Motorcycle specifications YamahaMT-09 850 2015 The reposte

Yamaha has dared... at last! After decades, the manufacturer has returned to a type of motorization totally neglected by Japan: the 3-cylinder. This architecture, pleasing and full of qualities, has now become Triumph's specialty, Benelli's virulence, MV-Agusta's frivolity... In short, a seal of Europe. Yamaha has thrown itself into the 3-cylinder sports roadster fray with the 850 MT-09. It's a 100% new motorcycle, and its potential is already whetting your appetite. 115 horsepower distributed by its 3 buckets, almost 9 mkg of torque, and a dry weight of 171 kg. Don't look now - Yam has never made a roadster so light. And success followed right on its heels.

a long way from Yamaha's last 3-legged model. 30 years separate the MT-09 from its distant ancestor, the XS 850. A redesigned version of the XSE 750, the machine produced 79 hp and weighed 257 kg. Its career came to an end in 1983, and with it the epic of the triple.
A stunning comeback! With this boiler, encased in a machine that's as much an agitator of dark streets as it is a companion of sensations. Three back-to-back bowls from the manufacturer with the triple tuning fork deserved a little technical chapter.

presented in concept form, the CP3 is a completely new engine, benefiting from the very best in Yam-developed electronics. With super-square ribs measuring 78 x 59.1 mm, it favors lively, sporty revs. Total cubic capacity is 847 cm3. The valves, 31 mm on the intake and 29 on the exhaust, are positioned at a closed angle of 26.5°. This makes for ultra-compact combustion chambers. The 12-hole injectors are mounted directly on the cylinder head. As for the intake cones, each is allocated a different length to create distinct conditions in each cylinder - the first cone is 102.88 mm long, the second 82.8 mm and the third 122.8 mm. These 3 "mini-characters" create complementary torque and power curves.
With this distiller, Yamaha announces the arrival of the Cross-plane philosophy on a roadster bearing its coat of arms. And yet, there's nothing exceptional about it compared to other 3-leggers in the sector. The crankshaft is set at 120°, providing an ignition sequence at constant intervals of 0°, 240° and 480°. The trick: this type of timing is regular for a triple, but asynchronous for a 4-cylinder, giving it that "cross-plane taste" that only the R1 could claim among Japanese machines. Torque, driveability and responsiveness, without waiting for top revs! Yamaha is proud to have introduced this engine timing on a production machine. It's been long-awaited on a new FZ1, but it's the MT-09 that will first benefit from this feature.With a weight of 60 kg, this block weighs around 10 kg less than the FZ8's 4-cylinder. This contributes significantly to the MT-09's featherweight. However, it's not the leader in the field: MV-Agusta's 800 cm3 sets the bar at 52 kg.
Even so, engine designers and engineers have gone to great lengths to give this engine some fine credentials. A new 6-speed gearbox, a special oil sump, a new type of timing chain tensioner, simplified hose routing for less weight, and more.forged aluminum pistons with fractured-head connecting rods, and of course, high-density electronics.
Beyond the barbaric abbreviations (YCC-T and D-mode), let's simplify things by mentioning that this mill is controlled by a ride-by-wire throttle and an injection map selector. Three choices are available: STD (standard), A and B. STD for normal use, A for a sportier response, and B for less virulence, more suited to tricky conditions (rain, rotten roads, driving in built-up areas, etc...).

no false pretenses: Yam has pulled out all the stops for its 3-legged model, ushering in a new era for its engines. This is a sine qua non for entering a field where the Street Triple is the benchmark, and where the Brutale B3s have their say. But the battle isn't won on the engine alone. Styling must be as striking as it is attractive. The MT-09 may be inspired by the hidden, unconventional side of Japan, but it seems rather wise, a far cry from the exacerbated pettiness that Europe has produced. There are hints of the MT-03, a hint of mischief and a touch of torture in its spirit of stylistic harmony. Everyone can make up their own mind about this boldness... which, in my opinion, is rather timid (but that's just me).

the powertrain and chassis are delighted to be given such prominence. Unlike the Z 800, which hides everything it can under a parade of plastic, the MT-09 shows off its superb aluminum frame. As on the pioneering MT-01, it's made up of a pair of die-cast aluminum components, bolted to the steering column and swingarm axle.
It is fitted with a specially designed suspension linkage. To limit the distance between the footrests, the axle is not fixed to the frame but to an intermediate piece. Reinforced on the left and banana-shaped on the right, this arm is the companion of a suspension profile new to Yam. The shock absorber is positioned almost horizontally, with the added refinement of adjustable rebound and preload. A 41 mm inverted fork is fitted at the front, with rebound adjustment only. Radial 4-piston brake calipers control 298 mm discs. The 14-liter fuel tank isn't very large, but Yamaha claims a range of up to 240 km, thanks to the efforts made to reduce the 3-cylinder's fuel consumption.

the chassis is 10 kg lighter than that of the FZ8. Since agility and handling are not just a question of weight, we've also focused on mass centralization. Hence the positioning of the amorto, the short exhaust and its tranquillizer bowl under the engine. Compact, with a responsive profile and wide, relatively high handlebars, the MT-09 offers a compact, elevated riding position, with a predisposition for style as much as riding pleasure. Yamaha offers its original roadster new commodos, footrests, gear selector and brake pedal in forged aluminum, as well as a strange, narrow but nonetheless complete full-digital instrument panel.

the MT-09 promises a whole new sensory experience for the rider. Yamaha has finally come up with a riposte to the wave of streetfighters with strong European personalities. It's also the only Japanese machine powered by a 3-cylinder engine. This machine has proven its worth in an impressive way, proving to be efficient, playful and captivating. Curiosity was the wake-up call, the price is a jovial accompaniment, and this roadster has taken its place in the market.

M.B - Photos and manufacturer's video