Malaysia will consider bringing in the MT-09 SP.
Why yamaha mt-03 not coming to msia? Mt 03 is true beauty of naked bike.
Another interesting article Mohan. Maybe now the deluded outlets that ill-compared the Striple RS to the base 2017 09 can do a proper comparo.
While I seriously doubt HLYM will bring this in (as a CBU by right), I’m just hoping they offer the 2018 CKD 09 with the latest updates. They can keep the quickshifter, just update the lights, bodywork, suspension (front & back) and slipper clutch. I am going to be in the market for an upgrade soon and really want these updates to be available.
On a further divergent note, one can only dream for HYLM to man-up and bring in the MT-10. If Kawasaki, for the Z1000 & ZX-10R and Suzuki for the stonking GSX-R1000 can do it, one has to believe the 10 will sell, especially since its priced below the bikes by Kawa & Suzy in other markets. 85k for chocolaty crossplane goodness sounds perfect.
One can dream…
How Yamaha put the Ohlins remote adjustment look so funny.