Page 16 - LHR Motorcycle Magazine August 2024

2024 Yamaha MT-09 SP review: Better brakes and more electronic

goodies for the top-spec CP3 naked

It took Yamaha until 2018 to answer the please of
experienced riders who enjoyed the regular MT-09’s
punchy triple-cylinder engine and agile chassis, but
not the low-rent suspension that held back what could
be a potent sporty middleweight naked motorbike.

The MT-09 SP’s Öhlins shock and fully-adjustable
KYB forks saved punters from having to fork out for
aftermarket shocks and fork internals, and took the
fight to the Triumph Street Triple 765 R and RS: not
wholly successfully, as the Triumph’s origins in the
Daytona 675 supersport machine still gave it a much
more assured feel, where the MT-09’s unusually long
forks (and less-than-perfect standard suspension
settings) meant it still wasn’t fulfilling its premium
middleweight naked potential. too. There are also two different circuit-focused
options for the TFT display, in addition to the usual
four.

The result is a bike that’s more composed and
capable than the regular MT-09, as well as feeling
more of a true sports edition, justifying the SP tag
better thanks to the enhanced braking as well as
greater ability to set the bike to suit your needs,
particularly for faster road and track use.
Ride quality & brakes

The 2021 revisions to the MT-09 SP helped, and now
in 2024, it’s better than ever. Naturally, it shares all the
updates to the core engine and chassis introduced
earlier in the year on the base £10,102 MT-09, but the
usual SP refinements (Öhlins shock and KYB forks,
R1M-inspired blue/black/silver paint with a clear-
coated brushed-aluminium swingarm) are
supplemented with Brembo Stylema calipers (a first
for Yamaha, who use the oft-maligned ADVICS
stoppers on every other big bike), keyless ignition
(operating the ignition, steering lock and fuel cap but
you’ll need the pull-out blade to unlock the pillion The standard 2024 MT-09 is keen steering and fun to
seat) and new electronic options. chuck around, particularly at lower speeds – it’s in its
element around town. But put some more speed and
The most notable digital change is the ability to load through it, and the KYB suspension can’t cope:
deactivate the rear anti-lock braking function, which is it’s too soft, with the rear end in particular squatting
to satisfy part of the SP’s expanded design brief that it and rebounding too quickly, which unloads the front
can handle moderate track use. tyre and promotes instability.

There are also two further rider-customisable modes This is where the MT-09 SP feels better from the first
(in addition to Rain, Standard, Sport and the User turn explore more of its enhanced capability: grab a
mode present on the MT-09), plus a Track Mode handful of brakes or throttle, and there’s no excessive
which allows engine braking levels to be adjusted, pitching from one tyre to the other. The same is true

Yamaha MT-09 SP Review