Much awaited, the 2025 Yamaha R9 sportsbike makes its worldwide debut. The R9 fills the gap between the Yamaha R1 superbike and the track only R6, while complementing the Yamaha R7 (not sold in Malaysia), the Yamaha R25 and the Yamaha R15.
Positioned for the super sport market, the R9 comes with Yamaha’s CP3 Crossplane engine from the Yamaha MT-09 naked sports, with three-cylinders and 119 PS. The R9 draws on Yamaha’s experience in racing, notably in MotoGP, and features aerodynamic bodywork.
This includes winglets and central air duct to the air box, the R9 having undergone extensive wind tunnel testing to reduce drag and improve acceleration. The winglets reduce front-wheel lift by six to seven percent in a straight line, and when combined with the front-end spoiler beneath the M-duct, is increased 10% during cornering.
Similar attention has been paid to the R9’s suspension, something that was a little lacking in the MT-09. KYB supplies the 43 mm diameter upside-down front forks, adjustable for rebound and compression damping on the left and right fork tubes with high- and low-speed valving while a KYB monoshock comes with full adjustment for compression, preload and rebound in the rear.
High end braking comes to the R9 with radial-mount twin Brembo Stylema monobloc four-piston callipers on the front wheel. With 320 mm brake discs, braking power in front is controlled by a Brembo radial master cylinder and stainless steel braided hoses.
A full suite of riding electronics comes on the R9, with three riding modes – Sport, Street and Rain – along with two customisable modes and four track modes. Additionally, the riding aids feature Power delivery (PWR), Traction Control (TCS), Slide Control System (SCS), Brake Control (BC), Back Slip Regulator (BSR), Engine Brake Management (EBM), cruise control and front wheel Lift Control (LIF).
All the riding aids are controllable through the instrument panel or Yamaha’s MyRide smartphone app. There is also a launch mode for track use, and the R9’s ABS for the rear wheel can be switched off.
A two-mode quickshifter comes standard with Setting 1 allowing for upshifts when accelerating and downshifts on deceleration while Setting 2 allows downshifts while accelerating and upshifts while decelerating, intended for track use in specific cornering situations.
Yamaha’s Y-Trac app allows riders to log and analyse riding data with professional-level technology for all levels of riders, from novice to pro, along with GPS location logging. With the Y-Trac app, lap and sector times can be logged as well as data such as lean angle, engine rpm, gear position, speed, throttle position and the levels of support from the electronic support systems, such as traction control.
There is also the option for a ‘virtual pitboard’ where the pit crew can send messages to the rider via the app and displayed on the R9’s five-inch TFT-LCD instrument panel. Purchasers of the R9 can sign top for the free trial version of the Y-Trac app, or subscribe for the premium version.
