The 2016 Yamaha MT-09 takes very little time to confirm that its raw character hasn’t changed a bit. When you press the starter the 847cc three-cylinder engine comes to life with an eager, quick-revving feel and a raspy sound from the stubby silencer.
Moments later you’re tearing up the road and the naked 2016 Yamaha MT-09 blend of lively performance, effortless agility and sweet-revving character is reminding you why it has been so popular since its launch in late 2013. But equally, if you’re familiar with the original MT-09 you don’t need long to realise that there is something distinctly different about this updated model. Its manners are subtly but distinctly improved; its throttle response notably smoother. It’s no surprise that the 2016 Yamaha MT-09 feels good, because few bikes of recent times have made such a positive impression as the triple whose launch began Yamaha’s recent revival. That original naked MT has sold over 20, 000 units and spawned Street Rally and Sport Tracker variants as well as the successful sports-touring Tracer.
But the original MT-09’s throttle response was distinctly sharp; sufficiently so to make all but the softest of the three engine modes too abrupt. And its suspension didn’t match the quality of the rest of its chassis, especially up front where the fairly long-travel forks sometimes gave a slightly vague feel. Since then Yamaha has made modifications in both areas with the Tracer, which also introduced a traction control system on its arrival last year. And the firm gave the 2016 Yamaha MT-09 a new fuelling map for 2015 which it offered to existing owners for free.
Now this latest version comes with what is essentially the Mk3 map, plus a two-way adjustable traction control system for the first time. The changes work: as before there are three riding modes; the Standard that is set when the bike is turned on, plus a sharper A and softer B modes.
In Standard, throttle response is instant without feeling snatchy. The other riding modes were worth having, too, though A is still aggressive enough that I’d probably only ever bother with it if I was on a dull road and needed an occasional jolt of more extreme acceleration. The softer B is potentially more useful in bad weather or even just in town. The 2016 Yamaha MT-09 new traction control system also works well. The more intrusive Level 2 cuts power smoothly but noticeably on hard acceleration out of corners, and could be valuable in slippery conditions. But most of the time I left the system on Level 1, which added some cornering security without marring the performance.
