ON THE ROAD...

IT'S A SURPRISINGLY LONG AND SPACIOUS MACHINE, STRETCHING YOU OUT IN A GOOD WAY WITHOUT NECESSITATING A CHIROPRACTOR ON SPEED DIAL AFTER EACH AND EVERY RIDE.

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The thing that blows my mind is that Yamaha never went down this route sooner. Seriously, the Japanese brand's decision to unleash its CP3 motor in a pukka sportsbike platform is up there with putting butter on bread; it just makes sense for so many reasons... and especially so because it seems to have really done its homework and delivered to the market a bike that people actually want.

To look at, you'd think this is an out-and-out race bike, but it's far more chilled than the R9's aggressively sharp bodywork would have you believe. For starters, it's a surprisingly long and spacious machine, stretching you out in a good way without necessitating a chiropractor on speed dial after each and every ride. I'd go as far as saying it's got much more forgiving ergonomics than the R6 or R1, which both seemed to sit you atop of the bike, forcing your wrists low and your back into a position that would make a yoga class stop and take note. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little, but none of us are getting any younger, so the idea of a tolerable riding position on a sportsbike these days is up there with a free pass to the pub on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Of course, compare it to an MT and you're soon reminder that there’s generous and then ludicrous levels of comfort, with the R9 reflecting the former. The pegs still sit relatively high and the clip-ons, that mount below the yoke, will leave you in no doubt that you're perched on a sportsbike. This being the case, I found the bike was surprisingly accommodating and seemed to suit my 5ft 10in frame. And even if it hadn’t, I probably could've forgiven the R9 for a little bit of pain because the frolics it had on offer far outweighed any degree of discomfort.