BikeSocial Web Editor. Content man, reviewer, commissioner, road tester, video presenter, interviewer and race fan. First ride was a 1979 Honda ST70. Not too shabby on track, loves a sports bike, worries about helmet hair, occasionally plays golf and squash but enjoys being a father to a 6-year-old the most.
Hot on the heels of the 2024 Yamaha MT09 announcement, comes confirmation of its sportier brethren, the MT-09 SP, with similar upgrades. but of course, being the SP it goes one step further. Three years on since the model's last upgrade – that time seems to have passed by too quickly – for 2024 the superb three-cylinder engined middleweight roadster gets updates to suspension, brakes, appearance and “track-focused technology and electronics”.
Pros & Cons
Sumptuous triple gets even more entertaining
Improved suspension and brakes increase rider comfort
New dash and switchgear
Track mode and other tech enhancements
‘Slumped’ headlight appearance will divide the crowd
Catalytic convertor is bound to look well-used after one run
Just one colour option
2024 Yamaha MT-09: Superior Darkness
Check the Yamaha prmotional video to see the new MT-09 SP for 2024
Yamaha says the 2024 MT-09 SP isn’t due in UK dealers until June 2024 and, while at the launch of the model the price has yet to be confirmed, it will be confirmed “in the coming weeks.”
For reference, the outgoing 2021-2023 model is available for £11,310, so the new one won’t be any less than that.
Unlike the standard MT-09 which is available in three colour schemes – Midnight Cyan, Icon Blue and Tech Black – the ‘SP’ variant has its own exclusive R1M inspired Icon Performance colour with brushed aluminium swingarm.
The iconically torquey and wonderfully entertaining 890cc three-cylinder engine is virtually unchanged for 2024 and therefore retains identical performance figures of 117.3hp (119PS, 87.5kW) at 10,000rpm and 68.6lb-ft of torque (93Nm) at 7,000rpm but Yamaha has ensured the engine is compliant with the latest EU5+ emissions regulations.
As with the non-SP 2024 MT-09, the engine’s new design includes revised air intake ducts that are said to “accentuate the high-frequency sounds of the engine”, feeding them directly to the rider via an acoustic amplifier grille.
The bike’s electronics receive more than just a tweak as the 6-axis IMU (the brains of the bike) offer not on the three riding modes – Sport, Street and Rain – but there are two further Custom modes. The SP gains an exclusive Track mode too with four extra patterns to customise allowing for refinements to engine braking, brake control and ABS, either via the dash or MyRide app. Track mode is accompanied by a dedicated SP-exclusive theme on the bike’s 5” full colour TFT screen which naturally includes a lap timer.
The IMU-assisted tech is also improved for 2024 with the addition of a Back Slip Regulator (BSR) that stabilises the rear wheel during engine braking by controlling the torque fed to the wheel. This works in addition to the Slide Control function that detects sideways movement by the pitch and yaw of the bike. A third generation quickshifter has been added to the six-speed transmission.
For the headline upgrades you’ve come to the right section. While the chassis was completely revamped for the 2021 model, the 2024 MT-09 SP gains updated suspension with 41mm KYB forks at the front, still fully-adjustable for preload, rebound and compression damping, but with a higher spring rate for refined damping. The same goes for the Ohlins monoshock at the rear which too is adjustable for compression and rebound damping with a remote preload adjuster.
Bridgestone’s recently launched Battlax Hypersport S23 tyres are added instead of the previous S22s.
The brakes are updated too with the Brembo Stylema monoblock calipers at the front and rear while weight increases slightly for the 2024 model, rising by 1kg to 194kg.
Just like the 2024 MT-09, the new look includes a redesigned fuel tank which increases steering lock range courtesy of its lower-profile shape, though its capacity remains at 14 litres. A new split seat unit and redesigned bi-functional LED headlight gives a noticeable new look.
The riding position has been revised to give the rider a sportier stance with lower bars and higher, more rear-set pegs than before. The bars and pegs are both adjustable, too, each with two possible positions to choose from to tailor the posture to suit riders of different sizes.
An adjustable clutch lever is also a new addition alongside the already adjustable brake lever.
Fuel consumption and emissions are unaltered, with the same claimed 56.5mpg economy as before so the bike’s theoretical overall range to empty is still 174 miles but ride it like it was designed to be ridden and that figure becomes entertainingly unrealistic.
Not only does the MT-09 SP feature newly designed switchgear, but straight from the Tracer 9 GT+ and Niken GT comes a new 5” colour TFT dash offering four different themes and the aforementioned SP-only Track theme. As you’d expect, the free MyRide app allows connectivity between your smartphone and the bike, controllable via the dash, but it also includes operation of the riding mode settings.
New indicator settings (soft-click for three flashes, or hard click for continuous flashing) include a self-cancel function, as well as a new emergency stop signal that engages the hazard lights when under braking. Rubbish for track use but an important safety feature for the roads.
The SP also becomes the first Yamaha hyper naked to feature the firm’s Smart Key System meaning the engine can be started and the fuel tank cap can even be operated by a dedicated switch.
This excitable middleweight class is a bubbling cauldron of power wheelies, lightweight chassis’, hi-spec brakes and a bag of electronics to keep it all under control, and the MT-09 SP’s three-cylinder layout and appealing cost:performance ratio mean it’s always been a hard bike to beat, but consider these alternatives too:
We’ll let you know when we’ve ridden it but if it’s better than the 2021 bike then we’re in for a treat!
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Keyless ignition brings convenience and ease of use to the SP
Six-axis IMU with lean-sensitive rider aids, including Back Slip Regulator (BSR). Plus cornering ABS, cornering traction control, slide control system, wheelie control, brake control. Cruise control, three pre-set riding modes (Sport, Street and Rain) plus customisable modes, and the new Track mode.
Frame
Diamond die-cast aluminium
Front suspension
41mm USD KYB forks with DLC gold finish. 130mm travel
Front suspension adjustment
Fully adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
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What is MCIA Secured?
MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.
MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars (three stars for bikes of 125cc or less), based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:
A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard
An ignition immobiliser system
A vehicle marking system
An alarm system
A vehicle tracking system with subscription
The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.
