2024 Yamaha MT-09 Review: A Super-Fun Addictive Hooligan

The Yamaha MT series has always remained one of the most successful motorbikes ever produced by Yamaha. The company produces multiple variants with different engine displacement sizes for riders of all skill levels.

The MT-09 is considered the most fun and adventurous among all the Yamaha MT variants. Considering its power-producing capability, it is not for beginners.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 model has brought a lot of changes. First, the styling and aesthetics differ completely from the previous year's model. It looks more premium, more aggressive, and more desirable.

Yamaha never fails to surprise its fans with an edgy and fresh design every time. The 2024 MT-09 model looks more refined than ever. As the company calls it, the Yamaha MT-09 is the Master of Darkness. This roadster's dark and bold look makes it the most attractive in its class.

Numerous changes have been made to the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 model. The company has emphasized the feedback and reviews of the previous year's models. Per the feedback, Yamaha has tried to refine things as much as possible.

Continue reading this article to learn about the 2024 updates on the Yamaha MT-09. Also, we will highlight the best things about the 2024 Yamaha MT-09, which make it a top contender in the naked bike segment.

Most of the changes made to the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 are cosmetics. Many changes are also made to the internal elements, including a few engine components, suspensions, and brakes. However, we were not expecting Yamaha to rebuild the whole bike either.

Most Yamaha MT-09 fans were slightly upset with certain styling elements and features of the previous year's model. This year, the company has made a successful attempt to ensure the MT-09 looks the best.

Though the soul remains the same, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 looks bolder, stronger, and more aggressive. The gas tank looks sharper in the 2024 MT-09, with extended and broader air intakes on either side.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 ’s rear end also looks more sturdy. If you observe closely, the 2024 model looks more meaner with a greater angle of attack. It now gives a true vibe of being a darker bike.

The 2024 MT-09 looks more compact with a slightly elevated tail end. The all-new headlight design and position make it meaner and more aggressive. The updated seat looks very well integrated with the gas tank. It goes perfectly with the overall sportier stance of the Yamaha MT-09.

2024 Yamaha MT-09’s Front-End Look 

The redesigned 2024 Yamaha MT-09 ’s headlight style gives a new life to this bike. The bike may not give a transformer look now, but it looks more dramatic and mysterious. The bike looks more futuristic, edgy, modern, and innovative.

The fit and finish look very much improved on the 2024 model. The integration of each component also gives this bike a cleaner look.

2023 Yamaha MT-09

2024 Yamaha MT-09

After riding the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 in the city, I realized it is an ideal commuter bike. It doesn’t feel like a big 900 cc motorbike. Instead, it feels lighter and easy to maneuver on city roads.

Above all, the best thing about the 2024 MT-09 is its highly flickable nature, making it easy to handle and steer through the traffic. The 2024 MT-09 weighs only 192.78 kg, which is good for a motorbike in this category.

You can easily maneuver and make your way through the traffic on this bike. It is also a quick motorcycle to zip through empty roads in no time.

As you should expect from the 2024 Yamaha MT-09, this bike handles exceptionally well. It is light, agile, and flickable, making cornering easier. You can confidently take this bike for canyon carving.

It is a perfect bike for going uphill or riding on twisty roads. The assist and slipper clutch makes the clutch operation and gear shifting smooth and easy.

Thanks to the third-generation quick shifter installed on this bike, you don’t need to worry about shifting gears without engaging the clutch; cornering on the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 has been made much easier.

Riders can comfortably up and downshift the bike with the quick shifter. You will not notice any irregularity or discontinuity of engine power while shifting gears while cornering.

Whether you want to overtake a slow-moving vehicle or slow down while cornering, the quick-shifter works exceptionally well. You will hardly hear clunkiness from the gearbox while shifting gears without using the clutch.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09’s 889 cc inline-three CP3 engine is unmatched in performance, fun, reliability, and exclusiveness. Though this bike falls under the middleweight naked bike category, the acceleration and response are brilliant.

The triple-cylinder engine gives it an extra sound and power. The 889 cc liquid-cooled, inline-three CP3 engine is an established and reliable technology developed by Yamaha. The same engine powers the favorite roadsters, the Yamaha XSR900 and the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+, the “2023 Bike of the Year”.

This powerful engine makes this bike an absolute beast on the road. The ride gets so much fun and excitement that it brings out the hooligan in you. The burst of torque available at a lower rpm brings the most excitement and thrill. The availability of impressive low-end torque provides super-quick acceleration. Despite ensuring abrupt acceleration, the power delivery still feels smooth.

To keep a balance and make riding safer, Yamaha has also installed a variety of top-class rider aids and safety features.

Regarding performance, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 generates a peak torque of 93 Nm at 7,000 rpm. Meanwhile, this bike produces an impressive peak horsepower figure of 117.3 hp at 10,000 rpm. The way this bike delivers the power and torque is what makes this bike unique.

According to speed tests performed on the 2023 Yamaha MT-09 model, it has been recorded to attain a top speed mark of 147.9 mph. This bike can reach the 60 mph mark in only 2.95 seconds while starting from the rest. On top of this remarkably powerful performance, the bike has a claimed fuel economy of 48 mpg.

Considering this bike’s style, low weight, responsive engine, and top-end acceleration, the front end always wants to lift as you open the throttle. However, the bike table is kept planted thanks to the electronics and wheelie control feature.

You must have heard many people going hooligan on this bike. It may sound good to most riders, but it is also a downside for some riders. Having a fun bike with everything superior about it is a great feeling. However, for riders who haven’t yet acquired the necessary safety riding skills, riding the MT-09 can be a problem.

This bike's super fun element makes it the favorite of many stunt riders. You must be careful while riding the Yamaha MT-09 as it evokes your hooligan. It is your duty as a rider to ride the MT-09 responsibly. You need to have good self-control to ride a bike like this.

The seat style and geometry have been changed on the 2024 Yamaha MT-09. It feels slightly harder than the previous year's model. However, it is not uncomfortable considering the type of motorcycle it is.

The 2024 MT-09 will not be comfortable on longer rides as it is not built for this. It is an aggressive-style naked bike with a sportier stance.

Nevertheless, if you assume it to be a supersport bike with a compact and tight rider triangle and ergonomics, it is not like it; the Yamaha MT-09 is comfortable, considering its class and category. Many motorcyclists and reviewers use this bike to go on longer journeys. However, you may be required to take a few breaks after some time.

While riding the Yamaha MT-09, you may be required to lean slightly forward if you are an average-sized rider. If you are taller, you can sit upright while riding this bike.

Considering the intent behind this motorcycle’s design, the MT-09’s legroom is quite restricted. The footpegs have been moved back to ensure a completely sportier stance.

The handlebars are tall and upright, ensuring a perfect arm position on a naked bike. Overall, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is perfect for average-sized riders. The compact design and restricted legroom can make riding uncomfortable for taller riders. The riding position is comfortable for riding on backcountry roads. However, the seat can have a bit more padding.

As approved by many motorcycle reviewers, the Yamaha MT-09 is among the best-sounding motorcycles. The inline triple-cylinder engine produces one of the most addictive exhaust notes.

On top of that, we have gas tank-mounted acoustic amplifier grilles for enhanced intake sound and special effects. These grilles are installed so riders can feel this bike’s sound completely new.

Acoustic Amplifier Grilles 

The Yamaha MT-09 has one of the most interesting exhaust units. It is a three-into-one-into-two exhaust system, ensuring a balanced flow out of the exhaust. The exhaust pipes run below the engine at the belly section. These exhaust pipes generate a very beautiful sound. However, for a more engaging experience, the acoustic amplifier grilles are installed.

Despite the 2024 MT-09’s superior performance and innovative styling, the dashboard and switches are kept simple. The bike features a new 5-inch TFT Full-Color Display With Updated Switchgear. The display screen is easily visible. The rider can view the navigation without any problem.

The updated switchgear on the 2024 model also makes it very easy for riders to control motorcycle settings. Thanks to the updated switchgear, the rider has easy access to all the electronics and controls.

The 2024 MT-09 is a remarkably engineered bike with dozens of advanced features, making rides safer and fun. These features allow riders to fully customize their ride per style and preference.

You will not be able to fully familiarize yourself with this bike's features. Thanks to the ride-by-wire throttle system, you can control and customize your ride depending on the riding conditions; it allows riders to choose between five ride modes: Sport, Rain, Street, and Two Rider Customizable.

On top of it, the 2024 Yamaha MT-09 also features traction control, updated cruiser control, Back Slip Regulator (BSR), third-generation quick shifter, ABS, cornering control, slide control, lift control, and much more.

You can customize the ride by controlling the level of interaction and interference of all these features. You can also turn them on or off completely.

The Yamaha MT-09, alongside its other siblings, has always been among the most loved motorbikes in the Yamaha lineup. For a motorcycle like this, with an established brand name, top-quality, reliable engine, and top-end performance, the price tag of $10,599 is very attractive.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is also among the most good-looking street bikes. It is light, fun, and fully loaded with required electronics and rider aids.

Overall, the Yamaha MT-09 is a great package for those who want a versatile bike for city traveling, daily commuting, and backcountry riding at an affordable price.

The MT-09 is among the few perfect motorcycles with no downside. However, even a minor difference or change seems bigger when something is close to perfection.

Everything about the Yamaha MT-09 is perfect. They all feel smooth and abrupt, whether it is throttle response, power delivery, or acceleration. The problem with the 2024 MT-09’s perfect ride experience becomes slightly noticeable in the second gear.

Several other reviewers have highlighted the same issue while riding in the second gear. There is a little gap in the power delivery while riding in the second gear. The throttle response seems slightly disconnected from the engine, particularly between 1,500-4,000 rpm.

It is not like the engine power is completely disconnected within this rpm range. It does not feel as good and quick as in the higher rev range. You would want to switch immediately to the third gear while riding the 2024 MT-09.

This problem may not trouble you while riding on straight, empty roads. However, if you are riding on twisty roads where you must continuously shift between gears and ride slowly, you may need to ride the bike in second gear.

2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP is a more premium version, focussed more towards better track performance. The differences between the 2024 MT-09 base model and the MT-09 SP include:

The 2024 MT-09 SP is $1,700 more expensive than the base model. It comes at a base MSRP of $12,299. Meanwhile, the 2024 MT-09 base model has a price tag of $10,599.

The 2024 MT-09 SP features more advanced adjustable Öhlins front and rear suspensions. The premium suspension ensures better response and feedback for track performance.

Being the premium variant, the 2024 MT-09 SP has a few additional riding modes for better ride customizability. The additional ride modes are focused more on better track performance.

The 2024 MT-09 SP looks more premium with exclusive styling elements, paint job, and accents. These cosmetic differences make the MT-09 SP distinguishable from the MT-09 base model.

The 2024 MT-09 SP’s TFT display is also a bit more advanced to show more information for track racing.

The Yamaha MT-09 is undoubtedly a hooligan bike. Its punchier performance, low weight, agility, superior handling, and top-end electronics make this bike a fun naked bike. It sometimes gets difficult for even responsible riders to not get carried away while riding the MT-09.

The Yamaha MT-09 can go at around 29.3 mph in the first gear. Being a top middleweight naked bike, this bike has an amazing throttle response and quick acceleration. It feels quite punchier on the road, even in the first gear.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 comes standard with an upgraded third-generation quick-shifter. It is an ideal feature for smooth and easy gear shifting in multiple ride conditions without needing to engage the clutch.

Whether the Yamaha MT-09 is safe depends on the riders’ skills and how it operates the bike. Having good self-control is all that you need while riding this hooligan bike.

The MT-09 is a lightweight naked bike meant to be fun and adventurous. Riders must not ride this bike above their limits and skills. Above all, following all traffic laws and taking safety precautions to ride safely is important.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 base model is available in three different color options:

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is among the most eligible super-naked bikes currently available. It is one of those bikes that are closer to perfection. As most riders call it, it is a “hooligan bike” due to its punchier nature.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is perfect in all performance departments. The 2024 model has brought several upgrades, making this bike a top contender in the middleweight naked bike category.

The 2024 MT-09 now looks more precious, advanced, and meaner. There is nothing that can go wrong with this bike. If you want to invest in a sporty and aggressive bike for city traveling, backcountry riding, canyon carving, highway cruising, and even daily commuting, you must consider the MT-09.

The 2024 Yamaha MT-09 is worth all the appreciation for its premium engine technology, advanced features, top-end equipment, and superior performance.