Rod Chapman•21 Nov 2018

REVIEW

2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Yamaha MT-09SP

Name: 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year: Yamaha MT-09SP
Brand: Yamaha

Decent tech and ripping good naked-bike fun in a sub $14k package…

Yamaha has taken a good thing and made it better, with the 2018 Yamaha MT-09SP adding a fully adjustable Öhlins monoshock, an upgraded fork, a quickshifter and a trick paint job to the already-accomplished base-model MT-09 – all for a modest $1200 premium.

That brings the ticket price for the MT-09SP to $13,499 plus on-roads – not a big ask, we suggest, for a brand-new bike that delivers a stonking dose of fun, in a quality package with a number of high-tech inclusions.

However, things like ride modes, multi-level traction control and quickshifter aside, the MT-09SP is just a rollicking good ride, and a big part of its appeal stems from its intoxicating engine.

Performance and ergonomics

The 847cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line triple may be unchanged from the base-model's donk, but it kicks out a healthy 115hp and 87.5Nm in a package weighing in at a not-too-shabby 193kg wet. That's a power-to-weight ratio sure to please, the MT's spirited performance only accentuated by the relatively upright ride position and lack of bodywork.

Even with the stock-standard miniscule exhaust outlet beneath the bike, the engine positively howls as the tacho streaks through the revs, the wailing banshee note stirring the senses as it adds to the experience in a 'point-and-shoot' platform that's built to devour bends.

The 820mm seat height should prove accessible for most and the seat itself is narrow, so it's not too tricky to get a foot down.

The ride position is aggressive, but not in a traditional 'head-down, bum-up' sportsbike kind of a way. The seat-handlebar-footpeg triangle sees the rider adopt a largely upright stance, while the knees drop and feet are tucked back under the seat. Your hands, meanwhile, are splayed wide to grip the reasonably high-set handlebar.

It's combative yet comfy, placing the rider in a ready-for-action posture that still presents no problem on city commutes or longer country runs.

Transmission and suspension

The quickshifter adds to the fun when attacking the twisties but it's not the sharpest unit we've sampled – it's for upshifts only and it requires a decent prod of the shifter to effect the change. For the most part I reverted to momentarily backing off the throttle or simply using the clutch lever, which proves light in action and progressive in take-up.

In any case, the six-speed transmission is positive and precise, as you'd expect of any Yamaha of a sporty nature these days.

Of course, the big news in this model is the suspension upgrade, and the Öhlins rear shock ups the feel and control to another lever.

The remote adjuster means alterations to account for pillions are quick and easy, and even though it's not a top-of-the-tree unit from the Swedish specialist's catalogue, it's a decent step up from the standard arrangement.

Up front is a fully adjustable 43mm inverted fork from KYB, now sporting compression and rebound on both legs.

Our test bike was really quite firm in the front end and – on one particularly bumpy descent along the Lyell Highway, heading west from Derwent Bridge to Queenstown – the set-up wasn't working especially well for this pilot. I might add that the seven-degree temperature and rain certainly weren't helping matters – and that the fork felt a whole lot better on a previous section of smooth, dry, high-speed sweepers.

In any case, full adjustability at least gives you the option of tailoring the bike to your exact requirements. Given more time, I'm sure I could have arrived at a better setting for these trying conditions – and we know from past experience that this MT-09SP has a brilliant set-up for hard sports or track riding in the dry…

Ride modes and traction control

At least the traction control was there as an electronic safety net on that hazardous descent, where the cold and slippery conditions were ready to catch the unwary. It's a three-stage system that can be switched off entirely, or set to one of two differing levels of intervention. Like most road bikes, the ABS is permanently on, while there's also a choice of three ride modes: A, standard or B.

The general consensus was the most aggressive setting, 'A', was just too much for road riding, making it difficult to lope along on a steady throttle without some hunting and surging. Think of it as a track-only setting.

Even the standard setting is still pretty sharp, the bike reacting near instantly to even tiny throttle inputs, while 'B' is noticeably softer – on this trip most people stuck to this setting for most of the time.

Instead of A, standard, and B, think of these three settings as Track, Sports and Road and you won't go far wrong.

Chassis and handling

Whatever setting you choose, the MT-09SP revs freely and achieves go-directly-to-gaol speeds in short order, if indeed that's your objective.

The bike is nimble enough through the bends but it's an involving ride – you need to get active with the handlebar and with your body language to muscle it through the bends, countering steering that is a little on the slow side.

That's mainly down to the modest 25-degree steering-head angle, which delivers typically surefooted, roadster levels of stability despite the razor-sharp, take-no-prisoner looks. It means you've got to get amongst it to get the most out of this MT in a sports setting, but it's that level of involvement that adds to the engaging nature of the ride.

For when you do require nothing more than rolling along the highway, the MT-09SP's donk spins at 4000rpm in top gear.

Both the traction and ride mode settings can be altered on the fly via handlebar-mounted controls, and the digital instrumentation is compact yet easy to read. There's a gear indicator to complement the digi speedo while the tacho creeps around the instrument face's perimeter – to past 11,000rpm before the rev-limiter kicks in.

We have no qualms about the MT-09SP's brakes, either. The twin-disc, four-piston front anchors pull the thing up with impressive power and finesse, easily making the most of the grip offered by the Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S20 Evo rubber.

Fuel economy? In Tassie, over the best part of 1000 hard kilometres, the Yamaha returned an average of 6.7L/100km. That's a range of 208 kilometres from the 14.0-litre tank.

Sadly, our test bike didn't quite make it through to the end of this year's Bike of the Year test under its own steam: it copped a rock to its radiator near Lake Plimsoll, and was soon relegated to the back of our Fiat Ducato support van.

A shame, for sure, but nothing a cheap radiator guard couldn't prevent.

Summing up

Tasmania was a fitting backdrop for the MT-09SP and, with the next corner never far away, this bike was in its element. The MT-09SP is a fantastic little machine in its own right, but when you take its pricing into account it's easy to see why it took out our Nakedbike category in the 2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year awards.

Has it got what it takes to be crowned our ultimate winner? When you take the Yamaha's bang-for-your-bucks factor into account, it has to be in the running…

Specs: Yamaha MT-09SP

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke DOHC triple
Capacity: 847cc
Bore x stroke: 78.0mm x 59.1mm
Compression ratio: 11.5:1
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 115hp (84.6kW) at 10,000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 87.5Nm at 8500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multiplate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel diamond
Front suspension: Inverted telescopic KYB fork, fully adjustable, 137mm travel
Rear suspension: Öhlins monoshock, fully adjustable, 130mm travel
Front brakes: Twin 289mm discs with four-piston calipers, ABS
Rear brake: Single 245mm disc with single-piston caliper, ABS
Tyres: Front 120/70-17, rear 180/55-17

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 25 degrees
Trail: 103mm
Claimed kerb weight: 193kg
Seat height: 820mm
Wheelbase: 1440mm
Fuel capacity: 14 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $13,499 plus on-road costs
Test bike supplied by: Yamaha Motor Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres