Playfully Aggressive

Revamped for 2017, the new MT-09 remains true to its values…

- John Milbank

What each of us can afford to pay for a bike is invariably subjective. What some might consider a bargain price, others might well struggle with. But there can be no argument, surely, that 2017’s MT-09 offers extraordinary value for money.

In a post-referendum United Kingdom that’s seeing prices steadily increase due to the weak pound and the consequent rising cost of imports, the announcement from Yamaha that its hyper-naked would increase in cost by just £450 – to £7799 – was more than a surprise.

The newly-fitted standard quick shifter alone is worth that, but this revamp also includes an improved front fork with compression damping adjustment added to the rebound and preload, LED headlights, a new compact tail with a comfier seat, and a slip-assist clutch.

The MT-09 has been very important to Yamaha – after the difficult times suffered by the whole motorcycle industry, 2013’s release of the naked triple was something of a turning point. As one employee told me at the time, Yamaha had ‘turned the taps back on’ in R&D, and led the way as the manufacturer that arguably kick-started the country’s passion for motorcycling once more. It formed the basis of the Hyper Naked range, which now also includes the MT-10, MT-07, MT-03 and MT-125. Some 43% of Yamaha’s European sales in 2016 were Hyper Nakeds, while 20.5% were sport tourers (the Tracers and FJR), 14.5% sport heritage (XSRs, VMAX, XJR and XV), 11.5% super-sport and 10% were others.The MT-07 may be the biggest-selling Hyper Naked, but it’s the MT-09 that’s still the most popular bike on Yamaha’s MT Tour, where riders are given the chance to try out the machines.