After a wait of few seasons, the Dark Side of Japan has finally made a comeback
In the 800-900cc category, there are only a handful naked/streetfighter motorcycles that are presently available in the world. While the Z900 from Kawasaki gives away the aura of a dangerous viper, the KTM 790 acts as the sharp scalpel. These motorcycles are an epitome of modern sharp designs that have been embraced by the two-wheeler industry and motorcycle enthusiasts. However, Yamaha with the MT-09 seems to have taken the styling quotient to a different stature. Maybe that’s why the company calls it the Dark Side of Japan.
Design
The all-new iteration for the year 2021 has been recently unveiled, and it looks menacing. So much so that the predecessor model looks boring in front of the new one. The headlight unit has been replaced with a new unit that features a single projector LED in the middle, along with LED strips on both the flanks.
The fuel tank has undergone a massive change with more angular lines running from the front to the end. On the tank’s both sides, the Yamaha logo has been crafted with a glossy finish.
Powerplant
The powertrain of the MT-09 is an all-new cross-plane inline-triple 890cc engine. With the help of longer strokes, Yamaha has updated the previous 847cc engine to an 890 one. The engine has become lighter and more powerful with the help of forged pistons that now enables it to develop 117hp at 10,000rpm and a peak torque of 93Nm.
Furthermore, the 09 now features a 6-axis IMU taken straightway from the Yamaha R1 to ensure that the power is kept down and is available at the slightest twist of the wrist.
Skeleton
The skeleton or the chassis of the MT-09 has received a significant amount of rework and thus, it is now lighter than the predecessor. Further, the rework has increased the lateral rigidity of the motorcycle by 50 per cent to improve stability on straight runs. With a new lighter engine and reworked chassis, the MT-09 has shredded 3kgs of weight. A new aluminium swingarm which is 250gm lighter than the previous one has also aided in bringing the overall weight down.
Suspension and Electronic aids
Yamaha has armed the MT with 41mm USD Kayaba forks whereas the rear gets an adjustable mono-shock unit. On the electronics front, the 09 houses ABS, Brake Control System, TCS and SCS to name a few.
